“High-Tech Florida Means Business – The Future of Science and Technology in Florida: Trends and Indicators,” Sept. 29-30, Orlando

Karen A.Holbrook, Ph.D., Vice President for Research, Dean of the Graduate School

We are involved in organizing an exciting meeting on the future of science and technology in Florida, which is being sponsored by the State of Florida and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The following letter, signed by Lt. Gov. MacKay, Chancellor Reed, Enterprise Florida President John Anderson, William Schwartz, President of Schwartz Electro Optics, and Dr. Albert Teich of the AAAS, will provide you with more information.

Conference brochures are available from the Office of Research, Technology and Graduate Education or they may be downloaded from the ORTGE website (URL noted below). This is an opportunity for business, government and higher education to talk about Florida’s future in high technology areas. I hope you will join us at the Airport Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando September 29-30. Please call my office at 392-1582 if you would like a conference brochure.

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Dear Floridian:

Florida businesses, economic development organizations, state government and state universities have a unique opportunity to showcase to the nation our role in the development of science and technology. On September 29-30, 1997, 250 leaders from industry, government and higher education will meet in Orlando to discuss “High-Tech Florida Means Business – The Future of Science and Technology in Florida: Trends and Indicators” at a meeting sponsored jointly by the State of Florida and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

This will be the seventh in a series of such conferences in which the AAAS has partnered with a state or region to bring the science and technology dialogue directly to the people who live and work in those regions. Successful conferences have already been held in Alaska, California, Georgia, the Midwest, New England and the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1848, the AAAS, a national organization with membership in the hundreds of thousands, strives “to further the work of scientists, to facilitate cooperation among them, to foster scientific freedom and responsibility, to improve the effectiveness and the science of promoting human welfare.” It is probably best known for publication of the weekly journal Science.

A planning group of representatives from many sectors of Florida’s high technology economy, state and local government, and higher education has been working to develop a program that draws upon the expertise of state and national science and technology leaders to stimulate discussion on Florida’s role in the 21st century economy. Conference attendees will participate in a conversation about the benefits of public-partnerships for creation of high technology jobs in Florida, and create a statewide agenda and strategy to enhance and grow Florida’s economic base in high technology areas.

As we prepare to enter the 21st century, it is essential that government, business and academia continue to work together to insure that our state maintains and enhances its position as home to advanced science and technology. We invite you to participate in this opportunity to show that High-Tech Florida Means Business! Please mark September 29th and 30th on your calendar and plan to attend this important event.

Conference brochures and registration forms are available from the University of Florida’s Office of Research, Technology and Graduate Education (352-392-1582); additionally, you can learn more about the previous AAAS state and regional conferences on our conference website at http://web.ortge.ufl.edu/aaas/.

Competition to attract clean, well-paying, high-technology industries is fierce. Florida cannot afford to rest on its high-technology past. We must show the nation and the world that High-Tech Florida Means Business today and in the future. Please join us in Orlando on September 29-30.

Sincerely,

The Honorable Buddy MacKay
Lieutenant Governor

Dr. Charles B. Reed
Chancellor, State University System

Mr. John Anderson
President, Enterprise Florida

Mr. William Schwartz
President, Schwartz Electro Optics

Dr. Albert Teich
Director, Directorate of Science Policy
American Association for the Advancement of Science