Florida Chamber Leaders Help Shape the State’s Future at Future of Florida Forum and Florida Chamber Annual Meeting

Florida leaders united last week at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Future of Florida Forum (F3) & Florida Chamber Annual Meeting to examine the opportunities and challenges shaping Florida’s future and identify the actions needed to keep our economy moving forward.

Held Oct. 27-28 at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek, the forum brought together hundreds of business, government, education, workforce, and community leaders for conversations focused on economic growth, affordability, workforce development, education, infrastructure, technology, health care, and Florida’s long-term competitiveness. At the Forum, the Florida Chamber’s Economists presented on how Florida is growing by a net 551 people per day and should add a net 1.5 million new residents by 2030. That means Florida needs to add about 742,000 new jobs in the same timeframe.

The forum reinforced the importance of preparing for Florida’s continued growth. The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida 2030 Blueprint outlines 39 goals designed to position Florida as a top 10 global economy by 2030.

By 2030, Florida is projected to have almost 25 million residents, more than 10.5 million jobs, more than 40 million additional annual visitors, and approximately 1.3 million additional drivers

More than 60 speakers participated in two days of future-focused conversations designed to look beyond today’s challenges and focus on the decisions that will shape Florida and America for years to come.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott was among the featured speakers, sharing his perspective on strengthening economic prosperity, addressing affordability, and advancing policies designed to make the American Dream more attainable for Florida families, businesses, and learners

“We’ve got to demand better politicians. We’ve got to demand people stop wasting money, stop building bigger government, and give us the option to make our own decisions.”                

– U.S. Sen. Rick Scott

Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Henry Mack also addressed attendees on the importance of expanding educational opportunity and giving families the freedom to choose the educational path that works best for them.

“The future is a competitive ecosystem in which families choose, providers innovate, employers hire, and public funding follows results.”                                                                                          

   – Dr. Henry Mack, Florida Department of Education Commissioner.

Other notable speakers included:

• John Couris, President & CEO, Tampa General Hospital
• Don Kiselewski, Executive Director of External Affairs, Florida Power & Light
• Ted Mabrey, Head of Technologies Commercial, Palantir
• The Honorable Stan McClain, State Senator, District 9
• Karen Moore, Founder & CEO of The Moore Agency and Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees
• David Sweeney, Lead External Affairs Director, RS&H Board of Directors and Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General
• Michael Yaworsky, Florida Insurance Commissioner

“Our Future of Florida Forum brings together the leaders who have a role in shaping Florida’s future, but the conversations don’t end when the forum does,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation. “The real measure of these two days will be what we do next: turning ideas into action, working together across sectors and continuing to move toward the Florida we want to see in 2030 and beyond.”

“This Future of Florida Forum is about bringing together the people who can turn Florida’s opportunities into progress,” said Karen Moore, Founder & CEO of The Moore Agency and Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “Florida has tremendous momentum, but maintaining that momentum will require leaders to work together, measure our progress, and stay focused on the long-term goals that will strengthen communities and expand opportunity for generations to come.”

The 2026 Future of Florida Forum also served as the Florida Chamber’s Annual Meeting, bringing together members and business leaders to discuss the issues and priorities affecting Florida’s economy and business climate.

“Florida’s business community has a tremendous stake in what happens next,” said David Sweeney, Lead External Affairs Director, RS&H Board of Directors and Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “The conversations happening here give us an opportunity to align around what’s ahead, identify where we can make a difference, and continue building a Florida where businesses can grow, and Floridians can prosper.”

The 2026 Future of Florida Forum & Florida Chamber Annual Meeting brought Florida leaders together around a shared focus: turning Florida’s growth and economic opportunity into a stronger future for generations to come.

Click here for information on next year’s 2027 Future of Florida Forum (F3) & Florida Chamber Annual Meeting.