Andrea Banovic, Director of Sales, Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC

August 2026 —In an interview with Invest:, Andrea Banovic, Director of Sales at Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC discussed how the organization is evolving alongside the region’s rapid growth to become both a community hub and a premier event destination. “Long gone are the days of same themes galas or conferences — clients are demanding event diversification.”

What key changes over the past year have most impacted the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC, and how have these developments shaped your organization’s programs and priorities in Tampa Bay?

Over the past year, Tampa Bay’s rapid population growth and continued business expansion have significantly increased demand for community-centered programming, cultural events, and high-quality gathering spaces. We’ve also seen a stronger desire for organizations that foster meaningful connections and inclusive experiences.

As a result, we’ve continued prioritizing programming that serves a wide range of community needs—from wellness and family engagement to corporate events, nonprofit partnerships, and cultural programming. We’ve also invested in elevating the overall guest and event experience through facility improvements, enhanced technology, and expanded partnerships across the region.

What recent initiatives or developments at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC stand out to you, and what impact are they having on the Tampa Bay community?

One of the most impactful developments has been our continued focus on positioning the JCC as both a community hub and a premier event destination. We’ve expanded partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and civic organizations while continuing to host programming that brings diverse groups together.

We’ve also invested in our venue experience through price target menus, upgraded AV capabilities, lighting enhancements, and elevated hospitality services and event coordination and planning. These improvements allow us to attract more regional events, conferences, and community gatherings, which ultimately supports economic activity while strengthening community engagement. We also found that our community presence not only strengthens our community presence, but builds a lasting client base.

How is the JCC approaching talent development and recruitment to ensure it continues delivering high-quality programming and services to the growing Tampa Bay population?

We recognize that exceptional staff and leadership are critical to delivering exceptional experiences. Our focus has been on recruiting individuals who align with our mission while also investing in professional development, hospitality standards, and leadership growth.

As Tampa Bay becomes increasingly competitive from a workforce perspective, retaining talent requires creating a strong organizational culture, offering meaningful work, and ensuring team members feel connected to the impact they’re making within the community. Since our community presence is so deeply tied to our mission, having a workforce that recognizes and honors that is critical. We give back to our community, and work with so many non-profits, that anyone who has a heart for community, finds themselves at home working here.

What trends are you seeing across community and cultural organizations in Tampa Bay, and how is the JCC adapting to meet the evolving needs of the region?

There is a growing demand for flexible, experience-based events and programming. Organizations are increasingly looking for venues and community partners that can provide not only space, but also collaboration, convenience, and elevated events and guest experiences.

We’re also seeing increased interest in events that tell stories, or events that are engaging with their guests. Long gone as the days of same themes galas or conferences, clients are demanding event diversifications. The JCC is adapting by continuing to modernize our hospitality offerings while remaining deeply focused on event execution as well as client experience. 

What challenges are currently affecting community-centered organizations in Tampa Bay, and how is your organization navigating those while identifying new opportunities?

Like many organizations, we’re navigating rising operational costs, workforce competition, and increasing expectations around guest experience and technology integration. At the same time, Tampa Bay’s growth presents tremendous opportunity.

We’re addressing these challenges by focusing on creating flawless event planning, operational efficiency, and continued investment in price targeted menus that make us competitive and create a meaningful experience for our clients and guests. We also see strong opportunities in corporate partnerships, regional conferences, nonprofit collaboration, and social events that reflect the diversity and growth of the Tampa Bay market.

How does the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC engage with the broader Tampa Bay community, and what partnerships or initiatives have been particularly impactful?

Community engagement is central to everything we do. We actively collaborate with nonprofits, schools, businesses, cultural organizations, and civic leaders throughout Tampa Bay by creating events and partnerships that bring the community together.

Some of the most impactful partnerships have been focused on educational programming, fundraising events, and corporate partnerships. These collaborations help strengthen both social connection and economic vitality throughout the region.

From your perspective, how do organizations like the JCC contribute to the social and economic vitality of the Tampa Bay region?

Organizations like the JCC play an important role in creating spaces where people connect, collaborate, and build community. Organizing events that create revenue for nonprofits and corporate clients directly impacts our local communities. We deliver an exceptional service, paired with beautiful space to host events that have a lasting impact on our community. Our focus is on all the event details down to the guest experience. Those events and experiences not only elevate corporate or nonprofit events but also contribute to the broader identity of Tampa Bay as a vibrant, connected, and culturally rich community. 

Looking ahead, what are your key goals and priorities for the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC over the next few years as Tampa Bay continues to grow?

Our priorities include continuing to elevate the client and guest experience, expanding on fundraising incentives  supporting our nonprofits that reflect Tampa Bay’s evolving demographics, and strengthening our position as a premier destination for both community  and events.

We also want to continue investing in innovation, facility enhancements, event management, and retaining top talent to allow us to serve both our community and be the economic contributor to the region.