Solution-Based Conversations Won’t End After State of the Region
Solution-based conversations won’t end after State of the Region
By: Tiffany Esposito, MBA, CCE, IOM, APR, President & CEO, SWFL Inc.
Last week, SWFL Inc. hosted our first public policy event: State of the Region. Two hundred community leaders, business owners and elected officials filled the venue to discuss our region’s greatest needs: water quality, workforce housing and talent development.
In a video speech, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis shared his pride in Florida’s economic growth, stating nearing 900 people are moving to Florida daily due to the amazing opportunities the state provides.
In addition, the event’s speakers such as Dane Eagle, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary, L.K. Nandam, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary, Noah Valenstein, Former Florida DEP Secretary and Victor Dover of Dover, Kohl & Partners addressed state policy, planning decisions and how our elected leaders can face local challenges head-on. State of the Region also featured a Workforce Housing Panel that shed light on the ‘red-tape’ local developers face when they attempt to build workforce housing and our Southwest Florida Talent Panel discussed how employers are struggling to find people to work in Southwest Florida -- a challenge that needs to be addressed with immediacy.
Our region is fortunate to have such a dedicated group of businesspeople that show up for these important conversations that propel our region forward. State of the Region would also have not been possible without the support of our community sponsors. Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations and the Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association, our Gold Sponsors Blue Waters Development Group and London Bay Development Group and Silver Sponsors Bonita Springs Estero Realtors, Business Observer, Camp Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., Lee Health and Rosier Insurance.
Additionally, thank you to our Bronze Sponsors Corporate Screening & Investigative Group, Goodlad & Swank Insurance, Kitson & Partners, PGT Custom Windows + Doors, Southwest Waste Services, The Healthy Earth Org, The Nix Team at Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty and Wollman, Gehrke & Associates, P.A. Lastly, thank you to M&M Multimedia for being the event’s Media Sponsor and Encore, our Audio Visual Sponsor.
Our advocacy efforts and these important, solution-based conversations cannot end with State of the Region. We must continue to advocate for our region’s greatest needs and push for Florida lawmakers to make policy changes. To stay engaged, email me today at [email protected]. We’ll add you to our advocacy updates so we can continue to build a prosperous community.