Silicon Beach Meeting

Description

The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is hosting a conversation on the development of a group to spearhead enhancing technology as a more cohesive, targeted industry in South Florida.

South Florida has long been a destination for vacationers both domestic and foreign.  As such there has been no shortage of investment in support structures for tourism locally.  Seldom is any other industry identified as being a significant source of revenue for South Florida.  With the success of Terremark in Miami, we now have the basic communications infrastructure to become a credible player in technology based business development.  

BY BRINGING TOGETHER:
Existing Technology Companies
Foreign Investors
Technology Incubator Groups
Angel and Venture Capital Investors
Job Recruiters
City and County Government
Local Chambers of Commerce
Land Developers

We believe that substantial headway can be made towards making technology a significant, impactful industry in South Florida’s economy.

By first bringing the parties interested in developing technology as an industry together in conversation, we can identify why South Florida is not already a destination for technology companies.  Once the key roadblocks have been identified, we can outline what needs to be done to remove those roadblocks and press forward in developing technology as a viable primary industry in South Florida. 

MEETING AGENDA

Introductions.

A brief introduction of Name, Title, Company and reason for interest in this discussion group.

Is South Florida a viable location for technology as a primary industry?

Discuss why or why not South Florida makes sense as a location for technology companies.  What do we have going for us.  What hurdles do we have to overcome.

Does South Florida’s relationship with Central and South America offer a unique opportunity for investment dollars to the technology industry?

With the current influx of monies from the south into South Florida, can this be leveraged into a significant draw for technology startups?  Are there currently in place, organizations identifying US investments for foreign nationals?

Can South Florida provide or recruit the necessary workforce to support an expanded technology industry?

South Florida can well compete nationally and internationally as a place to call home.  What would be required to draw technology talent to South Florida.  Can our local Universities help?  Do we need some form of tax based incentive to get the ball rolling?