There’s no doubt about it: One of the most important jewels in our region’s economic crown is the modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) “cluster” concentrated in the Central Florida Research Park and anchored by military partners.

The region currently enjoys the enviable position of being the nation’s epicenter for MS&T, with an estimated 150 companies, nearly 32,000 direct and indirect jobs, average salaries over $70,000, and a Gross Regional Product of nearly $3 billion. Once a best-kept economic secret, this unique alliance of military commands, academia and industry is now a critical part of the community’s strategy for economic diversification.

It all begins with the military command partners of “Team Orlando” — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard — and their leading academic research collaborator, the UCF Institute for Simulation and Training.

Managing more than $5 billion in contracts designed to support today’s warfighter, the collective success of these commands is predicated upon the high level of cooperation, collaboration and partnerships that exist within Central Florida. The shared expertise and facilities that are a part of “Team Orlando” include the University of Central Florida; Simulation and Training Technology Center; Partnership I, II and soon-to-be Partnership III buildings; Institute for Simulation and Training; National Center for Simulation; and Florida High Tech Corridor. It should be noted that, alone, the Simulation and Training Technology Center and Partnership I, II and III buildings represent more than a $55 million investment by the State of Florida in shared state (university) and federal (Department of Defense) lab and office space.

In the private sector, names like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Indra Systems, Silicon Graphics, General Dynamics, Rockwell Collins, JHT and many more further enhance the local MS&T industry, as does the additional prominence in entertainment technology that brings compelling “storytelling” to simulation applications, not to mention significant expansion in areas such as medical, education, transportation, homeland security and digital media. All create high-paying jobs in Florida.

The challenge for Central Florida is that our success has garnered the attention and envy of other communities. In order to preserve and expand this economic cluster, the region's “family of communities” must galvanize political and civic leadership in support of “Team Orlando.”

Working with UCF, Central Florida Research Park, Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, National Center for Simulation, UCF Institute for Training and Simulation, Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Team Orlando, Orlando Inc. and others, the Central Florida Partnership has adopted MS&T as one of 13 “regional priorities” making up its Shared Regional Agenda.

In support of MS&T, the Central Florida Partnership themed the 2010 Baker Hostetler Central Florida Partnership “Trip to Washington, D.C.,” held June 23-24, around the importance of this industry sector. Joining the official delegation in the nation’s capital were 60 business and community leaders, representing Central Florida from the Gulf to the Atlantic, all focused on bringing the region’s message of continued industry support to elected officials.

Similarly, UCF recently hosted a “community breakfast” designed to showcase the economic impact of the region's MS&T. Both events featured presentations by  Lt. Gen. Thomas L. Baptiste, U.S. Air Force (Retired), president of the National Center for Simulation, who has personally experienced the transition of military training in a cockpit mockup with “pictures” of the instrument panel to state-of-the-art F-16 simulators with 180-degree wraparound visual displays during his 34-year military career. Simulation today includes the sights, sounds — and even the smells — encountered on the battlefield and in disaster zones around the world.

“Today, it is possible to network different simulators that are geographically separated and operate them in a common virtual battle space,” says Baptiste. “Simulators save lives, time, wear and tear, and money, with proven utility in training, planning, analysis, engineering and test and evaluation.”

MS&T isn't just about battleships and Humvees. It’s about communications, as well. Consider a request from soldiers for a lightweight, handheld device that could be used to communicate with Iraqi civilians. Innovative technology resulted in iPod software that allows soldiers to select phrases or instructions from a menu of options. The iPod speaker then plays the phrase in Arabic, a remarkable solution that was accomplished in less than 90 days.

“This is a $5 billion-a-year industry that is critical to Florida’s economic diversification,” Baptiste adds. “It’s an asset which must be vigorously defended and aggressively strengthened.”

This November, voters will be faced with a number of tough decisions at the ballot box. Fortunately, one of the most important decisions should also be the easiest. Amendment 4, a “Vote on Everything” proposal, would kill jobs, raise taxes, and lead to endless litigation at taxpayer expense.

Amendment 4 has been referred to as a “stimulus package for special interest lawyers.” And for good reason; this proposal would add costly new layers of bureaucratic red tape to an already complicated planning process. It would be virtually impossible to condense thousands of pages of technical planning data into the 75-word ballot summaries that are required by law. Inevitably, disagreements — and lawsuits — would ensue. Amendment 4 encourages the special interests that lose at the ballot box to take their case to court, at taxpayer expense.

