Florida's impact felt all over Southern California

I've been in Southern California for close to a week now (with the exception of a six hour visit across the border into Mexico) and must say that I have been thrilled to see such a presence from the Sunshine State here in the area. Whether it was seeing Florida based Air Tran and Spirit Airlines, both of whom were at one time very regional carriers at LAX or Florida born eateries such as Burger King, the Olive Garden and the Outback on Southern California streets or Miami Hurricane and Tampa Bay Bucs T-shirts on kids walking in San Diego, or seeing Office Depot and Sunglass Hut on Santa Monica Blvd. or even the Florida Orange Juice ads on local TV, Florida entities certainly have an impact everyday on this region which for so long has been considered the most critical consumer market in the country.

I'm proud to see our state do so well, and certainly hope that our corporate, educational and political leadership keeps up the good work!