Coastal Strategies
(formerly Toner Communications) is an international business development and
investment firm
based in Tampa, Florida with strategic ties in Costa Rica and Canada. We have been
assisting private firms and economic development organizations in creating and
implementing local and international business development, including strategic
marketing, public relations and sales, since 1988.
Please see below our Services,
Professional Focus and Testimonials from our clients.
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Services:
(Think of us as the "cost effective" area of your International Business Development
and Investment Department)
• Market Research; New CAFTA
Treaty Opportunities (US & Costa
Rica)
• Strategic Planning Facilitation & Implementation
• Public Relations
• International Trade Missions (as effective Business Development)
• Consulting Services
• Manufacturers Representative Services
• Language Translation Services
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Professional / Industry Focus:
• International Trade and Investment
• Real Estate Investment
• Architecture/Engineering/Construction/Development
• Professional Services Firms
• Economic Development Organizations
• Government Relations (New CAFTA Treaty Opportunities)
• High Tech (IT & Medical Devices) Manufacturing Firms
• Health Care
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Testimonials from Clients:
(Regarding our Services as Listed)
“In an intense competition for the selection of the Tampa Convention Center Hotel building site, we selected Steve Toner’s firm, Toner Communications, to handle our marketing and public relations, and we won. He guided our public strategy, set up a press conference with the Mayors Office, and secured volumes of positive press in the key newspapers. Our objectives were achieved and the landmark Marriott Riverfront Convention Center Hotel now serves the Tampa Bay area on our site. I highly recommend Mr. Toner’s firm for significant marketing and public relations projects when the results are critical”.
J. Robert Brown, Owner, Olympus Capital
Cincinnati, Ohio Tampa, Florida
International Trade Mission (Costa Rica July-August, 2009)
“As a small highway contractor specializing in Concrete Rubblization looking to expand internationally,… I expressed my concern to Steve Toner (of Coastal Strategies), the trade mission organizer. Steve said, I understand your concern, but let me work on this for you. Steve worked diligently upon our behalf, contacting …the US Embassy in Costa Rica with our potential highway general contractor meeting wish list while in Costa Rica. Not only were they successful in having two of Costa Rica’s largest highway general contractors present at a reception held for the Trade Mission attendees at the Ambassador’s residence, they also arranged for the Vice Minister of Transportation of Costa Rica, Dr. Pedro Castro, to be there. Based upon my conversation with the Vice Minister at that reception, we believe we have possibility of looking at over one million dollars worth of work specifically for us within the next 12-18 months. The odds of our getting this face-to-face meeting with the Vice Minister of Transportation without Steve’s help probably would not be good. Thanks Steve, we owe you one!”
Scott Marshall, Chief Financial Officer
RMI Worldwide, LLC, D/B/A Resonant Machines
Kansas City, MO 64111
International Trade Mission
“Thanks for all the hard work you spent on the Costa Rica Trade Mission. It was a great experience and a fun group of people. The Embassy briefing was the best part. This was a very professionally planned and executed mission”.
Kevin Dorsey, Entrepreneur
International Trade Mission & Trade Show
“The Tampa Bay Partnership participated in a series of trade shows in the Toronto area planned and organized by Toner Communications (now Coastal Strategies). …The effort resulted in
several Canadian companies setting up offices in the Tampa Bay area. The effort also provided exposure for the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, a regional group covering 27 counties in Central Florida…This highly effective effort served to provide them with a better understanding of the opportunities in the Florida market.”
William J. McDermott, CEcD, Director
Economic Development Department, Seminole County, Florida
Strategic Planning, Facilitation and Writing Marketing Plans/ Market Research /Media Planning/Placement/Consulting/
Implementation
“I offer the highest possible recommendation for Steve and his services. I found him to be ethical, hard working, extremely knowledgeable and insightful…the chemistry and working relationship between Steve and my people was outstanding.”
Chuck Kooistra, Executive Vice President, General Physics Corp (GP Corp) (national tech training firm)
Public Relations/Statewide Surveys/Media Coverage/Consulting
“Steve Toner of Coastal Strategies has been our public relations firm for the last 16 years. During this time he has serviced Mercer in a variety of assignments…he is very knowledgeable and very easy to work with…very well known and respected in the community.”
Marketing Event Production and Consulting
“Steve, it's been almost a week, and whenever I speak with any of our members they tell me what a GREAT time they had at Bella Terra last week. We've not had a turnout like that one for a couple years and we have you and your staff to thank for it”.
Jim Smithberger, President, Suncoast Trail Riders (prospective buyers for
client)
Government
Relations/International Trade Mission to US Embassy in Paris, France
“A note of thanks for you and your staff for the hard work in making the
trade mission such a success…I was particularly impressed by the attention we
received at the briefing and reception at the US Embassy in Paris.”
J.P. McFarland, P.A., Attorney (client on trade mission)
Business
Development/International Trade Missions for State of Florida/Consulting “Mr. Toner was a pleasure to work with; he was very successful in creating
many new Florida trade lead opportunities for the participating companies. In
addition, his professional follow-up to these events has been very effective in
developing trade development for the state of Florida. Our office
continues…seeking advice from Coastal Strategies.”
Larry March, Enterprise Florida (state agency client)
Media Relations/Special
Events/Consulting
“This was very good, excellent! …would you like to work for me? I have two PR
projects coming up…”
Donald Trump (commenting on work performed for Florida Design Association
involving Trump)
Rica)