Florida Resilience Conference Returns to Charlotte Harbor Sept. 23-25 with Focus on Collaboration in Action

Charlotte Harbor, Fla. – Across Florida, resilience is increasingly moving from planning to implementation as communities confront challenges involving water, coastal systems, energy, infrastructure, land use and growth. Addressing those pressures requires coordination across disciplines, levels of government and the public and private sectors.

That need for coordinated action will be at the center of the 5th Annual Florida Resilience Conference, Sept. 23-25 at Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor. Co-hosted by the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association (FSBPA) and Resiliency Florida, the conference is expected to bring together approximately 600 elected officials, engineers, scientists, planners, policymakers and industry leaders under the 2026 theme, “Advancing Resilience: Collaboration in Action!”

“Florida has made tremendous progress in identifying our resilience challenges, and now the focus is increasingly on putting solutions into action,” said David Rathke, Executive Director of Resiliency Florida. “This conference creates an opportunity to bring together the people making policy, designing infrastructure, managing natural systems and implementing projects across the state.”

The conference comes as Florida continues to invest in resilience projects and communities work to put those investments to use. Recent state action has placed additional emphasis on infrastructure improvements and nature-based approaches, while communities are navigating growing demands on energy, water and other critical systems.

Conference sessions will examine these issues through four tracks: Beach Management, Energy, Gray and Green Infrastructure, and Smart Planning. Topics will explore how communities are strengthening coastlines and natural systems, tackling demand and modernizing energy systems, integrating traditional and nature-based infrastructure, and aligning growth, land use and investment decisions with long-term resilience goals.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to resilience in a state as diverse as Florida, but there are common threads,” said Pepper Uchino, president of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association. “What works for one community may not work for another, which makes sharing expertise, lessons learned and proven solutions from across the state especially valuable.”

The 2026 program will feature state and federal leaders directly involved in shaping Florida’s resilience policies, programs and infrastructure investments.

• Sen. Ana Maria Rodríguez, who represents District 40, including Monroe County and part of Miami-Dade County, will deliver the Opening Legislative Keynote: Florida’s Environmental Outlook on Policy and Funding, providing insight into the state’s environmental priorities and legislative accomplishments.
• Eddy Bouza, Chief Resilience Officer and with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, will discuss the executive agencies’ Statewide Resilience Initiatives and Florida’s ongoing efforts to help communities prepare for flooding and other environmental challenges.
• Col. Brandon Bowman, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, will deliver the USACE Jacksonville District Commander’s Update, a long-standing cornerstone of the conference. He will provide an overview of the district’s mission and ongoing efforts in navigation, restoration and resilience across Florida.

The conference also includes the annual meetings of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association and Resiliency Florida. FSBPA serves as a statewide voice for Florida’s coastal communities on beach and shoreline issues, while Resiliency Florida brings together public- and private-sector leaders to advance statewide and regional resilience strategies.

Registration and additional information about the 2026 Florida Resilience Conference are available at floridaresilienceconference.org.

About the FSBPA

https://www.fsbpa.com/
Founded in 1957, FSBPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving Florida’s beaches and shorelines. FSBPA serves as a statewide voice for coastal communities, bringing together local governments, citizens, and experts to advocate for effective beach management and long-term preservation strategies. Through legislative engagement, partnerships with state and federal agencies, and educational outreach, FSBPA has helped Florida become a national leader in beach preservation and restoration.

About Resiliency Florida

https://www.resiliencyflorida.org/

Resiliency Florida is a non-profit organization and leading voice in helping Florida communities plan and adapt for the impacts of extreme weather. With members from both the public and private sectors, the organization promotes statewide and regional strategies, advocates for investment in critical infrastructure and natural systems, and works to secure legislative support for resilience initiatives. Through collaboration, advocacy, and resource sharing, Resiliency Florida helps local governments and partners strengthen preparedness and build more resilient communities across the state.