Contacts: Lorri Shaban, 407/316-4714
Kim Prunty, 407/316-4716
Business Forum to Help Florida Companies Tap Into New
Homeland Security Market
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 24, 2003) – Florida companies will learn tips for tapping into the rapidly emerging homeland security market at the first-ever Florida Homeland Security/Defense Business Forum Tuesday, May 27 in Orlando. Florida companies in an array of industries – from simulation to transportation to bio-tech – are invited to hear from the very people making security and defense procurement decisions at the federal and state levels, including the new federal Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“Next year alone, the Department of Homeland Security expects to spend more than $40 billion to protect our nation against another terrorist attack,“ said Darrell Kelley, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development organization that is hosting the forum. “We know that much of this spending will be in the form of contracts with companies that develop technologies, products and services with homeland security applications, and we want to be sure Florida companies are well-positioned to take advantage of this new market.”
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Business Forum to Help Florida Companies Tap Into New Homeland Security Market
The one-day forum, which is being presented in collaboration with the Florida Defense Alliance, Florida High Tech Corridor Council, InternetCoast and Florida Department of Community Affairs, will feature four panel discussions focused on:
Business opportunities with the federal government, featuring representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Commerce and other key agencies involved in homeland security initiatives.
Business opportunities with the State of Florida, featuring representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Health, the Florida Ports Council, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies involved in domestic security.
Business-to-business opportunities with Florida utilities, telecommunications and defense/prime contractor companies.
Home-based resources, such as the Florida Defense Alliance, Workforce Florida; Secure Florida; the new MyFlorida Marketplace; and HomeBase21, a new database of homeland security products and services that are developed by Florida companies.
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Business Forum to Help Florida Companies Tap Into New Homeland Security Market
The Florida Homeland Security/Defense Business Forum will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 at the HyattRegencyOrlandoInternationalAirport. Companies specializing in aviation/aerospace, biosciences/bio-tech, photonics, information technology, modeling and simulation, microelectronics, telecommunications, transportation, manufacturing, and professional services are encouraged to attend. Economic development professionals and other business and community leaders interested in learning more about business opportunities in homeland security are also welcome.
Registration, which includes lunch and a networking reception, is $30. To register, log on to or contact Rochelle Turner at or 407/316-4730. For more information about the forum, contact Mickie Valente at or 407/316-4578.
-efi-
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the State of Florida. Headquartered in Orlando, EFI’s mission is to create and retain quality jobs and increase economic opportunities for Floridians by supporting strong and growing businesses and positioning Florida as a globally competitive business location.
In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.