South Florida Regional Planning Council

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South Florida Regional Planning Council The SFRPC is a public policy agency providing state and local policymakers with the information they need to build a better future for all South Floridians.

Our geographic areas of responsibility encompass Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties.

What are the next practical steps for advancing Blue Tech in Southeast Florida?The 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional C...
10/24/2026

What are the next practical steps for advancing Blue Tech in Southeast Florida?

The 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference, “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida,” will conclude with an implementation discussion focused on translating the day’s conversations into practical next steps for the region, including potential policy priorities, pilot project opportunities, and workforce action items.

Senator Steve Geller, SFRPC Council Member and Chair of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee and Broward County Commissioner, District 5, and Maria Marino, Chair of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and Palm Beach County Commissioner, District 1, will lead the discussion and deliver the conference’s closing remarks.

Join us October 30 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Registration is free, but seating is limited: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blue-tech-jobs-policy-investment-and-workforce-development-in-se-florida-tickets-1994365326378

Thanks to our sponsors Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Marine Research Hub and County Government and our partner APA Florida .

Palm Beach County Senator Steve Geller

What does it take to move Blue Tech innovation from research to commercialization and market?In Panel 4 of the upcoming ...
10/22/2026

What does it take to move Blue Tech innovation from research to commercialization and market?

In Panel 4 of the upcoming 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference, “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida,” leaders from research, entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation will explore university research, commercialization pathways, demonstration projects, corporate partnerships, funding, venture capital, and what it takes to bring Blue Tech technologies to market.

Moderator Katherine O’Fallon, Executive Director of Marine Research Hub of South Florida, will be joined by Michael Burtov, Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation; Daniel Kleinman, Founder and CEO of Seaworthy Collective; Mark Volchek, Principal and Founding Partner of Las Olas Venture Capital; and Steven Vollmer, PhD, Director of the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability at Florida Atlantic University.

Join us October 30 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Registration is free, but seating is limited: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blue-tech-jobs-policy-investment-and-workforce-development-in-se-florida-tickets-1994365326378

Thanks to our sponsors Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Marine Research Hub and Broward County Government our partner APA Florida.

Nova Southeastern University Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation Seaworthy Collective Florida Atlantic University

What regulatory and land use tools can help Blue Tech companies test, deploy, and scale technologies in Southeast Florid...
10/21/2026

What regulatory and land use tools can help Blue Tech companies test, deploy, and scale technologies in Southeast Florida?

In Panel 3 of the upcoming 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference, “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida,” leaders from government, economic development, and resilience will explore regulatory pathways, permitting, and local government tools that can support Blue Tech growth across the region.

Moderator James Kohnstamm, CEcD, Director of Economic Development, Miami-Dade County, will be joined by State Representative Chip LaMarca, District 100; Philip R. McChesney, MSW, Director and Deputy Chief Innovation Officer, Broward County; Loren Parra, MBA, Director and Chief Resilience Officer, Department of Environmental Resources Management, Miami-Dade County; and Chris Roschek, PE, Chief Resiliency Officer, City of Hollywood.

Join us October 30 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Registration is free, but seating is limited: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blue-tech-jobs-policy-investment-and-workforce-development-in-se-florida-tickets-1994365326378

Thanks to our sponsors and and our partner .

Two keynote speakers will take the stage at the upcoming 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference, “Blue Tech Jobs...
10/20/2026

Two keynote speakers will take the stage at the upcoming 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference, “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida.”

Bringing together regional leadership from across government, industry, research, workforce development, and the Blue Tech sector, the conference will include keynote remarks from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County Government, and Captain Rick Miller, U.S. Navy (ret.), Executive Director of South Florida Defense Alliance.

Join us October 30 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Registration is free, but seating is limited: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blue-tech-jobs-policy-investment-and-workforce-development-in-se-florida-tickets-1994365326378?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thanks to our sponsors Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Marine Research Hub and Broward County Government and our partner APA Florida.

What will it take to build a Blue Tech workforce that can keep pace with a growing industry?In Panel 2 of the upcoming 2...
10/19/2026

What will it take to build a Blue Tech workforce that can keep pace with a growing industry?

In Panel 2 of the upcoming 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference, “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida,” leaders from education, workforce development, research, and industry will explore the credentials, training pathways, and employer commitments needed to prepare Southeast Florida’s workforce for Blue Tech jobs.

