FEDC Foundation Annual Conference, May 8-10,
Sheraton Lake Buena Vista, Orlando
The conference committee is proud to reveal the 2023 conference theme, Florida, Behold the Brilliance. We also welcome these exceptional economic and workforce development professionals to the program:
Are Florida Communities Project Ready?
Destin Wells, Enterprise Florida & Robert Boehringer, KPMG
Research Tools for Non-Researchers
Greg Word, VisionFirst Advisors
Thinking BIG About Florida’s Burgeoning Space Industry
Matt Chesnut, CEcD, Space Florida & Karin Hoffman, Key Innovative Solutions
Florida 2030: The Blueprint to Secure Florida’s Future
Dave Sobush, CEcD, Florida Chamber Foundation
Messaging Florida’s Resilience
Jennifer Conoley, CEcD, Florida’s Great Northwest
Meet some featured speakers
Destin Wells (left) Robert Boehringer (right)
Destin Wells is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Enterprise Florida (EFI) based in Orlando. Destin worked for EFI as the Director of Aviation/Aerospace in Business Development from 2015-2017. He most recently served as the Vice President of Business Development Services for the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County.
Robert Boehringer is a Managing Director at KPMG US in the Greater Philadelphia Area, where he has served for over 16 years. Robert leads Global Location and Expansion Services, where he develops location and site selection strategies for a broad range of corporate investments operating within a wide spectrum of industries and manages national cross-functional teams for complex projects ranging from $1 million to in excess of $1 billion in capital investment.
Greg Word complements Vision First Advisors' existing team of economic development strategists with a scope of experience that is both broad and specialized, featuring prominently product development, research and analysis, industrial building and site evaluations, lead generation, economic research packages, GIS-based mapping as well as 3-D modeling and virtual reality profiles.
Karin Hoffman (left) Matt Chesnut (right)
Karin Hoffman, founder and CEO of Key Innovative Solutions, has over 20 years of experience in education, working together with school board members, superintendents, career and technical education directors and educators. One of Key’s efforts is focused on the development and expansion of workforce development throughout the state of Florida and the nation.
Matt Chesnut, CEcD joined Space Florida in December of 2018 as a
member of the business development team. Utilizing his experience
in economic development in Florida, Matt works closely with
economic development organizations, airport organizations, and
local governments in utilizing Space Florida’s tool kit in the
attraction of aerospace companies. Matt’s role also involves working
with aerospace related businesses who are considering locating or
expanding in Florida.
Dave Sobush, CEcD As Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation, Dave oversees the Foundation’s numerous research projects, TheFloridaScorecard.org, and heads up the Florida 2030 Blueprint Caucus to strategically align the business community with trade associations, local chambers, and business groups focused on growing Florida the right way. Dave provides economic analysis to our local chambers, economic developers, and other key members and partners.
In March 2020, Jennifer Conoley, CEcD became the leader of Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW), the regional economic development organization for the 12-county region of Florida’s panhandle. FGNW, along with its investors, are a unified voice promoting, advocating and collaborating for Northwest Florida’s business competitiveness. Under Conoley’s leadership, FGNW has spearheaded key initiatives for Northwest Florida.
New Conference Feature for Young Professionals
Emerging Economic Developers Exchange
Hosted by Liz Yawman, Alex Price, and Katie Hogan
Tuesday, May 9, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM
If you are new to the field of economic and workforce development, join us Tuesday afternoon during the conference for a casual exchange with your counterparts from around the state.
Bosses, be sure to share this with your team. Team members, likewise, share this with your boss. If you fit the profile of YP or are new to the profession, email us at JBlackman@FEDConline.org, and we will send you a $100 discount code to REGISTER for the conference!
FEDC Annual Meeting
The FEDC Annual meeting will occur Monday, May 8, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista. We look forward to sharing the highlights of FY2022-23 and reviewing the outcomes of the 2023 legislative session.
