Opposites Attract

Hosted by The Third Place. Find out more at https://www.thethirdplacellc.com

Opposites Attracts is a debate style night where we choose dialogue over division and conversation instead of confrontation. Fast-paced, fun where audience members and experts get a chance to express different viewpoints with a spirit of respect and curiosity. The goal is not to win an argument. The goal, rather, is to explore ideas and discover perspectives and insights you may have never considered. There will be two rounds, moving from an audience engagement topic to a headline debate where prepared experts face off.

Schedule:

5:30PM Doors Open

5:30PM - 6:45PM Review the audience debate topic and sign-up to debate (optional)

6:45PM Debate teams announced

6:45PM - 7:00PM Debate teams strategize

7:00PM Debating begins

DEBATE TOPICS FOR THE NIGHT:

ROUND 1 DEBATE TOPIC: AI: Embrace It or Protect Ourselves From It with Audience Members

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform how we work, learn, create, solve problems, and improve our lives. But as AI becomes more powerful and embedded in everyday life, are we better served by embracing its possibilities—or protecting ourselves from its potential impact on jobs, privacy, human connection, creativity, and control?

HEADLINE DEBATE TOPIC: Amendment 3: Property Tax Relief or a Cost to Our Communities with Kevin Batdorf, Former Shore Acres Neighborhood Association President, Co-Founder of Batdorf & Associates Realty and former 2026 Mayoral Candidate v Lindsay Cross, Florida House of Representatives for the 60th district - parts of Pinellas County and Florida State Director for Trust for Public Land

Florida’s 2026 Amendment 3 would significantly increase the homestead property-tax exemption, potentially lowering property taxes for many homeowners while also changing limits affecting non-homestead property assessments. Supporters see overdue relief for Florida property owners; opponents question what substantially reduced property-tax revenue could mean for local governments, public services, and the broader community.

HOW IT WORKS:

Audience members can sign up on-site to debate in Round 1 (no experience needed). Five individuals will be selected for ach team that will debate each other.

Each speaker will have 60 seconds to share their perspective, either as new information and/or to respectfully refute the other teams' opinions/facts. This debate round will last approximately 10 minutes.

Round 2 is the headline debate comprised of two prepared debaters. Each will have 3 minutes for opening remarks followed by three 2 minute rebuttals, followed by two 1 minute speed rounds, and then 2 minutes for closing remarks. The debate will be 26 minutes long.

Audience Engagement: After each debate round, the audience will have 10 minutes to ask questions of each debate team followed by 10 minutes of discussion regarding new perspectives and insights gained.

GET YOUR TICKET:

Pay what you can at the door or you can contribute now if you want: https://account.venmo.com/u/juliearocco. Please, mark yourself going so we know to expect you and Voodoo Brewery can prepare accordingly.

WHAT IS A THIRD PLACE?

Home is considered the 1st place. Work is considered the 2nd place. Third places are informal gathering spots that foster sociAL connection and community through conversations and interactions with people of various backgrounds. We are hosting Opposites Attract at Voodoo Brewery to highlight and support them as a St Pete Third Place.

To find out more, please visit: https://www.thethirdplacellc.com