HCP Associate Returns from Leadership Florida’s First International Alumni Excursion to London
TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 12, 2018)—Last week, HCP Associate’s Managing Partner Eric Polins, a Leadership Florida Cornerstone XXVIII Graduate, traveled to London for the organization’s first ever international graduate excursion.
“From our time with the CEO from Lloyd’s of London to a beautiful mixer atop the infamous Shard building in London’s financial district, we had a very busy and productive week in London. Leaders from Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida, and Florida Chamber were also in attendance. This organization is known amongst its graduates for their ‘but for’ experiences. President and CEO Wendy Spencer and her team did not let anyone down on the largest alumni attended trip ever,” Polins said.
According to LF, about 130 people stayed five nights at the St. Ermin’s Hotel, located in the Westminster area near Buckingham Palace and St. James Park. Additional excursions during the trip included tours and events at the Churchill War Rooms, The British Museum, Hampton Court Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, The Beetles Abbey Road Tour and the U.S. Embassy.
“One of the things I truly love about Leadership Florida is their ability to provide a well-balanced ‘human’ experience of not only business but numerous aspects of life. One of my favorite experiences on this trip was enjoying a group meal at The Brigade, a bistro and bar that honors its history of social responsibility by providing a home for the not-for-profit organization, Beyond Food. Conceptualized by Simon Boyle, this charity helps adults experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, back into long-term and meaningful employment. Apprentice chefs trained by the charity prepare the food at Brigade, making it a social enterprise as well as a classic British restaurant,” Polins said.
According to LF management, the trip was so successful and well received that organization is considering a similar international excursion about every 18 months.
Polins added, “Besides catching up on some sleep from the time change, its been wonderful exchanging information with new friends over the pond and getting to know some LF associates we didn’t know before the trip. We are definitely interested in joining LF for their next overseas excursion.”
About Leadership Florida
Leadership Florida is the only organization that takes a statewide view of the conditions and challenges that face our great 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.
The individual contributions of over 800 Florida leaders are 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.
Knowledge is a key element of leadership, and each program is designed to enhance understanding about issues critical to Florida. Leadership Florida is about making friends that can be counted on to put the interests of Florida first.