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The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference (I/ITSEC) was the venue for our Leadership Orlando Session on Thursday. The Members of Class 82 didn't have to travel far to participate in the largest modeling & simulation conference in the world because it was held right here in Central Florida at the Orange County Convention Center.

The Central Florida Region boasts the highest concentration of modeling, simulation and training related activities in the nation. We are home to the UCF’s Institute for Simulation & Training, the National Center for Simulation, significant modeling and simulation activities for all four branches of the armed forces, and hundreds of entrepreneurs and emerging businesses who develop systems and technologies supporting a variety of industries including the military, government, healthcare, public service (firefighters and police), entertainment/attractions and the private sector.

Military Panel, led by Captain William “Roto” Reuter	Private Sector Panel, led by Thomas L. Baptiste, Lt Gen, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)

We were greeted by 2011 I/ITSEC Conference Chairman (and Leadership Orlando Alum), Dr. Michael G. Genetti, Business Development for Rockwell Collins, Simulation and Training Solutions in Orlando. Also providing a welcome was Cyndi Turner, General Dynamics Information Technology, who served as the 2011 I/ITSEC Program Chair. Sixty countries around the world are represented at the Conference with approximately 20,000 delegates.

Presentations were made by senior commanders of the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS), U. S. Army PEO STRI, and United States Marine Corps, as well as briefings on Team Orlando by Capt. William "Roto" Reuter, Commanding Officer, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), the National Center for Simulation, UCF Institute for Simulation & Training, and local MS&T businesses: Lockheed Martin Global Training and Logistics, Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc. (ECS), and the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement at Florida Hospital.

RADM Frederick Lewis, USN (Ret.), Dr. Michael G. Genetti and Cyndi Turner welcome Leadership Orlando Class.

RADM Frederick Lewis, USN (Ret.), President of the National Training and Simulation Association, focused on the importance of the MS&T Industry here in Central Florida. "Central Florida is the center of gravity for MS&T in the world," said Admiral Lewis. "This region is the envy of the world."

Participants then had free time to explore the Conference with full access to the extensive exhibit hall. Class Members had the chance to pilot (and sometimes crash) helicopters, shoot M16s, and enter virtual worlds to participate in ground assaults – all in simulation, of course! Real life demonstrations of systems that translate to the private sector in the areas of healthcare, fire and EMT training and others showed Class Members how impactful these technologies are in our everyday lives.

Min K. Cho, Holland & Knight engages soldiers at I/ITSEC	John W. Cottrell, III and Paul Shaffer, G&T Conveyor Company, Inc.

At times it was hard to distinguish the enthusiasm of the Leadership Orlando participants from that of the hundreds of high school students who were also in attendance to take advantage of the opportunity to test their skills on the latest in cutting-edge simulation technology. Exposure to these types of career opportunities will surely have a positive influence on future military personnel, engineers, scientists and technicians for years to come.

Leadership Orlando Class 82 saw not only the power of the MS&T Industry in our region, but also the unique asset that we have right here in Central Florida - the Orange County Convention Center – showcasing our region to the world.

The Class then departed for Universal Orlando Resort where they were briefed on the use of MS&T in the entertainment/attractions industry, after first experiencing the wizardry and wonder of Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey. Gathering at City Walk’s Rising Star, the Class was welcome by Richard Florell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Resort Revenue Operations, also a member of the Central Florida Partnership’s Board of Directors. The Senior Vice President of Safety and Engineering for Universal Creative, Steve Blum, explained why the "behind-the-scenes" use of MS&T, is so critical to "temporarily suspending reality" on premier attractions like Spiderman and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, while addressing and insuring safety concerns for their guests.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter	Ric Florell welcomes Class 82 to Universal Orlando Resort

If you have been looking for the "right" time to participate in Leadership Orlando, or know someone who should be in the room for these discussions, now is indeed the perfect time to be a part of America’s largest Community Leadership program, Leadership Orlando. Preparing for the future of our region is up to each of us. Now is the time to learn about the issues, participate in the difficult conversations and help in guiding our future.

Enrollment is currently underway for Class 83, scheduled to begin in April 2012. Space is limited, so don' delay! The online enrollment form and the full schedule may be accessed at www.orlando.org/leadership. Should you have questions, contact Kathy Panter at 407.835.2499 or via email at Kathy.panter@orlando.org.

About Leadership Orlando
Developing regional leaders is important to the future success of the Central Florida Region. That is why "Regional Leadership" is a primary line of business for the Central Florida Partnership. With over thirty years of proven success, Leadership Orlando, America’s largest "Community Leadership Program," continues to encourage, cultivate and recruit emerging leaders to better serve the Central Florida Region.

Working together with Orlando, Inc. (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce) focused on Regional Entrepreneurship, BusinessForce (Public Policy Advocacy), and myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."

Click here to learn more about Leadership Orlando
Click here for a listing of the 2010 Leadership Team