Contact:     Stuart Doyle
                          (407) 956-5689
sdoyle@eflorida.com

Enterprise Florida expands global economic outlook seminar to Pensacola

Launched July 8 in Orlando, seminar offers business growth tips, networking
and exporting updates.

 ORLANDO, FL (September 24, 2009) – An early summer call for participation in the first Global Economic Forecast and Trade Resources Expo, held July 8 in Orlando, elicited 110 registrants from Central Florida, well more than expected.  So, Enterprise Florida is taking its show on the road.

 A stop in Pensacola is scheduled for November 10 from 8 – 11:30 a.m. at the Gulf Power Auditorium, located at One Energy Plaza in Pensacola.  The Florida District Export Council is a cosponsor.

This seminar/business forum overviews the current business climate amid the economic downturn and offers projections for a recovery time frame – or a return to “normal” for Florida.   The discussion also includes trends, exporting opportunities and strategic business positioning for successful results. 

The presenters will be:

• Manny Mencía, Enterprise Florida senior vice president overseeing its International Trade & Business Development division

• Ž. Joe Kulenović, Enterprise Florida senior director, Marketing & Strategic Intelligence division

• Dr. Rick Harper, Director, Haas Center, University of West Florida

“We are excited to have Enterprise Florida’s top international trade and strategic intelligence staff in Pensacola for this event,” says Charles Wood, senior vice president for economic development at the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “It will provide our business community with tremendous value as the state and the nation move out of the current recession.”

Running concurrently with the Global Economic Forecast, a Trade Resources Expo will provide Northwest Florida companies with an opportunity to learn about and network with local trade resource providers.

Registration and a $10 participation fee are due by November 5.  A continental breakfast will be served. 

Event contacts:

• Program information; tabletop sponsorships -- Andrea Moore, Enterprise Florida, (850) 469-8989 or amoore@eflorida.com.

• For event registration -- Mary Jane Steverson, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, (850) 438-4081 or msteverson@pensacolachamber.com. 

Other cities where the event will be held are Jacksonville (October 10) and Tampa (September 24).

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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 diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.  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.

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