News

Group helping to move Commuter Rail forward.

Steve Kohler, President of Space Florida, updated "Task Force" on protection and expansion 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.

Central Florida Transportation Corridors "Task Force"

A world-class region requires a world-class transportation system. The Central Florida Partnership formed a special task force outside of its core business units to elevate and bring business focus to bear on this important issue. The Central Florida Transportation Corridors "Task Force" will identify and implement a multi-modal transportation improvement program for the region through leadership, coalition building and advocacy.

Regional Public Policy Advocacy

Communications for the Let Us Vote! Campaign in support of referendum to establish a district School Board Chair for Orange County Public Schools is ongoing. To date, 60,000 signatures received, 45,000 submitted to Supervisor of Elections for verification.

Business advocacy trips to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. in March and May bring Central Florida priority agenda to state and federal legislators.

Evaluation of inaugural Political Leadership Institute provides important feedback for implementation in second PLI. The Institute is geared toward emerging leaders who may one day consider elected public service.

Central Florida Partnership provides community updates on Direct-Elected School Board Chair Proposal for Orange County Public Schools.

BusinessForce endorses a strong field of local, regional and state pro-business candidates.

Political Leadership Institute showcased at U.S. Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs National Conference in Orlando

BusinessForce Insider’s Briefing provides Florida Chamber of Commerce 2008 election forecast.

Let Us Vote! celebrates agreement by the Orange County School Board placing the issue of a Direct-Elected School Board Chair on November ballot.

A "Rally for the Community" is hosted by the Central Florida Partnership to explore next steps and expand support of the School Board Chair referendum scheduled for the November 2008 election.

BusinessForce advances the support of its pro-business endorsed candidates facing opponents in the August 26 primary election.

BusinessForce Insider’s Briefing features U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney who took aim at congressional inaction to address nation’s energy needs.

Let Us Vote! Campaign to establish a Direct-Elected School Board Chairman for Orange County Public Schools triumphed at ballot box with 58% of vote.

At the request of Florida Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon, the Orlando Regional Chamber organized a community luncheon honoring retiring Florida Senator Daniel Webster presenting 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 by 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 community leaders to participate in its 2009 Institute Class slated to begin in February.

Derek Bruce, Consultant, Edge Public Affairs, elected for two-year term as Chair of BusinessForce.

Regional Entrepreneurship

First phase of Executive Search for a new Chamber President concludes with submission deadline of May 5, 2008. The applicant field includes nearly 100 resumes, 20% international and 20% from outside the state.

Central Florida Small Business Summit, September 26, 2008, Orlando World Center Marriott, includes headliners: Les Brown, Award-Winning Speaker and Best Selling Author; Michael Gerber, Chairman of E-Myth Worldwide, considered the "Guru of Small Business" and Sheila Stewart, President of Empower Marketing, Inc.; Tony Rubleski, President, Mind Capture Group; and Alex Mandossian, Founder, Electronic Marketing Institute.

Application Process to retain the Orlando Regional Chamber’s "Five Star" Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was launched
April 4, 2008. Submission is scheduled for December 31, 2008.

Entrepreneurial Diagnostics and Scan of resources/services available to the business economic sector nears completion. With the Entrepreneur Center, Crummer