|
 Orlando, Fla. (October 11, 2004) --- U.S. colleges and universities will take a closer look at their critical role in stimulating and empowering local economies at the 2004 Annual Conference of the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) in Orlando November 7 - 9.
UEDA president Carol Ann Dykes, who also serves as chief operating officer of the University of Central Florida Technology Incubator, said economic development professionals and representatives from colleges and universities across the country will attend the event titled, "Oranges and Optics: Creating and Growing a Diverse Economy," at the Renaissance Sea World Resort.
"Universities play a critical role in stimulating local economic growth," said Dykes. "We have emerged as central assets in regional economic development efforts, especially in regions seeking to start and expand technology-based economies," she said.
UCF President John Hitt will give the opening address at the conference and highlight UCF"s role in the region's economy. "UCF is a national model for how a university can impact the local economy in a variety of areas. The UCF Technology Incubator is just one example of UCF's effective partnerships that are making a difference in our local economic diversity, " said Dykes.
"It's not all about technology although that plays a big role," Dykes said. "To be effective, a university must align itself with regional economic initiatives and take a broad-based approach to engaging the community. We play a substantive role in education and training. We are creators of knowledge and sources of innovation," she said.
Dykes said UEDA helps colleges and universities develop their roles as regional economic generators. "As local communities look more and more to their colleges and universities to participate in economic development, the challenge emerges to establish partnerships and programs that are effective. UEDA provides a network and forums to learn from each other and share best practices."
UEDA, formerly known as the National Association of Management and Technical Assistance Centers (NAMTAC), was formed in 1975 by university-related organizations in all areas of economic development.
"Earlier this year we changed the name of our organization to better reflect our mission and what is happening in economic development today," Dykes said.
* * *
For more information, contact:
Carol Ann Dykes, UCF Technology Incubator, 407.882.0202
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, LV Communications Inc. 407.644.4142.
About UEDA
The University Economic Development Association (formerly NAMTAC) is a not-for-profit association, providing advocacy, information and a forum to enhance the performance of university-based organizations and their affiliates providing economic development, business and technical assistance to businesses and communities. UEDA is unique in that it focuses on the university's role in economic development and provides a forum for a diverse membership with the common goals of enhancing enterprise competitiveness and community wealth. For more information visit www.universityeda.org.
About the UCF Technology Incubator
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Technology Incubator has helped more than 70 emerging technology companies create over $140 million in revenue and more than 450 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. As a result of this success, the UCF Technology Incubator was recently named the 2004 Technology Incubator of the Year by the National Business Incubation Association. Headquartered in Research Park near the University, the Incubator is a collaboration in economic development between UCF, Orange County, the City of Orlando and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu |
