Florida Economic Development Council

Congratulations to this year’s FEDC IGNITE 2026 Marketing & PR Campaign Organic award recipients, recognized for creative storytelling, community engagement, and impactful campaigns that helped elevate their communities and regional brands across Florida.

This year’s honorees include:

Marketing & PR Campaign Organic Under $25,000
City of Greenacres
“100 Greenacres: A Century of Growth” and “Dine Local. Savor Greenacres.”

Marketing & PR Campaign Organic Over $50,000
Florida’s Great Northwest
“Military Talent: Mission-Ready Veterans. Business-Ready Results.”

These campaigns demonstrate the power of authentic storytelling, strategic communication, and community-focused marketing in strengthening economic development efforts throughout the state.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients and teams behind these outstanding campaigns.

Congratulations to this year’s FEDC IGNITE 2026 Advertising Campaign Paid award recipients, recognized for innovative campaigns that successfully elevated community branding, workforce attraction, and economic development marketing across Florida.

This year’s honorees include:

Advertising Campaign Paid Under $25,000
Charlotte County Economic Development
“Cleared for Takeoff: PCS Workforce Campaign”

Advertising Campaign Paid $25,000 to $50,000
JAXUSA Partnership
“Find Your Future in JAX”

Advertising Campaign Paid Over $50,000
Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
“Work Hard. Live Better.”

These award-winning campaigns showcase the creativity, strategy, and storytelling helping Florida communities attract talent, investment, and opportunity.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients and marketing teams behind these impactful campaigns.

Congratulations to this year’s FEDC IGNITE 2026 Website Award recipients, recognized for creating impactful digital platforms that help tell their community stories, strengthen business recruitment efforts, and support economic development across Florida.

This year’s honorees include:

Website Under $25,000
Indian River County Economic Development
indianrivered.com

Website Between $25,000 and $50,000
Citrus County Economic Development
citrusadvantage.com

Website Over $50,000
Florida Power & Light Company / Florida First Sites
FloridaFirstSites.com

These award-winning websites showcase how strong digital strategy, storytelling, and user experience continue to play an important role in economic development marketing and business attraction efforts.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients and project teams.

Congratulations to this year’s FEDC IGNITE 2026 Innovative Partnership award recipients, recognized for projects and collaborations helping drive innovation, workforce opportunity, and economic momentum across Florida.

This year’s honorees include:

Innovative Partnership Public/Private Under $25,000
Alachua County, Florida
“The $36 Million Catalyst: Converting Federal Investment into High-Wage Workforce Opportunity”

Innovative Partnerships Between $25,000 and $50,000 and Over $50,000
Wall Street South / Quantum Beach 2025

These initiatives showcase the power of collaboration, forward-thinking leadership, and strategic partnerships in shaping Florida’s economic future.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients and partners involved in these impactful efforts.

Congratulations to this year’s FEDC IGNITE 2026 Deals of the Year award recipients, recognized for projects that are creating jobs, driving investment, and strengthening communities across Florida.

This year’s honorees include:

Regional Deal of the Year
Winter Haven Economic Development Council
Chick-fil-A Supply

Urban Deal of the Year
One Okaloosa Economic Development Council
Williams International

Rural Deal of the Year
Wakulla Economic Development Council
Point Blank Enterprises

These transformative projects represent billions in economic impact, significant job creation, and continued momentum for Florida’s economic future.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients and partners involved in bringing these projects to life.

Last week's 2026 IGNITE Breakout Session, “Florida’s Blueprint for Semiconductor Workforce Growth" highlighted the collaborative efforts helping position Florida as a leader in semiconductor talent development and advanced manufacturing.

Attendees heard valuable insights from Adrienne Johnston, Dr. David Arnold, Katie Crofoot McManus, and Gustavo Gil on the importance of aligning education, workforce, research, and industry partnerships to meet the growing demands of the semiconductor sector.

The session showcased how Florida’s coordinated approach is strengthening the state’s competitiveness, supporting innovation, and preparing the workforce needed for the future of advanced technology industries.

Congratulations to Abigail Wagner of the Orlando Economic Partnership and Jackie Chang of Santa Rosa Economic Development on being recognized as the 2026 Dan Webster Young Innovators at FEDC IGNITE 2026.

These emerging leaders represent the future of economic development in Florida through their innovation, leadership, and commitment to strengthening their communities.

The Dan Webster Young Innovator recognition highlights rising professionals who are already making a meaningful impact within Florida’s economic development industry, and we are excited to celebrate their accomplishments and bright futures ahead.

The Illuminating Leaders Awards Dinner was a memorable evening celebrating the leadership, innovation, partnerships, and people helping shape the future of economic development across Florida.

The event brought together economic, workforce, and community development professionals from across the state to recognize the collaboration, dedication, and vision driving communities forward.

Thank you to our sponsor, Florida Power & Light, for supporting one of FEDC IGNITE’s most prestigious and inspiring evenings!

Stay tuned. We look forward to recognizing this year’s award winners and honorees in an upcoming post.

“Street Economics: Your AI-enabled Economic Development Intelligence Platform” highlighted how AI and data-driven tools are helping communities make smarter, more strategic economic development decisions.

Thank you to Ruth Buchanan, Kevin Crowder, Keitha Daniels, and Sarah Beth Murphy for sharing insights on how accessible technology and actionable intelligence can support stakeholder engagement, investment conversations, and long-term community growth.

The session sparked important conversations around the evolving role of AI in economic development and how communities can better communicate opportunity, value, and vision in today’s competitive landscape.

“Data to Decisions: How AI Is Redefining Economic Development” sparked an insightful conversation on the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of the industry.

Thank you to Guillermo Mazier for sharing practical examples of how economic development organizations are using AI to strengthen market intelligence, uncover investment opportunities, enhance site selection efforts, and make smarter, more informed decisions.

The session offered a thoughtful look at where AI is delivering real value today, while reinforcing the importance of strategy, communication, and human insight in the decision-making process.