That is exactly what happened to the small town of St. Petersburg Beach, which implemented a local version of Amendment 4 in 2006. The measure has decimated the town's economy and created chaos at the polls. To date, the citizens of St. Pete Beach have seen nearly a dozen lawsuits that have cost local taxpayers more than $750,000 in legal fees. When St. Pete Beach voters approved four pro-economy changes to their comprehensive plan in 2008, Amendment 4 lawyers sued to overturn the results of the election. Nearly two years later, the people of St. Pete Beach are still defending their vote in court.

Ward Friszolowski, the former Mayor of St. Pete Beach, wrote: “Our experiment in Amendment 4 has turned St. Pete Beach into a battleground for special interests.” The same “copy and paste” lawsuits that plague St. Pete Beach would soon spread to every Florida town.

Moreover, under Amendment 4, residents most impacted by local planning decisions will lose influence in a process that inherently favors deep-pocketed special interests. This measure would turn the growth-management debate into a political spectacle. Neighborhoods would lose representation in the public planning process, as communities across town make decisions about schools, hospitals, jails and landfills in your backyard.

Worse still, Amendment 4 will introduce new delays into the planning process. This measure is so extreme that it does not even contain exceptions for vital community projects like hospitals, schools, police stations or fire trucks. Consequently, even important and uncontroversial community projects will likely experience paralyzing delays.
As Florida attempts to recover from this devastating recession, the last thing we need is Amendment 4, a proposal that would empower special-interest lawyers to raid taxpayer’s pockets in order to finance special-interest lawsuits.

This November, VOTE NO on Amendment 4! For more, visit www.florida2010.org.

Intuitively, it's always been known that working regionally was a good idea.

The principle is documented — regional economies are, in fact, the drivers of national prosperity. The top 100 largest U.S. metro regions generate 75 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. The U.S. economy’s performance is driven largely by that of its major metropolitan economies.

With those facts in mind, the Super Regional Leadership Conference, set for May 26-27 at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, will be held for the second year in a row.

Cosponsored by the Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership, the conference brings together business and civic leaders to promote regional thinking and solutions to meet today’s economic challenges, including:

“Connecting for Global Competitiveness: Tampa Bay-Central Florida Super Region,” an initiative to identify the regional, state, national and global opportunities that could emerge from a coast-to-coast connection. World-renowned urban planner professor Jonathan Barnett and members of his Urban Design Studio will present an in-depth study of the value of operating as a super region. Discussions will center on leveraging economic development opportunities around high-speed rail, job creation and global competitiveness.

Moving Forward with High Speed Rail for Florida, encouraging support and its connection with other rail initiatives being advanced by the Florida Department of Transportation, Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, SunRail and the U.S. Department of Transportation, including the approved route connecting Tampa Bay to Orlando.

Invited keynote speaker, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, addressing the link between transportation and sustainable communities and its importance in shaping Florida’s future.

The $1.25 billion awarded to the high-speed rail project is a down payment. When combined with local regional visioning efforts and the work of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, it's hoped that award leaves the project well positioned for additional federal funding.

“Global Space Activity: Florida’s Opportunity” will be another hot session topic. No other region of the world has the aerospace infrastructure and talent, as well as the related targeted industries and position on the planet’s surface, to deliver what Florida can. In this session, attendees share the challenges the industry faces in ensuring Florida remains at the forefront of the nation’s space program.

Can you say “Pecha Kucha?” Pecha Kucha is the Japanese word for the sound of people talking. In this format, presenters are each allowed 20 slides, automatically. These brief presentations will be sprinkled throughout the day to showcase a cross section of leadership and projects/initiatives from across the Central Florida corridor.

How does working together as a super region benefit Tampa Bay and Central Florida? Do we have an opportunity to bring additional tourists or talent to the region? What assets and opportunities do we need to build upon?

The Super Regional Leadership Conference represents a rich mix of high-ranking community, civic and active volunteer leaders from both the east coast and west coast of Florida. Participants will help regional leaders identify regional collaboration that can generate additional economic output and improve competitiveness.

Editor's note: To register online, go to www.thesuperregion.com.

