FPC Networking event at SPIE DSS

To: Florida Photonics Cluster members

For those of you who will be at the SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing meeting, or would like to join us for an early evening networking get-together, we will have an informal gathering on Wednesday, April 15 at the Marriott World Center hotel. Here are the details:

Time: 5pm to... whenever

Location:

• Pavilion Pool Bar (weather permitting) -- drinks only after 5pm
• Alternate: High Velocity (sports bar) -- if the weather isn't good enough for the Pavilion Pool Bar
  

This event is informal, no-host, and intended to provide an opportunity for FPC members, and any guests you would like to bring, to socialize, get to know each other better, and possibly explore opportunities for business cooperation, and discuss ways that the FPC can further the interests of its members and the Florida photonics industry.

Thanks. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

Florida University R&D Grows, But Lags

University-based R&D in Florida grew from $1.204 billion in 2003 to $1.545 billion in 2007, an increase of 28.3%. However, despite efforts to maximize Florida's share of federal R&D investments, only 53% of the state's FY-07 R&D funds were from federal agencies, giving Florida a rank of 38 among the 50 states. Only four other states received more than 75 percent of their academic R&D funding from the federal government in FY-07. Also, Florida ranks a low 42 out of the 50 states in the production of science and engineering doctorates, with 5.98 Ph.D.s conferred for every 100,000 residents, based on FY-06 data. (3/26)

Courtesy/Source: SPACErePORT, SSTI

Regional Focus on Florida in July 2009 OLE

For all Florida Photonics Cluster members:

The magazine "Optics & Laser Europe" (OLE), published by the Institute of Physics (IOP), is planning an article on Florida photonics for their July 2009 issue. This is a very good opportunity to highlight the tremendous industry, education, and economic support capabilities we have in Florida in the optics and photonics field.

The magazine is offering a special advertising deal for FPC members for the July OLE issue. Here is a summary:
o An introductory print/online package that offers exposure in both "Optics & Laser Europe" and the website optics.org.
o The package comprises three quarter-page adverts in OLE (one in the July issue; others whenever suitable), plus a corporate partnership on optics.org - which offers companies visibility throughout the site.
o The package price is less than half the published rate card. The magazine will also be creating a dedicated regional focus page on www.optics.org that will feature the regional focus article in OLE plus supplementary information that they will gather while preparing the article. There will be sponsorship opportunities available on that page, which I will discuss with Rob Fisher, OLE Advertising Manager when I meet him next month at the SPIE DSS meeting.

If you are interested in the advertising package, contact Chris Thomas (chris.thomas@iop.org; +44 117 930 1090). Chris can also provide you the IOP media kit for pricing and schedules.

If you are interested in any of the following, please contact me (jpearson@creol.ucf.edu):
a) Being contacted for an interview for the Florida Focus article in the July 2009 OLE issue
b) Contributing to sponsorship of the dedicated regional focus page on Florida on optics.org, with your company logo and URL link appearing on it (probably will cost ~$500 per company)

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

Special training course offer at SPIE DSS/Orlando

To help stimulate interest and provide value for members our, SPIE has agreed to provide 3 training courses for the price of 2 at the Defense, Security and Sensing meeting, 13-17 April in Orlando. The special deal is simple: two people sign up and pay for a course (or one signs up for two courses) and the next person gets a free course of equal or lesser value. Buy two, get one free. The course listing is here: http://spie.org/x6771.xml. SPIE just crossed the 500 exhibitor mark at DSS (a new record) and the number of presentations there is higher than ever. This is going to be a great event!

NanoFloridaTM 2009 - invitation to serve on AdvisoryCommittee

If your company is involved with any nano-related work, this local event hosted by the UCF NanoSciences Technology Center (NSTC) is a good one in which to participate. Dr. Santra has asked for candidates for the conference Advisory Committee, and I have told him I would poll the FPC members to see if any company would like to volunteer one of their staff to participate on the Committee.

If you would like to have someone participate on the NanoFloridaTM 2009 Advisory Committee, please have them contact Dr. Santra at (407) 882-2848; ssantra@mail.ucf.edu (full info below). I have sent him the names of several CREOL faculty involved in nanophotonics research also.

Thanks.

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

Insurance Seminar Opportunity for Florida Photonics Cluster Members Presented By Wallace Welch & Willingham

Wallace Welch & Willingham, has a dedicated division focused on meeting the property and casualty insurance and risk management needs of technology firms across Central Florida and are the sole insurance agency in Florida to be members of TechAssure (http://www.techassure.com/), the only non-profit organization in the world devoted to educating the technology industry on risk and insurance matters.

