There was an old psychedelic song with lyrics “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in.”
It could have been reworded to “I just dropped in to see what state my state was in” on June 4, when SWFL Inc. held the 2025 State of the Region to answer that very question.
SWFL Inc. is a five-star accredited Chamber of Commerce for the Southwest Florida region, serving Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties and working to follow economic trends and provide ways for businesses to grow and communities to benefit.
Experts in diverse fields gathered with business leaders to discuss commerce, education and civic issues facing the state of Florida. Held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort in Bonita Springs, the annual event featured a well-organized program of speakers discussing Florida’s economic shifts, school systems, real estate trends and government policies.
The program was organized into three key topic headings: Places, People and Things. Over a gourmet breakfast spread, participants sat at elegant tables facing the stage to listen to speakers and to network with other business leaders.
The morning began with the dynamic father-and-son team of Syd and Tyler Kitson of Kitson and Partners. The pair, speaking on the topic of “Places,” kicked the morning off to an enjoyable start.
Both key players at Kitson and Partners, they shared with the audience the history of Babcock Ranch. Acquired by the elder Kitson in 2006, it has become the first solar-powered town in the country. It now serves as a model to other groups hoping to develop sustainable communities.
Spanning over 92,000 acres, more than 80% of the property was set aside for preservation. What remained became Babcock Ranch, which, in fewer than 20 years, has become a thriving community with schools, stores, restaurants, trails, wildlife and appealing neighborhoods.
With a comfortable banter, the duo shared their business acumen, real estate background and expectations for Babcock Ranch and other properties in the company’s portfolio. Both men, active in social issues, also spoke on the importance of civic engagement.
Syd Kitson, a lifetime member of Leadership Florida, has also acted as the chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. He has served in the Florida Council of 100 and the state university system of Florida Board of Governors.
Tyler Kitson, who joked that he and Syd “go way back,” is the senior vice president of communities at Kitson and Partners. He manages operations at all properties and oversees both Babcock Ranch and Talis Park’s development projects.
Next in the program was Lee County School District’s Denise Carlin. She was joined in discussion by Matthew Holliday, director of advocacy and government relations at NCH Healthcare System, speaking under the “People” heading.
Both Carlin and Holliday updated the audience about advancements in education and health care policy and ways that future generations might thrive in a changing global workforce.
Carlin has been with the Lee school district for over three decades; first as a teacher, then assistant principal, principal and eventually district leader. She was elected as superintendent of schools at the end of 2024 and will serve a four-year term.
Holliday, a seasoned health care policy expert, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and former member of the Air Force Special Operations Command. In his capacity as a government advocate, he formerly served within the Florida House of Representatives as a senior legislative aide in Jacksonville.
Carlin shared the importance of “making kids problem solvers. We need to make them critical thinkers” in order to navigate the world they will inherit. The idea of transitioning to either college or work was also discussed, and Carlin described new programs and initiatives in the school system.
“These will allow kids to build a future,” she said. “This can carry across to many trades outside of academics. We need to teach them how to let their H.I. participate with A.I. That is Human Intelligence cooperating with Artificial Intelligence.”
The event’s keynote speaker, Richard Stern, wrapped up the morning’s presentation. Stern is the director of the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation. He previously served in the Republican Study Committee as a congressional staffer for seven years. He also worked as a legislative assistant to Iowa Representative Steve King and as the legislative director for California Representative Tom McClintock.
His political background, coupled with a degree in economics from Emory University, set the stage for Stern to take the stage at State of the Region.
“Innovation generates prosperity,” he began. “All businesses come with a legacy.”
Speaking under the morning’s final heading of “Things,” he lived up to that mission. Stern spoke on the importance of being in service to others and how that can benefit communities and societies. He shared what he called “slight humble stories” that illustrated “how a small action can directly impact our lives.” He explained how originally, health insurance was provided to encourage applicants when businesses were facing hiring challenges. And now what was seen at first as risky is the professional norm.
“Something simple can transform how we think of our lives and our businesses,” he concluded.
After the program ended, many in attendance voiced their appreciation for this year’s event. Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau, commented that these gatherings are “interesting and give people a chance to hear ideas and meet each other.”
In addition to business leaders at the event, the State of the Region was attended by numerous elected officials, according to SWFL Inc. Marketing and Communications Manager Sierra Noble. Lee County Commissioners David Mulicka and Brian Hamman were joined by Lee County School Board members William Ribble, Debbie Jordan and Armor Persons.
City of Fort Myers Council members Darla Bonk, Dana Giraldo and Mayor Kevn Anderson were in the audience, as were Cape Coral Council Members Rachel Kaduk, Jennifer Lastra, Laurie Lehmann and Joe Kilraine.
Representing Bonita Springs were City Council Member Laura Carr and Bonita Springs Fire Department Commissioner Jeff Maturo and Chief Gregory L. DeWitt. Members of the Bonita Springs Utilities Board of Directors Jim Murphy, Brian Farrar and Richard Garner also enjoyed the seminar.
Kim Amontree of Charlotte County School Board gathered information for that county while Estero was represented by Village of Estero Council members Lori Fayhee, George Zalucki, Jim Ward, Rafael Lopez and John McLain, joining Mayor Joanne Ribble at this year’s gathering.
Also enjoying both the speakers and the meal were Clerk of Courts Kevin Karnes, and a member from U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ office, Mercedes Price Harry.
All events offered by the team at SWFL Inc. can be viewed on their website at swflinc.com. Notably, this September, there is an artificial intelligence summit on the calendar where experts from Microsoft, Google and other tech companies will speak on the future of AI.
Looks like we next be singing “I just dropped in to see what condition my… robot is in ?” We’ll wait and see. |
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