Enterprise Florida plans virtual international trade show for March
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ Enterprise Florida, the stateโs business-recruitment agency is planning next year to hold an international trade show online. The three-day, โfirst-everโ Florida International Trade Expo in March is expected to showcase Florida export products and services. A news release from Enterprise Florida said that as national and global trade organizations have transitioned to virtual trade shows since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, no U.S. state has held an exclusive event highlighting its businesses. โEarlier this year we announced the new virtual trade show and business matchmaking grant programs,โ Enterprise Florida President and CEO Jamal Sowell said in a prepared statement. โLaunching the Florida International Trade Expo is the next step in making sure the stateโs small businesses continue to recover and grow.โCompanies in aviation and aerospace, life sciences, information technology, financial and professional services and manufacturing are being recruited to participate.
Enterprise Florida bumps spending amid job losses
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Floridas business-recruitment agency approved a spending plan Thursday that will increase funding for international marketing as officials try to revive the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an online meeting, the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors voted without opposition to support a $23.1 million spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1, up from nearly $21.3 million in the current year. The importance of economic development, the critical role that Enterprise Florida plays, as well as our partners like Visit Florida, are more important now than theyve ever have been, said board Vice Chairman Joe York, referring to the Visit Florida tourism-marketing agency. The new budget for Enterprise Florida, a public-private agency, includes $18 million from the Legislature. That includes $16 million for general operations and a separate $2 million allocation for the Florida Defense Support Task Force.
Total cost of Florida cabinet trip to Israel trip still unknown
Kathleen Keenan, a spokeswoman for Enterprise Florida, said the hotel was picked after taking security concerns and room capacity into consideration. Patronis and Moody traveled on the dime of Enterprise Florida. Enterprise Florida did cover several expenses for Commissioner Frieds participation, including her in-country transportation, security and meals, Franco Ripple, a spokesman for Fried, said. We have no way of knowing what expenses Enterprise Florida chose to cover for other Cabinet officials.In total, Frieds office billed taxpayers for $20,714 in travel costs. The travel expenses for West, who serves as Patronis chief of staff, and Richard Martin, Moodys general counsel, also had to be approved by supervisors.