News

Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, the Central Florida Partnership will identify ways to build on successes and address gaps.

Conducted "Think Tank" at Rollins College to respond and react to Diagnostics and Scan of entrepreneurial resources in Central Florida.
Central Florida Partnership’s E-Team will make regional recommendations.

Executive Search for new Orlando Regional Chamber President nears conclusion following video interviews, narrowing to final candidate field.

Central Florida Small Business Summit, September 26, 2008, to include nationally-renowned headliners, presentation of Regional Research on Entrepreneurship, Community Learning Labs and Speed Counseling.

U. S. Chamber of Commerce Accreditation Application Process progressing toward December 31, 2008, deadline to retain "Five Star" Accreditation.

Central Florida Partnership names Leslie Hielema as President of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, beginning November 3, 2008.

Entrepreneurial "Think Tank" reports findings and recommendations that will be part of the agenda for the Small Business Summit, September 26, 2008.

Chamber "Open House" welcomed new Chamber President, Leslie Hielema.

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 Chair and Martin Rubin, CEO, Smart City Telecom as Chair-Elect.

Regional Research and Resolves

Congress of Regional Leaders, convened regularly by myregion.org, addresses regional growth policies and practices necessary to implement the Regional Growth Vision, a product of the "How Shall We Grow?" initiative. The Congress consists of Chairs of seven county commissions, municipal representation and Central Florida School Boards Coalition.

Board of Directors of myregion.org reviews program of work for Phase III focused on five key initiatives: Regional Progress Report, Leadership Engagement, Environment, Transportation, and Homelessness.

Tampa Bay Partnership presented its priority initiatives to myregion.org
Board of Directors, along with its commitment to work together for the benefit of the Central Florida mega-region.

Regional Congress of Leaders set three priority areas of focus: Regional Transportation, Regional Green Print and Regional Water Policy.

myregion.org Board of Directors adopts Phase III Scope of Work including: Publishing Progress Report/Report Card; Environmental Conservation; Regional Transportation; Social Services Council; Leadership Engagement.

"How Shall We Grow?" initiative, led by myregion.org, showcased as "Best Practice" at Urban Land Institute Leadership Conference in Seattle.

Central Florida Partnership appoints Shelley Lauten President of myregion.org to guide the Phase III Scope of Work.

The Partnership provides regional perspective at Brevard Space Forum.

Shelley Lauten tapped as facilitator for Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida’s first-ever statewide Water Congress. 120 diverse voting delegates from public, private and civic sectors convene in Orlando to find consensus on specific actions to create a sustainable water future for state.

myregion.org Board of Directors works on "Regional Progress Report," completion Summer 2009, documenting progress on region’s six key priorities, comparing Central Florida to other globally competitive regions, and presenting funding alternatives on how to move priorities forward.

myregion.org engaged by Florida Department of Transportation to conduct education/outreach in developing brand for Commuter Rail. Over 1,700 citizens 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.

Regional Leadership

Redesign of the Leadership Orlando curriculum is underway to align with the Dashboard Goals of the Central Florida Partnership.

Research is being conducted throughout Central Florida to determine the existence and success of Young Professionals Groups currently operating in the region. Preliminary design of a 2009 YP program to be offered by the Central Florida Partnership is being developed.

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