Each year during this time, the eyes of the world's simulation and training industry turn to Metro Orlando for the annual Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world's largest modeling, simulation and training conference. Nearly 20,000 attendees from over 57 countries come to Orlando to see and learn about the most recent advances in this important industry sector.

Orlando is widely known as the "national center for simulation" for several reasons:

- home to the nation's military procurement simulation commands;
- over 150 simulation companies;
- employing more than 12,500 Central Floridians; and
- a Gross Regional Product of $3 billion.

The significance of this industry to our local economy cannot be overstated, and the EDC works closely with community partners to ensure a strong presence at the annual I/ITSEC trade show, which is held at the Orange County Convention Center.

Once again, the EDC partnered with the Orlando-headquartered National Center for Simulation, The University of Central Florida's Institute for Simulation & Training (IST), Florida High Tech Corridor Council and others to feature Metro Orlando's assets through a booth on the trade show floor. Demonstrations included hands-on experiences from Florida Hospital's DaVinci Robot and the latest research from IST featuring distracted driving simulators and new uses for mobile apps.

In addition, the EDC's business development team conducted several meetings each day with companies considering expansion opportunities.

Over 600 small business leaders gathered at Rosen Shingle Creek on Monday for the Small Business Defense Procurement Summit. This Department of Defense event, hosted in partnership with the City of Orlando and the Office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, was designed to help small businesses learn how to do engage with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal contracting agencies.

The Federal government procures over $530 billion in goods and services on an annual basis. This event, which was only the second held nationwide, stemmed from a White House initiative directing federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense, to communicate contract procurement opportunities to small businesspeople throughout the U.S. In addition to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Senator Bill Nelson, other speakers included: Cecilia Muñoz, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs; and Dr. Ashton B. Carter, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics.

The afternoon agenda featured business matchmaking sessions between small businesses and major government contractors and officials.

Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll and Minister Gary Goodyear, Canada's Minister of State, Science and Technology, visited Central Florida last week as part of their ongoing exploration of how Florida and Canada can collaborate in the realms of science and technology. The Metro Orlando EDC partnered with the University of Central Florida to help answer that question.

The dignitaries were hosted for a tour of the Central Florida Research Park and introduced to a variety of military and economic development leaders who described the depth, strength and potential of this region's technology industry. Following the tour, Minister of State Goodyear indicated that he understood the potential of cross-border partnerships, noting, "Canada and Florida can create jobs and growth by working together to help researchers get their ideas out of the labs and into the marketplace."

Lieutenant Governor Carroll was also impressed. In her remarks she commented on Florida's future in these realms, saying: "Science and technology will be part of the new frontier of Florida's economy and the future of the Florida-Canada business partnership."

During her visit here, the Lieutenant Governor also met with members of Team Orlando and with leaders from private businesses in the defense industry.

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.

A partnership between the local Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Valencia Community College (VCC) and the Department of Homeland Security has formed to provide TSA employees with college level classes about homeland security. The TSA Associates Program premiered last August with 48 students and continued to expand in the spring with 24 new students. The program runs concurrently with the traditional Valencia schedule, but the classes are offered conveniently on airport property.

Currently, 90 percent of the TSA workforce does not have a college degree. The long-term goal for the program is to offer a degree in homeland security, but the next step in the process will likely be a certificate of specialization available to TSA employees and air marshals who complete the required courses. There are many long-term benefits for TSA employees with college experience, including increasing their competiveness for promotions.

For more, read Securing the Homeland from Texture Magazine.

At last week's meeting of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, county leaders approved an incentive package designed to help a growing high-tech company remain and expand in the Central Florida Research Park. The county incentive, which is expected to be matched 80:20 by the State of Florida, will allow DSCI, a defense simulation and optics/photonics company, to consolidate out-of-state offices and grow their presence in our region. Within the next three years, the company plans to add 40 new employees to their current workforce of 31; jobs that pay an average wage of more than $80,000, which is double the county's prevailing wage.

