The Central Florida Partnership is a collaborative of business and civic leaders committed to procuring a better tomorrow for our region. We are thoughtful leaders united by a single, guiding principle - that we have both the power and the responsibility to make change happen - moving "Ideas to Results."

Orlando, Inc. is a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership focused on Regional Entrepreneurship.
A "Five-Star Chamber" - the highest level of achievement awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - we are aligned with the Central Florida Partnership in moving "Ideas to Results."

myregion.org, focused on "Regional Research and Resolves," is helping to shape Central Florida's future.
As a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership, myregion.org moves "Ideas to Results" by identifying and examining changing demographics and powerful trends that define our region.

Developing regional leaders is important to the future success of the Central Florida Region. That is why Leadership Orlando is a line of business for the Central Florida Partnership. Focused on cultivating and recruiting emerging leaders, Leadership Orlando, America's largest "Community Leadership Program," is moving "Ideas to Results."

Affecting positive change in Central Florida requires strong "Regional Public Policy Advocacy."
BusinessForce, a line of business of the Central Florida Partnership, is moving "Ideas to Results" by encouraging and supporting candidates for public office, and training civic, political and business leaders for public service.

May 25, 2013 - 8:54am
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The Art of Networking

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Annetta Wilson delivered an amazing program to a sold out crowd at last week's Business Success Strategies on The Art of Networking – Learn How to "Work a Room" so it "Works for You." First asking audience members to point out some of the challenges faced when walking into a room full of strangers, she moved on to her arsenal of networking tips arming

Randall Made Knives

Monday, May 20, 2013

In 1965, the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce presented its highest recognition to Astronaut John Young for shining the national and international spotlight on his home town. In the years since, the John Young Spotlight Award has been presented to numerous individuals and organizationswho have distinguished themselves in much the same way. Above:

In Their Own Words

Monday, May 13, 2013

Everyone has an opinion. That's why we asked the Past Chairs of Orlando, Inc., for their perspectives on the once-in-a-lifetime, 100th Anniversary Celebration that the Orlando Chamber honors over the next year. Already we have heard from ten Past Chairs; their service to our organization spanning the past two decades. You can tell that their connection and

Gorovitz Appointed to Meritas Board

Monday, May 13, 2013

Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. announced that Central Florida Partnership Board Member Aaron J. Gorovitz, a long-time real estate partner with the firm, has been appointed to the board of directors of Meritas, a global alliance of 7,124 experienced lawyers in 175 full-service law firms serving 236 markets-all rigorously qualified,

America’s Small Business Summit

Monday, May 6, 2013

Representing Orlando, Inc., at America's Small Business Summit, presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D. C. last week, were Michael Ketchum, Vice President of Advocacy, and Vilma Quintana, Executive Vice President. With the theme, "Small Business, Big Impact," close to 700 hundred entrepreneurs, business executives, and service providers

Legislature Kills Mandated Sick Leave

Monday, May 6, 2013

Waiting until the 59th day of its 60 day session, the Florida Legislature finally delivered the predicted and what some termed the "kill shot" to mandated paid sick leave. This priority legislation, which was strongly supported by the Central Florida Partnership along with a broad coalition of key Florida business interests, was sponsored by House Majority

Community Connections Continue

Monday, May 6, 2013

Building relationships was an important component in the Leadership Orlando experience for Class 84. From social holiday gatherings to a recent outing at Splittsville in Downtown Disney, the class continues to get together on a regular basis. Graduates are looking forward to another opportunity to stay in touch, remain active and "giveback" to our

Staff Retreat

Monday, May 6, 2013

Like in your businesses, every once in a while our team needs a 'change of scenery' to better reflect and focus on the important work ahead. A recent outing to Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc., was hosted by Thomas Schneider, Wycliffe's Director - Community & Government Relations/Special Counsel and a member of the Board of Directors of Orlando, Inc.

City Proclaims Orlando Inc. Day

Monday, April 29, 2013

The Council Chambers at the City of Orlando was packed with well wishers on Monday as Mayor Buddy Dyer proclaimed April 22, 2013, as "Orlando Inc. Day" in honor of the Chamber's 100th Anniversary. Joining in the festivities were ten Past Chairs of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, spanning four decades, and well as current Directors, Investors,

Town of Ponce Inlet Now "Open for Business"

Monday, April 29, 2013

Congratulations to the Town of Ponce Inlet in Volusia County on becoming "Open for Business" Certified! There are now 7 counties and 25 cities throughout Central Florida participating in this regional initiative to streamline the permitting process. For a list of participating counties and cities who are "Open for Business" certified, visit

Entrepreneurs Ecosystem

Monday, April 29, 2013

The "Community Luncheon" Acknowledging and Honoring Members of the Entrepreneurs Ecosystem was the first-ever gathering of the critical resources that comprise the Entrepreneurs Ecosystem in the Central Florida region. Leaders from such organizations as the City of Orlando, University of Central Florida, Rollins College, National Entrepreneur Center, Orange

Central Florida Education Summit

Monday, April 22, 2013

The Central Florida Education Summit will be hosted by the Central Florida Partnership and sponsored by the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association, in partnership with the National Chamber Foundation, the Institute for a Competitive Workforce and the Central Florida Public School Board Coalition.

