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Making History!
Super Regional Leadership Conference a Resounding Success
Nearly 400 business and community leaders from Tampa Bay to Daytona Beach gathered in a historic “meeting of the minds” on Thursday at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Led by the Tampa Bay Partnership in cooperation with the Central Florida Partnership, the 2009 Super Regional Leadership Conference explored the 13 county “super” region and its relationship to megaregions emerging across the country.
(Left to Right: Steve Mason, Chair, Tampa Bay Partnership; Jeff Lyash,
Vice-Chair, Tampa Bay Partnership; Pat Engfer, Chair, Central Florida Partnership; Jacob Stuart, President & CEO, Central Florida Partnership; and Stuart Rogel, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership)
“The Power in Coming Together” was evident in sessions designed to learn how our collective regions can best align to tackle major issues, address the realities of the changing economic landscape, and emerge as stronger, more competitive and more prosperous regions. Conference sessions, led by panels of leaders and practitioners from across Central Florida, included:
Presentation: Robert Lang, Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech - click here to download presentation
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A special luncheon presentation on America 2050: A New Vision for America’s Infrastructure focused on mega regions - networks of metropolitan areas connected by travel patterns, economic links, shared natural resources and social and historical commonalities.
Presentation: Robert Yaro, America 2050 - click here to download presentation
“At a Glance” the Conference revealed the following:
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Central Florida is comprised of 23 counties, 23,140 square miles, 8 million people, 4.4 million workers, 338,000 business establishments, with $40 billion in sales.
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It is important to understand the migration from region to super-region to mega region, and how the collaborative efforts of regions in Florida can enhance opportunities to: compete in the global economy; more effectively move goods, people and services; and protect, restore and manage the environment.
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Our keys to success will include economic diversification, quality growth, connectivity, and regional cooperation. The key challenges facing the two regions include transportation, jobs and supply chain connectivity.
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Central Florida can begin to coalesce around a common language for regional growth:
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Governor’s Blueprint for Florida’s Innovation Economy: Quality of Life, Competitive Business Climate, Multi-modal Infrastructure, R&D, Entrepreneurial Systems, World Class Talent.
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Florida Chamber’s Six Drivers Florida’s Future Economy: Talent, Innovation, Infrastructure, Business Climate, Governance, and Quality of Life.
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Tampa Bay Partnership’s Model for Prosperity includes four key drivers (Innovation, Human Capital, Infrastructure, Quality Places) that fuel growth outcomes that are Productive, Inclusive, and Sustainable all leading to Prosperity.
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myregion.org, a business unit of the Central Florida Partnership also has identified key priorities that include: Economic Leadership, Education, Quality of Life, Environment, Fragmentation, and Smart, Quality Growth
There is no sense of ownership on these respective “pillars” or “drivers” or “priorities.” It is important to talk about the same issues and how regions can address them. Our regions are diverse, but our goals for success are very similar and compatible, and communicate them in a unified way.
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In ten years, the economic impact of the life sciences cluster or Medical City at Lake Nona will be $6.4 billion, growing to $7.6 billion. $1 billion in construction is currently underway, with another $1 billion to come. University research drives innovation. The “brain power” at universities across Central Florida draws economic development and innovation. Groundbreaking research arises from multi-disciplinary interactions and alignment with universities.
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Geography matters. Proximity to major centers of population with effective transportation systems plays a key role in business decision-making. A multi-disciplined approach to problem solving facilitates a collaborative effort between and among our institutions of higher learning. Intellectual work is infinitely sustainable and mutually supportive.
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Regions are now growing together. Priorities or building blocks of a National Plan include high-speed rail, ports and goods movement, energy transmission and generation, water infrastructure and environmental protection. High-speed rail systems are being built in places like Tangiers and Casablanca.
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In Florida, the mega region includes 42 counties, 14.6 million population, 383 persons per sq. mile, and growth of 21.3 million by 2025. Collaboration is needed and investments need to be made on high-speed rail, climate change, water resources and land use.
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We are in the first decade of the 21st century and we need to act like it rather that continuing to govern the way we did in the 20th century.
Take a look at what St. Petersburg Times columnist, Robert Trigaux, had to say about the Super Regional Leadership Conference in his May 9, 2009, Venture blog:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/venture/2009/05/wake-up-and-good-morning-for-thefuture-of-central-florida-economic-developmentthursdays-gatheringof-tampa-bay-and-orlando-a.html
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About the Hosting Organizations:
 The Tampa Bay Partnership is the regional organization that works with its partners to market the region nationally and internationally, to conduct regional research and to coordinate efforts to influence business and government issues that impact economic growth and development.
 The Central Florida Partnership is an essential place for leaders to convene, set priorities, and address our region's toughest challenges and identify our greatest opportunities. Serving business, civic and community leaders in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia counties - the Central Florida Partnership is a business led initiative where regional leaders come together to share regional conversations - moving ideas to results.
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