Profile: American Society of Training and Development-Central Florida Chapter

Central Florida Chapter of ASTD (CFC-ASTD) was founded in 1979 and chartered in 1982, and has grown to be the largest and most influential organization serving learning professionals in Central Florida.

Members represent companies ranging from small consulting firms to large corporations, and their businesses range from government agencies to tourism. The members’ scope of workplace responsibility varies, including learning and performance, organizational development and human resources.

CFC-ASTD is supported and is highly recognized by ASTD Headquarters. Throughout the chapter’s history, Central Florida has been a consistent winner! In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the chapter received numerous ASTD awards, including the National Excellence Award (1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992), the highest award an individual chapter may earn. In 1990 and 1991, the chapter earned the highest scores nationwide in its membership category, in a vital area of chapter management.

In 1983, 1986, and 1990, the chapter was awarded the National ASTD Ethel Erickson award for the largest increase in National members for chapter size and category. Chapters rarely win more than one “Ethel.” In 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988, the chapter received National Chapter Achievement Awards, and received five (5) National Achievement awards both in 1987 and 1988. These awards were based upon the quality of the chapter’s activities and efforts made by individual members.

The first Regional ASTD Award came in 1988 for work with the United Way. During 1993, the chapter sponsored a conference called “From Surviving to Thriving.” This conference included many chapters and drew a large audience from a greater region of Florida. For this effort, the chapter won the National Special Award in 1994. Each year from 1993 to 1997, the chapter won the Chapter Assessment and Recognition Tool (CHART) Award, part of the National ASTD Chapter Management and Award Program (MAP). The last year ASTD provided these awards was in 1997 and Central Florida Chapter was awarded all three possible awards: CHART, Chapter Quality and Excellence and Chapter Special Products and Services Award, a rare accomplishment.

Since 1998, the awards mentioned are no longer provided by ASTD; instead the ASTD organization developed the Chapter Operating Guidelines (CORE) to measure a chapter’s success and alignment, using 17 program and service guidelines. Each year, chapters submit their accomplishments and receive a success percentage. CFC-ASTD is proud to have achieved 100% CORE (highest score) every year since its inception.

In addition to chapter service and management recognition, CFC-ASTD is also a leader in hosting the ASTD International Conference & Exposition (ICE) when it is held in Florida. The Chapter has hosted the conference in 1986, 1990, 1996, 2001, and 2005. In 1996, ICE had a record attendance in Orlando with over 13,000 attendees. In 2005, the volunteer goal of 300 was achieve d a month before the conference and required a waiting list.

As you can see from our illustrious history, CFC-ASTD is the leader in providing workplace learning and performance programming to the Central Florida community! As the chapter celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2007, it is poised to continue to be recognized as the premier opportunity for professionals to build their network and learn in support of their development!