Central Florida Education Summit
Implementing the Common Core State Standards
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
8:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
9300 Jeff Fuqua Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827

During this important time of "learning and sharing," we will hear from educational experts who will discuss Florida's K-12 Education System as it relates to the implementation of Common Core State Standards. The program involves leaders from business, government and education; talking together about how we can support this exciting new "pathway to college and career readiness for all students."

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The Standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce; and are designed to build upon the most advanced current thinking, when it comes to preparing all students for success in college and their careers. The Standards are clear, concise, and designed to ensure that parents, teachers, students and employers have an understanding of the expected results when students master appropriate reading, writing, mathematics and language skills in our schools.

Already "on board" are a number of Community Partners in support of the Central Florida Education Summit and these include:

Patterned after the recent Florida Education Summit – Breaking Through Mediocrity, the Central Florida Education Summit will be the 'last stop' on a series of similar programs conducted across the nation in concert with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for a Competitive Workforce.

In October 2012, the Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW), an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, launched Breaking the Monopoly of Mediocrity, a cross-country tour to discuss education reform in local communities, highlighting the important role the business community must play, and encouraging local leaders to become a catalyst for change. The tour provides an interactive forum for business, community, and education leaders to discuss local challenges and offer strategies to implement change.

At each stop on the tour, ICW provides key resources including a how-to guide for business engagement, a school governance guide, and a city fact sheet highlighting the state of education in each city. The tour has made stops in Memphis, TN, El Paso, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Trenton, N.J., and Jefferson City, MO., and now, Orlando FL in June.

Breaking the Monopoly of Mediocrity is supported by a grant from the Daniels Fund, a Colorado-based foundation established by Bill Daniels, a cable television pioneer known for his generous support of innovative causes.

To learn more, visit: www.breakthemonopoly.com

Additional details regarding the program and speakers for the Central Florida Education Summit – Implementing the Common Core State Standards will be provided as they are confirmed.

* Special Note : The Central Florida Public School Board Coalition includes the following School Districts: Brevard, Hillsborough, Lake, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.

The Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW) is the education and workforce nonpartisan, non-profit, 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. ICW promotes the rigorous educational standards and effective job training systems needed to preserve the strength of America's greatest economic resource, its workforce.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

Central Florida Partnership - Ideas to Results
The Central Florida Partnership is a collaborative of business and civic leaders committed to procuring a better tomorrow for Central Florida's seven counties - Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia. We are thoughtful leaders united by a single, guiding principle - that we have both the power and the responsibility to make change happen.

Working together, through four lines of business – Orlando, Inc. (Regional Entrepreneurship), BusinessForce (Regional Public Policy Advocacy), myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves) and Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership) – the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."

About the Central Florida Partnership
Click here to learn more about the Central Florida Partnership.
Click here for the Central Florida Partnership Board of Directors.

Arts, Sports, Concerts & More

Monday, April 22, 2013

Fresh off their 'field day' in March at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, the members of Leadership Orlando Class 85 gathered on Tuesday for an update on the remaining Community Venues that are part of Project Hometown: Amway Center and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, as well as some new projects on the horizon. Presentations by Katherine

“Crunch Time” In Tallahassee

Monday, April 22, 2013

With only 12 days remaining in the 2013 legislative session, it's getting to be "crunch time" now in Tallahassee as legislators, lobbyists and state and local officials anxiously await the fate of their pet bills before the looming May 3rd adjournment date. Shortly, bills will begin to die in committees, on the calendars or in last minute messages between

And So It Begins

Monday, April 22, 2013

Twenty two Past Presidents (1976 – 2013) joined members of the current Volunteer Leadership Team at a very special luncheon on Friday to kick off the 100th Anniversary of Orlando, Inc., (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce). Guests also included the Chairs, Chairs-Elect, and Past Chairs of the Central Florida Partnership and its four Lines of

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Events Calendar

Orlando, Inc., is one of four lines of business of the Central Florida Partnership and is specifically focused on Regional Entrepreneurship. A"Five-Star Chamber" - the highest level of achievement awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – we are positioned to serve the growing needs of businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the Central Florida Region. Working together with BusinessForce (Public Policy Advocacy), myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves) and Leadership Orlando (Regional Leadership), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."