Super Region

Population: Tampa Bay, 3.75 million; Central Florida, 3.46 million (combined population of 7.2 million — seventh most populous in country)

Gross Domestic Product (2008): Tampa Bay, $142.4 billion (19th in U.S.); Central Florida: $142.0 billion (20th in U.S.) (combined 2008 GDP of $284.4 billion — 10th largest economy in U.S.)

Sources: 2009 Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Statistics; 2008 Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida

House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) and Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos (R-Melbourne) also serve as the Vice Chair and Chair of the Central Florida Legislative Delegation.

Against the backdrop of a challenging regional business environment, and amidst one of the worst ever national recessions, BusinessForce President Mike Ketchum stated: “There’s never been a better time for our business community to protect its interest by becoming fully engaged in the political process.”

In view of that, BusinessForce, the political action arm of the Central Florida Partnership, following an extensive series of candidate interviews, has begun to announce its endorsement picks for a host of important state and county offices appearing on the 2010 ballot across the region. “In each instance, we’ll be looking to back the man or woman from either political party who best understands our free enterprise system and supports a thriving, robust business climate,” he explains.

Already, BusinessForce is calling for the re-election of 12 incumbent members of the Regional Legislative Delegation. Topping the list of what Ketchum calls a “powerhouse legislative delegation” are House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) and Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos (R-Melbourne). Others in the delegation receiving the BusinessForce nod in their 2010 re-election contests include Sen. Thad Altman (R-Melbourne), Rep.  Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island), Rep. Chris Dorworth (R-Lake Mary), Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood), Rep. Bryan Nelson (R-Apopka), Rep. Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando), Rep. Eric Eisnaugle (R-Orlando), Rep. Steve Precourt (R-Orlando), Rep. Darren Soto (D-Orlando) and Rep. Mike Horner (R-Kissimmee).  Other legislative delegation endorsements will be announced later.

At the county level, a first round of BusinessForce endorsements were recently announced for the powerful Orange County Mayor’s post, along with a two key County Commission seats in Orange and Osceola.  Receiving the endorsement over a strong field of competitors for Orange County Mayor to succeed Rich Crotty was current Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal. In announcing the endorsement, Ketchum said, “Difficult decisions will await Orange County’s next Mayor, and Bill Segal clearly has the proven temperament and political skills to bridge differences and build consensus in our diverse community on important public policy questions.”

Endorsed for the “open” Orange County Commission District 4 seat was businesswoman Jennifer Thompson, who Ketchum termed as “someone who will really move the needle on the County Commission for the business community.” In Osceola County, a longtime friend of the business community, former State Representative and now District 2 Osceola County Commissioner,  incumbent Commissioner John Quinones, was backed. Additional BusinessForce endorsements for other County Commission seats in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties will be released later.

For the newly created office of elected Orange County School Board Chair, Orlando attorney Bill Sublette, a former legislator, was the BusinessForce choice. The new post, which was designed to pinpoint greater accountability and improve the educational focus in Orange County schools, was overwhelmingly approved in a 2008 referendum that attracted fierce opposition from some Orange County School Board members and certain special interest groups. “As Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Education, we saw Bill Sublette demonstrate his leadership skills and passion for improving our children’s educational opportunities and, as the first elected Orange County School Board Chair, Bill will be a tireless advocate for them,” commented Ketchum.

BusinessForce will make endorsement recommendations for three Orange County School Board seats appearing on the 2010 ballot at a later time.

Editor’s note: To learn more about whom BusinessForce is endorsing this year or how you can become more involved in BusinessForce, go to www.orlando.org/businessforce or contact michael.ketchum@orlando.org

In the past, the area stretching from Tampa Bay through Orlando and Central Florida has been called such interesting names as Orlampa or Tamplando. Yet, regardless of the moniker, the potential for economic firepower across the entire area is just beginning to be addressed.

Currently, the Tampa Bay Region has the 19th largest gross domestic product in the United States. The Central Florida Region is right behind, ranking 20th. Combined, the 13-county “super region” has the 10^th-largest economy in the United States, with the potential to be a major global economic competitor. Many forecasts, in fact, suggest that by the year 2050 Tampa Bay and Central Florida will become a single economic region and Florida’s dominant economic driver.

In his first State of the Union address, President Barack Obama made the announcement that high-speed rail is coming to Florida, connecting Tampa and Orlando and providing better connectivity for workers, visitors and freight. But the future success of the super region also requires better connectivity to markets worldwide, building on the success of the super region’s seven commercial service airports, three deepwater seaports and two major intermodal freight terminals, as well as the world-leading spaceport at Cape Canaveral.