This isn't the only EDC client to announce expansion plans in recent weeks. Tecport Optics, an Orlando-based optics company that designs, manufactures, sells and services state-of-the-art thin film vacuum deposition systems, recently expanded into a larger facility and announced plans to double its workforce over the next three years. The EDC has worked with Tecport for several years, providing general assistance and introductions to incentive and grant opportunities, such as the UCF-based GrowFL economic gardening program. As a result, Tecport received an Economic Gardening Business Loan - to be used for working capital purchases, employee training, or salaries for newly created jobs - which will enable the company to bring more of its manufacturing operations to Central Florida.

And in Seminole County, Industrial Lighting Products - a manufacturer of high efficiency lighting and energy-efficient fixtures - recently expanded into a new 40,000-square-foot location in Sanford. The company expects to create 59 new manufacturing jobs over the next two years. The EDC assisted ILP with a refund for sales tax paid on utilities and introduced them to the GrowFL program, as well as other local resources. This growing company is one of 1,723 manufacturers, who together employ 37,000 here in Central Florida.

Saab Training USA - an Orange County-based company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced simulation training systems for the U.S. Military, Foreign Military, and Homeland Security - has expanded their operation in Orange County's Central Florida Research Park. The company, which currently employs 36, has also announced plans to add 33 new jobs within the next three years. Their capital investment in the 28,000-square-foot facility expansion is estimated at approximately $230,000.

In addition to companies such as Saab Training, the Central Florida Research Park is home to simulation and training commands and procurement agencies for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. This distinction has helped our region become the largest modeling and simulation cluster in the nation.

The EDC assisted Saab throughout their local expansion, facilitating the company's QTI incentive application process. The EDC also manages the Metro Orlando Military Affairs Advisory Council, which brings together our region's simulation industry, military and community leaders to support and build this important industry cluster.

Orlando's own Waymon Armstrong, president and CEO of Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc. (ECS), was recognized by President Barack Obama as the National Small Business Person of the Year in Washington, D.C. this week. Armstrong received the top award given during the U.S. Small Business Administration's annual celebration of National Small Business Week on Thursday. He was then invited to the White House for additional recognition from the President.

"Waymon's commitment to his employees and to his business demonstrates the qualities that make small businesses such a powerful force for job creation in the American economy and in their local communities," said Karen Mills, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. "It's the same qualities that will lead us to economic recovery."

ECS is a software development and solutions company that uses cutting edge technology to help government and private clients prepare for natural disasters, medical emergencies, and times of war. Armstrong started the company in 1997 through the University of Central Florida (UCF) Incubation Program. Today ECS employs close to 50 and has been recognized for corporate growth and innovation by Inc. 500, Deloitte Fast 500 and Washington Technology Fast 50, as well as receiving Florida's IT Florida award in 2008. CEO Armstrong was also recently named Florida's Small Business Person of the Year and was a finalist for Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007 and 2009.

Sincere congrats to Waymon Armstrong, who is also an involved and dedicated EDC supporter. Below, watch him explain why he chooses to do business in Metro Orlando.

Several local companies working with the EDC have announced expansion plans that are expected to generate new Central Florida jobs.

Sanford-based Roses Southeast Papers will add 65,000-square-feet to their existing facility in Seminole County. This will allow the manufacturer, which specializes in tissue paper and napkin production, to add converting operations, enabling them to complete the finishing process locally rather than shipping rolls to their New Mexico headquarters for processing. The expansion will cost nearly $7.2 million and company executives indicate that they plan to add 50 jobs over the next two years. The EDC worked closely with the company to facilitate their Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) application process and approvals with the city and county.

The DiSTI Corporation, a defense simulation and training company located just outside Orange County's Central Florida Research Park near the University of Central Florida, has announced that they will remain in Central Florida and that they plan to add 30 new jobs within the next 36 months. Though courted by communities in other states, the EDC recently helped the tech company secure a Qualified Targeted Industry (QTI) incentive that will assist with their expansion here in our market. According to Joe Swinski, DISTI President: "Central Florida is a great location for our business. We're able to leverage our close vicinity to US Army PEO STRI and NAVAIR Orlando to gain a competitive advantage, and to draw from resources and talent at Kennedy Space Center."

