Gulf Coast Venture Forum, Florida Venture Forum and EDC of Collier County Present Jeffrey Saut-Chief Investment Strategist at Raymond James at October 10th Member Meeting in Naples, FL

Gulf Coast Venture Forum (GCVF) President Tim Cartwright, in association with the Florida Venture Forum and the Economic Development Council of Collier County, is pleased to announce that the first Membership meeting for the 2007-2008 season has been scheduled. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at the Naples Grande Hotel from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

The cost to attend this special kick-off meeting is $60 if pre-registered and $70 at the door. The meeting is open to both members and non-members alike.

This meeting will include a message form the keynote speaker, heavy hors d'oeuvres and one drink coupon. A cash bar will also be provided for guests. Pre-registration may be made online at www.GCVF.com or http://www.flvencap.org/rsvp_post.asp?e_id=68.

The keynote speaker for the kick-off meeting will be Jeffrey Saut, Chief Investment Strategist and Managing Director of Equity Research at Raymond James & Associates. Mr. Saut joined Raymond James in September 1999 as one of the managing directors of research. He began his career on a trading desk in New York City. In 1973, he joined E.F. Hutton, where he began following equities and writing research. He subsequently worked as a securities analyst for Wheat First Securities, and then Branch Cabell, where he ran the equity research group as director of research and acted as portfolio manager for the firm's affiliate, Exeter Capital Management. As director of research, he built the research and institutional sales departments for the regional brokerage firm Ferris, Baker and Watts, Inc. and subsequently Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.

Saut is well-known for his insightful and colorful commentary regarding the stock market and makes regular appearances on Wall Street Week, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, USA Networks, Fox TV, NPR and many local radio and TV networks. Mr. Saut is also often quoted in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Barron’s, Washington Post, Business Week, U.S. News and World Report, Fortune, SmartMoney in addition to websites including MSNBC and TheStreet.com.

“The reason why Angel Investors pay attention to the opinions and predictions of stock market gurus like Jeffrey Saut is their desire for a future exit from their early stage investment. Since the IPOs and M&A markets are correlated with the stock market, a bullish market means the future IPO and M&A windows will be open when it is time for the Angel to harvest their investment. I look forward to hearing his prognosis on the economy. Having someone of Mr. Saut’s stature keynote our kick-off meeting is indicative of the type exciting season we have planned for our members,” said GCVF President Tim Cartwright.

Gulf Coast Venture Forum Meetings for 2007-2008 are scheduled for Thursdays on the following dates: November 8, 2007; December 13, 2007; January 10, 2008; February 14, 2008; March 13, 2008, April 10, 2008, and May 8, 2008. These meetings will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Kensington Country Club, 2700 Pine Ridge Road in Naples.

The purpose of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum is to promote the success of Southwest Florida's new and emerging businesses by bringing together the best entrepreneurs, early stage venture capital firms and Angel Investors. They promote the success of the region's new and emerging businesses by bringing together entrepreneurs, educational resources, capital providers and service providers. The group also offers informative educational programs presented by seasoned, recognized professionals and business people, providing a place for the sharing and exchange of business and technical experience. Members of the GCVF meet monthly to hear about local investment opportunities and they also offer informative educational programs presented by seasoned, recognized professionals and business people, providing a place for the sharing and exchange of business and technical experience. To encourage capital investments in Southwest Florida businesses, the GCVF seeks to identify sources of private equity investment and venture capital. Gulf Coast Venture Forum is always open to new members. Monthly meetings are scheduled October through June each year. GCVF is also available to provide speakers to local organizations who want to learn more about the purpose of the GCVF and local investment opportunities. Interested parties are encouraged to view www.gcvf.com or call 239-262-6300 for more information.

The Florida Venture Forum, Inc. is Florida’s premier statewide support group for venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. As an entrepreneurial networking group, the Florida Venture Forum educates entrepreneurs and assists them in identifying sources of venture capital. In the early part of each year, The Florida Venture Forum hosts the Venture Capital Conference. The 17th Annual Conference will be held January 29- January 30, 2008 at the incomparable Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida. Additionally, the Florida Venture Forum is proud to present a new conference, the Florida Early Stage Capital Conference, in late May 2008 focusing on earlier stage companies based in Florida. Throughout the year, the Forum provides monthly programs on a statewide basis. For additional information, please visit the Forum’s web site at www.floridaventureforum.org or e-mail robin@floridaventureforum.org.

Founded in 1976, the Economic Development Council of Collier County is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is: "To be an effective force in improving the quality of life for all people in Collier County by promoting economic development initiatives which will diversify the economy, create high-wage value-added jobs, increase the average wage, facilitate capital formation, preserve and enhance the natural environment, and enable all county residents to have a meaningful opportunity for upward mobility." Visit their website at www.enaplesflorida.com.

All three organizations encourage the interested parties to attend this exciting kick-off meeting.