Looking toward the future, how will this critical transportation system accommodate additional population and economic growth, plus continue to advance global competitiveness and quality of life?

To gain an understanding of how the 13-county super region could work together and what value that would provide, the Tampa Bay Partnership and the Central Florida Partnership have engaged Professor Jonathan Barnett and his team of graduate students at the PennDesign Studio as consultants for Connecting for Global Competitiveness: Tampa Bay-Central Florida Super Region, an 18-month project managed by myregion.org. Connecting for Global Competitiveness is designed to demonstrate the potential advantages of coast-to-coast connectivity to develop a Super Regional Strategy for transportation and land use, economic and workforce development, environmental sustainability and quality of life issues.

In addition to the Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership, which are the lead partners, other project partners include the Central Florida Development Council; Florida Department of Transportation Districts 1, 5 and 7; Florida High Tech Corridor Council; Progress Energy; University of Central Florida Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies and WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA.

In January, Stuart Rogel, president of the Tampa Bay Partnership; Jacob Stuart, president of the Central Florida Partnership; and Shelley Lauten, president of myregion.org, traveled to Pennsylvania to meet with Professor Barnett and the PennDesign graduate students. Classes had just begun, and the students were already compiling massive volumes of data about the super region.

Members of the “Florida Faculty” — technical experts in transportation, environmental protection and economic development — have also traveled to the University of Pennsylvania to share their expertise.

During the week of March 6-13, Barnett and the PennDesign consultants will meet with Central Florida community leaders to discuss the progress that has been made in analyzing the research data and support materials. While in Central Florida, the consultants also will be looking at the existing transportation systems and proposals for the Central Florida and Tampa Bay metropolitan regions, as well as visiting both current and projected high-speed rail stations sites across the super region, including (but not limited to) St. Petersburg, Sarasota, downtown Tampa, Orlando International Airport, Melbourne and Port Canaveral.

Using computer-aided techniques, PennDesign graduate students will illustrate how these proposals can be joined together to guide population growth and create new economic opportunities across the super region while also helping to safeguard the environment and preserve agriculture.

Between now and May, the PennDesign Studio will:

* Examine the regional visions created through OneBay (a regional development program for the Tampa Bay area) and How Shall We Grow?, as well as the work of the Florida Chamber Foundation, to identify common themes and create a consistent language that can be used when discussing “super regional” issues

* Identify best practices across the globe where regions built public consensus around key super regional actions

* Define the competitive benefits of operating at a super regional scale and show what will be needed to sustain and grow current population and job centers in the super region

* Illustrate the value of a super region on economic prosperity, transportation, education, workforce and quality of life by portraying alternative futures and making illustrative plans of key locations.

Following completion of the PennDesign Studio, phase two of the initiative includes a presentation of the findings at the Super Regional Conference, scheduled for May 26-27.

Editor’s note: To learn more about Connecting for Global Competitiveness: Tampa Bay-Central Florida Super Region, visit www.myregion.org.

The Central Florida Partnership — America’s Newest Regional Partnership — is an essential place for leaders to convene, set priorities, address our region’s toughest challenges and identify our greatest opportunities. It provides a platform where positive ideas are advanced on behalf of our region — ideas that matter most to the millions of people who live, work, learn and play in Central Florida. The Central Florida Partnership is moving “Ideas to Results.”

Such progress wouldn’t happen without the Partnership’s Volunteer Leadership team.

The Volunteer Leadership team will guide the Partnership and its Lines of Business in the months ahead. The commitment of these leaders to the organizations they represent and to the community is a testament to their vision for Central Florida.

Alex Martins

Chief Operating Officer                
Orlando Magic

2010 Chair, Central Florida Partnership

Alex Martins, who has spent 20 years in professional sports management, was named chief operating officer of the Orlando Magic in May 2006. Martins oversees the day-to-day business operations of the club and was instrumental in helping to secure a state-of-the-art Events Center in Orlando, scheduled to open in this fall. The Amway Center is part of a public community venues program that also includes a new Performing Arts Center and a renovation of the Citrus Bowl Stadium. In addition, the Magic contributed $12.5 million toward construction of five community recreation centers throughout Orange County, as part of its commitment to build the Events Center.

