Events | Okaloosa EDC

One Okaloosa Events

Lessons in Resiliency From A Former U.S. Navy SEAL Commander - September 8, 2023
One Okaloosa will be hosting our 2nd Roundtable Breakfast on September 8, 2023. Commander Jimmy May is a retired Navy SEAL with 22 years of service. May developed and teaches curriculum on combat leadership to all SEAL Chiefs and OICs and Combat Ethics to the Naval Special Warfare Community and the Navy JAG community. In seven deployments to the Middle East, May garnered a wide array of service awards including 3 Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. May now serves as CEO of Beyond the Brotherhood, a non-profit dedicated to helping Navy SEALS transition to the civilian sector. Roundtable attendees can expect a high energy and impactful presentation that will assist them with building resiliency across their teams and within their organizations. Click image to download invitation.

Registration for this event has closed. Please call the office at 850-362-6467 with any questions.

EDC Roundtable Symposiums

The EDC Roundtable is a symposium focused on providing One Okaloosa EDC members, county and city officials, military delegates, and guests a unique networking opportunity with a keynote speaker. In previous years, high profiles speakers have included a representative from the Federal Reserve Bank, the Florida Department of Transportation Director to the Florida Secretary of Commerce. One Okaloosa EDC's morning roundtable event provides a buffet breakfast and approximately 200 community leaders attend these informative morning symposiums.

Reaching for the Stars: My Journey from Okaloosa to NASA

Okaloosa County native Jennifer Kunz, Associate Director, Technical, Kennedy Space Center served as One Okaloosa EDC’s Roundtable Breakfast speaker on March 15, 2023. Jennifer’s presentation, entitled “Reaching for the Stars: My Journey from Okaloosa to NASA”, highlighted her experience growing up in Okaloosa County while also providing insights on recent NASA successes including the Artemis program. The event was sponsored by FPL.

The Economy: A View From the Fed

Adrienne Slack, Vice President and Regional Executive, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, returned as One Okaloosa EDC’s Roundtable Breakfast speaker on October 5, 2022. Ms. Slack’s presentation, entitled “Has Peak Inflation Come and Gone?”, delved into the wide variety of economic indicators and metrics that the Federal Open Market Committee is closely monitoring as they seek to reverse the hyper-inflation that is currently being felt by the American consumer. United Fidelity Bank served as the Signature Event Sponsor.

The U.S. Economy: Where Do We Go From Here?

On September 29, 2021, nearly 200 business and government leaders gathered at The Island Hotel for a highly informative One Okaloosa EDC Roundtable Breakfast presentation from Adrienne Slack, Vice President and Regional Executive, United States Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – New Orleans Branch. With a talk entitled “The U.S. Economy: Where Do We Go From Here?”, Ms. Slack provided insight on the various economic factors that the FOMC takes into consideration as it contemplates U.S. monetary policy. Information derived from the Fed’s recent FOMC meeting provided the basis for a captivating discussion that touched on everything from supply chain disruptions to worker shortages. United Fidelity Bank served as the Signature Event Sponsor.

Still Making Cents: Okaloosa's Infrastructure Sales Surtax

On March 5, 2020, more than 170 community business and government leaders were treated to a high energy and insightful panel discussion spotlighting Okaloosa County's Infrastructure Sales Surtax. Overwhelmingly supported by local voters in November 2018, the sales surtax is generating millions for key community road and infrastructure projects. The panel was moderated by Dr. David Goetsch and included Katie Sharon, Chair of the Okaloosa Citizens Advisory Committee, Ted Corcoran, CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, John Hofstad, Okaloosa County Administrator, Michael Beedie, Fort Walton Beach City Manager and Tim Bolduc, Crestview City Manager.

The event was sponsored by AVCON, Chesser & Barr, Gulf Power and Okaloosa Gas.

Economic Gardening: Cultivating Sustainable Entrepreneur Support Structures

On May 22, 2019, guests gained valuable insight on what it takes to cultivate sustainable entrepreneur support structures. The keynote speaker was Jason Hamman, Hamman Consulting Group, who released the summary of his findings in the Okaloosa Incubator Feasibility commissioned by the EDC of Okaloosa County. The guests were then treated to a panel of experts representing existing entrepreneur networks in the surrounding communities. Panelists included: Patrick Rooney, Co:Lab Pensacola; Kelly Reeser, TechFarms Capitall and Pam Kidwell, Gulf Coast State College Business Innovation Center.

The event was held at The Island, by Hotel RL and the Signature Sponsor for the event was the Okaloosa County School District - Career & Technical Education Program. A special thank you to the Choctaw High School JROTC for presenting the colors.

View Past Roundtable Events Here...