RealTime Immersive, a newly-established simulation industry software and support company, announced this past week that they have established their headquarters in Orange County. The organization is off to a good start; they serve as North America's exclusive representative for CryENGINE® in the serious games and simulation market space, which is a critically-acclaimed game engine developed by Germany-based, award-winning game development studio Crytek.

RealTime Immersive has leased space in Avalon Park, where they intend to take advantage of their new headquarter location's proximity to UCF to tap into the region's skilled technology workforce as they look to build the company in Metro Orlando.

Company CEO John Brooks indicates that the decision was made to locate the company here based on our region's established industry strengths in defense simulation, medical simulation and digital media. "Orlando's proximity to the joint military commands and the fact that I/ITSEC [major defense simulation industry conference] is held here every year were major contributing factors in our decision to locate in Orlando," says Brooks. "We determined that this was THE place to be."

The Metro Orlando EDC assisted RealTime Immersive with commercial real estate and other local resource needs. We look forward to watching this dynamic new company grow.

Today kicks off the fifth annual OTRONICON - (O)rlando Elec(tron)ic (I)nteractive Entertainment (Con)vention - event at the Orlando Science Center.

A four day event, Otronicon is a celebration of interactive technology using video games to demonstrate the future of how we live, learn, work and play.

Otronicon spotlights Metro Orlando's growing digital media and simulation industries and helps introduce those industries to students throughout the region through several game design workshops taught by Full Sail University.

Students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will have a new modeling and simulation post-bachelors program to choose from later this fall. This is good news for Metro Orlando, as it further bolsters our region as the nation's hub for the modeling, simulation and training industry.

The two-year, online Professional Science Master's program will have two components: UCF will offer 36 credit hours and Embry-Riddle, through its Worldwide Campus, will offer 18 credit hours toward the program. Graduates also qualify for Embry-Riddle's certificate in modeling and simulation management. Equivalent to an MBA for business majors, this curriculum will not only provide business education for science majors and enhanced training for our incumbent workforce, but is also designed to build close connections to the professional world through required internships and an industry advisory board that will help design the course offerings. As with every advancement that strengthens our skilled workforce, this is viewed as an important addition to the region's economic development arsenal.

The two universities designed the program for working professionals who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in this growing field. Most will pursue the degree as part-time students and the online format is perfect for this. Program graduates also qualify for Embry-Riddle's certificate in modeling and simulation management. Eventually, the collaborative program will produce 1,000 graduates to help fill positions in industries including biotechnology, environment and sustainability, forensic science, homeland security, health care and simulation.

Click here for more information.

There's Mosaic, Arcadian Broad and Drew Thomas Magic. If you're not familiar with these names, they're among the folks that made it to the Top 40 in the popular America's Got Talent show. They have something else in common. They all come from a city where creative talent is building ... and in the eyes of Richard Florida (of the popular 'Creative Class' theory), that's one of the key ingredients to economic competitiveness, transformation and innovation.

Orlando, Florida, has become a place where creative talent is flowing and in multiple industries. The region, long known as an entertainment destination, has transformed into a technology hub that's entertaining company leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, workers and young minds alike. Here are some reasons why:

This week, Orlando welcomed its inaugural class of 41 med students at the University of Central Florida's (UCF) new College of Medicine -- the first medical school in U.S. history to offer full, four-year scholarships to an entire class. The new college is one anchor in a new 'medical city' underway - one of only two such developments happening in the world right now. It's joined by the recently opened East Coast hub for The Burnham Institute for Medical Research, and forthcoming openings of the University of Florida Research Facility, Veterans Affairs Hospital, M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Institute and Nemours Children's Hospital. Economic analysts predict that by year 10 of operation, the world's newest life sciences cluster here could create 30,000 jobs and $7.6 billion economic activity.

