October’s Economic Symposium hosted by Gulf Power at the Sandestin Hilton bears further evidence that business meetings can be more than an endless litany of numbers, statistics and “Death by Power Point.”  Moreover, the Gulf Power team that put this on might some day attain impresario status given the interesting way the program mixed intellectual stimulation, education, hard business discussions, entertainment and even a “hug your neighbor” moment. Yes, this event is on a roll and may soon attain standing-room-only status.

The symposium delivered the message that Northwest Florida was bloodied, but unbowed in the wake of the economic downturn exacerbated by the Sept 11^th tragedy.  Dr. Rick Harper, Director of University of West Florida’s Haas Center for Business Research Economic Development, went as far as to say, “2002 will be a strong year for Northwest Florida.”  Dr. Harper also noted that Northwest Florida’s business cycle is somewhat offset from the rest of the nation. “If there’s a recession in the rest of the state and the country,” he states,  “Northwest Florida is where you want your business.”

And in an address at an evening reception, guest of honor Governor Jeb Bush acknowledged our region as an economic engine.  “Northwest Florida is an economic success story about to explode,” Bush said.  He further noted the region’s unique character, which has spared it somewhat from the economic fallout in other parts of the state.

During the two-day event at the Hilton topics covered environmental issues, growth management, high-tech future, telecommunications, energy and the power of partnerships and working together.  The theme of “unity and partnership” was clearly stamped on this event. 

“This is truly an economic symposium and the emphasis has been focused on the economic issues each year,” notes Gulf Power’s Bobbie Branning.  “We have had experts in the environment, finance, world trade, military, leadership, education, health care, regional economic outlooks, speakers from Enterprise Florida, tourism, energy, growth management and many more similar topics,” he adds.

Getting to this level of scope and participation has been a progressive undertaking with its genesis in 1996 in Pensacola.  At that half-day event there were approximately 80 attendees.  Congressman Joe Scarborough delivered the keynote address.

The event was moved to Sandestin in 1997 and attendance nearly doubled to over 150.  Secretary of Education Frank Brogan was the keynote speaker.  To add a bit of flavor to the symposium noted author Clifton Taulbert (Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored) provided some spark.

The addition of celebrity speakers was popular and became a permanent part of the program. In 1998 author Dr. Richard Carlson (Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff) addressed 225 attendees.  In 1999 now-Lt Governor Frank Brogan provided an encore keynote speech to 225 attendees, which was followed later by an address by Secretary of State Katherine Harris.  The format had been extended to one and half days.

Attendance jumped dramatically to 300 in 2000 and participants were treated to a presentation by Dr. Bob Arnot, medical correspondent for NBC News. And those same 300 had the wool pulled over the eyes as Gulf Power instructed attendees not to be distracted by the appearance of bodyguards and special security, leading to a room-filled buzz of speculation of “which” presidential candidate was going to appear.  The Bill Clinton look-alike that strode in to “Hail To The Chief” had set the hook.

The momentum continued this year with a visit by Gov Jeb Bush and a presentation by Dr. Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the Chicken Soup For The Soul series and followed by David Weber (I Don’t Have A Paradigm, But I Got Four Nickels…The Power of Vision). A distinctly high-tech element was injected with presentations by former Public Service Commissioner, Julia Johnson of Net Communications and her former protégé and present Public Service Commissioner Lila Jaber.  Growth management was addressed by Jake Varn of Fowler White Attorneys at Law and toxic health risks by Dr. Henry Amos. A record 355 people registered for this year’s event. 

The coup de grâce for the first day’s activities reapplied the mantra of “unity and partnership” - the dizzying and dazzling performance of Passing Zone, a cross between stand-up comedy and juggling dangerous objects.

In addition to this unique entertainment this year’s event also marked the inclusion of panel discussions facilitated by the new 16-county economic development coalition, Florida’s Great Northwest Inc.  The panel consisted of David Reichman, President of RKS Research; Tony Villamil, President of The Washington Consulting Group; and Dr. Rick Harper. Each provided opinions as to the economic outlook and presented a bright future for Florida’s Great Northwest.

“The time to build the new economy in Northwest Florida is now,” says Villamil.  Staking a claim on it is Al Cook, Director of Florida’s Great Northwest, Inc., with a goal of creating 10,000 new jobs over and above individual community efforts.

Gulf Power has set the stage with the premier venue for making this happen.  You won’t want to miss the return engagement.