Broward leaders highlight partnerships, digital transformation at Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale 7th Edition summit
[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” logics=””]
Writer: Eleana Teran
June 2025 — As Greater Fort Lauderdale strengthens its position as a key economic hub within and beyond South Florida, business and civic leaders gathered at the Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale 7th Edition Leadership Summit to discuss the region’s future, focusing on public-private partnerships, digital transformation, and the outlook across real estate.
The event, held on Thursday, June 5, at the Riverside Hotel, brought together nearly 200 industry executives, elected officials, and business leaders for a morning of high-level networking and actionable discussions on the challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s trajectory.
In her opening remarks, Abby Lindenberg, founder and CEO of caa, reflected on the growth of the Greater Fort Lauderdale market and the publication’s mission. “Fort Lauderdale is in an enviable position,” Lindenberg noted, “While Miami may have garnered the lion’s share of attention in the last decade, Greater Fort Lauderdale has come on like a house on fire in recent years, with momentum stoked by its diversity, relative affordability, and its thriving business community.”
Lindenberg also emphasized the role of caa in driving meaningful conversations and providing insights that empower the business community. “I firmly believe that success begins with conversations and that the dialogue we start today will have an indelible impact on the decisions made tomorrow that will shape our longer-term future,” she added.
The opening panel, “Partnership power: Examining the role of strategic alliances in shaping South Florida’s future, from ports and public works to tourism, transit, and the regional innovation economy,” explored how collaboration drives growth and innovation. Moderated by Sidney Calloway of Shutts & Bowen LLP, the panel featured Anthony Cordo of Visit Lauderdale, Mayor Josh Levy of the City of Hollywood, Joseph Morris of Port Everglades, and Director Sandy-Michael McDonald from Broward County’s Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD).
Panelists discussed the pivotal role of strategic alliances in supporting regional development, highlighting how public-private partnerships, infrastructure investments, and cross-sector collaboration are fueling resilience and competitiveness across Greater Fort Lauderdale. “Everything comes down to relationships,” said Calloway, setting the tone for the conversation. Cordo highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, citing the development of the Omni Hotel connected to the convention center as a model for future projects. “We must treat tourism as the gateway to business, selling people on living here, bringing their business here, or both,” he said.
The second panel, “Digital transformation: How South Florida’s business and civic leaders are embracing digital tools to streamline operations, upskill talent, and stay competitive in an increasingly tech-driven economy,” tackled the region’s shift toward technology-led growth. Moderated by Jonathan Osborne of Gunster, the panel featured Vera Nieuwland of Kaufman Rossin, CareerSource’s Ron Moffett, Romney Rogers of RMZ Law, and Michael Platner of Lewis Brisbois.
Panelists examined how digital transformation is reshaping operations and workforce strategies, underscoring the importance of leadership, adaptability, and a human-centered approach to integrating new technologies across industries. “We call our digital transformation a digital evolution because it’s not a five-year project — it’s a constant shift in how we empower employees and improve client service. It’s about embedding continuous change into our DNA,” said Vera Nieuwland, director of digital transformation services at Kaufman Rossin.
The final panel, “Real capital: Why — and how — the banking-real estate market relationship in Broward needs to evolve going forward,” addressed the future of real estate and finance. Moderated by David Coddington of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, the panel included Eduardo Subervi of City National Bank and Brett Atkinson of Moss.
Panelists explored how shifting market dynamics are reshaping real estate finance, highlighting the critical need for flexibility, creativity, and strong public-private partnerships to address challenges like workforce housing and affordability. Subervi pointed to the region’s resilience and underscored the need for strong public-private partnerships to address critical challenges such as workforce housing. “Flexibility is the new currency, and creativity is a must,” he said. Atkinson emphasized that addressing affordability will require innovative models and collaboration across sectors to ensure the region’s continued prosperity.
The summit closed with a keynote address by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, who highlighted the region’s unique position as a magnet for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth. “I will continue to sell our brand so that all communities know we offer something different, better, enriching, and sustainable to have a future,” Trantalis said, reinforcing the city’s commitment to building an inclusive and forward-looking economy.
To access the Invest: Fort Lauderdale 7th Edition report, click here. (Subscription required.)
For conference panel discussions, please subscribe and stay tuned to our YouTube Channel as those videos are released in the coming weeks.
***
About caa & Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale
caa is an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events and top-level interviews via its video platform, Invest:Insights.
Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale is an in-depth economic review of the key issues facing the region’s economy, featuring the exclusive insights of prominent regional leaders. Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale is produced with two goals in mind: 1) to provide comprehensive investment knowledge on Greater Fort Lauderdale and the greater region for local, national and international investors, and 2) to promote Greater Fort Lauderdale and the greater region as a place to invest and do business.
The report conducts a deep dive into the top economic sectors in the region, including real estate, construction, infrastructure, banking and finance, legal, healthcare, education and tourism. The publication is compiled from insights collected from more than 200 economic leaders, sector insiders, political leaders and heads of important institutions. It analyzes the leading challenges facing the market and uncovers emerging opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and innovators.
For more information, contact:
Ryan Gandolfo
Senior Editor
305-938-0293
Milena Mignone
Senior Executive Director
786-634-5306
[/fusion_text][fusion_images order_by=”desc” picture_size=”fixed” hover_type=”none” autoplay=”yes” flex_align_items=”center” columns=”5″ column_spacing=”13″ scroll_items=”” show_nav=”yes” mouse_scroll=”no” border=”yes” lightbox=”yes” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” caption_style=”off” caption_title_tag=”2″ fusion_font_family_caption_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_caption_title_font=”” caption_title_size=”” caption_title_line_height=”” caption_title_letter_spacing=”” caption_title_transform=”” caption_title_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” caption_background_color=”” fusion_font_family_caption_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_caption_text_font=”” caption_text_size=”” caption_text_line_height=”” caption_text_letter_spacing=”” caption_text_transform=”” caption_text_color=”” caption_border_color=”” caption_overlay_color=”” caption_align_medium=”none” caption_align_small=”none” caption_align=”none” caption_margin_top=”” caption_margin_right=”” caption_margin_bottom=”” caption_margin_left=”” parent_dynamic_content=””][fusion_image image=”https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Invest-Greater-Fort-Lauderdale-summit-cover-1.png” image_id=”68962″ image_title=”” image_caption=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” alt=”” /][fusion_image image=”https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Invest-Greater-Fort-Lauderdale-summit-7.jpg” image_id=”68963″ image_title=”” image_caption=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” alt=”” /][fusion_image image=”https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Invest-Greater-Fort-Lauderdale-summit-cover.jpg” image_id=”68964″ image_title=”” image_caption=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” alt=”” /][fusion_image image=”https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Invest-Greater-Fort-Lauderdale-summit-5.jpg” image_id=”68965″ image_title=”” image_caption=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” alt=”” /][fusion_image image=”https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Invest-Greater-Fort-Lauderdale-summit-4.jpg” image_id=”68966″ image_title=”” image_caption=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” alt=”” /][fusion_image image=”https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Invest-Greater-Fort-Lauderdale-summit-3.jpg” image_id=”68967″ image_title=”” image_caption=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” alt=”” /][fusion_image image=”https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Invest-Greater-Fort-Lauderdale-summit-2.jpg” image_id=”68968″ image_title=”” image_caption=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” alt=”” /][fusion_image image=”https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Invest-Greater-Fort-Lauderdale-summit.jpg” image_id=”68969″ image_title=”” image_caption=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” alt=”” /][/fusion_images][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]