Business briefs: Bradenton EDC plans annual progress update on Friday

EDC plans

'15 update;

Feld keynote

BRADENTON -- The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. will summarize the past year in job creation and growing Manatee County's economy at its Annual Progress Update Luncheon on Friday. The public event will include a briefing from EDC leaders, a keynote address by Feld Entertainment CEO Kenneth Feld and the presentation of the 2015 Economic Development Award of Distinction.

The award recognizes an individual's outstanding contributions to moving the local economy forward.

To be held at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch, the event begins at 11:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $65 for EDC investors and $75 for others.

The EDC is the lead economic development organization for the Bradenton area's nine communities located on the south side of Tampa Bay. More information about Friday's event can be found at ThinkBradentonArea.com.

BioTech Expo set for Thursday at SCF campus

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The BioTech Expo is back and it's pushing to build up Manatee-Sarasota as a leading life sciences hub.

The second-annual edition of the expo will bring scientists, students and exhibitors from the life sciences together for an evening of learning and networking Thursday at State College of Florida's campus in Lakewood Ranch. It is put on by the Sarasota-Manatee chapter of BioFlorida.

The event is designed to let industry know this area has a science-oriented workforce that relocating or expanding biotech companies should find attractive.

To be held in SCF's Medical Technology and Simulation Center at Lakewood Ranch, the event will highlight the region's business and scientific innovation in the life sciences. The expo is intended to facilitate collaboration and networking among life science community leaders. The program includes a program featuring college leaders and introductions of new PhDs in the region and a showcase of regional companies in a BioTech Expo Lightening Round including BioScanR, HeadRehab, HealO Medical, Quasar Bio-Tech and Lakewood-Amedex.

The event runs 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Medical Technology and Simulation Center is at 5540 Communications Parkway. Those wishing to participate in the event may register at bioflorida.com.

Siesta Key Rum wins honors from Caribbean Journal

SARASOTA -- Drum Circle Distilling, Sarasota-based maker of Siesta Key rum products, has received top honors from the Caribbean Journal, which named Siesta Key Spiced Rum the world's best spiced rum for the fourth year in a row. In its annual taste test and awards, the Miami-based publication sampled and rated rums from around the world, including throughout the Caribbean, where rum originated.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Business briefs: Bradenton EDC plans annual progress update on Friday ."