News

The Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results", advancing key strategies on behalf of the Central Florida Region. Take a look at how the Central Florida Partnership is leading our region with concrete action during the last 45 days resulting in positive forward momentum.

Regional Leadership

Central Florida Partnership Executive Briefings continue with major employers in Brevard and Orange Counties and with minority and women owned businesses in the region including minority vendors for the new
Events Center.

Central Florida Partnership expands its Board of Directors to 34, including new 2009 Officers: Jeffery Q. Jonasen, Baker Hostetler, First Vice Chair (2011 Chair) and Carolyn Gosselin, CNL, 2009 Vice Chair of Finance.

New curriculum successfully launched for Leadership Orlando, including a Public Policy Session and a Team Bonding experience with the 90 members of Class 76.

Leadership Orlando Class 76 to travel with key regional leaders to Charlotte, N.C. in January, in support of Central Florida Commuter Rail, to “ride their train” and hear from leaders there about their transportation system success.

Listening to Leaders featured Clarence H. Brown, III, M.D., CEO of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, rounding out stellar 2008 lineup: Arnold Palmer; Clarence Otis, Darden Restaurants; Roger VanDerSnick, International Speedway Corporation; and Deborah German, M.D., UCF College of Medicine.

Regional Entrepreneurship

Chamber “Open House” welcomed Leslie Hielema, the new President of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Small Business Summit, September 2008, judged a success by small business owners and entrepreneurs, with over 600 attendees, 94 exhibitors, and a nationally renowned faculty of small business experts.

2009 Board of Governors elected to lead Orlando Regional Chamber, with Patricia J. Engfer, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, as 2009 Chair and Martin Rubin, CEO, Smart City Telecom as Chair-Elect.

Public Policy Advocacy

Let Us Vote campaign establishes a Direct Elected School Board Chairman for Orange County Public Schools with 58% of the vote at the ballot box.

At the request of Florida Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon, the Orlando Regional Chamber organized a community luncheon honoring retiring Florida
Senator Daniel Webster and presented its highest honor, the J. Thomas Gurney Award for a Lifetime
of Community Service.

Elected on November 4 were 13 of the 16 pro-business candidates endorsed BusinessForce to serve in the Florida Senate, Florida House, Orange County Commission, Osceola County Commission and Orange County School Board.

BusinessForce Political Leadership Institute selects 25 community leaders to participate in its 2009 Institute Class slated to begin in February.

Derek Bruce, Director, Government Relations, Walt Disney World Co., elected Chair of BusinessForce for a two-year term, succeeding Jeffery Q. Jonasen.

Regional Transportation

Central Florida Partnership President, Jacob Stuart provided regional perspective on transportation and space-related business opportunities for the Central Florida Region at Brevard 2008 Space Forum.

Transportation Corridors “Task Force” briefed on Core Strategy Team’s Rapid Response Work Group, Regional Outreach Work Group, and Key Constituencies Work Group helping to move commuter rail forward.

Steve Kohler, President of Space Florida, updated “Task Force” on protection and expansion of the space industry. As one of only two quadra-modal ports in the nation (land, sea, air and space at one location), the value of the infrastructure currently in place is
$7 billion.

Tampa Bay Partnership and TBARTA representatives updated Transportation Corridors “Task Force” on west coast transportation efforts and their support of Central Florida Commuter Rail.

Regional Research and Resolves

myregion.org engaged by the Florida Department of Transportation conducts education and outreach in developing a brand for Commuter Rail. More than 1,700 citizens have provided input on the look and feel of public transportation and commuter rail service, with over 300 suggestions made to “name the train.”

“Community Conversation” on Central Florida Commuter Rail hosted by myregion.org. A series of focus groups scheduled throughout Central Florida Region to obtain reaction and response to commuter rail brand.