Mission
Mission Statement
ITFlorida's Mission is to Make Florida A Leader in High Tech Advancement by serving as an umbrella organization comprised of both public and private technology leaders for high tech in the state, providing guidance to the state on technology issues and initiatives; guiding the Governor, the Legislature, and Enterprise Florida on the strategic technology direction and initiatives of the state; and working to ensure the successful integration of technology infrastructure statewide.
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Advocacy
ITFlorida will advocate at the state, federal and local levels, on behalf of Florida's hi-tech business community, for the legal and regulatory structure to support and enhance Florida's hi-tech industries. The Corporation will formulate specific policy recommendations to be presented to the Florida Legislature, the Office of the Governor, Enterprise Florida the federal government and other entities, as appropriate.
Significant pro-technology legislation resulted from the work of the ITFlorida, including the following:
- Marketing
Legislation requiring Enterprise Florida, Inc. to create and implement a
marketing campaign designed to help attract, develop, and retain information
technology businesses Florida
- Workforce
Legislation requiring the Agency for Workforce Innovation, in consultation
with the State Technology Office, to develop a high-tech worker jobs
portal.
- NAP's
Legislation promoting the development of network access points (NAPs) in Florida. Tax Exemption.Legislation providing tax exemption for equipment used in broadband deployment. Single Government Portal. Legislation responsible for the implementation of a single portal strategy for state government.
- Access to Technology
Legislation enabling greater access to technology for the economically disadvantaged.
ITFlorida will continue to be a respected voice in Tallahassee on state policy matters and will serve as a valuable resource for state government, public schools, local government and federal initiatives. ITFlorida will continue the success of the Information
Service Technology Development Taskforce (July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2001), which was established to develop overarching principles to guide state policy with respect to beneficial development and deployment of technology in the State of Florida. As an umbrella organization, ITFlorida offers a strong, unified voice when lobbying for favorable laws, regulations, policies and outcomes. ITFlorida will also be a strong force in helping Enterprise Florida, as well as local technology councils and groups, recruit additional IT-based businesses to the state and to their regions.
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Education & Information
ITFlorida gathers relevant information from private and public sector sources and disseminates that information to its members. Relevant information will include subjects related to legislative, educational, workforce, and business and trade issues.
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Conferences & Programs
ITFlorida will sponsor seminars, conferences, and symposia focused on current state, national, and international technology issues. It will also hold its own forums, legislative receptions, and conferences designed to educate and inform its members of industry issues, advocate on behalf of its members, and help attract additional IT based businesses to the state. ITFlorida will work closely with the State Technology Office, the Agency for Workforce Innovation and Workforce Innovation, Inc., the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Enterprise Florida, the Board of Education and Department of Education in representing the interests of its members.
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Promotion of Regional Initiatives
A number of regional and local information technology based councils have formed throughout the state and have been influential in attracting and retaining industry. ITFlorida will serve as an umbrella organization to help promote and strengthen the initiatives of regional technology boards and councils (e.g., the Internet Coast, the High Tech Corridor, the Great Northwest, the Jacksonville Technology Council, etc.) and of existing sectoral organizations (e.g., BioFlorida, Institute for Human & Machine Cognition, Florida Cable Telecommunications Association, Florida Film Commission, NAP of the Americas, The Institute for Simulation & Training, Florida Venture Forum, etc.). ITFlorida offers a unified voice for their common concerns and issues and can leverage local successes across the state for the benefit of the State as a whole. ITFlorida will also provide networking and professional development opportunities where members can meet potential clients, customers, and business partners.
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