For the first time ever, over 100 community and business leaders from the Central Florida and Tampa Bay regions became a single, unified regional voice in our nation’s capital, as they traveled together to participate in the 2003 Baker & Hostetler LLP Washington, D.C. Regional Fly-In, Chaired by Congressman Tom Feeney and Congresswoman Katherine Harris.

Members of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Bay Partnership were briefed by government and elected officials on an array of issues, ranging from the state of the economy to healthcare to transportation. Being very aware of the strong links these two organizations have cultivated over the years and building upon the work of myregion.org, all topics of discussion were of regional relevance.

One of the highlights of the trip was listening to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, who spoke on the progress of the space program after the Columbia tragedy. Earlier that week, he had traveled to Russia with the families of the Expedition 6 crewmembers to watch the landing and personally welcome them home after five months in orbit. He described the emotions felt in the room as support helicopters reached the astronauts about 276 miles from its planned landing zone and reported they were in good health.

Chairman Joel Hass and myregion.org’s leadership team members Jane Adams, Ellen Titen, Commissioner Teresa Jacobs, Lonnie Bell and Ray Gilley were pleasantly surprised when he concluded his remarks referencing the partnership’s invaluable contribution to the region and to the space program.

“As citizens of this region, our future success is tied together. Our economic prosperity in today’s global economy requires it. This visit has been a great opportunity to share expectations, and bring everyone up to speed on the issues,” said myregion.org Chairman Joel Hass. “I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Click here to view photos from this event.