'Game changer': South Florida business leaders react to FAU and UM being in the Final Four

AS A MATTER OF FACT, ALL QUIET RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE ARENA WHILE THE TEAM IN HOUSTON GETTING READY FOR THAT BIG GAME ON SATURDAY. BUT BUSINESS LEADERS, THEY ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE SPOTLIGHT HERE ON SOUTH FLORIDA BECAUSE THAT’S GOOD FOR BUSINESS. THE FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM IS IN HOUSTON GETTING READY FOR THE FINAL FOUR ON SATURDAY. THE OWLS FACE THE SAN DIEGO STATE. AZTECS. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI’S MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM IS ALSO A USE AND THEY MATCH UP AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT. THE ROAD TO THE FINALS HAS BEEN EXCITING FOR YOU AND FOR YOU AND SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS LEADERS. BUSINESSES WERE ALREADY LOOKING AT PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA. LIKE I SAID EARLIER. THIS HAS BEEN A REAL FOCAL POINT FOR ANY COMPANY THAT IS LOOKING TO MOVE THEIR OPERATIONS WHERE THIS IS DONE IS CAUSE EVEN MORE ATTENTION TO COME TO PALM BEACH COUNTY AND A VERY POSITIVE LIGHT. THE OWNER, APOLLO BOCA, TELLS ME IT’S PERFECT BEING CLOSE TO A UNIVERSITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SCHOOL IS IN THE FINAL FOUR. SO, SO EXCITING BECAUSE IT’S TEAMS THAT DON’T SUPPOSED TO BE THERE AS THEY ARE THERE NOW. AND TO FLORIDA TEAMS WHICH WHICH IS GREAT SAYS TAKE OUT BUSINESS IS ALSO GREAT. IT’S EXCITING FOR EVERYBODY AND FOR US. YOU KNOW, WE DO A LITTLE MORE BUSINESS DURING THAT. YOU KNOW, WE DO A LOT OF TAKE OUT DURING DURING THE GAMES, WHICH IS GREAT. SO, YOU KNOW, ALL THE OTHER CUSTOMERS EXCITED JUST TO SEE OUR BANNER UP THERE, YOU KNOW, AND WE SUPPORT THEM. SO IT’S IT’S GREAT. IT’S IT’S BEEN GREAT. AND HE ALSO SAYS HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TEAM WINNING ON SATURDAY. AND THEY’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE BUSINESS ON MONDAY. REPORTING LIVE

Local business leaders like the attention South Florida is getting during the NCAA tournament.The Florida Atlantic University Owls and the University of Miami Hurricanes are in the Final Four and officials say the national exposure is a game changer.Kelly Smallridge is the president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County.Final Four: WATCH: 'Houston Here They Come' special highlighting FAU, UM's road to the Final Four"We're getting a lot of media calling us, and this morning we had a meeting of our academic leaders," Smallridge said. "There was quite the buzz in the room."Smallridge said businesses were already looking at Palm Beach County and the State of Florida before the tournament. "This has been a real focal point for any company that is looking to move their operations," Smallridge said. "What this has done is cause even more attention to come to Palm Beach County in a very positive light."Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsPaolo Zegarelli is the owner of Paolo's of Boca. His pizza restaurant is located near FAU in Boca Raton. He's thrilled the Owls are in the Final Four."It's just so exciting cause it's teams that don't suppose to be there," Zegarelli. "Two Florida teams which is great."He said the takeout business is also great."Inside, we don't get too much during the game because a lot of the younger crowd goes to the bars, you know, for these games," Zegarelli said. "But the adults get takeout for them to watch it at home. It's been great."Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

BOCA RATON, Fla. —

Local business leaders like the attention South Florida is getting during the NCAA tournament.

The Florida Atlantic University Owls and the University of Miami Hurricanes are in the Final Four and officials say the national exposure is a game changer.

Kelly Smallridge is the president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County.

Final Four: WATCH: 'Houston Here They Come' special highlighting FAU, UM's road to the Final Four

"We're getting a lot of media calling us, and this morning we had a meeting of our academic leaders," Smallridge said. "There was quite the buzz in the room."

Smallridge said businesses were already looking at Palm Beach County and the State of Florida before the tournament.

"This has been a real focal point for any company that is looking to move their operations," Smallridge said. "What this has done is cause even more attention to come to Palm Beach County in a very positive light."

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

Paolo Zegarelli is the owner of Paolo's of Boca. His pizza restaurant is located near FAU in Boca Raton.

He's thrilled the Owls are in the Final Four.

"It's just so exciting cause it's teams that don't suppose to be there," Zegarelli. "Two Florida teams which is great."

He said the takeout business is also great.

"Inside, we don't get too much during the game because a lot of the younger crowd goes to the bars, you know, for these games," Zegarelli said. "But the adults get takeout for them to watch it at home. It's been great."

Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

'Game changer': South Florida business leaders react to FAU and UM being in the Final Four

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