At UCF, research and patents are on the rise. UCF, now the fifth largest university in the nation, has seen research funding (and subsequent lab space) grow exponentially in the past decade, from $37.5 million in 1999 to the new record high of $122.8 million in 2008. Additionally, UCF's patent portfolio was ranked in the top 10 of 122 universities in the U.S.

Inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs are thriving here. New drugs, therapies and vaccines are being developed ... one scientist is genetically modifying lettuce heads to produce insulin in the quest to develop a cure for diabetes. An entrepreneur has developed ultra-portable personal air-conditioners for military personnel. Another is developing advanced micro-batteries for use in medical, alternative energy and other applications. In addition, the number of incubators has grown rapidly here, opening the door to more entrepreneurs.

A new Photonics Academy was created at a local high school in partnership with Northrop Grumman to encourage student interest in the laser/photonics field. This new academy joins others already in existence, including one focusing on simulation (an industry with a top-ranked cluster in Orlando).

Nation-leading digital media schools in Orlando-- Full Sail University and UCF's Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy -- continue to see enrollment grow in this burgeoning field.

Entrepreneur Magazine recently recognized Orlando as one of best places to start a business. Forbes recently recognized Orlando one of best cities for tech jobs. And Next Generation Consulting ranked Orlando as a top hot spot for young professionals.

Signs of economic development success have been seen on many fronts the past couple of weeks. Here is a round up of images reflecting some of the highlights.

Game Launched
Florida Governor Charlie Crist got an up-close look at our region's booming digital media industry. He visited Electronic Arts' (EA) Tiburon (pictured above) in Maitland - getting a preview of EA's highly-anticipated NCAA Football 10, which was released last week; the University of Central Florida's (UCF) Center for Emerging Media in downtown Orlando - chatting with students and visiting the House of Moves motion capture studio; and the Employ Florida Digital Media Banner Center located at Seminole Community College's Center for Economic Development in Heathrow.

Dirt Flew
New ground was broken at the Central Florida Research Park recently, as representatives from the University of Central Florida, Florida Legislature and Orlando-based military commands gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the Partnership III building. When complete in fall 2010, this building will be shared by UCF and the military, and home to the UCF Institute for Simulation & Training. It will also be "green"; as Partnership III is designed to meet at least the silver level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. To watch the UCF Reports YouTube video on the project, click here.

Film Wrapped
DNP Studios wrapped production on the feature film Letters to God, scheduled for release in early 2010. The film, which employed over 100 local crew and talent, was shot at multiple locations in Orlando, including Universal Studios Florida, Winter Garden and Kissimmee. The EDC's Film & Entertainment Commission assisted with scouting, permitting and other support services.

As a nationally recognized leader in the optics and photonics industry, Metro Orlando is home to a strong and qualified workforce in this specialized realm. Much of this national prominence is thanks to the University of Central Florida's College of Optics & Photonics - one of the world's top graduate institutions in this field - and its two research centers: the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) and the Florida Photonics Center for Excellence (FPCE), which offers masters and doctoral degrees.

Despite this distinct advantage, skilled workers are still in high demand for this growing industry. In particular, there remains a strong need for qualified workers with two-year degrees to work as laser technicians, both here in Central Florida and across the U.S.

But help is on the way! Tired of spending money to recruit technicians from out-of-state, Northrop Grumman Laser Systems is working with other local companies, your EDC, Valencia Community College (VCC) and Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) to address the workforce dilemna. The result ... the new Photonics Academy at Wekiva High School.

Through the Academy--slated to begin classes in the 2009-2010 school year--students interested in careers as laser/photonics technicians will be dual enrolled at Wekiva High School and VCC. Upon graduation from high school, students will also receive their A.S. degree in photonics from VCC, allowing graduates to immediately enter the workforce with a high-tech skill set. Many local photonics companies also plan to offer tuition assistance programs to existing employees, enabling their technicians to earn the training and degrees they need with little or no out-of-pocket expense.

