News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 18, 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

2021 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit Kicks Off Business Growth Segment with CEOs from Tervis, Monin, Luminar, and others

Florida’s Economic Powerhouses Join Forces to host four virtual segments

Orlando, Fla – Florida's leading workforce, business and economic development organizations kick off the 2021 Florida MakeMore Manufacturing Summit with the Business Growth virtual segment on June 22-23. The Business Growth segment is the first in a series of four total virtual segments spanning 2021 and will feature leaders manufacturing sector and a keynote presentation by Tervis CEO Rogan Donelly. Each segment will highlight a topic vital to Florida’s manufacturing sector. The event provides a platform to exchange ideas about how Florida's resources address the impact of market dynamics, economic trends and policies, and innovative technologies in the manufacturing sector. The initiative is a partnership amongst Associated Industries of Florida, CareerSource Florida, Enterprise Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaMakes.

“The manufacturing sector represents nearly 5 percent of Florida’s GSP,” said Kevin Carr, FloridaMakes CEO. “During the Pandemic, manufacturing was deemed an essential industry and we saw the innovation of Florida’s makers as they pivoted to produce everything from PPE to ventilators. As this sector continues to grow, it’s imperative that we foster the connectivity of the business community with state and regional leaders to make sure that Florida continues to increase its productive capacity.”

As Florida looks ahead to a post-Covid economy and addressing issues vital to Florida’s vibrant manufacturing sector, the Business Growth segment on June 22-23 will feature two days of presentations and discussions designed to be a catalyst for Florida’s future. Business Growth virtual segment topics include: workforce, growth capital, supply chain, emerging markets, manufacturing policy updates, and the announcement of the finalists for the Florida Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Awards.

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.