Of Course this is my opinion and experience but anything south of hwy 20 or West of downtown in my mind is to be avoided.. the other areas I mentioned are where investors want to go and not risk their financial life on a pocket or just because a property makes 50 or 100 more a month on PAPER.And I am not picking on Jackson I just have a ton of experience there and know most of the big players.

The sponsors are Inland, Bluerock, Passco, Capital Square, well known players.

Additionally, it has become a target for larger apartment investor players due to increased attention with regards to the new construction, ie. 

Does anyone have any good advice on meetup groups or summits that connect people in order to find role players i.e. contractor, money guy, acquisition guy, etc. in various parts of the country? 

I am excited to make my first move, as well as get to know some key players in Michigan. 

Pretty famous football player by the same name in the same city ;) With that type of money, in an area like Tampa, absolutely attainable.

It does not force the NFL to stop testing players.

Would you recommend me setting up interviews with the big players in the area and see which fit best?

I also run them thru a text to speech conterter and put them on my mp4 player to listen to in the car.

If possible, talk with some of the players -- landlords, tenants, court personnel, attorneys will all be there.