The Florida Chamber is grateful to the over 500 Chamber members, local chamber partners, state legislators and other business leaders who made this month’s Annual Meeting and Future of Florida Forum our largest ever. This three-day event illustrates the potential of a united business community as we work together to create jobs, transition our economy and innovate for the future. With over 50 panels and 120 speakers from every industry in Florida, the annual meeting featured serious discussion about Florida’s future, creative ideas to move us forward and new and exciting partnerships. It was truly inspiring to see so many of our state’s leaders work together to tackle our most important issue: transitioning our economy and getting Floridians back to work.

If you joined us at the Annual Meeting in Orlando, please take a few minutes to complete this online survey – we want to continue to improve in order to better serve you and your business.

This month, we continue to hear strong feedback about the launch of The Florida Scorecard, a new dashboard to help Florida leaders gauge the health of Florida’s economy and make better decisions for the future. The Chamber Foundation will regularly update the scorecard and provide analysis in real-time, so please be sure to visit the Scorecard and let us know what you think.

This edition of the Florida Chamber Insider includes images, presentations and highlights from the Annual Meeting and Future of Florida Forum. Also, this month we’ve included:

• A Florida Chamber polling update
• A column on Florida’s Space industry from Rep. Steve Crisafulli
• Information on how to get involved in the Amendment 4 battle
• The latest on the recently launched Florida Scorecard
• Upcoming events and workshops
• And much more.

Please continue to provide your comments and feedback, and thank you for your support of Florida's future and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

My best,


Mark Wilson
President and CEO
Florida Chamber of Commerce

MARK WILSON
President 
and CEO

• St. Petersburg Times: Florida Chamber Encourages Choices, Long Term Thinking

• Forbes.com; Associated Press: Florida Must Diversity, Chamber Chief Says 

• Orlando Sentinel: John Morgan, Others Quit FJA Over Political Mailer

• Orlando Sentinel: Crist, Gingrich Visit Florida Chamber Forum

“I want to commend the Florida Chamber for what I believe is the most sophisticated strategic planning that I’ve seen anywhere in the country -  actually, we may try to steal these ourselves…  I am very impressed with your program, with the six pillars you are taking advantage of.”

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, to the Florida Chamber of Commerce
Future of Florida Forum, October 14, 2009

Grassroots Feature: Join the Fight to Save the Space Industry
Special to the Insider from Rep. Steve Crisafulli

In the coming years, my district, which is located in Brevard County on Florida’s Space Coast, will face the challenges of severe job loss at the Kennedy Space Center.... Read More...

 
Amendment 4: Preparing to Fight Against Amendment 4 in 2010

On Wednesday, October 14th, Future of Florida Forum attendees were presented with the game plan for how to defeat Amendment 4 in November 2010. A panel composed of Ryan Houck, executive director of Floridians for Smarter Growth...
Read More...

 
Legislative Update: High Speed Rail for Economic Development

There have been several exciting developments in regards to high-speed rail and transportation improvements in the past few months.Last week, Senate President Jeff Atwater announced ... Read More...

U.S. Chamber Spotlight: Job Creation Depends on American Free Enterprise

Florida Scorecard: Navigating Florida Forward with The Florida Scorecard

Quality of Life: H1N1 Guide - "It's Not the Flu As Usual"

Economic Development: Support the Critical Film and Entertainment Tax Credit

Create Your Personal Profile and Dashboard at  OneVoiceforFlorida.com

HEICO Corporation Awarded Florida Incumbent Worker Training Grant

USAA Adds Over 2,000 Jobs in West Central Florida

• Floridians for Better Transportation: What's Missing in Transportation Funding?

• The Able Trust: Are You Marketing to the Third Largest Market Segment?

• Special to the Insider: University Research - The Key to Florida's Future

• Central Florida Partnership: Leadership Orlando Class Taps Into Florida's Future

Upcoming Events:

• Florida Manufacturer's Summit
• BioFlorida Annual Conference
• Other Events

Chamber Insider Wants to Hear From YOU!

• Do you or your company have a story to tell to other employers?
• Would you like to contribute your thoughts as a feature for next month's Chamber Insider?
• Do you have an upcoming meeting or event to feature in the Chamber Insider?

If so, please contact Kirsten Borman at kborman@flchamber.com
or 850.521.1273. We want to hear from you!