At an Oct 2^nd press conference, Governor Jeb Bush welcomed the formal launch of ITFlorida.com, Inc. (ITFlorida), the successor to the Information Technology Taskforce, and the launch of the Florida Research Consortium a group that will be affiliated with ITFlorida.com. The Information Technology Taskforce was created in 1999 by the Governor and the Florida Legislature to address the IT needs of the state.   In February 2001 the Taskforce presented its findings spanning several key areas.  One of the recommendations was to privatize ITFlorida so that the recommendations could be pursued in a unified manner.  

A significant development in light of this privatization is a stronger representation from Northwest Florida.  In the Taskforce there was no direct representation from our region although a few subject matter experts contributed their time.  With the privatization and subsequent creation of a governing board and the Florida Research Consortium we are able to add two individuals.  Dr. Ken Ford of the University of West Florida’s Institute of Human Machine Cognition joins the board while Stephen Ensley, CEO of BsafeOnline, Inc., joins the consortium.   ITFlorida.com is an umbrella, not for profit, membership organization representing Florida's geographically and sectorally diverse technology community. It’s mission is to promote the common interests of its members by the following methods: advocate and formulate policy recommendations to state, federal, and local governments; serve as a clearinghouse for technology-related information; and sponsor statewide conferences and symposia focused on issues important to its members and to the State of Florida. The Florida Research Consortium, a strategic partnership between Florida's universities and technology sectors, will focus on enhancing the progressive research programs at Florida's universities and thus strengthen and expand Florida's high-tech intellectual capital. Technology transfer between member universities will promote long-term collaboration between researchers and Florida's high-tech entrepreneurs.

Governor Bush, lent his support to the new organizations. "Until now, Florida has not had the benefit of one, entirely Florida-focused entity to unite the existing high-tech industrial sectors and regions," said Governor Bush. "ITFlorida.com will enable its members to speak with one strong, statewide voice and provide valuable input to policymakers."

Julia Johnson, the former Chair of the Information Technology Taskforce, hailed the new organization as a critical component of the strategic plan to develop Florida into the recognized high-tech leader of the world. "The formation of IT Florida.com will serve a most important role in that it will help state and local governments and the IT industry move together in a coordinated partnership," said Johnson. Benjamin Finzi of Epik Communications, the spokesman for the IT Florida.com board expressed his appreciation for the support of the Governor and state legislative leaders. "IT Florida.com has been designed to allow Florida's high-technology community and the State to move forward as strategic partners to promote all of Florida's technology regions and sectors from the Great Northwest to the Internet Coast, from artificial intelligence and biotech to simulation and telecommunications."

The mission statement for ITFlorida states they will promote the common interests of its members by advocating on behalf of its members and formulating policy recommendations to state, federal and local government; serving as a clearinghouse for technology-related information; and sponsoring statewide conferences, symposia, and other events focused on issues important to its members and the State of Florida.

ITFlorida will draw upon several advisory boards in their program including the Florida Research Consortium; a Marketing and Business Development Advisory Board; an Access, Education & Workforce Advisory Board; an eGovernment Advisory Board, the Digital Divide Council; the Regional Advisory Council; TechWATCH; and the Technology Infrastructure Council.

In addition there will be sector-specific advisory boards:

Although meeting have already been held it is too early to measure the success of this new venture.  However Steve Adams, CEO of Centec, a board member and co-founder of the Internet Coast project in South Florida is upbeat and notes,  “This is a viable entity to watch legislative issues.”  The group’s proximity to key legislative issues was ensured by the inclusion of ex-officio membership by state Rep. Chris Hart and Senator Ron Klein on the governing board.

The rapidly evolving nature of information technology will dictate a very dynamic agenda for this group as it shapes Florida’s technological future. Information about ITFlorida.com’s meetings and minutes are available from their web site at ITFlorida.com.