How to get into politics,
while avoiding all the politics.

With the advent of term limits for many elected officials in Florida, the door is open or new, pro-business leaders who want to serve our region's communities in public office. But will they be ready for the daunting challenges they will face as elected officials? And how can we better prepare these political newcomers and our future leaders for a successful campaign and political leadership?

An innovative, ground-breaking program in Central Florida - The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute - is receiving national attention for educating prospective local leaders on the basics of political campaigning, and developing leadership skills necessary for effective governing and addressing critical public policy issues.

"The Chamber's Political Leadership Institute is a model program that exposes prospective elected leaders to the political process, regardless of political affiliation."
US Chamber of Commerce
In accrediting the highest level of recognition: the "5 Star" ranking, to Orlando, Inc. (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce), a Line of Business of the Central Florida Partnership.

Powerful Connections.

The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute features an annual two and a half day political leadership school at the prestigious Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, ongoing leadership activities throughout the year, important networking opportunities, and unique mentoring workshops. It features local and national speakers who share their invaluable expertise on campaigning for public office, media, public policy issues, leadership and ethics.

Exclusive Participation.

A limited number of emerging leaders from throughout the Central Florida business community are given the opportunity to participate in this ground-breaking program. Participants are selected based on the strength of their applications and personal interviews with a Screening Committee. Current participants represent a diverse range of business experience, backgrounds and community involvement. There is no requirement that applicants be declared candidates in order to be selected for the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute.

Non-Partisan Unbiased Curriculum.

Typically, campaign schools are operated by political parties and are designed for declared candidates and current officeholders. The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute takes a truly innovative approach by offering a non-partisan program to better equip business and civic leaders who have expressed an interest in becoming political candidates and government leaders. It exposes prospective elected leaders to the political process, regardless of political affiliation.

Many new faces are entering the political arena without a track record or knowledge of how to run a successful campaign. They are coming to BusinessForce for support and an orientation on critical regional issues. The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute was designed to address these concerns, while identifying and encouraging new leaders who may emerge outside of the normal political party channels.

Click here to view the curriculum.

Your Political Career Starts Here.

If you're interested in learning what it takes to wage a winning campaign and become a successful elected official, begin building the foundation today. The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute can provide you with the comprehensive skills, resources and connections you need to launch your political career.

Learn Today. Lead Tomorrow.

The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute is a program that was developed by BusinessForce, the "political action arm" of the Central Florida Partnership. This unique non-partisan, pro-business, regional initiative was designed to prepare and strengthen the next generation of elected leaders before they formally choose to run for a specific public office.

The Polls Have Spoken!

Already, ten members from the Political Leadership Institute have been elected to public office in our region since its inception in 2008.  Other graduates are actively considering their candidacies for future elections. Are You Next?

Frequently Asked Questions.

Click here for frequently asked questions.

Contact Us.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors.

Click here to download an "Invitation to Sponsor" the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute.

Affecting positive change in the Central Florida Region requires strong "Regional Public Policy Advocacy" - an important line of business for the Central Florida Partnership.  BusinessForce, our "Political-Action-Arm," is making a positive difference by sharing important regional conversations, encouraging and supporting candidates for public office, and helping to guide civic, political and business leaders about the future.  Working together with Orlando, Inc. (Regional Entrepreneurship), Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership), and myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."