4th Annual Executive Symposium on Photonics Commercialization

The Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre is organizing the 4th Annual Executive Symposium on Photonics Commercialization, to be held on 5 June 2008, Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa, Canada. See http://www.ocri.ca/events/photonicscommercialization.asp. Downloads of the filmed presentations of the 2nd and 3rd symposiums are available on the website of the International Photonics Commercialization Alliance www.ipcalliance.com .

This is a high-level international event that brings together Senior Executives from leading photonics corporations together with high ranking government officials to present their perspective on the commercialization of photonics. Presenters will also showcase emerging commercial opportunities in optics and photonics and show how they are changing the way we live. This is a one day symposium where CTOs, CEOs, VPs of Engineering, high-ranking government officials, venture capitalists and industry analysts will provide their perspectives on the most rapidly evolving markets and how photonics will provide solutions to problems of global economic importance.

April 18, 2008 - General Members Meeting Minutes Posted

The minutes for the FPC April 18, 2008 General Members Meeting held at UCF/CREOL have been posted to the FPC website Board of Directors page under the Governance documents section. See:

http://www.floridaphotonicscluster.com/Minutes/FPCMembMtg_Minutes_04-18-08.pdf

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH / CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE - ACTION REQUESTED!

From the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission:

Last year, the Florida Legislature allocated money for the creation of new Centers of Excellence. Florida’s Centers of Excellence program is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry and give university-produced innovations a push toward commercial viability. Starting with three in 2003, the state currently has a total of nine such Centers dedicated to a variety of disciplines at leading research universities around the state.

Recommendations as to what new Centers of Excellence should be created were recently given to the Legislature. As there have been many budget cuts this year, we are concerned that last year’s funds initially allocated to these Centers will be diverted to other programs. It is our hope that this money will be used as originally intended.

As you see them, please encourage the members of our local delegation to keep these funds dedicated to the recommended new Centers of Excellence. Our point remains that our ability to build research capacity through competitively selected investments is vitally important to Florida.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact:

Karen L. FloodAssociate Director, Government Relations
Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
301 E. Pine Street, Suite 900
Orlando, Florida 32801
(p) 407.422.7159 x256
(f) 407.843.9514
Karen.Flood@OrlandoEDC.com
www.OrlandoEDC.com

Florida Photonics Cluster LinkedIn Group Established

A LinkedIn Florida Photonics Cluster Group has been established. LinkedIn is a business-oriented social network service. It's mainly used for professional networking. As of December 2007 its site traffic was 3.2 million visitors per month, growing at an annual growth rate of about 485%. As of March 2008, it had more than 2million registered users spanning 150 industries.

http://www.linkedin.com/