Florida Tourism and Economics Panel Discussions April 11

The college will host two panel discussions on “Making Florida a Competitive Destination” Tuesday, April 11, in the Webber Center.

The first panel, 12:30 to 2 p.m., will feature Sarah Arteaga, director of the Regional Economic Information Network of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Jacksonville Branch; Dr. Jerry Parrish, chief economist and director of research of the Florida Chamber Foundation, Tallahassee; and Russell Marcus, chief of business and economic incentives, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Tallahassee.

The second panel, 5:30-7 p.m., will feature local speakers Rob Adamiak, director of the Mid Florida Regional Manufacturers Association; Chad Christianson, CEO of Ocala Health; Lonny Powell, CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association; Kevin Sheilley, President of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership; and Bill Paul, director, Lockheed Martin.

“The competition to attract jobs on the state and local levels has always been intense,” said Dr. Rob Wolf, CF dean of Business, Technology and Career and Technical Education. “Both Florida and the Ocala area have aggressive strategies to promote economic development. This two-part panel discussion will bring to the forefront these important issues on the state and local levels.”

Both panels are free and open to the public.