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Volum e 2 May 2008 Iss ue 5 
INVESTOR PROFILE: Aladdin Equipment Co.
Aladdin Equipment Co. performs swimmingly in global market for pool parts
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Lindy Smith
CEO & Owner
Aladdin Equipment Co.
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As warmer weather inches north in the United States and across Europe, hundreds of thousands of swimming pools need new filters, o-rings and filter baskets. That demand is helping to keep Aladdin Equipment Co. Inc. in Sarasota – and its 56 employees – busy with work, even during an economic downturn.
“We’re not making huge increases, but we are ahead of last year,” said Lindy Smith, CEO and owner of the 58-year-old manufacturing company, which makes replacement parts for pools and spas. “Since we’re in the replacement part business, we are relatively insulated from recessions. People tend to repair their backyard swimming pools, rather than going on vacations.” [more]
Want to help the Sarasota County's economy? Consider buying goods and services locally. Use the services of an EDC Investor.
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EDC Updates
EDC Names Hanan to Board of Directors
 The (EDC) appointed Benjamin R. Hanan
to its board of directors in April. Hanan, an attorney for Abel Band, Chartered, will serve a term through September 2009.
“Ben will be a great addition to our board of directors,” said Sarah Pappas, EDC chair. “His professional experience and involvement in the community will be put to good use as our organization continues to provide opportunities for businesses and improve the area’s quality of life.”
Hanan earned his Juris Doctorate degree, with highest honors, from The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. and also is a Certified Public Accountant. Hanan focuses his law practice on business counseling and transactions as well as estate planning.
Hall of Fame 2008
Nominations Sought for EDC Hall of Fame Awards by June 9, New Category for Non-Profits Announced
The EDC announces a call for nominations for the 2008 Hall of Fame  Awards. The deadline to apply is June 9. This year marks the 21st anniversary for the EDC awards program, which recognizes excellence among Sarasota County businesses. Awards will be announced and presented on September 26, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Industry awards will be given in the following categories: Manufacturer of the Year, Technology Company of the Year and Service Company of the Year. The Award of Excellence, recognizing ‘the best of the best,’ will be selected from the submissions among the three categories. The companies chosen to receive these awards will also be nominated for the Florida Governor’s Business Diversification Awards.
The newly created John Cox Community Partner Award will be used to recognize an outstanding nonprofit that supports economic development or improves the area's quality of life and helps to make Sarasota County an attractive place to live and work. The award will be given to the selected community partner in memory of John Cox of Halfacre Construction Company who passed away earlier this year.
To be considered for the Hall of Fame Awards a nominee must be a business located in Sarasota County and pay an average wage of at least $36,676. Companies of all sizes are eligible to enter. Businesses should demonstrate corporate citizenship, community involvement and corporate responsibility through employee programs. Company growth, innovative achievements and market expansion will also be taken into consideration. Nominations will be accepted until June 9 and may be made online, submitted via regular mail to EDC of Sarasota County, 2601 Cattlemen Road, Ste 201, Sarasota, FL 34232 or via fax at 941.309.1209. Nominations should include the company’s name, main contact, phone number, email address and the nominator’s contact information. Self-nominations are encouraged. Businesses seeking more information may contact the EDC at 941.309.1200 ext. 110 or info@edcsarasotacounty.com.
[nominate your company or client] [view previous winners]
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Film & Entertainment Office Update
Sarasota County Represented at California Locations Tradeshow
 Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office Director Jeanne Corcoran (center) poses with Film Florida representatives Lindsey Norris (left) and JP Parramore (Right) at the Film Commissioners International Locations Show recently held in California. Corcoran and EDC President Kathy Baylis attended the tradeshow to promote Sarasota County as a great place for film, photography and new media productions to producers and location managers.
Film Office Website Receives International Recognition
The Film & Entertainment Office received recognition from the  Association of Film Commissioners International for its website. Out of 350 film commissions, the SCFEO's website, www.filmsarasota.com, received fourth place for the Digital-Website category.
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NEW INVESTORS
The EDC welcomes the following Investors:
 Supporter
atLarge,Inc.
Keiser and Company
Angelotti/Rosenberg Financial Group, LLC
Simply Strategy
Renewing Investors
The EDC thanks the following companies for renewing their investment in the EDC:
ArtisTree
Bank of Venice
Buchanan Auto Central
Crane Environmental
Dattoli Cancer Center
Harshman & Co.
Harris Private Bank
Hembree & Assoc.
Matthews Insurance
MBJ Group
Ned Davis Research
Osprey Real Estate
Sutter Roofing
Venice Regional
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UPCOMING EVENTS
June 2 Investor Update Breakfast to Feature Henry Rodriguez, Jackie Butcher Obendorf
 The EDC will hold an investor update breakfast at 7:45 a.m. Monday, June 2 at the Mission Valley Country Club, 1851 Mission Valley Blvd., Venice.
Henry Rodriguez, president and CEO of Rodriguez Investment Management, will be the keynote speaker. Rodriguez is a commercial developer appointed to the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors by Governor Charlie Christ in 2007. The program will also feature a presentation by Jackie Butcher Obendorf, owner of Venice’s Clyde Butcher Gallery. The gallery features the work of her father Clyde Butcher, a professional wilderness photographer noted for capturing Florida landscapes.
The breakfast is sponsored by Venice Regional Medical Center. The cost is $20 for EDC investors, $30 for non- investors. [register]
Financial Services: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Sabal Palm Bank
Specialty Manufacturing Cluster Workshop: Tuesday, June 17, 2008
8:30 - 10:00 a.m., Teleflex
E.D. Rocks: Under the Big Top: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Michael's On East (featuring a performance from Circus Sarasota)
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NEWS FROM EDC INVESTORS & PARTNERS
Read about the activities and news from EDC Investors and partners. In this Issue:
-Dr. Pappas Inducted Into Hall of Fame
-Abel Band Attorneys Volunteering in the Community
[investor & partner news]
Business Tool
FHTCC Goes Virtual With High Tech Business Recruitment
 The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) launched in late 2007 a unique tool that allows business relocation and expansion prospects to “visit” the 23-county Corridor without ever leaving their desks. The “Virtual Visit” at www.VisitTheCorridor.com is an interactive, online tour that is designed to showcase the region’s tech capabilities to a national audience.
Through informative videos and engaging graphics, www.VisitTheCorridor.com allows visitors to explore the Corridor’s key technology sectors and institutes of higher education, discover the region’s world-famous leisure activities and unsurpassed quality of life, examine the business climate, and explore the diverse counties that make up the region. Also, the visit is hosted by a “virtual” tour guide.
“Visitors to the tour will see exactly why the 23-county Florida High Tech Corridor is considered one of the best places for high tech businesses,” said Randy Berridge, president of FHTCC. “We strongly feel that if decision makers see everything the Florida High Tech Corridor has to offer tech industry, we become strong candidates for their relocation or expansion projects.”
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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.
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