A walking tour of the Central Florida region has proven an effective research tool for consultant Michael Gallis as he prepares to launch the Information Analysis phase of the myregion.org initiative.

The second in a series of “walking” tours throughout Central Florida, Gallis spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Volusia and Lake Counties and Thursday in Polk, meeting with local leaders and citizens, followed by visits to some of the counties’ best-known sites. He participated in a similar tour last week in Brevard County, where he got a firsthand look at how the community functions independently and within the seven-county region, including Brevard, Volusia, Polk, Orange, Lake, Osceola and Seminole counties.

“It’s important that the Gallis consultant team actually sees the communities they are studying to get an accurate understanding of our commitment to regionalism and protecting our economies,” said Seminole County Commissioner Randy Morris, Vice Chair-at-Large of myregion.org. “It’s also helpful that the partners in this important project have the opportunity to meet with Gallis and express their concerns and priorities about their unique communities,” he said.

In Volusia County, Gallis appeared before the county council, met with Dr. Kent Sharples, president of Daytona Beach Community College, as well as with Bill Hall, Volusia County Schools Superintendent. Gallis visited Daytona International Speedway where he met with John Graham, president of International Speedway Association and took a tour of Daytona USA and the racetrack.

After meeting with members of the Daytona Beach News Journal’s editorial writers to discuss the status and future of myregion.org, Gallis walked through downtown DeLand and later attended a dinner with the DeLand Chamber of Commerce and a variety of the community’s business leaders.

The Volusia County tour culminated in Gallis meeting with the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council in Orlando to update the organization on the next phase of myregion.org. He later traveled to Lake County where he appeared before county commissioners at a reception at Lakeridge Winery, again updating them on myregion.org's status. Gallis’ visit aboard the Mount Dora city trolley, included the UCF Campus, the Christopher C. Ford Commerce Park, the Bryan Groves Fernery and AgriStarts, among others.

Last but not least, “Imperial” Polk County hosted Gallis on Thursday starting with a tour of the Publix Headquarters, given by Lee Brunson, Public Information Director, and followed with an overview of Lakeland via helicopter. Before leaving Lakeland, he met with the editorial board of the Lakeland Ledger.