In the community, Martins is also on the executive committee and board of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, the board of governors of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the board of directors for Florida Children’s Hospital. He also serves on the Dean’s Executive Council for the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida.

Laura M. Boisvert

Vice President, South Central Region

Progress Energy

2010-11 Chair, myregion.org

Progress Energy’s South Central Region serves nearly 370,000 customers in six Central Florida counties — Highlands, Hardee, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Polk, an area that includes more than 8,000 miles of power lines, about 3,200 miles of which are underground. Laura Boisvert’s responsibilities include overseeing all of the engineering, construction and maintenance of the region’s electrical distribution system, as well as corporate contributions and community and governmental relations.

Boisvert has been with Progress Energy since 1989, and her diverse career with the company has included working directly with some of the largest commercial and industrial customers in the Orlando area. She also managed the company’s outdoor lighting and energy efficiency programs and served as the company’s storm director for hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne during the hectic 2004 storm season.

In the community, she is also a board member of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and United Arts of Central Florida.

Martin Rubin

CEO

Smart City Telecom

2010-11 Chair, Orlando Inc. (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce)

Since 1994, Martin Rubin has been responsible for all aspects of Smart City, including operations, finance, strategic planning and all Federal Communications Commission and Public Utilities Commission regulatory matters. He negotiated acquisition of the business from WilTel and the Houston Sports Association and developed a successful purchase package for the buyout of Vista-United, Walt Disney World's in-house telecommunications company.

Previously, he served as president of DCT Communications Inc., an FCC license holder of wireless spectrum for voice and data communications; president of Raptor Systems Inc., a leading software developer of Internet firewall technology; president of AutoInfo Inc.; and vice president of Corporate Information Systems of JP Morgan Chase.

Rubin has received numerous honors, including election to the U.S. Telecom Association board of directors, the title of Distinguished Entrepreneur for 2004 by the Entrepreneurship Institute at Rollins College and selection as the 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Florida in the Technology category.

Derek Bruce

Principal

Edge Public Affairs LLC

2010-11 Chair, BusinessForce

Edge Public Affairs LLC (“Edge”) is a Florida-based public policy consulting firm providing government relations expertise at the state level as well as with local governments throughout Florida. An “AV” rated attorney with MartindaleHubbell, Bruce brings expertise he developed while working for two of Central Florida’s most prominent companies, the GrayRobinson law firm and the Walt Disney World Resort, on issues involving procurement, public contracting, permitting, land use and land valuation. At Disney, he served as director of Government Relations, overseeing the company’s statewide and local government outreach efforts.

He currently serves as chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s East Central Florida Regional Leadership Council. He is also a member of the board of directors of Leadership Florida, Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce and Seminole State College of Florida Foundation, and is past-president of the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida.

Other than the obvious like world peace, security and good health, I’ve been blue-skying about what might be possible in the new year. Here are some sample headlines, along with my commentary, on goals that we should set for ourselves at the global, national, state, regional and local levels, if not in the next few years than certainly in our lifetime.

SunRail and High Speed Rail Under Construction in Sunshine State

The third time was the charm during the Florida Legislature’s “special session” last month. The history-making passage of Statewide Rail Transit legislation means jobs, jobs and more jobs for hard-working families all across our state. Before we know it, travel delays that will come with these massive construction projects will be only a memory as our region and state join the ranks of great regions around the globe in providing modern, dependable and efficient transportation for residents and visitors. Just think of London, Paris, New York, Washington … and Orlando!

Voters Elect Orange County School Board Chairman

It’s time for a change, and voters turning out in record numbers to elect the first countywide direct-elected chairman of Orange County Public Schools will signal that change. The position was established by an overwhelming margin in 2008 and has sustained ongoing opposition by members of the school board and special-interest groups. At press time, at least two people had declared candidacy, and others are likely to follow.

Central Florida Ranked No. 1 Entrepreneurial System in Nation

With its new focus on entrepreneurship, Orlando Inc. (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce) is creating a significant amount of buzz in the business community. Its recent offering, The B.I.G. Summit (Business Innovation & Growth), focused on creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem to provide resources and make connections, enabling entrepreneurs to grow and succeed. From the “rock star” setting of the Summit to an outstanding lineup of programs and activities during 2010, Central Florida is on its way to national recognition.

