January 20

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Des Cummings kicked off the final day of the Community Leadership Conference, introducing Orange County Mayor Crotty as our first speaker. Mayor Crotty noted the importance of synergy and partnership to the success of our community endeavors, complimenting those gathered for their commitment to working together to tackle the challenges and priorities of our region.

Building on this theme of commitment, the Mayor then reminded us that achievement of our shared goals will require investment: Investment in social issues like homelessness; Investment in the completion of the beltway system; Investment in continuing to diversify our economy; Investment in maintaining our protected, environmental assets. We have tough decisions to make. Continuing to pull together as a region is not a choice, but a requirement.

Jacob Stuart then recapped the progress of the myregion.org initiative, which works to build connections across a seven-county, 82-city Central Florida region. myregion.org has four principles: conservation, countryside (agriculture), centers (population hubs), corridors (transportation connections). Pat Engfer asked how this research will be used to make a difference. Stuart responded that the myregion.org research is designed to help us identify, protect and build our regional assets, and to provide local communities with the information, tools and connections they need to compete on a global basis.

Stuart was then asked to define the role of the new Central Florida Partnership. He explained that the Partnership has been developed to deal with regional issues not being addressed elsewhere. Structurally, the Partnership will oversee the Regional Chamber, myregion.org, BusinessForce, Leadership Orlando and a five-year transportation special project.

Don Upton then recapped the feedback from conference attendees, collected in the wake of yesterday’s round table discussions. This is what the group sees as common interests and shared opportunities for the three convening organizations. Those priorities are:

economic diversification;
transportation as a dominant agenda item;
a collaborative approach system to track progress;
brand alignment where possible.

MEDIA PANEL
Three journalism leaders then took center stage: Dan Grech, Florida Bureau Chief, America’s Desk – Marketplace business news show; Charlotte Hall, editor, Orlando Sentinel; and Diane Sears, travel editor, Florida Trend. Grech turned pre-conceived notions of border control upside down by explaining this as a benefit with competitive advantages – primarily in providing workforce that this state and nation will need to fulfill its growing employment needs, which will only increase in the coming decades.

Hall conceded that she was relatively new to the region, which she would describe as the “unmelted pot”. She noted the welcoming attitude and commitment to making our community better as the single biggest advantage we have. On the other hand, we are very young and lack tradition – a gangly teenager with great aspirations. Central Florida is still forming its sense of community and making great strides, but there is much more ahead.

Sears reiterated the importance of a regional approach to addressing issues.

Marc Watson asked Hall how we could help the news teams better understand the issues they cover. Hall responded by indicating candor and frequent/open communication is always the best approach. Know the reporter that covers your particular business sector. She reminded the audience that they survey their readers regularly (1.3 million readers each week), and research indicates that this audience wants “the fourth estate” to watch out for interests, report on public officials, and expect that they “mind” the public’s door. Sears took the middle road, adding that “immersion” in community forums and issues is critical for both reporting teams and public officials. She encouraged open communication and continued debate. Commissioner Segal stated that the media is a reason that more qualified individuals don’t run for public office.

Grech was asked about free trade agreements and the immigration debate. Joanie Schirm asked about the perception of Orlando to rest of world. Grech answered: you are Disney; you are former home to Shaq! Went on to say that the world is changing, becoming multi-lingual and multi-cultural. This is a business reality. Embrace and take advantage of it.

Mayor Crotty questioned Hall about the placement of “activist reporters”, who start with adversarial positions rather than objective positions. Hall indicated role of reporter to be aggressive, report the truth; style is less important than what gets into the paper. What the paper must be held accountable for is the stories as they are reported.

Brian Butler asked panel what the role of the media is in improving our community. Grech responded that the role of the news media is as watchdog, which is a vital part of a functioning democracy. He warned that economic pressures are changing the way the news is reported, and that is a threat to our democracy. Hall replied that responsibility of news media is to serve all interests of community without fear and without special interests. The role of traditional media is to provide a forum of community conversation, and to facilitate the conversation. Web is emerging as a tool to open the dialogue even more through constant conversation, but is notable for serving special interests. Sears responded that the role of the media is to carry conversation into community and educate to assist in development of public policy.