Moderator Robert P. Smith, PhD, of Nova Southeastern University will be joined by Jim Allen, CEO of Chapman School of Seamanship; Terri-Ann Brown, Senior Director of Miami Tech Works; Colin Polsky, PhD, of Florida Atlantic University; Brittany Snyder, DM, Interim President and CEO of The College of the Florida Keys; and Glenn A. Wiltshire, Deputy Director of Port Everglades.

Join us October 30 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Registration is free, but seating is limited: https://bit.ly/3VNZv1A

Thanks to our sponsors Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Marine Research Hub and Broward County Government, and our partner APA Florida.

What does Blue Tech actually look like in Southeast Florida?In Panel 1 of the upcoming 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Region...
10/16/2026

What does Blue Tech actually look like in Southeast Florida?

In Panel 1 of the upcoming 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference, “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida,” leaders from across the region’s Blue Tech sector will explore the companies, technologies, opportunities, and challenges shaping this growing industry.

Moderator Bob Swindell, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and Chairman of the Marine Research Hub Board, will be joined by Nick Bourdon, Co-Founder of Reef Arches; Tom Potts, Program Director, DSF Science, DEEP; Bonnie Schneider, Co-Founder of SkyWind Solutions; and Alexander “Sandy” Spaulding, Senior Vice President, Blue Ops Inc.

Join us October 30 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Registration is free, but seating is limited: https://bit.ly/3VNZv1A

Thanks to our sponsors Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Marine Research Hub and Broward County Government and our partner APA Florida.

Setting the stage for “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida.”The conferenc...
10/15/2026

Setting the stage for “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida.”

The conference will open with welcome and framing remarks from Senator René García Miami Dade Commissioner District 13, Chair of the South Florida Regional Planning Council and Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, District 13; Maria Marino, Chair of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and Palm Beach County Commissioner, District 1; and Senator Steve Geller, SFRPC Council Member and Chair of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee and Broward County Government Commissioner, District 5.

Randy Deshazo, SFRPC Deputy Director and Director of Economic Development and Research, will then provide the Blue Tech Implementation Overview, setting up the day’s discussions around policy, investment, workforce development, commercialization, and the growth of Southeast Florida’s Blue Tech economy.

October 30 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Registration is free, but seating is limited: https://bit.ly/3VNZv1A

Thanks to our sponsors Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Marine Research Hub and Broward County Government and our partner APA Florida.

Meet the speakers for “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida,” the 2026 SFR...
10/15/2026

Meet the speakers for “Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida,” the 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference, taking place October 30 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

The conference brings together leaders from government, higher education, workforce development, marine industries, research, investment, and innovation to explore the future of Southeast Florida’s Blue Tech economy.

Panel 1: What Blue Tech Companies Do in Southeast Florida

Panel 2: Workforce, Credentials, and Employer Commitments

Panel 3: Regulatory Pathways, Permitting, and Local Government Tools

Panel 4: Research, Commercialization, and Capital

The program also includes opening remarks, implementation discussions, and keynote remarks from Miami-Dade County Government Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Captain Rick Miller, U.S. Navy (ret.), Executive Director of the South Florida Defense Alliance.

Registration is free, but space is limited.

Register: https://bit.ly/3VNZv1A

Monroe County BOCC - Florida Keys Palm Beach County Martin County Board of County Commissioners St. Lucie County Indian River County Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Marine Research Hub

The South Florida Regional Planning Council office will be closed Monday, October 12, for Columbus Day and will reopen T...
10/08/2026

The South Florida Regional Planning Council office will be closed Monday, October 12, for Columbus Day and will reopen Tuesday, October 13.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable long weekend.

The South Florida Regional Planning Council held its September Executive Committee and Council meetings, bringing member...
10/02/2026

The South Florida Regional Planning Council held its September Executive Committee and Council meetings, bringing members and staff together to advance key organizational priorities and regional initiatives.

Highlights included welcoming three new members of the SFRPC team, recognizing Council Member Denise Horland, City of Plantationand Councilmember Commissioner Beam Furr for their longstanding contributions to the Council and regional collaboration, advancing the 2026 CEDS Annual Progress Report for public review, approving the 2027 operating budget and one-year audit contract, and receiving updates on Blue Tech, the Revolving Loan Fund, Brownfields initiatives, and other ongoing programs.

Thank you to our Council members, staff, partners, and all those who continue to engage with and support the Council’s work across the region.

The full recording, agendas, and agenda materials are available for review here:
https://sfregionalcouncil.org/meeting-materials/

Address

1 Oakwood Boulevard, Suite 250
Hollywood, FL
33021

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19549243653

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