By Mark Baratelli
Owner
May 17, 2011 | The grand opening ceremony for the relocation of the National Entrepreneur Center (formerly named the Disney Entrepreneur Center) was Tuesday May 17, 2011 at it's new Orlando Fashion Square Mall location at 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Suite A20, Orlando, FL 32803). Hundreds filled the large corridor for brief statements from local notables and those involved with the new office's construction. There was a total of three ribbon cuttings, a reception and some guided tours of the new facilities.
The new space is larger, with more resources and, as mentioned by several speakers during the dedication, now has free parking. The Master of Ceremonies of Jerry Ross, Executive Director of the National Entrepeneur Center. Special guest presenters included Orange County Mayor Theresa Jacobs, Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton, Tony Ortiz (in place of City Mayor Buddy Dyer), UCF Provost Dr. Tony Waldrop, Board Chairman of the National Entrepreneur Center Eugene Campbell and PREIT Senior Vice President of Leasing Joe Aristone.
Owner
May 17, 2011 | The grand opening ceremony for the relocation of the National Entrepreneur Center (formerly named the Disney Entrepreneur Center) was Tuesday May 17, 2011 at it's new Orlando Fashion Square Mall location at 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Suite A20, Orlando, FL 32803). Hundreds filled the large corridor for brief statements from local notables and those involved with the new office's construction. There was a total of three ribbon cuttings, a reception and some guided tours of the new facilities.
The new space is larger, with more resources and, as mentioned by several speakers during the dedication, now has free parking. The Master of Ceremonies of Jerry Ross, Executive Director of the National Entrepeneur Center. Special guest presenters included Orange County Mayor Theresa Jacobs, Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton, Tony Ortiz (in place of City Mayor Buddy Dyer), UCF Provost Dr. Tony Waldrop, Board Chairman of the National Entrepreneur Center Eugene Campbell and PREIT Senior Vice President of Leasing Joe Aristone.
The first ribbon cutting
The second ribbon cutting (meeting rooms and offices)
The third ribbon cutting (services offices)
Packed house
Master of Ceremonies of Jerry Ross, Executive Director of the National Entrepeneur Center
Orange County Mayor Theresa Jacobs
Walt Disney World Resort President Meg Crofton
Tony Ortiz (Mayor Buddy Dyer was not able to attend at the last minute)
UCF Provost Dr. Tony Waldrop
Board Chairman of the National Entrepreneur Center Eugene Campbell
(This photo is horribly fuzzy. Apologies.)
After the ceremonies, invited guests poured into both offices for self-guided and guided tours.
This tree reminds us of the one in Stardust Coffee.
Computer lab for visiting entrepreneurs
meeting room
Some of the shears used in one of the three ribbon cuttings