What do you hope to get out of this organization?

[Ted Murphy]

The site is up and people are starting to join : ) I want to give a shout out to Tara Lamberson and the rest of the Doterati team for making this happen.

There is clearly a need for a community in Central Florida that includes the various types of companies and people that drive our local digital economy. Now that we are here, what does everyone hope for?

[Mark Krupinski]

My top three: networking, education and create something.

Networking - Nuff said

Education - We all specialize in something so why not share ;) When I did a twitter poll a few weeks back, the top reason to join a group like this was to showcase individual efforts.

Create something - We have great talent in CF and I think we can all succeed in what we do if we work together on basic issues that affect everyone in our fields (e.g. ROI metrics,blogging best practices, etc.)

What do you want?

[Ted Murphy]

I want CF to be looked at as one of THE places to be if you are in the interactive space. I want to be the Silicon Valley of the south, a hot bed for innovation and creativity. We should be home of the companies transforming the Internet.

[Gerard Massey]

I gotta say this pretty much where I stand on Doterati too! Good post Mark.

[Renee Menkova]

I'm hoping to build a community of seasoned professionals so that we can learn from each other. Plus, we have such an opportunity to network in Orlando!

[Pete Scott]

Besides the networking, I want to be able to spotlight the great talent that is coming out of this area and demonstrate that Central Florida is a hotbed for interactive.

I would also like to create a unique organization that can grow beyond Central Florida, building a platform that is recognized for developing great thought, talent, and technology.

[Ted Murphy]

I agree.

tangent-
I hope some creatives start uploading portfolio pieces. I think I am going to upload some of my favorite photos to get things started.

[Anita Larsen]

Just like everyone else, I'm definitely looking for networking, not only to make business contacts but also to swap stories with like minded individuals.

I'm also looking forwarding to the education; educating myself of course but also being able to share our experience with students and/or recent graduates that are trying to figure out what they want to do.

[Brian Deaton]

I am personally hoping for a ruthless society of super intelligent geeks bent on world domination. I would, however, be very happy with meeting for coffee and telling each other how cool we are.

Seriously though, people are starting to wake up and realize that Florida is a very good place for industries that have, up until now, been associated with California. I see more California plates everyday and there is a reason the 'Govenator' has commercials out asking people to relocate to his state.

An organization like this one, done correctly, can be the framework for the explosion of high tech talent and industry that I believe is just around the corner. I am anxious to see what kind of leadership doterati could provide for that future.

[Tara Lamberson]

Great ideas Brian - I think I want to change my title to 'geek bent on world domination' - lol!

I couldn't agree with you more on the opportunity to expose the greatness that is going on in Florida and I believe this organization has the potential to support that cause along with our other goals.

Thanks for participating in the discussion.

[John Holowaty]

Although located in Michigan, I have had the opportunity and pleasure to work digital teams in both the CF/Orlando (Izea) and in the Ft. Lauderdale market (CBS Digital/Sportsline.com). Both markets seem to have attracted a unique brand of highly qualified people with many similarities (talent, education, enthiusiasm for the space, desire for a quality of life that would likely be out of reach for them in the silicon valley) with the difference being in the type of lifestyle they seem to be attracted to (beach or business/culture).

I hear more about the Central Florida interactive community these days than I do the Reseach Triangle area. It's looking like the place to be now and in the near future. This group will help the community that we're all a part of to grow, flourish and attract the talent necessary to support momentum. The individual wins, the individual organizations win, the area economy wins and the families the rely on it win.

[Dan Kinchen]

John, you have almost convinced yourself to move to Central Florida. What don't you just pick up and move! I will meet you at the airport!

[Robert Dempsey]

I am with everyone on brining more attention to the tech scene here in Central Florida. I am also hoping to network and meet more business people here in Orlando and the surrounding area. As a tech person myself I get rare chances to get out from behind my Mac and mingle with other business folks. I am looking forward to doing it more.