Menu
To all NCS Members: A call to action in support of a worthy STEM initiative!
OTRONICON 2011—the convergence of Art and Science!
OTRONICON has lost its prime sponsor (FULL SAIL) for 2011. Some would see this as a major setback, I on the other hand see this as an opportunity for NCS, Industry, Team Orlando, UCF, local Government and others to come together under the umbrella of a community approach to event sponsorship. Increased sponsorship will give us more control over conference organization/ execution and allow us to place more emphasis on Serious Gaming Applications (which was a Team Orlando critique from OTRONICON 2010). Additionally, OTRONICON remains a critical annual fundraising event for the Orlando Science Center.
Here is the idea: NCS and its Member Companies combine their resources to form a cooperative NCS/Industry sponsorship commitment. For those NCS Member Companies already planning on a display at OTRONICON 2011, this is simple. But I am appealing to the entire NCS Membership to join with whatever monetary commitment you can manage. The immediate benefits are support to the Orlando Science Center, but it goes beyond that. OTRONICON is an annual event in direct support of our Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)/Grow the Workforce efforts (which is an NCS Board of Directors assigned strategic objective for 2010). OTRONICON is a unique opportunity to get young people excited about Modeling & Simulation. Last year nearly 12,000 people attended the conference, and with a stronger focus on Serious Gaming Applications, perhaps we can influence a number of young people to pursue technical degrees and join this exciting Industry.
UCF will pursue a similar approach to garner the support of different schools within the University and will also reach out to local Government (Greater Orlando EDC and other organizations) to encourage them to marshal their resources as well. Once organized, we envision three clusters of sponsorship support (NCS/Industry, Academia and Local Government).
I can assure you that all sponsors, regardless of the size of their contribution, will be recognized in event literature. The Orlando Science Center is also competing for a Tourist Development Tax Grant and a decision will be taken by the Arts and Cultural Affairs Board on 16 Sep 10. A strong showing of sponsorship support through the three clusters of funding identified above and in advance of that decision will improve their chances to win the Grant funding. Because of this 16 Sep timeline, I ask that you respond directly to me with your pledge of support to OTRONICON NLT 13 Sep 10 @ 407-384-6111 or tbaptiste@simulationinformation.com
Let’s marshal our NCS forces to take OTRONICON 2011 to the next level and support our young people through a worthy STEM initiative!
Click here to make an online sponsor contribution: OTRONICON 2011 NCS- Industry Sponsorship
The two attached files contain basic information about OTRONICON 2011 and a report from an outside agency on the results of OTRONICON 2010.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Thomas L. Baptiste, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret)
President/Executive Director
