Day 1 · Marquee Event
The Launch Tank
A Shark Tank-style youth pitch competition where students pitch real ideas to local leaders, mentors, and investors — with sponsors seated as judges.
Hey Tampa Bay! Presents
The Launch Pad
A youth career and entrepreneurial expo connecting students, families, vendors, sponsors, and community leaders to real-world opportunities.
August 14–16, 2026·Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa + Palmetto Convention Center
Led by Inc. to Inc. · Venue Sponsor: Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa and Palmetto Convention Center
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Choose your path
Reserve your spot
General Admission
All-access weekend pass
[GENERAL_ADMISSION_PRICE]
per attendee
- Keynotes, breakouts, expo & pitch finals
- Networking with sponsors and mentors
- Optional VIP & banquet add-ons
Need an invoice or team booking? Talk to the organizer
Our Mission
We empower students by giving them real exposure, real mentors, and real momentum.
Launch Pad bridges the gap between classroom and career. Through hands-on experiences, professional connections, and an editorial event environment, students leave with clarity, confidence, and a defined path forward.
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Exposure
Direct contact with employers, founders, and industry mentors across three days.
02
Confidence
Pitch, present, and connect in a high-trust setting designed to elevate every student.
03
Connection
Long-term relationships with sponsors, peers, and community leaders that outlast the weekend.
The Experience
Five distinct moments. One unforgettable weekend.
Every component of Launch Pad is designed to put students in the same room as the people, ideas, and opportunities that change their trajectory.
All Three Days
02
Breakout Sessions
P.A.T.H. to Success — career, entrepreneurship, leadership, and skill-building tracks led by industry professionals across multiple paths.
Expo Hall
03
Career Expo
Direct engagement between students, families, sponsors, and businesses — a curated talent and opportunity marketplace.
Mainstage
04
Keynote Speakers
Inspirational and educational presentations from leaders shaping their fields, with prime sponsor participation slots.
Closing Night
05
Awards Banquet
A high-visibility hospitality-grade celebration recognizing student achievement, success, and the partners who made it possible.
Event Leadership
Led by Inc. to Inc.
Fiscal Lead · Primary Charitable Beneficiary
Inc. to Inc.
The Launch Pad is led, organized, and fiscally administered by Inc. to Inc. — a justice-impacted entrepreneurship organization building real pathways for the next generation. All event payments and charitable contributions are received by Inc. to Inc.
Presented By
Hey Tampa Bay!
Hey Tampa Bay! presents The Launch Pad — amplifying youth opportunity, family engagement, and entrepreneurial momentum across the Tampa Bay region.
Venue Sponsor
Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa and Palmetto Convention Center
Hosted at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa with expanded programming at the Palmetto Convention Center — a premier hospitality and convention environment for sponsors, vendors, students, and families.
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Venue Sponsor
Marriott
Hospitality brand
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Venue Sponsor
Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa
Host venue & accommodations
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Venue Sponsor
Palmetto Convention Center
Expo & breakout space
Sponsorship
Pick the level of impact that fits your brand.
Seven sponsor tiers — from $250 student scholarships to $25,000 corporate partnerships. Pay in full, pay a deposit, or request an invoice / ACH for procurement teams.
Highest Community Impact
Corporate Sponsor
$25,000
- Branded event T-shirt
- Pioneer recognition in future events
- Community Investment Award
- 6 rooms · 2-night stay
Best for Brand Visibility
Title Sponsor
$10,000
- “Presented by” messaging on all materials
- Keynote speaking opportunity
- Vendor booth + judge seat
- 4 rooms · 1-night stay
Gold
$5,000- Speaking opportunity
- Vendor booth + judge seat
- On-stage recognition
- 3 rooms · 1-night stay
Silver
$2,500- Vendor booth
- Event recognition
- 2 rooms · 1-night stay
Bronze
$1,000- Vendor booth
- 1 room · 1-night stay
Community
$500- Vendor booth
- Company recognition in program
Direct Student Impact
Sponsor a Student
$250
- Funds a scholarship for one student
- Include an item in the swag bag
In-Kind Sponsorship
Contribute what you make best.
Provide products, services, or experiences in exchange for visible recognition across the weekend.
Printing & Marketing
Materials & Supplies
Gift Cards & Prizes
Entertainment
Sponsor spots are limited and approved on a first-come basis. Talk to the organizer
Vendor Opportunities
Get in front of the next generation of buyers, talent, and families.
Vendor booths sit at the heart of the Career Expo — high-traffic, mission-aligned, and curated for direct engagement with students, parents, sponsors, and partners.
