Florida Rural Economic Development Summit
FREDA is thrilled to invite you to the 2026 Florida Rural Economic Development Summit with impressive growth on the horizon, this year’s summit will provide ideas, inspiration, and access to leading economic development thought leaders.
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!
Register for THE Summit
Registration is now open! Reserve your spot at Florida’s premier
Review the Agenda
See what’s in store for this year’s summit! Review the agenda and stay tuned for more sessions as they are announced.
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors To Date!
Nature Coast Regional Planning Area
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors To Date!
Cornerstone Partner Sponsors
Rural Champion Sponsors
Signature Sponsor
Thursday Legislative Awards Luncheon Sponsor
Networking Breakfast Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Media Partner Sponsor
Exclusive Branded Conference Bag Sponsor
Exclusive Branded Key Card Sponsor
Exclusive Branded Key Card Sponsor
Welcome Reception Cocktails Sponsors
Diamond Sponsors
Refreshment Break Enhancement Sponsors
Exhibitor Only
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.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Networking Breakfast
7:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
AI and Its Future in Rural Florida
Speaker:
J. Scott Angle, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, UF/IFAS
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Closing Keynote
Rural Strong
Darrick McGhee, Sr., President & CEO of Strategic Inflection
Point, LLC.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Wrap-up & Adjourn
10:30 a.m.
Register for Summit
Registration is now open! Reserve your spot at Florida’s premier
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
12:00PM
Speakers
J. Alex Kelly
Florida Secretary of Commerce
Ron Hetrick
u003cemu003ePrincipal Economist, Lightcastu003c/emu003e
Darrick McGhee
u003cemu003ePresident u0026amp; CEO, Strategic Inflection Pointu003c/emu003e
Gray Swoope
u003cemu003ePresident u0026amp; CEO VisionFirst Advisorsu003c/emu003e
Jennifer Conoley
u003cemu003ePresident u0026amp; CEO, Florida’s Great Northwestu003c/emu003e
Christopher Lloyd
u003cemu003eSenior Vice President and Director, McGuireWoods Consultingu003c/emu003e
Shellie Phelps
u003cemu003eCreative Consultant Biggest Fish Consultingu003c/emu003e
J. Scott Angle, Ph.D.
u003cemu003eSenior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)u0026amp; CEO VisionFirst Advisorsu003c/emu003e