President of the Dominican Republic to Provide International Address at ITFlorida Annual Gala and Tech Forum

Event To Be Held December 14-15 in Lake Buena Vista

 

TALLAHASSEE, FL, November 29, 2005—Dominican Republic President Dr. Leonel Fernández Reyna will provide an international address at ITFlorida’s annual Awards Gala and Tech Forum, this year held at the Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort in Lake Buena Vista, December 14-15.  Joining President Fernández during the two-day event will be government officials such as U.S. Representatives Connie Mack and Tom Feeney, key technology leaders, and several hundred IT executives and professionals. Of special note, Governor Jeb Bush, a regular participant in ITFlorida events, will provide a State of Technology in Florida address.

 

President Fernández will provide insight into how the Dominican Republic has become the economic growth leader in Latin America, and will detail the many opportunities available to Florida businesses and technology interests.  By state, Florida is the first trading partner of the Dominican Republic in the United States, and has enjoyed a strong relationship with the country.   This is a particularly unique opportunity as it will be the first time that ITFlorida has hosted an international leader at one of its events.

 

"This is a very exciting opportunity to meet with a head-of-state to discuss business opportunities in his country," said Matt Doster, executive director, ITFlorida.  "And I can’t think of a better location in the region to look in, particularly with the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement.  Anyone doing business in Latin America needs to hear what President Fernández has to say."

 

ITFlorida’s Annual Awards Gala and Tech Forum will provide state business and technology leaders with a comprehensive medium to recognize the achievements of their peers, discuss current information technology trends, and hear about the latest technology developments around the region. Registration fee is $200 for the awards gala, $200 for the breakout session and luncheon, or $325 for the entire event. For more information or to register, visit www.itflorida.com or call 1-800-748-1120.

 

This year’s panel session topics include:

·         Disaster Recovery—session will focus on best practices and confronting disaster.

·         Communications Policy Reform—session will address whether, and to what extent, the traditional rules for cable are adaptable to competing platforms.

·         State Purchasing—session will address how recent changes in how the state negotiates and contracts with vendors affects your organization.

·         Information Security—session will address evolving security practices and regulatory compliance.

 

In addition, the Awards Gala will bring together Florida's IT leaders from both the private sector and government to honor the innovative contributions of individuals and businesses that have significantly contributed to the advancement of information technology for Florida. 

 

About President Fernández

Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández Reyna, is serving his second term as chief executive. He first served from 1996–2000, and at age 42, was the youngest person ever elected to the office. His current term is 2004–2008. Since he first took office in 1996, President Fernández has undertaken a number of initiatives to broaden the country's economic base and to better establish the Dominican Republic as a prominent player in the international arena. More specifically, he has focused on attracting high technology firms to the Dominican Republic and has participated in a number of international summits such as the General Assembly of the United Nations, and various summits of Latin American and Central American. In addition, President Fernández has launched a number of job-creation programs by providing financial assistance to small and medium-sized business and by creating new duty-free zones and developing new strategies designed to take advantage of foreign investments.

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About ITFlorida

ITFlorida is an umbrella, not-for-profit, membership organization that represents Florida's diverse information technology businesses and communities on a statewide basis.  ITFlorida advocates—to the Legislature, the Executive Office of the Governor, and other bodies—for the establishment of rational regulatory regimes and economic development processes to support and enhance the Florida's high tech industries.

 

Contact:

Matt Doster

ITFlorida Executive Director

850-294-0950

mdoster@itflorida.com