2026 Annual Conference Agenda

Tuesday, June 23

Pre-Conference Workshop: Ethics, Public Records and Sunshine Laws

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

This course is designed to give commissioners an understanding of Florida’s stringent ethics laws. Participants will broaden their knowledge of ethics requirements for elected officials, gain understanding of the Sunshine and Public Records Laws, learn about reporting requirements, and become familiar with the process of an ethics complaint.

A separate registration fee of $75 is required to attend this workshop.

Wednesday, June 24

Opening Session

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

We are excited to welcome Shawn Achor, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential and one of the world’s leading experts on positive psychology and human potential, whose research and talks reveal how cultivating happiness fuels greater success in work and life; an internationally renowned speaker whose popular TED talk has been viewed by tens of millions, Shawn has inspired audiences in more than 50 countries and with a wide range of organizations including Fortune 100 companies, sharing science-backed strategies to boost resilience, productivity, leadership, and well-being through the power of positivity and purposeful mindset shifts.

Buying Smarter, Not Harder: A Practical Guide to Leveraging Cooperative Contracts:

Cooperative purchasing is one of the most effective tools for local governments, yet many agencies don’t fully leverage it or know where to start. This workshop provides a clear roadmap to using the Florida Sheriffs Association’s Cooperative Purchasing Program (CPP) and Host Sheriff Procurement (HSP) to streamline procurement, access competitively bid contracts, reduce administrative burden, and save taxpayer dollars. Participants will learn how these programs work, key benefits and requirements, and best practices through real-world examples—leaving with practical strategies to confidently implement cooperative purchasing and improve efficiency.

Driving Prosperity: Strategic Leadership in County Economic Development

Economic growth is driven by intentional leadership, strategic planning, and strong partnerships. Counties play a central role in shaping prosperity through infrastructure investment, land use planning, workforce development, incentives, and public-private collaboration. This workshop highlights proven strategies and innovative approaches that strengthen county economic impact. Participants will gain practical insights into leveraging state and federal resources, supporting small and rural communities, fostering collaboration, and measuring outcomes effectively.

Data Centers: FPL

Redefining the Journey of Women’s Health: A Panel Discussion

Join us for a seminar focused on advancing women’s health awareness and support in the workplace and beyond. Specialists in women’s health including a physician from Winnie Palmer Women’s Center, a physician from Maven – a Modern Family Care company, a Benefits and Human Resource specialist, and a benefits consultant will be joined by moderator Mrs. Renthia Jackson (VP of Client Management, Aetna) to share recent research and practical insights on women’s health, highlight accessible paths to care, surface what employees are asking for, and equip attendees to help build a stronger support system for themselves, friends, family, and coworkers.

Thursday, June 25

Cybersecurity & Emerging Technology: Preparing Counties for What’s Next

As counties operate in an increasingly digital environment, staying ahead of cybersecurity risks and emerging technologies is essential. This workshop provides a high-level overview of digital security considerations and future technology policies impacting local government. Participants will gain insight into governance best practices, organizational readiness, and proactive strategies to protect county operations while responsibly adapting to technological.

Leading Forward: The Role of ACC Alumni as Community Leaders and Mentors

Experienced leadership is one of the greatest assets a county can have. Long-serving commissioners and graduates of ICG’s Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) Program play a vital role in sustaining strong, effective governance and shaping the culture of their boards. This session explores how ACC alumni can intentionally lead forward — serving not only as trusted decision-makers, but as mentors who transfer institutional knowledge, model strategic leadership, and guide newly elected commissioners through successful transitions.

Turning Local Dollars into Lasting Landscapes: Conservation Financing for Florida’s Counties

Counties across Florida are well positioned to lead on land conservation but often struggle to turn limited funding into impact; this workshop shows how local investment can unlock state, federal, and private funding, including programs like Florida Forever, the state’s premier land acquisition initiative , while providing practical strategies, partnerships, and a clear roadmap to leverage funding, compete for resources, and align conservation with community priorities.

