Economic development professionals from throughout the state of Florida gathered at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport in Orlando last week for the annual conference of the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC). Themed "Introducing the NEW Florida," the conference drew over 200 participants to discuss the latest trends, challenges and best practices in economic development. Topics ranged from global competitiveness and talent supply chain development to water quality and energy efficiency issues.

A highlight of the annual conference is presentation of FEDC's prestigious Robert L. McLaughlin Award. Last week, that award was presented to David Pace, CEO of New Broad Street Properties and current EDC Chairman of the Board.

This award recognizes extraordinary contributions by a volunteer that directly impact a community's economic development efforts. Based on that definition, there is no more deserving recipient than David.

For the past nine years, in addition to running his own business, David has been a member of the EDC Board of Directors and a champion for regional economic development. He accepted a leadership role on the EDC Board during one of our nation's (and his industry's) toughest economic times, and was instrumental in helping to lead and develop a new Leadership Charter for the organization. In September 2010, upon the departure of Ray Gilley, David not only took over as Chairman of the Board, he stepped in to personally take the helm of this organization as acting CEO - on a temporary, volunteer, unpaid basis - providing direct, daily oversight until the hiring of new EDC CEO Rick Weddle in March 2011.

Congratulations to David Pace on this well-deserved recognition, and sincere thanks for his many contributions to the Metro Orlando EDC and the entire Central Florida region.

On Thursday, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will officially break ground, followed by community open houses on Friday and Saturday.

The performing arts center plans to develop a mixed-use urban arts center with three main theaters, educational facilities and a public performance plaza. The performing arts center will be Central Florida's destination of choice for arts, cultural and entertainment programming. It will serve our diverse community by educating and nurturing artists, arts organizations, audiences and students throughout the region and the state of Florida.

The EDC has been involved with the performing arts center since the beginning in helping to garner public support for the community venues plan and conducted the official economic impact study of the venues with the assistance of Convention, Sports & Leisure International.

For more information, visit www.drphillipscenter.org.

Governor Rick Scott signed legislation this week that creates Florida's new Department of Economic Opportunity and significantly expands responsibilities of the state's economic development arm, Enterprise Florida.

The stated goal of the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is to "develop a single, statewide strategic plan to address the promotion of business formation, expansion, recruitment, and retention in order to create jobs for all regions of the state. The DEO is also charged with streamlining the economic development incentive application and award process.

While the new structure is still being finalized, and additional adaptations are likely, the above chart reflects the major changes engendered by this legislation:

* Enterprise Florida retains its private sector board. The Governor chairs that board. The board appoints the "Secretary of Commerce" who leads Enterprise Florida.
* Space Florida will retain special independent district status and the appointed members of the EFI Board will also serve as the Board of Directors for Space Florida.
* VISIT Florida will come under the umbrella of the Enterprise Florida Board, but will operate as a specialized division of EFI doing business as VISIT Florida.
* Workforce Florida maintains independent status, as required under current law.

This second chart (below) reflects additional consolidation directly within Enterprise Florida:

* The Black Business Investment Board (BBIB) and Florida Sports Foundation are merged into EFI and related departments of Minority Business Development and Sports Industry Development are created.

What does this change at the state level mean for Central Florida? The Metro Orlando EDC will continue to support and work closely with Enterprise Florida as our state's lead economic development agency. Our president, Rick Weddle, serves on the Enterprise Florida Stakeholder Council and many of our staff are actively involved with EFI programs and working groups. We welcome the Governor's and the Legislature's focus on job creation priorities, as well as their commitment to streamlining incentive and other state processes that will reduce barriers for companies doing business in, or interested in doing business in, Florida.

All efforts to increase Florida's competitiveness for business attraction and retention is good news for our organization, our community and our citizens.

EDC representatives have been on-the-road this month, spreading the word about Metro Orlando as a prime business destination.

Cologne, Germany - The EDC's Gloria LeQuang attended the ITEC Conference, a major defense industry gathering, along with Team Orlando representatives from the Army, Navy, National Center for Simulation and others of our leading community partners. She spoke to companies from across the globe about the benefits of doing business in Metro Orlando, the nation's leading hub for simulation and related industries.

Los Angeles, California - The EDC's Jennifer Pennypacker was in LA for the Produced By Conference in association with AFCI Locations. While there, she met with producers, directors and other film industry leaders to tout the newly revamped film legislation recently signed into law by Governor Rick Scott. The revised incentive - effective July 1 - sends a signal that the State of Florida is making a long term investment in infrastructure necessary to support the film industry.

Montreal and Toronto, Canada - The EDC's Brian Walters traveled with Florida Governor Rick Scott last week on an Enterprise Florida business development trip to Canada. Brian presented to over 20 companies, representing industries including Digital Media, IT/Software Development and Clean Technology, in a "speed dating" format.

The inaugural flight of Air France's new service into Orlando landed at Orlando International Airport last week. Dignitaries arriving from Charles de Gaulle Airport on the airline's first-ever direct flight from Paris to Orlando were greeted with the water salute traditionally reserved for such momentous occasions. They were also greeted by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, GOAA Chairman Cesar Calvet, and an enthusiastic group of local business people, many of them with ties to international markets.

Direct flights between major international cities are a proven catalyst for business between those markets. Leveraging the potential of this enhanced connection with France was the goal of a special event planned for Patrick Roux, Air France's Senior Vice President for the Americas, and the delegation that accompanied him this week. A breakfast gathering jointly hosted by the Metro Orlando EDC and Visit Orlando provided an opportunity to introduce the airline's top executives to the depth and breadth of the Central Florida economy. Local luminaries helping to introduce attendees to our market included Pierre Brousset, CEO of Hubbard Construction, which is this region's largest French company; Thad Seymour, SVP of Life Sciences for Lake Nona, who shared the region's 'medical city' story; and Alex Martins, president of the Orlando Magic, who welcomed the Air France delegation with personalized Orlando Magic team jerseys.

The new Air France service will operate three times per week between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orlando International Airport (MCO), using 777-300 aircraft with 472 seats. The EDC worked closely with our partners at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and Visit Orlando to promote the addition of this direct service. France is already one of our state's leading trade partners. Increased access will allow the EDC and our community partners to aggressively pursue new business relationships and increased visitation between "The City of Lights" and "The City Beautiful".

The Air France Paris-to-Orlando service marks the 25th international non-stop destination served from MCO.

Maitland-headquartered AcAe Software, LLC has announced plans to expand their Central Florida operations, a move expected to create 93 new positions within the next three years. The company provides high-tech design, consulting, and support services for companies using electronic design automation software.

The EDC first worked with AcAe on relocation of their corporate headquarters from England to Maitland in 1994. Since then, the company has enjoyed steady growth and has diversified its product and service offerings. Most recently, the EDC's business development team assisted AcAe with a Qualified Target Industry (QTI) grant request, which has been approved by Orange County, the City of Maitland and the State of Florida.

AcAe's proprietary "Universal, Neutral Format Translator" helps computer programs talk to each other and work together more easily. One catalyst for the company's recently announced expansion has been the nationwide move to streamline electronic health care records; AcAe's Software Translator, named DART™, simplifies and streamlines the migration of electronic design data across multiple platforms. The company's services also include electronic design automation consulting and training, and its clients include multinational companies worldwide.