Groundbreaking Regional Water Policies Enacted

Water is our most precious resource, and working to ensure that this vital commodity will be available to future generations in Central Florida is crucial. Regional thinking and long-term policies are necessary to ensure that limited resources and growing demand align in new and innovative ways.  All things considered — three water management districts, seven counties, 86 cities — this is not an easy task. Cooperation and collaboration must guide these discussions.

Pro-Business Candidates Elected in Record-breaking Numbers

Building a cadre of informed and effective business leaders who are considering public service at local, regional, state and national levels makes our region stronger. Political candidates need not only the knowledge base of the critical issues facing our families of communities, but the courage to make the right decisions for all and withstand the criticism of the few. They also need our support. While we hold our elected officials to a higher standard, we must also stand behind them and lift them up lest they fall or fail. For the most part, their intentions are pure, their rewards are few, and the future of our region and our state is at stake.

Editor’s note: Jacob V. Stuart is president and CEO of the Central Florida Partnership.

This is big … really BIG!

The B.I.G. Summit (Business Innovation & Growth) is breaking all the rules. What comes to mind when you think of today’s creative workforce?  Blue jeans, T-shirts, flip-flops and tattoos? Facebook, Twitter, texting and YouTube?

It’s a whole new world out there, and change is the name of the game. Entrepreneurs and emerging businesses are defining the future. Passion, flexibility and focus are driving business today.

Business decisions are no longer based on “A little dab’l do ya” or “Where’s the beef?” or “You’re in good hands” or your membership in the Pepsi Generation. Gen Xers know that “If it fits, it ships!” and “Think outside the bun,” along with same-day delivery and no interest for 24 months.

At The B.I.G. Summit, you’ll have the opportunity to better understand expectations, buying decisions and quirks about the way messages are communicated. You’ll hear from entrepreneurial practitioners about driving products to market. You’ll discover economic gardening tools that can work for you. A fast-paced roundtable of experts will discuss the myths and realities of money for growth and ways to take your business to the next level.

Host sponsors Tony Jenkins, market president for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, and Gary J. Earl, president/CEO of Workforce Central Florida, represent two industries that are at the center of the economic challenges facing business owners and workers today.

“We believe that we must look at our business sector through a new prism,” says Jenkins.

“The creativity and innovation that entrepreneurs and emerging businesses bring to our economy throughout the Central Florida region can be utilized to energize more traditional business models, bringing the business sector out of the recession with vitality and the hope of future possibilities,” says Earl.

Times have changed. And here’s a promise by Leslie Hielema, president of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce: “By the time The B.I.G. Summit ends, you will know for sure that we are not your father’s chamber anymore.”

B.I.G. Summit

Thursday, November 19

Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando

More information: www.orlando.org/big.

The Central Florida Partnership continues to lead the region on issues and opportunities that are important to future success, staying true to its tagline, “Ideas to Results.” This fall, “Regional Transportation,” “Statewide Transformation” and “Community Thanks” are on the agenda.

On Oct. 6-7, 50 business and community leaders travel with the Central Florida Partnership to Washington, D.C., to advance regional transportation and properly introduce the important work of the Central Florida Partnership to top federal transportation officials and elected officials who are part of the Central Florida congressional delegation.

The Baker & Hostetler Central Florida Partnership “Trip to Washington, D.C.” begins with a VIP reception and brunch, hosted by the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, and concludes with an executive briefing and luncheon with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Between the two events, participants are provided with a look at “The New Administration” as well as “An Inside Look at Obama’s Washington” with Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report. Also, a VIP tour of the new U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is personally guided by Congressman John L. Mica, and a private reception/dinner, honoring the freshman members of the Central Florida congressional delegation, takes place at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory. Those events set the stage for discussions about regional transportation, with a briefing by Ray LaHood, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

On Oct. 12-14, the Florida Chamber of Commerce hosts its Annual Meeting & Future of Florida Forum at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort. The Central Florida Partnership joins with the state’s business and elected leaders, economic development and workforce experts, educators and local chambers from around the state. In addition to workshops on the six key economic drivers identified by the Florida chamber, the event’s agenda includes a Summit on Talent and Workforce Development, and State of the State Report, with regional analysis of the Florida chamber’s political and policy briefings.

Taking advantage of this unique opportunity for conversation and collaboration, Leadership Orlando, a business unit of the Central Florida Partnership, has included the forum in its new curriculum. The 50-plus members of Leadership Orlando Class 78 will be in attendance to listen and learn about the opportunities and challenges facing Florida as they begin their eight-month leadership journey.

