2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference
Friday, October 30 • 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a great day of discussion, ideas, and regional collaboration. Explore the conference resources, presentations, and recording below.
What is Blue Tech?
Blue Tech includes the technologies, products, and services used to explore, understand, protect, and work in the ocean and coastal environment.
What the Conference Explored
Industry Opportunities
Challenges and opportunities shaping Southeast Florida's Blue Tech industry.
Workforce and Investment
Perspectives from experts on workforce development, financing, and investment needs.
Regional Collaboration
Discussion with regional leaders on how local governments can help streamline the regulatory path to success.
Approved for 4.5 Hours of
AICP Certification Credits
Revisit the Blue Tech Regional Conference
Watch the conference recap and revisit the conversations on innovation, workforce development, investment, and the future of Southeast Florida's ocean economy.
WATCH THE CONFERENCE RECAPQuestions? 954-924-3653 | Sfadmin@sfrpc.com | tcrpc.org | 772-221-4060 | Lgulick@tcrpc.org
Welcome and Conference Framing
Opening remarks on why Blue Tech matters to Southeast Florida's ocean economy, workforce strategy, and joint regional economic development priorities.
Conference Overview
An implementation overview connecting the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process to the Blue Tech Jobs agenda and the innovation economy.
PANEL 1
What Blue Tech Companies Do in Southeast Florida
Local companies will showcase the technologies, products, and services they are building, who uses them, and where public-sector partnerships can help.
PANEL 2
Workforce, Credentials, and Employer Commitments
This conversation will examine the credentials, apprenticeships, training programs, employer commitments, and college and university pathways needed to support Blue Tech job growth.
Keynote Speaker and Special Presentation
PANEL 3
Regulatory Pathways, Permitting, and Local Government Tools
Regional leaders will examine permitting pathways, pilot deployment zones, temporary approvals, flexible zoning, and other local tools that help companies test, deploy, and scale.
PANEL 4
Research, Commercialization, and Capital
Speakers will explore how research reaches the market through university partnerships, demonstration projects, public and private funding, venture capital, and other commercialization pathways.
Implementation Discussion, Next Steps,
and Closing Remarks
The conference will close by identifying practical regional next steps, including possible policy guidance, pilot project areas, and workforce action items.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Support Blue Tech Jobs: Policy, Investment, and Workforce Development in Southeast Florida. Packages range from $1,000 to $8,000 and offer valuable exposure through event marketing, signage, and program recognition.
View Sponsorship OpportunitiesThank You to Our Partners
Thank You for Being Part of the Conversation
We appreciate everyone who joined us for the 2026 SFRPC and TCRPC Joint Regional Conference and helped make the day such a meaningful exchange of ideas.
