By Regina Lynch-Hudson
City Smarts
Since the beginning, Jacksonville has laid out a proverbial welcome mat to people of many diverse backgrounds. From the native Timucuan Indians, French Huguenots and the Spanish of the region’s formative years; to the achievements and experiences of African Americans, Hispanic Americans and others — all have their place in Jacksonville’s history.
Today, Jacksonville continues to be a cornucopia of cultures, which extends to its diversity in business. The northern Florida city is home to FORTUNE 1000 companies such as CSX Corporation, Winn-Dixie Stores and Fidelity National Information Services. Corporate headquarters anchored here include Stein Mart, PSS World Medical, The Haskell Company and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida.
Jacksonville has also gained prominence as one of the top health and medical destinations in the country, and home to various institutions including one of three Mayo Clinics in the country.
The Jacksonville MSA population is 1.2 million, which includes Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties.
Jetsetter
What started out as a hobby on steroids, became a full-fledged business,” says Tony Peacock, president of Executive Circle Promotions Inc., which provides unique advertising opportunities to corporations that desire to increase their market share, brand awareness and recruiting efforts in the multicultural marketplace. He conducts e-Marketing campaigns for clients such as the City of Jacksonville, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, and Prudential; and hosts a multicultural reception to add sizzle to the campaigns. Peacock moved from Atlanta to Jacksonville in 2001 for its vast business opportunities. The company celebrates its eighth anniversary in September. www.executive-circle.com
Getting Around
While Jacksonville has the traditional options of bus, taxis and rental cars to get around the area, some of the city’s quirkier modes of transportation are found downtown. The St. Johns River flows through downtown Jacksonville, dividing the Northbank from the Southbank and in addition to three bridges connecting the two districts, river taxis like the S.S. Marine Taxi, and the low-cost, elevated Skyway (35 cents) also connects both sides of the river.
Survival Kit
Pack those hiking shoes. Jacksonville boasts the largest urban parks system in the country with more than 111,000 acres including the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve.
Catching ZZZs
Hotel Indigo opened January 2009 at Tapestry Park on the south side of Jacksonville. Tapestry Park is a lifestyle center with unique shops and restaurants, conveniently located near the bustling Southside business district. The boutique hotel features a waterfront café, as well as 2,100 square feet of meeting space that overlooks a lake. www.hotelindigo.com
Power Lunch
Located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, Chew Restaurant is a hip hotspot for lunch and dinner. Chew's chef and owners are all late 20-somethings, from Jacksonville, who trained elsewhere, then returned to open their restaurant. www.chewrestaurant.com
Cultural Chow
13GYPSIES is truly a unique tapas experience, specializing in the preservation of traditional flavors. Chef Howard has captured recipes that originated along the Gypsy migratory trail — out of India, through Central Europe and northern Africa. www.13gypsies.com
Cyber Site
Located in downtown Jacksonville, Chamblin’s café offers the perfect place to fire up your laptop and enjoy complimentary wireless Internet along with a cup of coffee and a sandwich, soup or pastry. www.chamblinbookmine.com
Networkin'
Grab a drink and rub elbows with Jacksonville’s business elite at Bistro AIX’s ONYX Bar in the San Marco neighborhood just outside of downtown. www.bistrox.com
To De-Stress
The Spa at One Ocean features six ocean-view treatment rooms where guests can indulge in massage and skin care treatments using Phytomer, an exclusive line of all-natural skin care products derived from seaweed, algae and pure seawater harvested off the Brittany Coast of France. www.oneoceanresort.com
Footloose & Fancy-free
Amelia Island is a fast 30-minute drive from Jacksonville International Airport. Recently voted one of the top 10 North American Islands in Conde Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards, the isle’s 13 miles of breathtaking beaches, pristine beauty, world class resorts, charming Victorian inns, luxury spas, and championship golf make it the prime getaway in the Jacksonville area. www.ameliaisland.com
Flight Time
AirTran Airways offers daily, non-stop flights to Jacksonville International Airport and more than 56 major U.S. cities. 1.800.AIR.TRAN, www.airtran.com.
Someone Helpful
Thanks to our friends at www.visitjacksonville.com and other tourist venues for providing us with facts, figures and fun information for this article.
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