Everyone has an opinion. That's why we asked the Past Chairs of Orlando, Inc., for their perspectives on the once-in-a-lifetime, 100^th 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 their commitment to our important work have not wavered since they led the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce.

We will continue to add to this impressive list of community leaders that are now showcased on our 100^th Anniversary website, as they share their experiences and their congratulations on this historic commemoration.

"First of all, I am honored and humbled to be a Past Chair of this truly remarkable organization. This 100 year achievement is so special for our community when you consider the leaders the Chamber has produced as well as the incredible list of accomplishments. The Orlando that we all know and love wouldn't be what it is today without the Chamber." Ed Timberlake (1999) Seaside National Bank & Trust
"Congratulations to Orlando, Inc. and the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce for 100 years of community building. This legacy of leadership is evident in the strength and vitality of The City Beautiful and the region which surrounds it. I am proud to have been a part of this organization since I first moved to Orlando in 1987. It is hard to imagine what future community leaders will be saying at the 200th Anniversary celebration, but with the foundation that has been built during the first 100 years it will surely be impressive!" Frederick Leonhardt (1992) GrayRobinson, P.A.
"For 100 years, this volunteer-led, community-minded organization has impacted virtually every significant event in Central Florida history. The organization remains as strong as ever. Congratulations!" Eddie Carpenter (1994)
"Serving as Chair during 2005 was an honor and an experience I'm so very proud of. The Chamber was prominently engaged in many transformative efforts that will continue to positively shape Central Florida for years to come. These included supporting UCF with its effort to secure a medical school and aiding the civic and business community with realizing its aspirations for three new community venues (Project Hometown). I continue to cherish these memories and the impact we made!" Craig E. Polejes (2005) Junior Achievement of Central Florida, Inc.
"Having the honor and the privilege of being a part of such an outstanding organization as Orlando Inc. on its 100 year anniversary and having a small role to play in helping to guide the ship during that time will be one of the high points of my life. There is no doubt that the gifted and passionate professionals and volunteers that are Orlando, Inc. have made a significant impact on the destiny of such a great community that is Central Florida." Kelley P. Mossburg (2007) Main Street Advisory, LLC
"In the past 100 years, the Chamber has contributed more to the positive growth and development of the greater Orlando community than any other organization. It has helped shepherd Orlando from a sleepy citrus town to the vibrant community it is today. I can only imagine what it will assist in accomplishing in the next 100 years." William B. Wilson (2003) Holland & Knight
"This 100 year anniversary celebration is important because it requires each of us to recall the highlights of the many dramatic changes in the path of progress for our community, over the relative short period of time of a hundred years. By looking back, we see how remarkable our journey has been, blessed by great leadership, positive attitudes, and progressive thinking. Thankfully, our Chamber, and its membership were major players in each positive step of the way." Jack Prevost (1995) Old Florida National Bank
"The story of our great nation is built on the stories of its people. And, the stories of its people are created in those cities, towns and communities which we call home. For Orlando, the Chamber has been a creator, developer and keeper of so many of our stories during its 100 year history. The stories of a great nation." James S. Hunt (2000)
"As the 100th year celebration of the Orlando Chamber gets underway, it has been a labor of love for many to uncover the history of the organization. It's fascinating to note that in almost every major decision or event that has occurred in our community over the past 100 years, the Chamber has been at the table. While our name has changed numerous times and our mission has evolved over the years, our underlying values stay the same. Our goal is to make tomorrow better for our Central Florida Community. The only thing better than celebrating the past, is to be excited about how the Central Florida Partnership and it's lines of business will be active participants going forward. Happy Anniversary Orlando, Inc.!" Patricia Engfer (2009) Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
"The recipe for any major city or region hoping to achieve success for its citizens must include certain key ingredients; outstanding corporate success & sponsorship, great educational systems, diversity and committed inclusive community leaders. Orlando Inc., in all of its titles has brought together, for 100 years, all of the necessary ingredients to develop Central Florida into a remarkable community. It has been an honor to participate in the process. " Lonnie C. Bell, Jr. (2002) Orange County Government

Orlando, Inc.

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.

In an effort to improve access to fellow members as well as membership benefits, we have placed all members into three new and simple categories: Business Basic, Business Connection and Business Executive. Log on to www.orlando.org for detailed information on how you can best leverage your Orlando, Inc. Membership.

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."

For additional information, visit: www.orlando.org

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.