FM Sept 04_PDF.qxd - Orlando Chamber of Commerce

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UPFRONT World-Class Partnership Central Florida researchers heighten state’s ocean and coastal resource awareness. During two classic Florida July evenings, Dr. Wayne Wolfson, Chair of the Board of Governors, and I, along with our families, had a unique opportunity to look over the shoulders of one of Florida’s premier sea turtle research teams as they did their work in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Brevard County. This once-in-a-lifetime experience was provided by Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and Dr. Lew Ehrhart, Professor Emeritus at UCF and distinguished Senior Research Fellow at Hubbs. Accompanying us were Dr. Duane De Freese, Hubbs Vice President of Florida Research; Jay Galbraith, Hubbs Executive Development Director; and the next generation of sea turtle biologists in training as students at UCF. It was an exciting evening filled with scientific information and wonderment to see one of the ocean’s great species begin its next generation. It also changed my perception of Florida as a center for ocean conservation and research. Let me share some of the things we learned: ■ Florida’s Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge represents America’s most important sea turtle nesting beach with global significance for the conservation of loggerhead and green sea turtles. Over a decade of conservation land acquisition has created a unique site for sea turtle research that is attracting scientists from Florida and around the nation. ■ Well over $100 million has been spent by federal, state and local governments and Call for Board Nominations Servant Leadership This is the time of year that Chamber Members are selected to serve on the Orlando Regional Chamber Board of Governors, Small Business Chamber Board of Directors and Leadership Alumni Board of Directors. The Nominating and Board Development Committees will be convening in October and once their recommendations have been approved, these exciting appointments will be shared. If the early indications of interest are evidence of what 2005 the Richard King Mellon Foundation to secure the boundaries of the congressionally dedicated refuge. The effort represents one of the nation’s great coastal conservation success stories and has secured public beach and Indian River Lagoon access throughout the refuge in Brevard and Indian River Counties. ■ UCF has been a leader in Florida sea turtle research for more than two decades under the guidance of Dr. Ehrhart and his team of UCF students. It was their scientific data collected during the 1980s that was the basis for Congress to dedicate the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. “Whether it’s high-quality seafood, beach tourism, saltwater fishing, or Florida’s seaports, our ocean and coastal resources are the foundation of Florida’s economy and quality of life.” — Dr. Duane De Freese Vice President Hubbs of Florida Research ■ Since 2000, UCF and Hubbs have successfully tracked endangered leatherbacks from the refuge using advanced satellite transmitters. This leading edge, high-tech research has been funded over the years by some notable Central Florida partners including the Florida Space Grant Consortium, Florida Space Research holds in store, the Orlando Regional Chamber and our family of communities will be greatly benefited. Chamber Members interested in being considered for Board Service should make their interest known via e-mail to Jacob.Stuart@orlando.org for the Board of Governors, Cyndi.Matzick@orlando.org for the Small Business Chamber Board of Directors or Ruth.Mustian@orlando.org for the Leadership Alumni Board of Directors. From left: Dr. Lew Ehrhart; Paul Tritaik, National Wildlife Refuge; Jack Hanna, Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures and HSRI Board Member; and Dr. Duane De Freese with an endangered juvenile green turtle. Photo courtesy of Brent Stewart. Institute, Darden Restaurant Foundation, and the Hubbs-SeaWorld Society. ■ Hubbs is planning to build a world-class marine research institute in Brevard County associated with the refuge. First envisioned by Dr. De Freese over a decade ago, this dream is now becoming a reality thanks to a land donation from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and growing support from the Central Florida community. While the Hubbs research expansion in Florida cannot compare with the scale of the Scripps Research Institute expansion announced earlier this year, it represents another example of how non-profit organizations help to diversify and expand the Central Florida economy. As a member of the Executive Committee for myregion.org, Dr. De Freese often speaks about the significant, and often overlooked, economic value of ocean research in Florida. According to Dr. De Freese, “Whether it’s high-quality seafood, beach tourism, saltwater fishing, or, our ocean and coastal resources are the foundation of Florida’s economy and quality of life.” “World-class” is a term that many regions aspire to and a term that I don’t use lightly. I had a chance to see a glimpse of world-class scientists, world-class sea turtle nesting beaches, and a world-class research partnership between Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and the University of Central Florida — all working together to contribute to Florida’s ocean economy and quality of life. Jacob V. Stuart President Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce 4 SEPTEMBER 2004 FM
