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One of the more poignant talks of DevDay at BarCampOrlando 2008 was given by Ryan Price of Florida Creatives. Ryan talked about the past, present, and future of the tech industry in Central Florida, which includes Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, and more. Central Florida has a LOT more going on that Disney, oranges, and military simulators. A quick check of the Florida Creatives Wiki shows six tech user groups, six all-purpose groups, three artist and design groups, and two groups for film, television, radio and mass communication.

While there are many user groups and, as evidenced by the turnout for BarCampOrlando 2008, many tech folks in Central Florida, there is still a problem. The problem is one of visibility. The disparate groups don’t all know about each other, and there is little to no linkage between them save a few members who go to more than one user group meeting. In addition, the smaller groups and smaller tech companies don’t have exposure on either a local or national scale. This problem is exacerbated when entities such as the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission only target companies of fifty (50) or more employees. Many of the companies that I know here don’t have fifty people.

Where business meets community

On Dev Day, Dan Kinchen proposed a solution: a tech association that brings together all the groups and provides resources to this under-served and highly important segment. Dan said that this organization could take many forms, just as long as we are working together to share information and helping each other out.

Dan’s proposal did not fall on deaf ears. On Media Day, Ryan’s discussion of “Media in Orlando” turned into a discussion on the future of technology in Central Florida, and Dan told us something interesting.

Dan told us that at the Izea after-party (very fun by the way), he was pulled aside by a member of the Izea management team. He was told that they had been working on forming an advertising association, and that his talk had made them rethink that idea and they were now thinking to start a tech association instead. At first glance that sounds great. A company with resources and influence could help Central Florida tech in a big way. One problem is that the person they intended to insert as the head of the organization was someone who admitted to not being involved in the tech community and to not being a technology person. In addition, it sounded as if they were going to hand-pick the board with no input from the community whatsoever. Do you all see a problem with this? I do, a big one.

Where the rubber meets the road

Any association, no matter who runs it, requires money and effort, and can benefit from influential people. There are many grassroots-level movements here in Central Florida, and an organization that brings them together, takes action on their behalf, and provides information and resources to them would be of great benefit.

Regardless of the form this association would take, the fact is that it needs to include both community members and local businesses. All parties here would be impacted and would have an impact. The job of promoting tech in Central Florida is one that requires all of us to work together. The question here is who will be in charge of the organization. Will it be a specific business that may or may not represent that community, or will it be made up of the community members it will affect.

Your thoughts required

While there are many groups in Orlando for us techies, do you think an association could help not only provide resources to smaller companies but provide exposure on both a local and national level? Do you think it should be a community driven effort? Do you think the board should be voted on by those in the community or simply installed without community input?

If you are involved in Central Florida tech or have experience with the same happening in your area I want to hear your thoughts.

BarCampOrlando 2008 was a brilliant success. There were more than 400 registrants for both Dev and Media day. On DevDay, the two rooms for talks were quickly filled with speakers and audience. A great thing to see were the Courtyard Discussions, made up of self-organizing groups discussing various topics and helping each other with challenges. Media Day wasn’t as packed, however, many conversations were spurred by the talks which focused on social media, the issues surrounding it, and emerging technologies.

The great thing about BarCampOrlando is that it is non-denominational. Everyone in the technology industry is welcome. This brings a lot of viewpoints that help me get an outside perspective, and also helps me learn about new things happening outside of the world of web development.

I am looking forward to the next BarCampOrlando, and hope to see you there.

Hey all, Orlando has a heck of a technology scene that is getting bigger by the week. Here are this week’s events. Please post others as well - keep em technology related.

Florida Creatives - this was Monday night so my bad for not getting it sooner. Go next time - it rocks.
Lunchfu - being held this Thursday the 18th at Seito Sushi in Winter Park.
Orlando Ruby Users Group - Thursday night at 6:30pm
Likemind.orl - meet local Orlando peeps over a cup of coffee. Great conversation and coffee, what a way to spend Friday morning.

For now that is all I know about. I will post em as I find em. See you there.