Colleges & universities
Workforce programs
Service providers
Entrepreneurs
Education companies
Youth-serving orgs
Community brands
Career-focused tech
3
Days of expo traffic
Marriott
Premium venue
Direct
Student access
Get Your Ticket
Three days. One room full of opportunity.
Built for students, families, professionals, and anyone ready to be in the room where momentum happens.
Most popular
General Admission
[GENERAL_ADMISSION_PRICE]
- Full 3-day access
- Keynotes + breakouts
- Career expo + pitch finals
Discounted
Student
[STUDENT_TICKET_PRICE]
- Student-only pricing
- Priority breakout seating
- Mentor matchmaking
Premium
VIP + Awards Banquet
[VIP_PRICE]
- Reserved seating
- Awards Banquet access
- VIP networking lounge
Group of 4 or more?
Group ticket pricing — [GROUP_TICKET_PRICE] per attendee.
Registration
Parent Contact, Consent & Student Registration
Required for student participation. All information is securely stored and only used to coordinate your student's experience.
Feedback
Help Shape The Launch Pad Experience.
Whether you are a student, parent, sponsor, vendor, or community leader, your feedback helps us build an event that creates real opportunities.
Survey embed slot — [SURVEY_EMBED_URL]
Scholarship Portal
Submission Portal for Indigent Youthpreneurs
The Launch Pad is committed to expanding access for young entrepreneurs who may not otherwise have the financial resources to participate. Eligible students may submit a scholarship request for review.
Support
Support The Launch Pad Through Inc. to Inc.
Donations and charitable contributions connected to The Launch Pad are processed through Inc. to Inc., the fiscal lead and primary charitable beneficiary of the event.
Givebutter embed slot — [GIVEBUTTER_EMBED_CODE]
Donate Through Givebutter ↗Payment Disclosure
All sponsorship, vendor, attendance, registration, and donation payments for The Launch Pad are processed through the official Launch Pad website and received by Inc. to Inc., the event's fiscal lead and primary charitable beneficiary. Inc. to Inc. may make charitable distributions to Designated Community Impact Recipients from available Net Charitable Surplus after approved expenses and reserves are satisfied.
Checkout
Secure your spot in three clicks.
Choose your path, pick a level, and lock it in. High-ticket sponsors can pay a deposit or request invoice / ACH for procurement teams.
Your information
Who's this for?
We'll use this to send your confirmation and event details.
Payment Disclosure
All sponsorship, vendor, attendance, registration, and donation payments for The Launch Pad are processed through the official Launch Pad website and received by Inc. to Inc., the event's fiscal lead and primary charitable beneficiary. Inc. to Inc. may make charitable distributions to Designated Community Impact Recipients from available Net Charitable Surplus after approved expenses and reserves are satisfied.
Community Impact
Designated Community Impact Recipients
As part of The Launch Pad's commitment to community impact, Inc. to Inc. has elected to designate Whites House of Hope Inc. and Walk A Mile in Our Shoes Inc. as Designated Community Impact Recipients.
Following the event, and after all approved event expenses, reserves, refunds, chargebacks, processing fees, and post-event obligations are satisfied, each Designated Community Impact Recipient may receive a charitable distribution from available Net Charitable Surplus.
Designated Community Impact Recipients are recognized for their mission-aligned community work. They are not fiscal agents, event owners, co-hosts, payment recipients, or financial-control parties for The Launch Pad Event.
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Whites House of Hope Inc.
Designated Community Impact Recipient
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Walk A Mile in Our Shoes Inc.
Designated Community Impact Recipient
Hey Tampa Bay! Presents The Launch Pad.
The Launch Pad is led by Inc. to Inc., the event's fiscal lead and primary charitable beneficiary.
The venue sponsor is Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa and Palmetto Convention Center.
They are recognized as Designated Community Impact Recipients. They are not fiscal agents, event owners, co-hosts, payment recipients, or financial-control parties for The Launch Pad Event.
All sponsorship, vendor, attendance, registration, and donation payments for The Launch Pad are processed through the official Launch Pad website and received by Inc. to Inc., the event's fiscal lead and primary charitable beneficiary. Inc. to Inc. may make charitable distributions to Designated Community Impact Recipients from available Net Charitable Surplus after approved expenses and reserves are satisfied.
Yes. The Child Sponsor level helps fund a scholarship opportunity for one student to attend.
They may apply through the Scholarship Submission Portal.
Yes. Parent/guardian contact and consent forms are required for student participation where applicable.
Yes. Booths are assigned in the order received and capped to keep the expo curated and high-traffic for every vendor.
Yes. Sponsorships at $5,000 and above include invoice / ACH options for procurement and corporate payment workflows.