THIS JUST IN Football in the Air Central Florida is getting motivated for UCF football. He’s turning up where you’d least expect him. With his stopwatch, scowl and patented “Golden Glare,” the head football coach for the UCF Golden Knights is turning heads … and putting them to work. Nobody is being spared the George O’Leary “Get Motivated” treatment … from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to Orange County Chairman Richard Crotty and Metro Orlando EDC President & CEO Ray Gilley, leaders throughout Central Florida are getting behind the hometown college team, supervised, of course, by the ever-present Coach O’Leary. In fact, O’Leary has been popping up all over town, often in many places at once … in cardboard cut-outs overlooking office workers, in Web sites instructing Central Floridians to “Get Motivated” (www.ucfgetmotivated.com), and in humorous TV, radio and print advertisements promoting George O’Leary’s Universal Coaching Fundamentals (G.O.U.C.F.). The O’Leary appearances are part of an overall awareness campaign to promote UCF Football throughout the community. With 35 years of coaching experience, George O’Leary is bringing an energized football program to Central Florida with one main objective: getting the community to support UCF Football by becoming season ticket holders and creating avid UCF fans. “We’ve put together the most comprehensive season ticket package in the football program’s history,” said UCF Athletic Director Steve Orsini. “Our goal is to drive football season ticket sales to a record-setting number. With more than 70,000 alumni in the Central Florida area alone, we believe this goal is realistic.” The coach is known for his serious attitude toward football and his complete dedication to hard work. And, with words of wisdom including, “you’ve got rubber on the bottom of those shoes … now get out there and wear it out,” his best onthe-field motivational messages should help inspire the masses. Throughout the season, the public can expect to hear more from Coach O’Leary, and see more and more community icons getting behind the campaign. Ray Gilley of the Metro Orlando EDC gets motivated for UCF football under the watchful eye of Coach O’Leary. For season ticket information, call 407-UCF-GOLD or visit www.ucfgetmotived.com. UCF’s home opener is on Saturday, September 11, at 6 p.m. against West Virginia. This is the last season that UCF will be competing in the MAC football conference. Beginning in 2005, UCF will be a member of Conference USA. Central Florida Hub Orlando’s hip urban renewal is good for the entire region. By Robert Recker, Publisher, FirstMonday Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is correct in saying that it’s important that Orlando become the hub for the entire region — a complete downtown that incorporates financial and legal centers, retail, entertainment, arts, dining and sports (See cover story on page 18). This new urban environment will act as a catalyst, bringing growth and an economic surge that will benefit the entire Central Florida region. The elements that make a “real” community — thriving residential areas, exquisite parks and lakes, a flourishing economic base, and entertainment venues second to none — are being created in Orlando. These elements, when present in a city center, help boost the surrounding areas because they act as a conduit for jobs, financial growth and the movement of goods and services. This month’s cover story provides a great example of how this dynamic works: A CNL headquarter building, a new federal courthouse, Florida A&M University Law School, the Washington Street Plaza and 55 West will bring almost a $1 billion worth of construction pumping new life into downtown. With these projects come high-paying jobs; and, with these high paying jobs come some of the bigger retail and dining ventures. This new urban environment will act as a catalyst, bringing growth and an economic surge that will benefit the entire Central Florida region. Downtown Orlando becomes much more attractive to both outside businesses and individuals who are considering relocating. These new residents and businesses infuse even more (both creatively and financially) into the local economy. Some move to Downtown Orlando, but others move to suburban communities with their families. And yet others set up businesses in outlying areas, knowing that a vibrant regional hub can help businesses throughout the region succeed. Businesses continue to prosper downtown as people spend more disposable income on these entertainment and retail venues … and on and on … A thriving regional hub creates a positive snowball effect that escalates into what Mayor Dyer wants Orlando to become — the city that others envy. FM SEPTEMBER 2004 5
Page 1: Volume 7, Number 9 SEPT 2004 A Hip
Page 6: BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY THE LATEST NE
Page 9 and 10: The Human Relations Doctor Dr. Mimi
Page 12 and 13: BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY Better Covere
Page 14: BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY Because labor
Page 17 and 18: Good Credit Equals Good Business Ho
Page 22 and 23: COVER STORY Rhythm & Flow Lounge in
Page 24 and 25: LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION EVERY COMMUN
Page 26 and 27: LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION Putting Drea
Page 30: TOURISM, TRADE & TRANSPORTATION THE
Page 33 and 34: Metro Orlando Lodging Posts Big Gai
Page 35 and 36: Economic “M-Powerment” Financia
Page 37 and 38: MEMBERSHIP WELCOME JULY’S NEW MEM

FM Sept 04_PDF.qxd - Orlando Chamber of Commerce

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