State’s critical issues -- education, environment, economy, healthcare, housing, traffic and transportation -- to be explored by policy experts, state leaders and voters

 MIAMI, November 18, 2019 -- The Miami Herald will host its second Florida Priorities Summit Tuesday, November 19 at the University of Miami, providing an opportunity for voters to engage with numerous policy experts and leaders who participated in the Herald’s 2019 Influencer Series.

The Florida Priorities Summit will bring together Floridians ready to discuss and committed to finding solutions for the complex challenges facing the state. The program includes live interviews, panel discussions and integrated networking opportunities that revolve around the event theme, “Florida: The Engine of Growth.”

“Our aim is to bring together Florida's most influential voices and to create a forum for a thoughtful exchange of ideas that lead to solutions for some of the most pressing challenges our state faces,” said Aminda Marqués González, President & Publisher/Executive Editor of the Miami Herald.

Panelists and policy matters set for discussion at The Florida Priorities Summit are as follows:

ENVIRONMENT -- What are the moves Florida needs to make to not stifle growth? Moderated by Mike Grunwald, Senior Writer, Politico

Panelists:

●      Gaston Cantens, Vice President, Florida Crystals

●      Eric Eikenberg, CEO, Everglades Foundation

●      Dan Gelber, Mayor, Miami Beach

●      Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director, Florida Audubon

EDUCATION -- What does K-12 education look like in 10 years? Moderated by Dave Wilson, Senior Editor, Miami Herald
Panelists:

●      Sen. Anitere Flores, District 39

●      Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools

●      Erin Caputo, Elementary School Teacher, Sunset Elementary

●      Martha Saunders, President, University of West Florida

ECONOMY -- How does Florida keep growing as the rest of the country slows down? Moderated by Tom Hudson, Vice President News and Special Correspondent, WLRN
Panelists:

●      Melissa Medina, President, eMerge Americas

●      Richard Florida, Visiting Fellow at Florida International University, Miami Urban Future Initiative

●      Mark Vitner, Managing Director & Senior Economist, Wells Fargo

 

HEALTH CARE -- Is cannabis in health care an economic boom in Florida? Moderated by Amy Driscoll, Editor, Politics and Health Policy, Miami Herald
Panelists:

●      Ann-Marie Wong, M.D., Medical Marijuana Physician

●      Nikki Fried, Florida Agriculture Commissioner

●      Matt Ginder, Senior Counsel, Cannabis Law Practice Group, Greenspoon Marder
 

TRANSPORTATION -- Does Florida need a state-wide transportation plan? Moderated by Mary Ellen Klas, Miami Herald, Tallahassee Bureau Chief

Panelists:

●      Francis Suarez, Mayor, Miami

●      Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., District 36

●      Alice N. Bravo, P.E., Director, Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation & Public Works

 

The Florida Priorities Summit is presented with support from event sponsors at the Knight Foundation, the University of Miami, Baptist Health South Florida, Uber, Florida Sugar Cane League, Miami-Dade Transit, WSP, AARP and our partnership with WLRN.

Complete event agenda, confirmed speakers and ticket registration/purchase information can be found at this link.

Media contact:
Silvia M. Larrieu

Director of Events, Partnerships & Development

Miami Herald Media Company

slarrieu@miamiherald.com

t. 305.376.2729

About Miami Herald Media Company
The Miami Herald Media Company (MHMC) publishes two daily newspapers: the Miami Herald, winner of 22 Pulitzer Prizes, and el Nuevo Herald, an award-winning Spanish-language publication. Together, the company's products reach more than 1.3 million people each week in South Florida. In addition to the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald, MHMC products include its news websites, MiamiHerald.com and elNuevoHerald.com with a combined monthly traffic of 69.5 million page views and 18.5 million unique visitors over the past 12 months; the popular local entertainment website Miami.com; and INDULGE luxury magazine. The company produces content for video, mobile and radio in association with WLRN/Herald News; as well as custom publications for hotels, airlines and other luxury clients through its subsidiary, HCP Media. MHMC is owned by McClatchy.