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National Media Get Taste of Florida's Modeling, Simulation & Training Industry
Computer game technology used for homeland defense, a U.S. Navy training environment being developed by a storytelling company,
and a computer simulated model of Baghdad … these highlights and more were part of a first-ever Florida media mission focused on
modeling, simulation and training. Including eight reporters from national publications such as Aviation Week, Popular Mechanics,
and Advanced Imaging, the trip included tours of companies and organizations across Metro Orlando and the Space Coast. The event
was hosted by Enterprise Florida in partnership with the Florida High Tech Corridor, Metro Orlando Economic Development
Commission, and the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. Several local companies also provided in-kind
contributions –
QuickTransportation provided van transportation for the event and the
Westin Grand Bohemian provided a daily continental breakfast. High Tech
Economic Impact Shown to be Similar to Tourism
Using a series of comparisons, a recent study shows that high tech industry has had a similar impact on Florida's economy as
tourism and thus the state could benefit greatly from providing similar marketing resources. Conducted by Real Estate
Research Consultants on behalf of the Corridor, Florida Economic Development Council, University of Central Florida, Tampa
Bay Partnership, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and Enterprise Florida, the study compared impacts such as
employment, wages and property values with marketing dollars spent on each sector. Specific results of the study show
marketing and support expenditures spent on adding jobs in tourism to be $842 per job and in high tech to be just $92 per
job. The study also found that in the year 2000 statewide employment in tourism was 374,000 while high tech companies
employed 321,000 people.
Corridor Research Totals More Than $90 Million
Development of new wireless network techniques and studies on an autonomous robotic system are just two examples of research
conducted last year by UCF, USF and various industry partners and funded through the Corridor's External Matching Grant program.
Including 55 new projects, the Corridor has now provided more than $30 million to research. This investment has been matched by
$60 million for a total of more than $90 million invested in 350 projects. Set to be released next month, highlights of the
Corridor's research, workforce and marketing efforts will be contained in the 2001-2002 Annual Report (soon available online at
http://www.floridahightech.com/AnnualReports.htm).
Study Links University Research and Start-up Business Activity
While universities have long been seen as an important aspect of entrepreneurial activity, a recent study has found empirical
evidence linking university research and development (R&D) with new business formation. Conducted for the U.S. Small Business
Administration, the National Commission on Entrepreneurship and the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, this new
study has shown that economic growth associated with university R&D actually happens sooner than expected. In fact, a
significant number of new firms spring up within the first year after funding and the growth trend continues for at least five
years. To view the complete study visit
http://www.ncoe.org/research/1-university.htm.
Florida Companies to Present at Florida Venture Capital Conference
More than $453 million in venture capital has been raised by past participants of the Florida Venture Capital Conference.
Next month, 20-25 high-growth Florida companies will be added to this impressive list by presenting to a national audience of
venture capitalists, investment bankers and private equity investors at the 12th annual conference. Held on January 15-16, 2003
at the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa in Orlando, the conference will also feature keynote speakers Dennis
Shaughnessy, general
partner of Grotech Capital, and David Neeleman, president and CEO of JetBlue Airways. More than 1,000 investors and
entrepreneurs are expected to attend. To get more information or to register visit
http://www.flvencap.org.
Northrop Grumman System to Support/ Analyze Full Battlefield Simulations
A new technology has been designed to allow the military to simulate full-spectrum battlefield operations. Called the Cyber
Warfare Integration Network (CWIN) and developed by Northrop Grumman, this new technology will help meet the military's need
for technologies that can communicate with each other in real-time and link previously independent simulators located across
the country. CWIN will also provide the military with the means to assess an entire operational scenario. For more
information on CWIN visit
http://
www.is.northropgrumman.com/integrator/2002_data/ i_dec16.pdf.
World's Largest Laboratory Science Conference Coming to Orlando
The world's largest laboratory science conference is being held in Orlando on March 9-14, 2003. Called PITTCON 2003 and
hosted by the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, the event typically
attracts 25,000 – 35,000 attendees and more than 1,000 exhibiting companies. The conference also features more than 20
concurrent educational sessions on scientific findings from around the globe. All proceeds from the event go to provide
funding for scholarships, equipment grants, continuing education, technical programs, and a variety of other
science-education related activities. For more information on the conference visit
http:// www.pittcon.org.
Fingerprinting Technology Being Used to Improve Employee Background Checks
Technology developed in Tampa Bay is being used to conduct faster, more effective employee background checks at banks across
the country. Developed by Cross Match Technologies, the ID 1000 Live Scan identification system replaces traditional
ink-on-paper fingerprints through an electronic scan, which is then formatted and sent electronically to the American Bankers
Association. The process which used to take as long as 45 days can now be done in as little as eight days. The ID 1000 is only
one of a variety of products developed by Cross Match and used by national and international companies for security and crime
prevention. For more information on Cross Match visit
http://www.crossmatch.net.
On behalf of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, we wish you a very happy new year!
Inside Florida's High Tech Corridor
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