Feeling overwhelmed by the volume of meeting requests you receive and wishing you had a tool that could better foster authentic connections that fulfill your business objectives? The Florida Technology Council has partnered with The Influence Board to facilitate more automated and relevant collaboration while raising important funding for worthwhile initiatives.

By joining The Influence Board’s platform, you will gain relevancy screening, limits on the number of meeting requests you receive and a feeling of satisfaction that comes from knowing that each of your accepted meetings helps to generate donations for worthy causes. In fact, a portion of all funds raised will go towards the Council’s mission of supporting Arizona’s thriving technology ecosystem.

Did you know Florida will pay you to hire an intern? You probably missed it tucked deep inside a 54 page legislative bill that, on May 21st,Governor DeSantis signed into law. The Florida Internship Tax Credit Program is real, however. This bill authorizes a corporate income tax credit of $2,000 for each student intern employed by a qualified business, up to a maximum of $10,000 in any taxable year for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022. The program ultimately was picked up in SB 7068 and can be found in sections 23,24, and 27 on pages 11-12 of the linked bill analysis. A more substantive analysis can be found on SB 258, when the program was a standalone bill. FTC is working with Florida Senator Shevron Jones to bring you everything you need to know.

The Florida Technology Council is excited to offer access to free resources from the Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) that will help make your organization safer and more secure against cyber threats. The Cyber Readiness Program is a practical, self-guided approach to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) provide cybersecurity awareness training to employees. The program focuses on human behavior, and helps companies develop and implement cyber readiness policies throughout the organization. Completing this free Program will make your employees aware of the simple steps they can take to protect your business. 

Reach out to membership@fltechcouncil.org for a unique link for Council members as well as our Champion Referral code

For three consecutive years FTC has provided insight, education and trainings for those interested in becoming a state agency CIO.  Erin Rock, FTC Member and world-renowned former Secretary for the Department of Management Services, moderates leadership to foster discussion and dialogue on what it means to be a successful CIO in the public sector and how to use IT as a strategic tool.

We are partnering with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging association to address the staffing shortage and lack of technological innovation in our state's small service businesses. Keep an eye out for our article in their monthly magazine and a podcast that addresses how technology can be used as a means to building our workforce. We have also been appointed to their technology committee.