According to the Florida Photonics Cluster, an industry trade association based in Orlando, about 150 area companies employ a total of 170 photonics technicians. Such jobs typically pay between $45,000 and $70,000 annually. The goal of the Academny is to fill the 20 to 40 photonics technician jobs created in Central Florida annually.

The newly created Photonics Academy is another great example of what makes Metro Orlando the nation's Center for Excellence in Optics & Photonics.

For more information, click here.

Economic development that results in new job creation is the key to economic recovery. Thus, now more than ever, the EDC is pleased to share two of our most recent economic development success stories resulting in new jobs:

124 New Jobs: Seminole County-headquartered Nomad Aviation Inc., one of the world's best-known avionics specialists for commercial, military and civilian aircraft, has announced that they will double their workforce here, adding 124 new positions over the next 2 years. To accommodate this expanded workforce, the company will add 33,000-square-feet to its existing facility, which is based at Orlando Sanford International Airport. They also anticipate capital investment of $300,000.

The EDC and Seminole Community College assisted Nomad in acquiring a Quick Response Training grant in the amount of $180,579, which will be used to train their new hires. The average salary of these new jobs is in excess of $65,000.

75 New Jobs: FedEx Ground's recent opening of a new 112,734-square-foot operations facility on Monroe Road in Sanford has created 75 new jobs here in Metro Orlando. The Sanford terminal -- one of 500 in the company's nationwide network -- houses operations for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery. This Central Florida expansion is part of the company's national expansion strategy designed to increase package processing capacity to meet customer demand.

The EDC's business development team assisted FedEx in identifying potential sites in accordance with the company's specified parameters.

For more recent EDC announcements, click on the category - Economic Development Projects.

Companies and government agencies alike are all looking to cut costs right now. However, they don't want to sacrifice training for employees. The solution? Using virtual worlds for training purposes.

Virtual worlds provide a safe, secure and private training environment while reducing expenses incurred from traveling for conferences and other training.

Here is what three companies in Orlando are doing:

Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) is in the process of designing a new virtual classroom which utilizes avatars for instructional delivery that will provide the Department of Homeland Security online/virtual world with 3D secure social network capabilities for training and education. Previously, ECS provided the National Guard Bureau will a virtual world called Nexus. And under a new contract with U.S. Army's RDECOM, ECS will adapt its Nexus virtual world program to train military medical professionals.

Forterra Systems, Inc builds distributed virtual world technology for defense, homeland security, medical, corporate training and education industries. The company's On-Line Interactive Virtual Environment (OLIVE) technology provides private, service-oriented virtual worlds for global collaboration, training, simulation and planning.

Lockheed Martin has created Virtual World Labs to shape the future of training with the creation of collaborative simulation learning and data visualization solutions for government, military and corporate sectors. The company utilizes tools that enable it to modify the virtual world capabilities to the customer's needs and to maximize human potential. The company's UltiSim platform can be used to develop rules-based learning scenarios, as well as true non-linear simulations using high-fidelity dynamic/physics based models.

Most of us living in Florida take our comfort for granted. We can even control our own personal environment with the simple flick of a switch -- until we walk outside. But what if there were a way to create a personal air conditioner portable enough to take with you anywhere you went?

This may seem a bit decadent for everyday life, even in our summer heat, but what if your job required you to wear a heavy, barely-breathable suit for safety reasons under harsh environmental conditions? Imagine a solider working in a sealed biohazard suit in a HazMat situation in Iraq, or a firefighter attempting to control an intense chemical blaze.

In these cases a personal air conditioner could actually save lives. The concept of personal climate control, one that has interested the military for decades, caught the attention of Dr. Daniel P. Rini, founder of Oviedo-based Rini Technologies, Inc. (RTI). An expert in cooling technology, Rini's company recently produced the first viable prototype of an ultra-portable personal air-conditioner.

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