FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2021
Media Contacts:
Zoraida Velasco, FloridaMakes, zoraida.velasco@floridamakes.com 407.430.7714
Kristen Grissom, Associated Industries of Florida, kgrissom@bascomllc.com 850.814.9454
Victoria Heller, CareerSource Florida, vheller@careersourceflorida.com 850.321.6460
Travis Jordan, Enterprise Florida,tjordan@enterpriseflorida.com 407.956.5630
Ivette Faulkner, Florida Chamber of Commerce, ifaulkner@flchamber.com 850.521.1231
MakeMore Manufacturing Summit to Showcase One of Florida’s Strongest Sectors
Florida’s economic powerhouses join forces to host four (4) virtual segments
ORLANDO, FL – The Associated Industries of Florida, CareerSource Florida, Enterprise Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and FloridaMakes announce the dates for the 2021 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit kicking off virtually on April 27. Launched in 2018, the
MakeMore Manufacturing Summit is a statewide initiative providing a platform to exchange ideas about how our state’s resources are addressing the impact of market dynamics, economic trends and policies, and new technologies in the manufacturing sector.
“Florida’s manufacturing sector quickly responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by pivoting to make everything from PPE to ventilators to hand sanitizers,” said Kevin Carr, CEO of FloridaMakes. “The MakeMore Manufacturing Summit 2021 is the catalyst to plan for the future by fostering a dialogue about how best to leverage our ecosystem resources, shore up our state’s supply chains, identify emerging growth, develop our workforce, and ultimately grow Florida’s manufacturing economy.”
The MakeMore Manufacturing Summit features in-depth discussions that strengthen and advance Florida’s economy through innovation, talent development, and leveraging the state’s resources to accelerate the manufacturing sector’s productivity and technological performance.
Flexible Schedule Engages the Ecosystem and Accommodates Diverse and Busy Schedules
The Summit includes four (4) virtual segments to allow for more engagement among the manufacturing sector and to accommodate diverse schedules. Segments will take place every two months as follows:
- Business Growth – June 22-23
- Talent Development – July 27-28
- Technology – August 24-25
- Outlook 2022 – week of October 25
“Florida’s 20,000-plus manufacturers are critical and essential to the state’s business infrastructure and Associated Industries of Florida is thrilled to be a part of the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit,” said Tom Feeney, AIF President and CEO. “Building on shared initiatives like CONNEX Florida, AIF is helping grow and support Florida’s dynamic manufacturing sector.”
"As Florida begins to restart and reimagine a post-pandemic economy, ensuring integrated talent support is key to prosperity for both the worker and employer,” said Michelle Dennard, President and CEO of CareerSource Florida. “The 2021 MakeMore Summit brings together Florida’s industry, economic development and workforce development leaders to strengthen our state’s position as a leading manufacturing competitor.”
“Florida ranks at the top of the list as a job creation destination and is a leading state for manufacturing,” said Holly Borgmann, Vice-Chair of the Enterprise Florida, Inc. Board of Directors. “As more companies increasingly relocate to Florida, the discussions at the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit will highlight why Florida is the best place to do business.”
“As part of the Florida 2030 Blueprint, the Florida Chamber has a goal to be one of the top 5 states for manufacturing jobs by 2030. Florida currently ranks 12th with 393,956 manufacturing jobs,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “The 2021 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit is essential to strengthening the manufacturing sector for Florida’s current and future economic growth and helping meet our 2030 goals.”
Speakers and presenters from across Florida and the country will be featured. For complete event agenda, registration, and sponsorship opportunities, visit
FloridaMakeMore.com.
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About Associated Industries of Florida
Known as “The Voice of Florida Business” in the Sunshine State, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) has represented the principles of prosperity and free enterprise before the three branches of state government since 1920. A voluntary association of diversified businesses, AIF was created to foster and economic climate in Florida conducive to the growth, development, and welfare of industry and business and the people of the state. For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.
About CareerSource Florida
CareerSource Florida, with its business-led board of directors, provides policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida’s 24 local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers. The CareerSource Florida State Board serves as the Governor’s principal workforce policy and investment board, working in partnership with DEO, which is responsible for the state workforce system’s fiscal and administrative affairs, and local workforce development boards that serve Florida’s businesses and career seekers. Together, the CareerSource Florida network connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity. Learn more at careersourceflorida.com.
About Enterprise Florida, Inc.
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates private-sector job growth through recruitment and retention; small business growth through international trade programs; promotion of sporting events; promotion and protection of Florida’s military bases; and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.
About the Florida Chamber of Commerce
Established in 1916 as Florida’s first statement business advocacy organization, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Florida Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.
About FloridaMakes
FloridaMakes is a statewide, industry-led, public-private partnership operated by an alliance of Florida's regional manufacturers associations with the sole mission of strengthening and advancing Florida’s economy by improving the competitiveness, productivity and technological performance of its manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on small- and medium-sized firms. It accomplishes this by providing services focused on three principal value streams: technology adoption, talent development, and business growth. FloridaMakes is the representative of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network in the state of Florida, a program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information about FloridaMakes, please visit FloridaMakes.com and follow @FloridaMakes.