Florida Simulation Summit to be Held September 7: Keynote Speaker at Ford Motor Company’s
Digital Innovation Group
Hosted by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and
the National Center for Simulation
Orange County, Fla. – Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the National Center for Simulation will host the Florida Simulation Summit on September 7, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, located at 9800 International Drive.
Now in its third year, the Florida Simulation Summit’s theme is “Experience the New Reality.” The event will showcase the transformation and advancement of transportation, medical, architecture and engineering industries through the use of virtual and augmented reality. The Summit’s goal is to highlight the state’s multibillion-dollar modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) industry and will feature various simulation experts.
The keynote speaker is Elizabeth Baron at Ford Motor Co.’s Virtual Reality and Advanced Technical Specialist. Baron manages Ford’s Virtual Reality Center in Product Development that provides immersive virtual reality systems used for design and product development. As part of the Digital Innovation Group at Ford, Baron’s goal is to address the unique challenges of automotive design and engineering in the digital age. The Summit speakers also includes experts from Tesla, Luminar Technologies, Inc. (autonomous vehicles), the I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project, Orlando International Airport, PCL Construction, Nemours Children’s Hospital and the University Florida.
“From scientific discovery to the creation of high-value jobs, the MS&T sector will provide unlimited opportunities for generations to come,” Mayor Jacobs said. “We are inspired by this sector’s innovation and all of the emerging simulation technologies and applications highlighted at the Florida Simulation Summit. We’re creating a vision for the future and an environment that fosters collaboration, productivity, profitability and jobs in Orange County.”
To protect this valued economic cluster, Orange County responded to looming threats posed by potential defense spending cuts and base closures by forming the MS&T Blue Ribbon Commission in 2013. The Commission is a coalition of community leaders and industry stakeholders that advocates for this high-value and high-wage economic sector in Florida.
The Commission continues to educate key audiences regarding the high level of synergy between MS&T and other key sectors of our economy, including medical, gaming, education, aviation, aerospace, animation, theme park, emergency management and public safety.
“Mayor Jacobs’ Blue Ribbon Commission on MS&T created the Florida Simulation Summit to help demonstrate how the MS&T industry is vital, not only to our local defense industry, but also to many industries throughout our community,” said president and CEO of the National Center for Simulation, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas L. Baptiste. “Virtual and augmented reality technology can help grow our diverse local industry sectors in new and exciting directions.”
The event cost is $25 in advance or $50 at the door. Parking is free. For registration and directions, visit the National Center for Simulation’s website at www.simulationinformation.com. For more information, contact 407-836-9673 or email Eric Ushkowitz at [email protected].
