The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) and its Regional Resiliency Coalition will be hosting the sixth Regional Resiliency Summit on May 14 and 15 at the Palmetto Marriott Resort. This year’s event will focus on advancing innovative solutions in mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable growth.
The Summit will bring together experts from across the state to explore emerging technologies and forward-thinking strategies that enhance economic stability, modernize infrastructure, and prepare communities for a rapidly changing future. The agenda will feature engaging keynote speakers, informative panel discussions, insightful sessions focused on identifying innovative solutions to the challenges we face as a region, and multiple networking opportunities with fellow attendees and sponsors.
For the first time ever, it will also include an Innovation Showcase highlighting cutting-edge solutions that are transforming how communities approach resilience across sectors. Local, state and national organizations, including governments, universities and businesses, will be represented. (VSee attached media advisory for more details.)
Summit Highlights
State of the State Address
Eddy Bouza, Florida’s Chief Resilience Officer, will deliver the Opening Plenary, setting the stage for the Summit with insights on the status of resilience and statewide resilience priorities.
Economic Resilience and Workforce Development
This session will explore how workforce development, training programs, and emerging technologies can strengthen the region’s economic foundation. Panelists will highlight strategies to attract and retain talent, foster innovation, and build cross-sector partnerships that respond to evolving market demands.
Resilient Infrastructure Systems
Experts will share real-world examples of resilience-informed design, including projects such as the energy campus at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, nature-based stormwater solutions, and innovative public space transformations like Miami’s Underline. The session will demonstrate how thoughtful infrastructure design can reduce risk while enhancing livability and environmental performance.
Beyond the Grant: Adaptive Funding for a Resilient Florida
As economic pressures impact resilience projects, this discussion will focus on creative funding strategies, partnerships, and financing tools that reduce financial burdens on local governments, nonprofits, and communities.
Regional Food Systems: Resilience Through Collaboration and Innovation
This panel will examine how collaboration across agriculture, academia, nonprofits, and the private sector can strengthen regional food systems and improve adaptability in the face of resiliency challenges.
County State of Resilience
County administrators will provide updates on resilience initiatives, sharing lessons learned, best practices, and progress made over the past five years.
Resiliency Innovations in the Built Environment
This session will address how policy innovation, modernized codes, and data-driven planning can support sustainable growth while improving housing affordability and climate readiness.
From Response to Resilience: Innovating Emergency Management in Florida
Panelists will discuss how Florida is transitioning toward proactive, technology-driven emergency management through real-time data, advanced monitoring, and enhanced regional coordination.
32nd Future of the Region Awards Luncheon
The Summit will conclude with the 32nd Future of the Region Awards Luncheon, highlighting projects and programs that exemplify regionalism and recognizing achievements and contributions that benefit the regional community.
The TBRPC’s Regional Resiliency Coalition, which includes seven counties and 26 cities, was established in 2018 to address the numerous issues related to resiliency and climate readiness on a regional level. Its Regional Resiliency Action Plan includes 10 high-level goals with dozens of objectives and recommended actions. The Regional Resiliency Summit brings local governments together with experts who can help guide actions on both a regional and local level across Tampa Bay.
The Regional Resiliency Summit serves as a cornerstone event for showcasing the innovative partnerships and programs advancing resiliency across the Tampa Bay region and beyond.