Plus, top weekend events.
02.18.2026 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

Subscribe

From our friends at

WTSP.jpg

80º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:04 a.m. | Sunset 6:23 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 3:59 p.m. | Low: 9:48 a.m. + 9:25 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 12:30 p.m. | Low: 6:13 a.m. + 6:17 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

We’ll be sending you our newsletter for the next five days, but if you’re not feeling it after that, we’ll call it quits — no action required. If you like what you see, click any link in this email, and each morning, we’ll keep sending the most relevant news, events, and updates from around Tampa Bay. Our newsletters are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time.

City Guide

Forget LinkedIn

Bull statues at the University of South Florida. They are in a fountain, in front of the Marshall Student Center in the middle of the Tampa campus. Cloudy skies are ahead.
USF is one of our area’s biggest employers. | Photo by TBAYtoday
More than 1.6 million people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Tampa Bay metropolitan area’s economy. But have you ever wondered about our heaviest hitters?

Whether you’re job hunting (or just “casually prospecting”), here are some of the companies with the most Tampa Bay area employees:

Healthcare

BayCare Health System
33,631 employees | Healthcare | Search jobs
The Clearwater-based healthcare system boasts 16 hospitals under its name.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
9,466 employees | Cancer research | Search jobs
Moffitt boasts cancer survival rates up to four times the national average.

Financial services

Raymond James Financial
6,556 employees | Finance | Search jobs
RJF offers financial guidance and planning to individual investors and families. In 2024, the company hit $1.37 trillion in assets, with St. Pete as its headquarters.

Suncoast Credit Union
2,000 employees | Credit union | Search jobs
The Tampa Bay area credit union provides checking + savings options, as well as mortgage opportunities. Their careers site provides guidance on how to join their award-winning team.
Even more employers

Asked

What industry employs the most people in Tampa Bay?

A. Financial services
B. Education
C. Defense and security
D. Life sciences
C'mon it's open book

Events

Wednesday, Feb. 18

State of the City 2026 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Palladium Theater | Free

Where in the Vino: Southern Hemisphere at Steelbach | 6:30-11 p.m. | Armature Works | $150

Maddox Batson | 7 p.m. | Jannus Live | $50+

One Love | Wednesday, Feb. 18-Thursday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | Green Bench Brewing Co. | Free

Thursday, Feb. 19

Book Club: “Welcome to Florida” | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Tampa Bay History Center, virtual | Free

Lunar New Year Day 4: K-Pop Karaoke | 7-9 p.m. | Armature Works | Free

“TINA: The Tina Turner Musical” | 7:30 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall | $44+

Friday, Feb. 20

MAACM Art Deco Glass Class | Friday, Feb. 20-Tuesday, May 26 | Times vary | Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, St. Petersburg | $110+

South Asian Indian Film Festival Florida 2026 | Friday, Feb. 20-Sunday, Feb. 22 | 6-8 p.m. | Citrus Park 20, Tampa | $9+

Saturday, Feb. 21

Sensory Saturday | 8-10 a.m. | Mosi Museum of Science & Industry, Tampa | $7+

3rd Annual Skyway Family Fun Day | 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Skyway Park | Free, RSVP

Art & Seafood on the Water | Saturday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 22 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Water Front Park, Safety Harbor | Free entry

Sunday, Feb. 22

The Junior League of Tampa Prospective Member Pop-up | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 1605 W. Snow Ave. | Free

National Margarita Day | Tampa Marriott Water Street | Price of purchase
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Announced

What’s next for USF’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation? Leaders are in the “very early” stages of potentially redeveloping the 90,000-sqft facility in downtown Tampa. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Development

You might’ve spotted these hot pink buildings while cruising through the Burg. Valor Real Estate Development drenched four vacant downtown buildings in shades of fuchsia to advertise the incoming Roche Bobois St. Pete Tower. The buildings will be torn down to build a 29-story condo tower. (Tampa Bay Times)

Number

65. That’s how many feet worth of oysters Pinellas County employees recently dropped in front of mangroves in Philippe Park in Safety Harbor. It’s part of the effort to protect our vulnerable shorelines by essentially creating a natural, living barrier between the coast and surf. (WUSF News)

Try This

Want to see what the Titanic’s tragic journey was actually like — not through the eyes of Leo and Kate? Roam life-size replicas of the ship’s parts + take in 3D projections of the 1912 sail at the newly-opened “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – Through the Eyes of the Passengers.” Get tickets to the South Tampa experience. (That’s So Tampa)

Arts

The Bucs just unveiled a new chalk mural in honor of Black History Month at their AdventHealth Training Center. Take a look at local artist Laura Thomas’ handiwork. We won’t spoil the surprise. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Edu

Speaking of USF, a new leader just took the helm. Moez Limayem hopes to boost the institution out of the “rookie” bracket. What does that mean? The newly-minted president is still developing his plans, but his early vision includes rethinking talent development + creating new partnerships with businesses and organizations. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Pro Tip

Attention Amazon Prime members — don’t miss the chance to earn extra cash on every purchase you make. Check out these 16 hacks to save money + earn more cash, all from the comfort of your couch.*

Finance

Americans are choosing this powerhouse card for smarter spending. It boasts 0% intro APR on all purchases and balance transfers for nearly two years, up to 6% cash back, a generous sign-up bonus, and zero annual fee. Add it to your wallet.*

Health

Crowded restaurants, bustling cafés, lively gatherings — your social life can be loud. These best-selling hearing aids cut through the noise so you hear every word with clarity + confidence. Built with cutting-edge technology and a nearly invisible design, they fit seamlessly into your life. Start a 45-day no-risk trial.*

Eat

Some nights you have the energy to cook. Other nights, you have the energy to… stare at the fridge and negotiate with it. Forkful meals arrive fully prepared, use grass-fed beef and free-range chicken, and are 100% seed oil-free. Get 50% off your first box with code CMD50.*

Post of the Day

Screenshot 2026-02-17 at 12.45.54 PM.png

The second biggest romp down Bayshore is this weekend.

Screenshot via @visittampabay

Yes, it’s another huge weekend for Tampa Bay. The Gasparilla Distance Classic — the second biggest annual parade down Bayshore — returns for its 49th year this weekend.
Want to be featured?

The Buy

A 4.6-star rated collagen mask that features a Botox-like peptide developed using Nobel Prize-winning technology. It deeply moisturizes dry skin while boosting elasticity and improving skin sebum levels.
More worth The Buy

The Wrap

If you know me, and maybe (hopefully) love me, you’d know that I stop by Cafe Clementine for a salted honey or almond croissant pretty much every weekend.

So I was delighted to learn that right now, you can present your cafe receipt for $4 off admission to the Museum of Fine Arts through Saturday, Feb. 28. Do with that what you will.
Copy of City Editor-Wrap (1).png
Click Support below to help us out!

{optout_confirm_url}

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

ADVERTISE | GUIDES | EVENTS | SHOP | SUPPORT

† Disclaimers and Legal | * Advertising Policy

The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2025 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602