As
Director of Business Development,
Sharon Benoit markets the region to international companies
who may consider expanding. Those activities include sales
missions and trade shows targeted to simulation/training
and aviation companies. Her geographic markets are the
U.K., Canada, Israel, and Australia among others.
Ms.
Benoit began her marketing career in 1982 employed
with the Florida Department of Commerce. She implemented
a program for small and medium counties
designed to assess strengths and weaknesses. “Planning
for Growth”, delivered in workshop style, resulted
in economic development strategies determined by the local
private and public sector. Fifty Florida counties participated
in this program and led Ms. Benoit to author, design and
promote “The Florida Blue Chip Community” program,
an advanced marketing tool for counties and cities. The
designation as a Florida Blue Chip Community served as
notice to site selectors and similar decision makers that
an effective and well-planned economic development program
was in place.
For
two years she and her staff promoted Florida as a place
to do business with Fortune 500 companies through
events such as the Bay Hill Invitational, the Tournament
Players Championship, the Honda Classic, the Sebring Races
and the Doral Golf Championship. She also oversaw
market research for the Orlando/Orange County Convention
and Visitors Bureau.
During her employment with the Division of International,
Florida Department of Commerce, she was also contract manager
and liaison for eight overseas offices in which she was
responsible for disseminating information regarding related
events, special projects and economic trends that affected
overseas operations.
In
1991 Ms. Benoit was tapped by the Secretary of Commerce,
to establish the first Regional Office for the State of
Florida for International Business in Orlando in 1991.
Serving as regional manager, she was responsible for directing
trade and investment activities for a 13 county region.
She worked with local manufacturers and distributors by
promoting international business through market research,
trade missions, trade fairs and Florida’s eight overseas
offices. Ms. Benoit has traveled extensively in Asia, Southeast
Asia, South America and Europe.
As
a certified trainer, she has taught international marketing
at local universities and community colleges. Her
memberships, past and present include: The Industrial Development
Research Council, National Association of Industrial and
Office Parks, the National Association of State Development
Agencies, Advisory Board member of the World Trade Center
Orlando and the Florida Economic Development Council.
|
