The Story Behind the Lee & Associates | Tampa Bay Get Hooked Fishing Tournament

Some of the best traditions begin by accident.

On March 15, 2024, Lee & Associates | Tampa Bay hosted what was intended to be a simple celebration of a new beginning, our office launch. We invited our clients, colleagues, and friends to spend a day on the water celebrating the opening of our Tampa Bay office. The event sold out, the energy was incredible, and it quickly became clear that we had created something much bigger than a launch party.

Shortly after the event, Lori McMahan with Prologis made a simple suggestion that changed everything:

“This should become an annual tradition.”

I immediately agreed, and jokingly asked if that meant Prologis would sponsor it. Without hesitation, Prologis stepped up as our very first official tournament sponsor, becoming the catalyst for what has grown into one of the most unique commercial real estate events in Florida.

In October 2025, we officially launched the First Annual Lee & Associates | Tampa Bay Get Hooked Fishing Tournament with a much larger purpose.

Rather than simply hosting another networking event, we committed to investing in the future of our industry. Every dollar raised supports scholarships and educational initiatives benefiting Florida universities with commercial real estate programs, real estate societies, minors, master’s programs, and future industry leaders.

Perhaps what makes the Get Hooked Fishing Tournament most unique is its spirit of collaboration.

While many industry events are limited to one company or only the largest national firms, we intentionally invite boutique commercial real estate firms throughout the Tampa Bay region to participate alongside us. Firms such as Lober Real Estate, Bounat, and others have joined our clients, partners, and friends for a day that celebrates the relationships that strengthen our entire market.

Many smaller firms rarely have the opportunity to participate in events of this scale. Bringing everyone together, regardless of company size, has become one of the defining characteristics of the tournament. Our clients have embraced the concept, consistently telling us that the collaborative atmosphere is unlike anything else in our industry.

Today, as Lee & Associates | Tampa Bay celebrates its third year, the Get Hooked Fishing Tournament enters its second year as an event that supports Universities and their Real Estate programs and fundraising efforts. What started as a launch celebration has evolved into a tradition that reflects who we are as a company: entrepreneurial, collaborative, community-focused, and committed to developing the next generation of commercial real estate professionals.

We look forward to growing this tradition for years to come, raising more scholarship dollars, strengthening industry relationships, and continuing to prove that when our commercial real estate community works together, everyone benefits.