Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs will host the Florida Simulation Summit at the Orange County Convention Center on September 16, 2015. Mayor Jacobs is hosting the Summit to highlight Florida’s multi-billion dollar simulation industry and help identify opportunities to commercialize simulation. The goal of the Summit is to showcase how all kinds of businesses can utilize simulation.

“Simulation is a key enabler in a multitude of industries beyond defense, including entertainment, education, healthcare, energy, transportation and manufacturing,” an Orange County advisory on the event stated.

The Florida Simulation Summit will highlight little-known facts about simulation throughout Orange County according to Mayor Jacobs.

Companies and organizations will share stories about how they use simulation, including ways to apply simulation to improve training and education. Educators are actually now using simulation to prepare students for STEM careers and universities are currently developing advanced simulation technologies.

Experts from Walt Disney World, Space Florida and the University of Central Florida are among speakers lined up to discuss how simulation enhances companies’ operations, safety and bottom line. Speakers at the Summit include Michael Tschanz, Director of Technology and Analysis at Walt Disney World; Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Aty, PE, Professor and Chair at University of Central Florida Center for Advanced Transportation Systems Simulation; Dr. Robert Amyot, President of CAE Healthcare; and Dale Ketcham, Chief of Strategic Alliances at Space Florida.

The National Center for Simulation (NCS) is a non-profit trade association that’s vision is to lead the growth of modeling, simulation and training. NCS promotes modeling and simulation technology expansion, supporting education and workforce development, and providing business development support to its members.

In June, NCS was successful in garnering an $83,000 Defense Reinvestment Grant to support NSA Orlando and to sustain the defense industry’s $6 billion economic impact in the county. Naval Support Activity Orlando is home to a multi-service modeling, simulation, training and acquisition center that accounts for billions in economic impact in Orange County. During the legislative session, NCS also garnered an additional $20 million to mitigate the threat of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) on Naval Support Activity Orlando/Team Orlando.

The Florida Simulation Summit will be held at the Orange County Convention Center on September 16 from 8 AM to 5 PM. The event costs $25 in advance or $50 at the door. For registration and directions, visit the National Center for Simulation’s website.