02/03/2026
We spent the day at the Florida State Capitol listening and learningabout where Florida is headed and what that means for Tampa Bay businesses, workers.
A recurring theme throughout the day was growth. Florida is growing fast, and that momentum brings both opportunity and responsibility. The conversations centered on how we plan for that growth across housing, workforce, infrastructure, and quality of life.
One of the most impactful presentations came from Secretary Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. of the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). DBPR oversees licensing for more than 1.7 million Florida professionals and businesses, but the work goes far beyond regulation. Secretary Griffin shared how DBPR plays a frontline role in public safety, including combating human trafficking and removing harmful products being sold to minors under the guise of legitimate retail. Last year alone, DBPR efforts helped move over 500 women and children from victims to survivors, and recent enforcement actions included one of the department’s largest felony arrest sweeps.
Another moment that resonated strongly was the discussion around mental health in the workplace not as a “nice to have,” but as a real business issue tied directly to retention, productivity, and long-term performance. Supporting mental health from the top down isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s smart leadership.
Thank you Tampa Bay Chamber and Katie Lopez, IOM , IOM for organizing such amazing trip. Marybeth Anglin Will Atkins Nzinga Barnette Lee Bell David Bilardello Michael Blasco Melanie Brown Joel Brown Jeff Chernoff Jennifer Crabtree Scott Daigle Chris Dawson Michael Drapak Ernest DuBose II Taisha Edwin-Williams James Finley Tina Forcier Nicholas Gorman Shalisa Griffin Ashley Groome Lorena Hardwick Steve Harris Dr. Frederick Hicks, CEO, EDBA-IS, CDPSE, TDS Austin Holmes Bob Hyde Amanda Jae Don Kiceina, Jr. Mallory Kuba, MBA Crystal Lazar, CFRE Rob Ledford, AIA Brandyn D. Littleton, PWS Suzy Malloy Amy Martinez-Monfort Brian L Mays, CCIM Olivier Millour Jennifer Moore, CFRE Lindsey Parks
