On the First Day in Italy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Builds New Partnership, Space Florida Promotes Innovation at Cape Canaveral, and Italian Chambers of Commerce[...]

ROME, Italy- Today, Florida Commerce announced significant developments during the first day of Governor DeSantis' trade and business development mission to Italy, where Florida universities agreed to formalize a partnership with an Italian University, Space Florida promoted innovation at Cape Canaveral, and four business seminars were conducted to boost trade between Florida and Italy.

"Governor Ron DeSantis is leading this mission to build long-term wins and develop our workforce and economy," said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "On the first day, we saw major success, with organizations committing to reciprocal visits to Florida and the announcement that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sapienza Universita di Roma have agreed to formalize a partnership for shared research and working towards a memorandum of understanding."

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has agreed to formalize partnership between Sapienza Universita di Roma's Faculty of Engineering and Embry-Riddle, a collaboration that will serve as a foundation for shared research projects and paves the way for future transformational joint initiatives. The universities are working towards an MOU that will allow faculty and students to experience an invaluable blend of American and Italian academic environments, broadening their perspectives on today's most pressing engineering issues.

Space Florida invited Italian aerospace companies to plant their roots in the state at the Space Life Sciences Lab to take advantage of the proximity to Florida's commercially driven spaceport system, talented workforce, and extensive commerce ecosystem.

A series of events were conducted to foster trade between Florida and Italy, including four business seminars, an academic roundtable, a logistics roundtable, a trade track meeting, and an aerospace business seminar.

Enhancing the aviation, aerospace, and defense partnership between Italy and Florida is crucial for the prosperity and security of both regions. Both Florida and Italy are leaders in key sectors including military and defense, aerospace and aviation, marine and port operations, as well as life sciences research and health technology. By leveraging these shared strengths and deepening collaboration, Italy has the potential to become one of Florida's top 10 trading partners, while both regions strengthen their security capabilities.

From Monday, November 11, to Friday, November 15, Governor Ron DeSantis will lead this historic international trade and business development mission. Florida delegates joining the Governor include agency heads and university presidents, such as Secretary J. Alex Kelly, Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, President Richard McCullough from Florida State University, President Richard Corcoran from New College of Florida, President Rhea Law of the University of South Florida, President Ken Jessell of Florida International University and representatives from the University of Central Florida, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida International University, and Florida Polytechnic University.

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