They are leading a seminar on May 12th in Orlando (at the offices of the Orange County Bar Association) with our partners Chubb, Samian Underwriting Limited and Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath and Gilchrist on two important cyber liability matters: Network Security and Privacy AND Insuring Against Patent and Trademark Infringement Liability. They are a licensed provider of continuing education credits for CPAs, and will be offering 3 hours of CPE credit for any Florida CPA. I have attached a link to their website with all of the details on this seminar. http://www.w3ins.com/FooterNav/Events.aspx?eid=31&ModuleId=7

There is NO CHARGE for any of FPC member to come to the seminar and learn.

Possible FL R&D tax credit: Info needed on use ofFederal R&D tax credit

The UCF Office of Economic Development and the Florida High Tech Corridor and others are working with the Florida legislature on establishing a Florida R&D tax credit that would be the same as or at least comparable to the Federal credit program. To help show the value of such an act by the legislature, we have been ask to find companies that have used the Federal R&D Tax Credit in the past. The need is to provide Tallahassee with examples that could lead them to the conclusion that if Florida had one, it would have a significant potential impact, and should be based on the Federal program.

If your company has used the Federal R&D tax credit, would you please send an email to Ed Schons (eschons@mail.ucf.edu) indicating that your company has used the credit, and if possible, in what years. If you have questions or need further information, please call Ed at (407)882-2103 or (407)247-6500 (cell).

Because of the legislative deadlines, this information is needed ASAP.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide in this matter.

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

OIDA OPTOmism Executive Forum and Conference

The FPC is a Partner Association with OIDA's premier green photonics™ event of 2009 – The OPTOmism conference, which brings together over 100 high-profile speakers from industry, government, and academia who will drive lively, penetrating discussions of the important role of photonics in driving the energy efficient and renewable energy technologies of tomorrow.

OPTOmism offers one day on the business aspects and opportunities of the green photonics market, followed by two days of invited and peer-reviewed technical presentations covering: solar energy, solid-state lighting, display technologies, process control, environmental monitoring, communications/IT, and other emerging technologies.

View the Executive and Investor Forum agenda.
View the Technical Conference agenda.

FPC members receive a Partner Association discount (~20%) on registration fees and a 25% discount on tabletop displays at the Event.

'Export University 101'

The Florida High Tech Corridor has asked us to share this flyer from their partners at the EDC of Sarasota and Manatee EDC about the upcoming "Export University 101" program on March 26th in Sarasota. Please share this information with any in your company who might benefit from learning how to grow your export business.



Jim Pearson

FPC Executive Director

Attention Florida Exporter,

You are invited to attend “Export University 101” - Want to Boost Sales by Exporting? Learn from the Experts! This seminar is designed for New-to-Export companies and for exporters who want to grow their export business. Mark your calendar for March 26, 2009 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Manatee Community College, Lakewood Ranch Center for Innovation and Technology, 7131 Professional Parkway East, Sarasota, FL 34240.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?



This seminar is ideal for marketing, sales, management and staff who deal with export, sales, operations, export compliance, purchasing, logistics, and anyone with a responsibility for export functions.

It is also ideal for individuals in companies who are doing exporting, or wish to export, but need to sharpen exporting skills and learn from practitioners with years of experience.
Please join us to learn about important topics, some of which include:

• U.S. Dept. of Commerce and Enterprise Florida Tools and Resources for Exporters Selecting and Working with Foreign Distributors or Sales Representatives


• Organizing for Export & Export Procedures


• Key Legal Issues Concerning Contracts and Compliance with U.S. Export Regulations


• Understanding and Managing International Sales Orders


• How to Ship and Insure Your Products


• How to Find and Use U.S. Government Export Sales Financing Tools

(For full details, please Click Here to see the agenda.)



To register, please Click Here, or you may phone Mireya Eavey at the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (941) 309-1200, ext. 105
The seminar includes coffee, lunch and course materials. In addition, all participants will receive an Export University 101 certificate of completion. The cost is $30.We need your help! The link below will take you to a short survey that measures your current involvement and/or interest in expanding your sales in international markets. Click here to complete survey

Proposal and Engineering Assistance Training workshop

CREOL Industrial Affiliates Day

The annual CREOL Industrial Affiliates Day will be held Friday, April 17, 2009. The theme of this year's event is "High Power Optical Sources for the 21st Century". The date is the end of the week of the SPIE Defense, Security, & Sensing meeting in Orlando. All interested parties, not just CREOL Affiliates, are invited to IA Day, and also to the fine social event the next day, "The Spring Thing" hosted by Dr. MJ Soileau at his home on Lake Jesup. Registration is free, but advance registration is urged so CREOL can plan for the number of attendees. Program information and registration links are on the web at http://www.optics.ucf.edu/Partnerships/Affiliates/AffiliatesDay2009/Default.aspx?