Local players in the embattled telecom-photonics industry may find comfort from an unlikely bedfellow: Florida.

That was one of several messages from industry representatives last week during a visit to Ottawa by Florida Governor Jeb Bush and more than 100 business delegates from the sunshine state.

The trip by U.S. President George W. Bush's brother was arranged so American business delegates could explore local high-tech opportunities and kick-start partnerships with Ottawa companies. The delegates represented companies from the "Internet coast", stretching from Miami to Palm Beach, and the "high-tech corridor", extending from Tampa to Orlando.

Several of the American delegates who attended last week's plenary session at the Ottawa Congress Centre were especially interested in the local photonics industry and the possibilities that exist beyond the battered telecom-photonics sector.

Michael Darch, executive director of Ottawa Global Marketing, an offshoot of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation, said last week that Ottawa's photonics industry got its start in defence before moving to imaging and display systems. But the industry really took off because of the telecom boom.

But after being burnt by the telecom meltdown, telecom-photonics companies have been well-advised to revert to their roots, said Mr. Darch, adding partnerships with Floridian companies or research institutions could be a way to do this.

"Florida doesn't normally jump out ... as a place to be in photonics," said Ruth Rayman, executive director of the Canadian Photonics Consortium. "In Canada, we think of San Jose, Boston and other major telecom-focused areas in the U.S.

"But we're trying to make linkages in areas that might provide other opportunities. In Florida, the focus has not only been in telecom or some of the industries that have suffered ... but on imaging and displays, biophotonics, nanophotonics, as well as communications."

This could be good news for local telecom-photonics companies, some of which advanced laser technology to new heights during the telecom industry's heyday. During the boom, such firms created an abundant supply of off-the-shelf sources geared at the telecom industry, said Ms Rayman. Now, the key is for those companies to recognize how traditional telecom applications can be adapted into the biophotonics or defence spaces, she added. For example, traditional telecom-based sources might easily be adapted into more compact, user-friendly, cost-effective sources suitable for medical instruments, she said.

"We're seeing a transformation in emphasis on telecommunications to an emphasis on the bio-economy or the life sciences (industry)," said Randolph Berridge, president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.

Last Thursday, Governor Bush identified the life sciences field as one that will be a "dominant" industry in the developed world a half-generation from now. Ottawa and Florida should jump at this opportunity and partner accordingly, he said, touting biophotonics as one of his state's high-tech strengths.

Florida's success in this field is evidenced by the University of Central Florida's Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers, or CREOL, said Ms Rayman.

The center has been one of the industry's mainstays, she said, adding its funding has jumped from roughly US$14 million to US$20 million from 2002 to 2003, up from US$9 million in 2001. The increase is quite a feat for a facility involved in a high-tech area many feel has suffered the most from the downturn of a few years ago, she added.

There are opportunities for Ottawa companies wishing to partner with CREOL, Mr. Berridge said, adding between 55 and 60 Canadian companies already operate in the central region of Florida.

CREOL has conducted 400 research projects with 200 companies in the past seven years and has invested US$34 million with those companies, which have matched the center's money on a 2:1 basis, he said. "Most of these companies are photonics companies."

Ms Rayman and the Canadian Photonics Consortium hope to ensure Ottawa companies get a piece of this action. Last Thursday at the Congress Centre, she was looking to connect with Florida companies interested in security and defence applications in photonics, something she called a "large and growing area".

There is a lot of photonics activity in the Orlando and Tampa areas, thanks to contracts issued by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy in particular, said Mr. Darch, adding this activity includes work on security systems, imaging and facial recognition.

"Florida is a stronghold for some major defence contractors" such as Lockheed Martin, said Ms Rayman. "And that's an area we would like to tap into in terms of Canadian companies being able to supply into that industry."

One Canadian expatriate, Dan Rini, has already discovered the benefits of supplying the U.S. military with high-tech solutions. At age 18, he left his hometown of Kingston to attend the University of Central Florida on a waterskiing scholarship. He went on to complete his doctoral studies in mechanical engineering at the university and conduct research at CREOL. He started his Orlando-based company, Rini Technologies, soon after.

"The mindset here in Florida is very focused on developing a high-tech workforce, so there's a lot of benefits for businesses that locate here," he said from his Orlando office.

One of the best sources of early stage R&D funding for a U.S. startup, he said, is the Department of Defense's small business innovative research program.

"You can get 80 per cent of your commercial product developed with this DOD funding and not have to leverage your company with venture capital funding right off the bat. Without the (program), we wouldn't be here," he said.

Ms Rayman hopes to better understand the specific areas of expertise among Florida photonics companies so her organization can match them up with like-minded companies in Ottawa.

She plans to host a mission to Florida next March, where those who made initial contacts last week can strengthen ties with their southern neighbours.