| The Central Florida Chapter implements the AFCEA mission of training, collaborating and networking with military, government and industry stakeholders primarily in the Tampa-St. Pete, Orlando and Cape Canaveral areas. The Chapter regularly engages with local DoD entities such as USCENTCOM, USSOCOM, Joint Communications Support Element, 6th Air Refueling Wing, 6th Communications Squadron, DISA Central Field Command, DISA Special Operations Command Field Office, and the DIA Regional Support Center; and also partners with local academia (USF) and non-for-profit organizations (SOFWERX) as well as corporate sponsors. The Cyber Outreach program has a wide presence across the state of Florida, with the support of the National Institute for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), Florida Center for Cybersecurity (CyberFL), Florida Center for Instructional Technology (FCIT), and Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for mentorships, training, and financial support directed towards Cyber Summer Camps, teacher enablement, and the CAPE Accelerator Program.
Chapter activities include monthly luncheons; annual Golf and Bowling Tournaments benefitting our growing High School Cyber Outreach program; annual award of college scholarships; small-business roundtables; the December Christmas luncheon honoring the Hope Children's Home; and the Joint Holiday Party with NDIA, Women In Defense, and Global SOF Foundation, and a Tech Expo featuring 50+ vendors.
The Emerging Leaders/Young AFCEANs are intensely involved with Chapter activities in the areas of professional development, community service, member outreach, mentoring, and volunteering for AFCEA International Committees.
Overall, the level of cross-partnership engagement in a variety of activities and the new cyber outreach initiatives launched during the year 2020 continue to show the Chapter's commitment to bringing the AFCEA mission to its membership, promoting collaboration between government, industry and academia, and becoming a leading-edge non-for-profit organization in fostering Cyber/STEM education in the Greater Central Florida Region. |
