The Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale is a wondrous and whimsical labyrinth of exhibits and hands-on learning areas that fosters the childlike awe of discovering the world and future.  This youthful ambience befitted the setting on Dec 17th when Governor Jeb Bush, Lt Gov Frank Brogan, and Secretary of State Katherine Harris expounded a new vision for Florida�s place in the economic engine of the new millennium.  ''We ought to create a high-tech heaven,'' said the Governor. And the energy for fueling it has clearly been distilled in South Florida.

The 500+ standing-room-only audience in the vast IMAX theater was an eclectic group of entrepreneurs, technical savants, bankers, digital artisans, politicians and several other interested parties; the message was that Florida is going to move from a manufacturing-based economy to an information-based economy.  The ability and means to do so would have to be available to all Floridians.

Governor Bush�s CyberTown meeting had the trappings and folksy feel often attributed to local gatherings of yore.  However, the element that clearly moved this concept to another level was the Internet.  The Governor�s vision was carried via webcast throughout the state of Florida as well as to video links.

The CyberTown meeting is a product of the efforts of the Governor�s newly created Information Services Technology Development Task Force that was signed into law over the Internet.  Former Public Service Commissioner, Julia Johnson, has been appointed the chair of this task force and has the vigor and bearing to make it work.  The task force is pushing a multi-faceted agenda to help shape policy and legislation to help Florida move into the information age.  Not the least of which is the crucial aspect of bandwidth, i.e. having the means by which robust data throughput can service an area.

There were several notable aspects about this group of people.  In a seemingly bold stroke of cooperation and communication the three county area of Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade combined their energy with local high-tech companies to polish their image as the �Internet Coast�.  This moniker was often referred to by speakers.  Additional justification for this title was applied by citing the close ties to the Latin American market place.   Secretary of State Katherine Harris stated that the Internet Coast was essentially the Internet portal to the Americas.

Another notable aspect was the disparity amongst the different company sizes, suggesting that with the Internet, an idea, and intestinal fortitude, anybody could play in the sandbox.  I saw the fresh-scrubbed wide-eyed vision of the youthful gang of OnLoan.com, a mortgage loan portal.   While sitting a few seats down was the imposing presence of Wayne Huizenga, owner of AutoNation, Blockbuster and the Miami Dolphins.

And the most compelling element of the event was the palpable excitement and enthusiasm that permeated the speeches and panel discussions.  The excitement was articulated several times, not for want of livening up a lackluster day �  rather, the hope and anticipation for a big new future.  You could hear the theater collectively draw in their breath when Citrix Chairman and CIO, Ed Iacobucci stated that his company has made 700 millionaires! 

The Governor�s Task Force has until February of 2001 to deliver its full recommendations to the Governor.   These reports are to include eight major sub-areas dealing with information technology:

Business Development, Retention & Recruitment
Education K-12
Workforce
Access & Awareness
Government
Laws - Administrative & Regulatory
Laws - Civil & Criminal
Infrastructure & Technology Development

Of all these areas the issue of Infrastructure has considerable direct impact on our economic future in Northwest Florida.  Ensuring we have a robust infrastructure makes us more competitive in attracting industry.  Available bandwidth is leveraging decisions about site selection, all other factors being equal.  Our ability to compete in an information-based society will be directly tied to the communications infrastructure (aka �pipes�), which we inherit.

Although the Governor�s CyberTown meeting was slanted toward South Florida, the reach of his vision touches all Floridians.  Chairman Julia Johnson shared that it is the Governor�s intention to hold periodic CyberTown meetings in different parts of the state in order to help motivate the public to move forward. 

In Northwest Florida initiatives are underway to embrace the information technology industry.  The Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bay County Chamber of Commerce have both formed Information Technology Committees to assess and identify how their respective communities can �surf the tidal wave of opportunity� for this new era of commerce and economic development.  Okaloosa County is aggressively pursuing the infrastructure challenges in coordination with the military bases.

The Governor�s message along with he gravitational pull of the South Florida vortex of spirit and vision, opens an opportunity for a Northwest Florida place in the movement.  Before we can apply a fit, however, we would be well served by some soul searching to assess and identify our unique IT posture or character.  The Pensacola Chamber is off to a great start.  However, disparate, albeit noble initiatives by cities and counties cannot approach the unified effort and synergy necessary for success � a formula which South Florida has clearly found and exploited.