Tampa Bay Takes Flight: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future with Red Bull Flugtag 2024
Steve Diasio
Founder of the School of Creativity and Innovation, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Researcher of innovation jams & DAOs, Founder & Host of the Open Educator Community & Podcast, Corporate Trainer
Tampa Bay has a deep connection to aviation innovation. Over 100 years ago, on January 1, 1914, the world's first commercial air flight took off from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Tampa. This flight, piloted by Tony Jannus in the Benoist XIV airboat, marked a turning point in the history of transportation, forever changing the way people would traverse long distances. This innovation, born right here in the Tampa Bay area, is the foundation for the region’s continuing commitment to creativity and cutting-edge achievements. Tampa Bay will once again celebrate the spirit of flight—but with a unique twist.
On November 9, 2024, Tampa will host the Red Bull Flugtag, a celebration of ingenuity and daring that invites 34 teams to push the boundaries of homemade flying machines. This event takes inspiration from the same spirit of experimentation and boldness that fueled Tony Jannus’s groundbreaking flight over a century ago. Hosted at the Tampa Convention Center, the event will feature teams launching their craft from a 27-foot-high platform, aiming not only for flight but also for style and innovation.
The synergy between history and modern innovation couldn’t be clearer, especially with Tampa Bay (Champa Bay) and Red Bull at the forefront. A local team, competing with a design inspired by the historic Jannus flight, is making headlines for their reimagining of innovation through their entry into the Flugtag. The teams, which feature locals and students have aptly named one entry “The Jannus Jumper,” a nod to Tampa Bay’s aviation roots and its ongoing influence on the future of flight.
In total, over 200 teams applied for a spot in this highly anticipated event, with local team colleges like USF, Embry-Riddle, University of Tampa, and Florida Atlantic University also participating. The diversity of team designs—from whimsical, mascot-themed creations to mechanically sound, gravity-defying engineering—reflects the creativity and innovation that Red Bull Flugtag stands for.
The event’s judging will focus on three categories: design, creativity, and flight distance—a combination that mirrors the principles of disruptive innovation. Red Bull Flugtag is not just about competition; it’s about showcasing Tampa Bay’s rich heritage and the future-forward mindset of institutions like USF that continue to shape the landscape of innovation.
For Tampa Bay, the Red Bull Flugtag 2024 is a tribute to the pioneering spirit that took the first commercial flight from St. Petersburg to Tampa, and an opportunity to witness how local talent can soar (or sink) when given the Red Bull wings of imagination.
Go Bulls! See you there!
Steve Diasio is an innovation expert and influencer who supports aspiring leaders, innovators, and change-makers. His bootcamps, sprints, and training encourage individuals and organizations to critically examine their surroundings and envision a more innovative future. He is the founder of the School of Creativity and Innovation, where he crafts training on cutting-edge innovation methodologies, design thinking, and disruptive business models.
From the vibrant streets of Barcelona to the intellectual hubs of London, Steve’s global perspective has been shaped by his tenure as a researcher at impactful institutions like ESADE Business School and Imperial Business School. In 2022, he was recognized as one of the Top 50 Business Professors in the World by the esteemed Poets&Quants Business School Rankings?—?a testament to his profound impact on the academic world.