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Volum e 2 October 10-17 Iss ue 16
Local Manufacturer Announces Expansion Plans
Medical Education Technologies, Inc.
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"It was important for us to stay in Sarasota and we are grateful to the County Commissioners and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County who embraced us and really got busy to turn this around quickly."
--Lou Oberndorf,
Founder & CEO | (METI®), the world¹s leading supplier of human patient simulators and related education software and training, announced their plans to expand business operations in Sarasota County. The company plans to build a new 70,000 square foot facility east of Interstate 75 off Bee Ridge Road.
"METI has enjoyed being a part of the Sarasota County business community ever since we started our company in 1996," said Lou Oberndorf, founder, president and CEO of METI. "It was important for us to stay in Sarasota and we are grateful to the County Commissioners and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County who embraced us and really got busy to turn this around quickly. We¹re proud to take Sarasota¹s name around the world."
METI develops simulators and other learning tools that help educate and train doctors, nurses, first responders and military medics by providing a learning platform that allows students and practitioners to practice without harming real patients. By offering a variety of simulators that meet the needs of the healthcare profession, METI is able to provide a higher level of measurable skill acquisition for the healthcare industry.
"METI is exactly the kind of business we want to keep in Sarasota County," said Kathy Baylis, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. "With their innovative technology, above average wages and international customer base, we cannot be more pleased that they¹ve decided to stay and grow in our community."
Currently, there are more than 3,000 METI simulators in community colleges, nursing schools, medical colleges and universities, hospitals and the military around the world. METI is distributed throughout the world with a large presence in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
METI has been the recipient of numerous regional awards for its technological innovations including the 2008 Enterprise Florida Governor's Innovation Award and the 2007 EDC Award of Excellence.
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Virtual Entrepreneur Center Places Companies in Front of Small Business Customers
Governmental organizations and private businesses that offer services to entrepreneurs who are starting or growing companies now have a place to promote their goods and services through the Florida High Tech Corridor Council’s Virtual Entrepreneur Center.
With the launch of this free online Web portal, organizations and businesses can include their services among a complete catalog of regional business resources geared toward entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The EDC of Sarasota County participates in the program. For more information, please contact Mireya Eavey.
New Web Site Explains Pros/Cons of Proposed Amendments
Helping Florida voters better understand the proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution is the primary mission of a new interactive web site launched by the Collins Center for Public Policy, Inc.
Voters will decide the fate of six proposed amendments or revisions to the constitution on the Nov. 4 ballot. To help them make the best decision possible, the new Collins site, www.flamendments.org, features:
- Objective, nonpartisan analyses of all the current amendments that include
details about the history of the measures, the key players, arguments for and
against the measures, links to relevant sites, and more.
- Flash presentations by information design consultancy XPLANE, creator of the thought-provoking “Did You Know 2.0 – Shift Happens” short film.
- Links to relevant websites where voters can explore topics and players in more detail.
- Updated archive of recent media reports to enrich their understanding of the
measures.
- A rich trove of information about the Florida Constitution and how the
amendment process works.
- Moderated forums where visitors can share and learn via discussions with others
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IN THE FUTURE
Government Procurement Workshop: Own a small business and want to do business with local governmental agencies? Come to the Procurement Workshop on October 29 at Manatee Community College Lakewood Ranch from 7:30am - 2:00 pm. Representatives from local governmental agencies and educational institutions will be on hand to provide detailed information about how to sell your products and services to them. Cost is $25.00 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Advance registration required.
EDC Investor Update Breakfast
Monday, November 3, 7:45 a.m. at the Heron Creek Golf and Country Club, North Port.
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PARTNER & INVESTOR NEWS 
Ringling College of Art & Design - International Design Summit
Volunteers Needed: Technology + Design: Visual. Social. Mobile. Ringling College of Art and Design will hold its third Sarasota International Design Summit, an annual gathering of designers, entrepreneurs, technology professionals, and thought leaders from diverse disciplines, October 27-29. Over the course of three days, the increasingly important role of design and design thinking in shaping experiences with visual, social, and mobile media will be explored.
Volunteers needed! Want to get involved in the Design Summit? Learn about the exciting volunteer opportunities. Download the volunteer form or contact Tina Shumway.
Draper 2008 Technology Exposition will take place October 21-22
Draper 2008 Technology Exposition will take place October 21-22 at the USF Research Park in Tampa. Scientists will exhibit their most recent discoveries in strategic systems, biomedical engineering, space systems, geospatial systems, tactical systems, energy initiative, special operations, and independent R&D.
For more information, visit www.draper.com.
International Trade Opportunities
 Export News from the US Department of Commerce
Read about opportunities from the Department of Commerce.
Interested in expanding your business internationally? Consider participating in these upcoming opportunities:
32nd Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan & Japan-U.S. Southeast Associations, Raleigh, NC, Oct. 19-21. For more information contact 786-235-8289 or send an e-mail to info@fl-seusjapan.org.
Lima, Peru export sales mission sponsored by Enterprise Florida. October 19-22. For more information contact Luis Cuervo.
MEDICA, trade mission for the life science sector, Dusseldorf, Germany, sponsored by Enterprise Florida, November 19-22. For more information, contact Michael Schiffhuaer.
Export University– Export 301 is a high-level course for companies actively involved in exporting that are looking for enhanced solutions to finance the growth of export sales and mitigate payment risks. October 8, Clearwater, FL. For more information, view the itinerary.
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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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