Leadership Florida Conference: Key Note Delivered By Walt Disney World Pres. Meg Crofton

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – June 11-14, 2009 - Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort was the site of the Leadership Florida Annual Meeting. Attended by nearly 500 Florida leaders, the conference opening keynote address was delivered by Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton. In her remarks, Meg encouraged attendees in what many view as one of the most difficult economic times in recent history.



“Walt Disney World is an American success story,” said Crofton. “And as someone who grew up in the Sunshine State, I’m especially pleased to say that Walt Disney World is also a Florida success story…whether you call it ‘magic,’ or ‘dreams,’ or ‘pixie dust,’ we’re gathered here today in a place where optimism is in the air.



The atmosphere at Walt Disney World is positive by design… we are not hunkering down and waiting until this recession blows over. That’s because hunkering down, and waiting, are at odds with our Disney culture… we have learned that the most important thing we possess is not a story-line or a character, not a piece of property or the skyline of a castle. Far and away, the most important thing we possess is our Disney brand, and our unique culture.



Meg’s words resonated with the audience. Leadership Florida is the only organization that takes a statewide view of the conditions and challenges that face the state. Leadership Florida offers a leadership continuum that expands the impact of community leaders across the state. Created in 1982 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Florida builds a sense of statewide community by identifying and training individuals with the passion and commitment to help make great things happen.



Meg rallied the leaders in the room, telling them, “…the successful leaders I’ve seen here at Disney have been positive, both ‘on-stage’ and ‘off.’… the most successful leaders are almost always the ones who spend a great deal of time cultivating and developing the talents of the people who work with them.



This struck a special chord with the attendees. The individual contributions of over 800 Leadership Florida alumni is multiplied by their collective strength and enhanced by the distinct and diverse nature of the regions of Florida in which they reside. The members of Leadership Florida are dedicated not only to their local communities, but to their statewide community. From its active regional alumni groups, to its broad committee structure that encourages long-term involvement by all of its members, Leadership Florida is a unique and dynamic program designed to promote statewide leadership. While, Leadership programs exist in many other states, none rivals Leadership Florida's ambitious offerings for multiple levels of leadership identification and training. Florida is comprised of diverse cultures and ideas that wash in with the tide of new "Floridians" each year.



Transplantation and transience from all across the nation and the world have defined Florida from the beginning. While this diversity creates a tumultuous environment full of challenges and opportunities, it is also the source of this state's leadership and its strength.



Meg closed her remarks with a further challenge that elicited a standing ovation from the audience, “I have always believed that, before you can lead others, first you have to lead yourself…when great leadership, great brand and great culture intersect…dreams really do come true.”



Disney executives who are Leadership Florida alumni include; George Aguel, SVP-Sales, Service and Alliance, Class XIV; Jim Hunt, EVP and CFO of WDWP&R, Class XIII; Jim Lewis, DVC President, Class XXI; and Shannon McAleavey, SVP of Public Affairs, Class XX.