On Oct. 16, celebrating the Orlando Magic’s recent success as 2009 NBA Eastern Conference champions, the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Central Florida Sports Commission to host the “hottest ticket in town,” the Orlando Magic “Thank You” Luncheon, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. Aside from this new venue and an all-new program, the luncheon will feature the ever-popular appearances by players and coaches. The sold-out event gives Central Floridians an opportunity to show their appreciation for last season’s exciting roller-coaster ride through the playoffs.

Central Florida had not seen that kind of team spirit since the Magic’s first run to the finals in 1999. One can only imagine the kind of energy that the Magic will bring to town in the years ahead at Amway Center, which opens in fall 2010.

The Central Florida Partnership also continues to monitor the region’s progress on high-speed rail, recently hosting a formal rollout for Connect Us, a statewide grass-roots effort designed to support High-Speed Rail for Florida. Ed Turanchik, president of Connect Us, attended, along with civic, community and government leaders from Tampa and Miami.

Through its lines of business, the Central Florida Partnership keeps many issues top of mind for business and community leaders. They include the recent “How Shall We Grow?” anniversary celebration; Central Florida Health Innovation Summit (Broadband Stimulus Meeting); Trade Roots Meeting with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce on expanding the Florida-Panama Partnership; and the Federal Stimulus for Florida Meeting with Don Winstead, the governor’s special advisor on economic recovery, Congressman Alan Grayson and Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas.

With the support of its investors, the Central Florida Partnership continues to keep its ear to the ground on the issues that matter most to those who live and work in Central Florida.

Much progress is being made as the region implements the Central Florida Regional Growth Vision.

It has been a busy two years since 20,000 residents shared their thoughts on what matters most to Central Floridians by answering the question “How Shall We Grow?”

The unveiling of the Central Florida Regional Growth Vision in August 2007 was just the beginning of the story. Since that time, leaders from cities, counties, regional organizations and private businesses from across the seven-county region (Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia) have been working to turn the vision into reality.

Many said that changing how leaders made decisions related to growth could be done only through regulations and government mandates. Armed only with the power of good ideas, however, elected officials and municipal staffs have taken the lead in moving forward growth practices that are advancing a shared vision for the future.

The Regional Growth Vision is focused around the themes — known as the 4Cs — of conservation, countryside, centers and corridors. Through a series of guiding principles, it maps out a future for Central Florida where the region maintains its valuable environmental resources and open space by encouraging future population growth in existing or new town and city centers that are connected by a series of multimodal transportation corridors.

More than 60 percent of the 93 municipalities in the region have communicated that they are addressing issues related to these themes and principles.

Here are just a few highlights:

• Among the first locales to embrace the regional vision was the City of Tavares in Lake County. Under the guidance of Mayor Nancy Clutts and the city council, Tavares recognized the value of the regional vision and used the concept to create its own vision for how officials wanted Tavares to grow. Following a series of community meetings, Tavares formulated a city vision and has been aggressively working to ensure its fulfillment. In October 2008, the city council approved a new Downtown Redevelopment Master Plan. The plan provides strategies, with a clear implementation timetable, that addresses land use, design, circulation and connectivity, public facilities, the environment and economic development. It promotes mixed-use development, envisioning an urban core where people can live, work, shop and be entertained all within a short walking distance.
• With assistance from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Seminole County and its seven cities are aggressively using the regional vision as a guide for how they will grow in the future. In December 2008, Seminole County adopted a new Comprehensive Plan based on the County’s current Evaluation and Appraisal Report. This updated plan incorporates numerous plan policies that are consistent with and further the 4Cs of the Central Florida Regional Growth Vision.
• The Central Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Alliance and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) are using the vision as a guide as they adopt their 2030 long-range transportation plans. The five MPOs in the Alliance, along with FDOT, are developing an integrated strategy that looks at future transportation needs and plans across the entire seven-county region.
• Overall, more than 90 cities, counties, regional organizations and governments have reported using elements consistent with the regional vision in their programs, projects and plans. Nearly 50 of them showed off their efforts during the Regional Showcase at the How Shall We Grow? Anniversary Forum, held last month.

It is clear that while there is still much work left to be done to ensure a future where conservation, countryside, centers and corridors are the key themes for growth across Central Florida, much has already been done — and the region is headed in the right direction.