Building a Resilient Florida Summit

Building a Resilient Florida Summit

Florida is strengthening emergency preparedness, disaster response, data security, and infrastructure protection. The Building a Resilient Florida Summit addresses how the state is improving early warnings, evacuation planning, and public awareness for natural disasters, while securing critical systems like power, water, transportation, and communications. Working with federal, local, and private partners, these efforts aim to build a more resilient and secure state.

Location: The Celeste Hotel Orlando

4105 N. Alafaya Trail

Orlando, FL 32826

Location: The Celeste Hotel Orlando

4105 N. Alafaya Trail

Orlando, FL 32826

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

Time: 8:30AM - 12:00PM

Time: 8:30AM - 12:00PM

For sponsorships or ticket information please contact aphillips@govexec.com.

 

For sponsorships or ticket information please contact aphillips@govexec.com.

 

The Celeste Hotel Orlando

Times are subject to change.

9:25 AM EDT Thursday, September 17

Gray Rohrer
Gray Rohrer
Executive Editor
News Service of Florida
Read More
9:30 AM EDT Thursday, September 17

Christine Angelini
Christine Angelini
Vice President, Advisory
AECOM
Read More
9:35 AM EDT Thursday, September 17

Eddy Bouza
Eddy Bouza
Chief Resilience Officer
State of Florida
Read More
9:50 AM EDT Thursday, September 17

Florida’s priorities include coastal resilience, disaster preparedness, water management, and environmental conservation. Discussions focus on how Florida is strengthening infrastructure against extreme weather, drawing lessons from Hurricane Ian. Speakers will explore flood control systems, storm-resistant construction, and the role of natural barriers such as the Everglades. The conversation also touches on protecting ecosystems while adapting to climate pressures.

Florida’s priorities include coastal resilience, disaster preparedness, water management, and environmental conservation. Discussions focus on how Florida is strengthening infrastructure against extreme weather, drawing lessons from Hurricane Ian. Speakers will explore flood control systems, storm-resistant construction, and the role of natural barriers such as the Everglades. The conversation also touches on protecting ecosystems while adapting to climate pressures.

Tara Mccue (moderator)
Tara Mccue (moderator)
Executive Director
East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
Carley Fitzgerald
Carley Fitzgerald
GIS Manager
Highlands County Board of County Commissioners
Suzannah Folsom
Suzannah Folsom
Executive Director
Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority
Ron Petrus
Ron Petrus
Sr. Director - Transmission and Substation Engineering & Operations
Tampa Electric Company
Cara Woods Serra
Cara Woods Serra
Planning Director/Deputy Executive Director
Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
Read More
10:35 AM EDT Thursday, September 17

Underwriter

Florida Natural Gas Association

Reliable energy is foundational to public safety, economic stability, and emergency preparedness. University of Georgia Professor David Gattie explores how natural gas complements Florida's broader resilience efforts and helps ensure communities remain operational during times of disruption.

Reliable energy is foundational to public safety, economic stability, and emergency preparedness. University of Georgia Professor David Gattie explores how natural gas complements Florida's broader resilience efforts and helps ensure communities remain operational during times of disruption.

David Gattie
David Gattie
Associate Professor, Engineering; Senior Fellow, Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade & Security
University of Georgia
Read More
Florida Natural Gas Association
10:50 AM EDT Thursday, September 17

Panelists will explore strategies to align land use with transportation, reduce congestion, and invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand environmental challenges. The conversation will highlight policy priorities, funding approaches, and collaborative efforts shaping Florida’s development, with an emphasis on transportation systems, smart city technology, and building modernization. The session also addresses funding strategies, policy decisions, and public-private partnerships that enable large-scale projects.

Panelists will explore strategies to align land use with transportation, reduce congestion, and invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand environmental challenges. The conversation will highlight policy priorities, funding approaches, and collaborative efforts shaping Florida’s development, with an emphasis on transportation systems, smart city technology, and building modernization. The session also addresses funding strategies, policy decisions, and public-private partnerships that enable large-scale projects.

Ryan Gillespie (moderator)
Ryan Gillespie (moderator)
Reporter
Orlando Sentinel
Dale Calhoun
Dale Calhoun
Executive Director
Florida Natural Gas Association
Corey F. Knight
Corey F. Knight
Director of Public Works
City of Orlando
Bach McClure
Bach McClure
Stormwater Program Administrator
Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department
Benjamin J. Ziskal
Benjamin J. Ziskal
Land Development Director
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Read More
11:30 AM EDT Thursday, September 17

Underwriter

Duke Energy

This panel will highlight how power companies can partner with state and local governments to strengthen grid resiliency, enhance emergency preparedness, and improve community resilience. Panelists will discuss how year-round collaboration, coordinated storm response, and research-driven innovation help build a more reliable electric grid and better prepare Florida for future challenges.

This panel will highlight how power companies can partner with state and local governments to strengthen grid resiliency, enhance emergency preparedness, and improve community resilience. Panelists will discuss how year-round collaboration, coordinated storm response, and research-driven innovation help build a more reliable electric grid and better prepare Florida for future challenges.

Read More
Duke Energy
12 PM EDT Thursday, September 17

Sponsors

Platinum

Gold

Silver