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ABOUT
FLORIDA/KOREA
ECONOMIC COOPERATION COMMITTEE, INC. “FLOR/KOR”
What is FLOR/KOR? |
What does FLOR/KOR do? |
How is FLOR/KOR organized?
Korea Joint Conference |
About Florida’s Sister State in Korea: Gyeonggi Province
Membership Programs |
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What is FLOR/KOR?
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Florida/Korea Economic Cooperation
Committee, Inc. (commonly known as “FLOR/KOR” for short) is a
statewide public-private partnership created in 1982 dedicated to
promoting trade, investment, education, tourism and friendship ties
between Florida and Korea. To accomplish its mission, FLOR/KOR works
in close cooperation with the Korea-U.S. Economic Council (KUSEC)
and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) in Seoul, and
locally partners with the Office of Florida Governor and economic
development organizations throughout the state, including Enterprise
Florida
What does FLOR/KOR do?
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FLOR/KOR serves as a point of contact
and facilitator for Florida traders, investors and professionals
seeking business opportunities and the development of ties in Korea
with Korean companies and organizations. Delegates from Florida to
the Joint Conference programs with KITA/KUSEC must be active members
of FLOR/KOR to register and participate.
Through
programs and events statewide as well as the joint conference
programs with KITA/KUSEC, FLOR/KOR helps identify and promote
business opportunities in Korea, and provides a forum for discussing
key bilateral issues, exchanging ideas and assisting one another in
promoting mutually beneficial business, education, tourism, cultural
and friendship ties with Korea.
Through its formal
relationship with the Korea-U.S. Economic Council (KUSEC) and the
Korea International Trade Association (KITA), FLOR/KOR also provides
its members access to key figures at the highest level of business,
industry, and government in Korea - valuable contacts not normally
available to an individual Florida business person operating on his
or her own.
FLOR/KOR works in
close partnership with the Executive Office of the Governor, the
Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development and with
Enterprise Florida and local economic development, international and
Korea-related organizations throughout the state to carry out its
mission. It also plans, organizes and coordinates Florida’s
participation in joint conferences and events with KITA & KUSEC. In
addition, FLOR/KOR organizes; supports and/or conducts Korea related
seminars and events statewide.
How is FLOR/KOR organized?
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FLOR/KOR is a non-profit corporation
chartered under the laws of the State of Florida and works in
partnership with the State of Florida government and the private
sector to carry out its stated mission. It is governed by a Board of
Directors elected by the members for a term of two years. Membership
is open to all persons interested in the development of business and
friendship ties between Florida and Korea. Whenever appropriate, the
Board of Directors also selects prominent business leaders,
government officials and educators as ex officio or honorary
members. The current board chair is Kimi Springsteen of Tampa.
Korea Joint Conference
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FLOR/KOR will plan, organize and carry
out a Korea Joint Conference program in Florida in partnership with
KITA and KUSEC in Tampa April 12-14, 2008 to allow FLORKOR members,
delegates and guests an opportunity to welcome and network with a
high-level delegation from Korea. Details of this Conference Program
and the venue will be announced soon, and FLORKOR will work closely
with the Governor’s Office, Enterprise Florida and economic
development, tourism and education partner organizations and
companies both in the Tampa area and statewide to carry out the
event. The conference program will include, golf, sightseeing,
entertainment and sessions on Florida-Korea ties in the areas of
trade, investment, education and tourism.
About Florida’s Sister State in
Korea: Gyeonggi Province
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Gyeonggi Province’s population exceeds
11 millions (22% of S. Korea’s total national population), the
largest of any Korean province. Its land area completely surrounds
the national capital of Seoul. The capital of Gyeonggi is Suwon
City. The merits of Gyeonggi Province include: central region of
Korean industry, skilled and highly educated labor, massive
population base and consumer market (an ideal test-bed environment),
knowledge-based industry, excellent infrastructure, and active
administrative support.
Gyeonggi has well developed aerospace,
telecommunications, bio-medical, waste management, water
purification and pollution control equipment industries, which offer
Florida some excellent trade opportunities.
As a result of over a year’s effort by
FLOR/KOR working in close cooperation with the Florida Department of
State, the Office of the Governor and Enterprise Florida, Inc., the
State of Florida signed a Sister State agreement with Gyeonggi
Province on November 20, 2002.
The Sister State Agreement signing
took place in Orlando during a special ceremony in conjunction with
the 15th Southeast U.S.-Korea Joint Conference, which was held at
that time. The agreement is the first between Korea and Florida, and
provides the framework for mutual cooperation in the areas of trade,
two-way investment, technology transfer and research, as well as
cultural and educational exchanges.
The University of
Florida established a “sister university” relationship with Ajou
University in Suwon, Gyeonggi. Ajou University organized a Florida-Gyeonggi
Economic Forum in May 2003, and several representatives from the
University of Florida, and FLOR/KOR Board member, Kimi Springsteen
of Tampa, participated. Ms. Springsteen also has the distinction of
having been appointed by Gyeonggi as the province’s International
Development Commissioner in Florida.
FLOR/KOR also has coordinated
Florida’s efforts to promote a variety of economic, education and
cultural ties with Gyeonggi, and organized an official sister state
visit led by Secretary of State Glenda E. Hood in October 2003 and
again in October 2005.
Membership Programs
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FLOR/KOR offers a membership program
for any individuals, organizations and companies interested in
participating in and supporting its programs to enhance and expand
ties between Florida and South Korea in the areas of trade,
investment, education, tourism, cultural exchanges and friendship.
The following are the levels of membership available:
Premier Corporate ($1000 annually):
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Special premier member discount on
Korea Joint Meeting registration fees and priority registration.
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Designation of up to 4 individuals to
register and represent your organization as Premier Corporate
Members, and to attend the Korea Joint Meeting.
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Special invitations to private VIP
events with speakers and senior government/business leaders, the
Korean Ambassador/Consul General, etc.
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Special corporate discount on all FLOR/KOR
events and programs.
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Automatic invitations to Florida-China
and SEUS/Japan Associations events and programs.
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Courtesy invitation to all
Florida-China and SEUS/Japan Associations events and programs. (FLOR/KOR
sister organizations)
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Program hosting and sponsorship
opportunities.
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Speaking roles at FLOR/KOR events.
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Newsletter
Regular Corporate ($600 annually):
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Special corporate discount on Korea
Joint Conference registration fees and priority registration.
-
Flexibility to designate any two (2)
individuals from your organization to attend the Korea Joint
Conference as Florida Delegation members at all events and
functions.
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Designation of two (2) individuals to represent your organization as
Corporate Members.
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Special invitations to private VIP
events with speakers and senior government/business leaders.
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Special corporate discount on all
other FLOR/KOR events and programs.
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Newsletter
Non-Profit Organization ($400
annually):
Individual ($250 annually):
Please contact FLOR/KOR’S executive
director or membership coordinator for more information at
(786) 235-8289 or via email at info@florkor.org |