In response to media forum speakers, Fred Leonhardt commented on “the session” (legislative, that is). He noted that the EDC works to influence an agenda that is good for economic development, and the Legislature is paying attention to this despite budget restraints. EDC Priorities include Medical College funding, community college funding, maintenance of state incentives, and others. In addition Leonhardt noted that Percy Luney, Senior VP of Space Florida, is working to help influence the space-related agenda and that’s important to our regional economy.

EMERGING ISSUES AND OPPORTUNTIES
Conference leaders then took some time to preview several pending issues and opportunities.

Gary Sain alerted the group to an upcoming CVB, CFHLA, Central Florida Partnership scheduled tourism and civic agenda trip to Las Vegas. He and Jacob Stuart encouraged business leaders to join then in April 2008 for a community exchange trip designed to discover “best practices” in a community that competes directly with our region’s largest industry. (Click here to view the Las Vegas Powerpoint)
Ray Gilley alerted the group to a threat to one of our region’s most substantial high tech industries – simulation and training. Department of Defense mandates require bases to meet minimum standards for force and facility protection; standards which must be in place by 2009. Leaders such as Senator Nelson and Congressman Feeney; Rep Canon and Senator Webster; MayorsCrotty and Dyer; UCF; Enterprise Florida; and the EDC’s Military Affairs Advisory Committee on “on this”, but involvement and support from the entire business community may be required in the critical months ahead. UCF President John Hitt was called to comment. He reinforced that this industry is a mainstay of our economy and pointed out what we stand to lose in terms of not only the military commands, but those private sector contractors that surround them here in Central Florida – Lockheed Martin, SAIC, and over 100 others. Dr. Hitt asked the business community to be sensitive to this issue, as we can not afford to lose this sector from our region. There will be tie in with new College of Medicine, game development industry, and other important local industries. (Click here to view the Force Protection Powerpoint)
Jacob Stuart touched on a new strategy to help with the recruitment of leaders to serve. Soon the Central Florida Partnership will announce establishment of the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute as part of BusinessForce. This Institute will help prepare potential leaders to run for office. Sessions will be held at UCF Rosen School for Hospitality. The program will provide mentoring, retreats, and monthly education opportunities.

WRAP UP

As the conference drew to a close, Caucus members were invited to provide their feedback and impressions.

Margo Knight indicated emphasis on “prosperity”… not only economic, but in richness of community.
Paul Tang asks that we pursue working together to build a global branding strategy that will cover all aspects of business and our economy.
Mary Demetree emphasized the value in working together to build global competitiveness and regional prosperity.
Roger Pynn emphasized the need to take responsibility for sharing this information effectively and on a broader scale.
Diane Meiller noted that business, elected officials and media must all be part of the process to put change into action.
C.T. Hsu noted the importance of reacting quickly and effectively to global competition. This requires more dialogue and more change.

In final polling, participants indicated that they had much clearer understanding of the roles and priorities of the three convening organizations. They also indicated that future such meetings should be held in the region, less than 2 or 3 hours from home. And, they indicated belief that the priorities developed through this convening will make our region more competitive.

In final wrap up:

Mark McHugh would like to see us take this experience back to broader audience, including media, to help them understand value of community dialogue with an action orientation. He committed the CVB to lead on global marketing priority, and for them to participate again.
Fred Leonhardt reminded us that, historically, major community decisions have been made following gatherings of involved leaders – the decision where to build I-4, where to move the international airport, where to build the Orange County Convention Center. The 2008 CLC has the same potential to serve as a catalyst. But, we must get young people here. We need to get more elected officials here. He committed to the EDC participating again, and for this organization to continue to work closely with our colleague organizations.
Des Cummings charged us to be people of action. In competitive marketplace, Orlando is in a “race of ideas”. How do we become the best place in the world for idea generation? This needs to be the essence of what we’re about in Central Florida. Most important take away is the “green spot” of synergy between these three organizations. He also committed the CF Partnership to participating again.

Click link to view other Presentations from today.

Securing Our Simulation Industry

Jacob Stuart