Florida Rural Economic Development Summit - OLD

The 2026 Florida Rural Summit, confirmed for November 17-19, 2026, at the World Equestrian Center (WEC), is shaping up to be our largest and most expansive event yet. This year, all Summit programming will take place in the newly opened Equestrian Manor, WEC’s premier event venue, which was completed within the past year. Learn more about the facility at the World Equestrian Center’s Equestrian Manor and Event pages.

The Manor is located within walking distance of the hotel for attendees and sponsors (Riding Academy-WEC Lodging Facilities). We are excited about this new event facility and the additional, growing amenities WEC continues to offer our Sponsors and attendees each and every year.

More details to come soon!

Speakers

J. Alex Kelly

Florida Secretary of Commerce

Ron Hetrick

Principal Economist, Lightcast

Darrick McGhee

President & CEO, Strategic Inflection Point

Gray Swoope

President & CEO VisionFirst Advisors

Jennifer Conoley

President & CEO, Florida’s Great Northwest

Christopher Lloyd

Senior Vice President and Director, McGuireWoods Consulting

Shellie Phelps

Creative Consultant Biggest Fish Consulting

J. Scott Angle, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)& CEO VisionFirst Advisors

Registration

Register now to secure your spot and your hotel accommodations at the World Equestrian Center!

Register Now!

Early Bird Registration

$450

(Expires October 7, 2025)

Regular Registration

$525

Hotel Room Rate

$225

per night

Room Block cut-off

October 27th

Check-in

4:00PM

Check-out

12:00^PM

Agenda

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Summit Registration and Check-in

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

FREDA Board Meeting

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Summit Registration and Check-in

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Key Elements, Emerging Issues, and Best Practices in Rural and Community Development

Speakers:
Gray Swoope, President & CEO, VisionFirst Advisors
Nancy Blum-Heintz, Managing Director, VisionFirst Advisors Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO, Florida’s Great Northwest

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception

RAO Volunteer of the Year Awards
Dinner on Your Own

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Registration & Networking Breakfast

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Welcome Reception

RAO Volunteer of the Year Awards
Dinner on Your Own

8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Keynote Address

The Rising Storm – How the Demographic
Drought’s Damage Will Look Like a Hurricane
Ron Hetrick, Principal Economist, Lightcast

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Break

Networking in Exhibit Booth Area

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Rural Florida: Update from the Secretary of Commerce

Speakers:
J. Alex Kelly, Secretary, Florida Department of Commerce
Matt Swanson, President, SelectFlorida

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Lunch

Legislative Awards

11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Site Consultants Panel

Speakers:
Gray Swoope, President & CEO, VisionFirst Advisors
Courtney Dunbar, Director-Site Selection, Burns & McDonnell
Chris Lloyd, Senior Vice President and Director, McGuireWoods Consulting

Moderators:
Cathy Chambers, Senior Director, Economic Development, Florida Power & Light Company
Marc Hoenstine, CEcD, Managing Director, Economic Development, Duke Energy Florida

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

RAO Case Studies of Projects

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Break

Networking in Exhibit Booth Area

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

2025 Legislative Review and 2026 Session Outlook

Speakers:
Mike Grissom, Principal, Buchanan
Sadie Haire, Government Relations Consultant, Becker

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Rural Summit Reception

FPL Sponsored
(Equestrian Hotel Terrace)

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.