Volume 2 February 2008 Issue 2

This Month's Focus: Creative Services
As of the third quarter of 2006, Sarasota County's Creative Services sector, which includes businesses ranging from performing arts to architecture, provided 4,238 jobs. There are 472 creative services establishments in the county representing a
40% increase from 2002.

INVESTOR PROFILE: Sarasota County Arts Council
Andy Warhol exhibit leads celebration of “the art of business and the business of art”

Martine Collier
Executive Director
Sarasota County Arts Council
EDC Partners Council

Imagine stepping off the airplane at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and running into 15 Andy Warhols. The pop-art king, resplendent in many colors, greets new arrivals courtesy of Sarasota sculptor Jack Dowd.

The eye-catching exhibit in the airport’s concourse is the brainchild of the Sarasota County Arts Council, which is celebrating the “art of business and the business of art.”

“We have very well run arts organizations here that are great businesses, and we have all types of companies proficient in the art of doing business,” says Martine Collier, Arts Council executive director. “Andy Warhol was a great proponent of the business of art, so we thought it fitting to showcase his philosophy.”

Nonprofit arts organizations in Sarasota County contributed nearly $123 million to the local economy, according to a 2004 study. In addition to spending $68.6 million in their operations, the nonprofit arts leveraged 54.3 million in additional spending by patrons, including many tourists.

“Clearly, the cultural industry is flourishing in Sarasota County, and it’s good for the community economically, socially and educationally,” Collier said. The Arts Council is a private non-profit organization. The council serves arts organizations, individual artists and the Sarasota County community. Its focus is on creating and sustaining an environment where the arts flourish through advocacy, promotion, coordination, education and access.

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BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
EDC Launches LINK, a Helpline for Area Businesses
The EDC recently launched its retooled business assistance helpline called LINK. The rebranded system links Sarasota County businesses of any size or type to the resources of the EDC and its partners. LINK can be used to resolve business problems that may hinder the growth or continued prosperity of businesses.

The helpline is meant to be a “last call” resource. Businesses having difficulty resolving problems on their own can call or go online to access LINK. A response is guaranteed within 24 hours during the normal work week. LINK can be reached by calling (941)309-1200, extension 123 or completing an online form.

Assistance available through LINK includes help with permitting, regulatory issues, infrastructure, zoning, site and building searches, financing, labor and training, technical needs and other issues. LINK assistance is provided by the EDC and its partners including Verizon; Comcast; Florida Power and Light; Sarasota County government; municipalities; Manatee Community College; The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee; Sarasota County Technical Institute; Suncoast Workforce Development Board; and Southwest Florida Water Management District to name a few.

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NEW INVESTORS
The EDC welcomes the following Investors:

Chairman's Advisor
Private Client Group-National City Bank

Supporters
Innovative CFO Solutions, Inc.
Arcade Lithographing Corp.
Clifford M. Scholz Architects

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Film Office Holds Industry "Mixer"
The Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office hosted a networking mixer with guest speakers on Monday Feb. 11. Nearly 100 people packed Hotel Indigo to hear from guest speakers Max CiVon, a Hollywood writer and producer and indie filmmaker and cinematographer Shawn McCarty, who explained the technical breakthrough technology of the RED Digital Cinema camera.

The diverse audience, which included members of the film industry, writers, government officials, local business leaders and more, built new business relationships as other relationships were rediscovered, including two men who found they had worked together on “The Blues Brothers” in Chicago thirty years ago!

The next SCFEO mixer is tentatively scheduled for March. For more information, contact Jeanne Corcoran, director.

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Pod Cast from Economic Outlook Available

Did you miss Florida CFO Alex Sink and panelists Mark Vitner, Henry Rodriguez and Larry Fineberg speak about the future of our economy on Jan. 25? If so, make sure to listen to the event Pod Cast.

You can also view photos from the event.

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NEWS FROM EDC INVESTORS & PARTNERS
Read about the following EDC Investor and partner activities:
-Engaging the Aging Workshop
-Sign-Up for Suncoast Workforce Board Newsletter
-Get Empowered: Energy Policy Event
-Sarasota County Forum on Youth
-Abel Band, Chartered Establishes Volunteer Program
[Investor and partner news]

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UPCOMING EVENTS
City Manager Bartolotta to Address EDC Investors at March 3 Breakfast
Sarasota City Manager Robert Bartolotta will be the keynote speaker at the Investor Update Breakfast being held Monday, March 3, 7:45 a.m. at the Lido Beach Resort. The event will also feature Beth Ebersole and Rich Powers of the Financial Services Cluster.

EDC Investors $20, Future Investors $30. [register]

EDC Cluster Group to Hold Workshop on Protecting Intellectual Property Feb. 26
The EDC will hold “The Art of Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Ten Fatal Assumptions Made by Business Owners” from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the North County Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota.

The workshop, hosted by the EDC’s Creative Services Cluster workgroup, will be led by Doug Cherry, a Board Certified intellectual property law attorney with Abel Band, Chartered. Mr. Cherry will discuss common misconceptions as they relate to the ownership of copyrights and trade secrets, technology assets, electronic information, business names, and record retention. The content of this workshop is applicable to businesses of any type and size.

The event is free. Advance registration is required.

Capitalizing on Today’s Diverse Workforce the Topic of EDC Workshop March 13
The EDC will hold “Improving Your Bottom Line: Capitalize on Today’s Diverse Workforce” from 7:45 a.m. -1:15 p.m., Thursday, March 13 at the Gulfcoast Event and Convention Center, 4740 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, Florida.

Workshop topics will focus on how businesses can capitalize on a diverse workforce while increasing their bottom lines. Glenn Brome, Orlando-based professional speaker and author of “The Facilitative Leader” will give the keynote address. Attendees will also hear from local experts including DeWanda Smith-Soeder of Smith-Soeder Enterprises and participate in three roundtable discussions offered on more than fifteen topics.

The cost of the event is $50 and includes breakfast and lunch. Advance registration is required.

"Cool and Crucial Communications" Workshop to be held
March 27
Cool and Crucial Communications: Future Technologies You Must Know Now! will take place on March 27 at MCC-Lakewood Ranch from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This is the second annual collaboration event with Florida Public Relations Association and the Creative Services Cluster. The cost of the event is $55. Advance registration is required.

The EDC of Sarasota County is the private, not-for-profit corporation leading the community’s economic development strategy to add high-wage jobs and diversify the local economy. The EDC provides business assistance to companies in Sarasota County and helps forge solutions to community challenges that affect quality of life. The EDC works in partnership with chambers of commerce, local governments and other organizations throughout the county and the region. For more information, visit the web site at www.edcsarasotacounty.com.