The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute has announced that applications for its 2011 class are now being accepted, with the deadline of Friday, March 25, for submittals.

The institute is an initiative designed to strengthen and equip the region’s future leaders with training prior to their decision to run for public office. Already, nine members from the first three classes have been successfully elected to state and local public office in Central Florida.

The 2011 institute sessions will be Thursday, May 19, through Saturday, May 21, on the campus of the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Winter Park. There is no cost to apply or attend.

During the course of the bipartisan two-and-one-half-day institute, participants will hear from prominent state and national experts discussing a broad range of topics – government, media, campaigning, fundraising, ethics and key public policy issues.

Following the institute, quarterly mentoring workshops will be scheduled throughout the year focusing on timely and relevant campaign management and public policy topics of interest. Applicants from the seven-county Central Florida region, which includes Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties, are encouraged to apply.

“We are at a defining point in our region’s history. The decisions our elected leaders are making today ... will shape the future of Central Florida for generations to come,” Jay Galbraith, chairman of BusinessForce, stated in a press release. “That is why the work we are doing in the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute is so important.”

Working closely with Michael L. Ketchum, president of BusinessForce, will be Christina Johnson, director of the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute. Johnson is president of On 3 Public Relations and is one of Florida’s most highly regarded political and public affairs consultants.

A selection committee consisting of investors and members of BusinessForce will review the strength of applications, conduct personal interviews and select 25 participants, ensuring representation from a wide range of business, civic and community organizations across the seven-county Central Florida region.

Applications are online and may be accessed at www.orlando.org/pli. For additional information, contact Mike Ketchum, president of BusinessForce, at 407-835-2464 or via e-mail at mike.ketchum@orlando.org, or Christina Johnson, director of the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute, at 850-391-5040 or via e-mail at Christina@on3pr.com.

BusinessForce is Florida’s largest regional political action committee. It operates in total compliance with all election laws and is governed by the board of directors composed of recognized regional business and community leaders.