This issue marks FLORIDA TREND’S 60th anniversary. As the first and oldest regional business magazine in North America, we’ve had a great run reporting on Florida’s amazing growth. And there’s more to come!
The first issue in April 1958 was 32 pages and was in black and white only. Gracing the cover was an image of a rocket blasting off from Cape Canaveral. It was just the beginning of our role in space exploration. Back then, Florida’s population was 4.5 million, a far cry from today’s 21.3 million.
As a magazine, we owe our existence to Harris Mullen, who founded FLORIDA TREND and believed in Florida and in its future as a business hub. The first issue published by Mullen had only five pages of advertising.
The magazine’s goal then — as it is now — was to “weed out the confusing and pinpoint the significant.”
Times were certainly different then. TREND guaranteed circulation of 10,000 “men,” noted that two-thirds of subscriptions went to the “No. 1 man” in the company and advertised that “men who read FLORIDA TREND give the orders.” Compare that to 2018’s first four covers — three depicted successful women .
Today, FLORIDA TREND has more than 250,000 print readers. They are the most influential men AND women in the state — civic leaders, government officials and business executives. Additionally, we produce a growing array of e-newsletters. The Daily Pulse goes out to 47,000 in-boxes each morning, while weeklies cover topics such as education, health care, executive movers, small business and real estate. And our award-winning website, FloridaTrend.com, is constantly updating.
This year we will produce a new publication called “The Florida 500.” It will consist of biographies of the most impactful executives from around the state and appear as a stand-alone issue in September .
In addition, TREND publishes the annual “Business Florida” issue that highlights the state as a location for new businesses and for expansions; “Florida Small Business,” which looks at entrepreneurship; and “NEXT,” which gives direction to Florida high school students.
I invite you to delve into this 60th anniversary issue. You’ll find stats comparing 1958 Florida to Florida today, stories on the major trends that will shape the state over the next 60 years and profiles of six Floridians worth watching. One of my favorites is a piece highlighting what the state does well. There’s plenty more, so join us in celebrating FLORIDA TREND’S 60th birthday.
Transportation issues challenge every major city in Florida — and the nation, for that matter. As Florida has become the third-largest state, growth is at unprecedented levels. Our airports are expanding, ports are dredging for bigger ships and there are new berths for cargo and cruisers. Intercity rail initiatives are advancing, though a bit haltingly. And space flight is literally taking off — Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello recently said he expects hundreds of launches in the next few years.
Major road and bridge projects are in the works to ease traffic concerns, but they take years to complete. Many think the answer to today’s congestion is Uber, Lyft and autonomous vehicles. Though they scare me, autonomous vehicles are certainly the future of transportation. I’m becoming a believer. See our Economic Backbone section to learn about transportation issues around the state.
Fitness Update: After losing a bunch of weight last year, half of those pounds mysteriously reappeared. So I’ve resumed running. So far, no results — but stay tuned.
— Andy Corty, Publisher
[acorty@floridatrend.com]
See other stories from Florida Trend's May issue.
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