Team Paths to Victory, consisting of team leader Sara Hand of Spark Growth, with partners Stan Schultes and Tracy Ingram, pitched a comprehensive economic impact solution for saving the SS AMERICAN VICTORY, and keeping it in Tampa as a tourist attraction and active training vessel. The proposed solution is three phases implemented over the next year: new signage, new responsive website and a Gala celebration; new digital assets, new museum, and addition of an augmented reality docent for interactive tours; connection with an existing popular brand to promote and elevate the AVS to become a true attraction in the Tampa area.
Synapse Challenges “begin with an identified problem and utilize crowdsourcing to find solutions. Crowdsourcing is challenging business models and workings of organizations across the board, offering an immense opportunity to rethink and reinvent conventional processes. Not only are potential solutions uncovered by creative innovators who are inspired to accept the challenge, but so are talented, forward-thinking businesses and people.” Paraphrased from: https://synapsefl.com/challenges/
The SS AMERICAN VICTORY was built in only 55 days during the German Uboat submarine crisis of WWII and helped turn the tide of victory in the war. In past conflicts, she shuttled cargo to ports in Korea and Vietnam. Today she preserves the legacy of the merchant mariners who walked her passageways, an often-forgotten group of citizen-soldier seamen. Additionally, she now serves as a training platform for the military, law enforcement, firefighters, and Sea Cadets.