From Reaction to Resolution: Emotional Intelligence Tools for High-Stress County Interactions

Step into a transformative workshop that turns tension into trust and teaches county professionals how to handle high-stress public interactions with grace, clarity, and confidence! From Reaction to Resolution equips participants with powerful emotional intelligence tools — so that challenging moments become opportunities for understanding and connection instead of escalation. Through interactive practice with real-world scenarios, participants will interrupt reactive patterns, decode emotional triggers, and craft empathetic communication that strengthens internal teamwork and elevates public engagement, ultimately building citizen trust and more effective government service.

When the World Descends: What County Commissioners Need to Know

When disaster strikes—whether from hurricanes, flooding, or wildfires—the rapid arrival of state and federal support can feel overwhelming. This workshop provides county commissioners with a clear, practical understanding of what happens when the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) “descends” on your community and an Incident Command Post (ICP) is established. This workshop offers a condensed version of one of the state’s required trainings for local officials.

Stratex: The trust Gap: why your County's biggest rick isn't the Budget

Counties are facing increased scrutiny as property tax discussions intensify and resident expectations rise. The gap between what residents expect and what they experience drives complaints, fuels tense meetings, and erodes public trust — even when counties are doing good work.

In this interactive session, Dr. Raina Knox introduces the White Glove Experience™ framework, designed to strengthen constituent trust and improve service delivery. Participants will explore key drivers of public trust, work through real-world scenarios, and leave with practical tools to assess and enhance their county’s service experience.

Pawsitive Impact: Building Community Through The Doggy Day Out Ambassador Program

What if one of your most powerful ambassadors for county government had four legs and a wagging tail? Palm Beach County’s Doggy Day Out Ambassador Program transforms adoptable shelter dogs into goodwill ambassadors in government spaces, boosting morale, strengthening community trust, and saving lives. This session highlights how this scalable, leadership-driven initiative has shortened shelter stays, united teams, and enhanced public perception — offering an actionable roadmap for counties looking to implement a creative, people-centered solution of their own.

From Proposal to Approval: Navigating Land Use with Confidence

Land use decisions shape a county’s future, and commissioners play a key role in guiding that growth responsibly. This workshop offers a practical overview of the land use review and approval process, helping participants identify the appropriate pathway for development proposals and understand when matters require legislative or quasi-judicial hearings. The session will also clarify common planning terms and highlight key state law updates affecting permit timelines and residential approvals, equipping attendees to approach development decisions with greater confidence and clarity.

Leading the Way to More Affordable Housing in Florida

Florida has one of the largest affordable housing shortages in the United States, especially for low-income renters and workforce housing. According to the Florida Housing Rental Market Study, Florida has a deficit of about 640,741 affordable housing units for households earning up to about 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). Florida Housing Coalition reports that only 25 affordable units exist for every 200 extremely low-income renter households. Florida needs hundreds of thousands of new affordable housing units, especially rentals for households earning below 60% of median income.

Understanding Property Taxes: Trends and Considerations for Counties

Property tax policy continues to evolve, with implications for county budgeting, service delivery, and long-term financial planning. This legislative-focused session provides a high-level overview of current trends and considerations related to property taxation in Florida. Participants will gain insight into how policy changes may influence county operations and fiscal planning, along with key factors leaders should monitor moving forward. Designed for county officials and senior staff, this workshop offers a balanced, informative perspective to support thoughtful planning and informed decision-making.

Ready for Takeoff: What Advanced Air Mobility Means for Counties

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) — including eVTOL aircraft, cargo drones, and emerging regional air services — is rapidly moving toward implementation. As Florida positions itself as a leader in this evolving sector, counties must be prepared for what’s ahead. This session provides a practical overview of how emerging aviation technologies may impact local government, including considerations for land use, zoning, infrastructure, economic development, public safety, and coordination across agencies.

Friday June 26

Closing Session & Annual Business Meeting

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

We’re closing our conference with an inspiring Closing Breakfast featuring a keynote from MIT on aging and caring for aging populations, including an introduction to AGNES — the Age Gain Now Empathy System, an innovative age-simulation suit that lets wearers experience some of the physical challenges associated with later life; this engaging session will deepen understanding, spark empathy, and highlight new ways to design and care for an age-ready future as longevity increasingly shapes communities and caregiving.