Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties will unite in New York City this month for a joint economic development mission designed to deepen business relationships and spotlight the expanding connectivity between the nation’s financial capital and the South Florida “mega region.”
Beginning December 9, leaders from the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council will spend three days meeting with corporate executives, site selectors, professional advisors, and other key market influencers. The goal: reinforce the powerful economic ties already linking New York and South Florida and unveil new opportunities for companies operating across both markets.
The trip underscores the growing synergy between the two regions, where companies, executives, and talent frequently split operations, investments, and workforce activity. With a combined GDP exceeding $533 billion, the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metropolitan area is recognized as a designated mega region and one of the nation’s most dynamic economic engines. Home to more than 6.3 million residents and a multilingual, globally connected workforce, South Florida continues to outperform national benchmarks. As of June 2025, the three-county region added 42,600 jobs—an annual growth rate of 1.5 percent, compared to the national rate of 1.1 percent—driven by gains in education, health services, transportation, and utilities.
“South Florida is at its strongest point yet and has become an exceptional destination for businesses looking to expand or relocate their headquarters,” said Kelly Smallridge, President & CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. “Through our unified regional collaboration, we’re sharing a more powerful narrative about our shared advantages—from a diverse talent pool to expanding infrastructure and a flourishing innovation ecosystem.”
Bob Swindell, President & CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, emphasized the region’s accelerating economic momentum. “South Florida is not just growing; our diverse modern economy is outpacing national averages in economic output and business formation, particularly within our tech, aviation, life sciences, healthcare, and finance sectors,” he said. “Further strengthening the connectivity between New York City and South Florida, with its business-friendly tax and regulatory environment, can create low-risk, high-margin opportunities in both regions.”
For Rodrick T. Miller, President & CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the mission is about listening as much as leading. “This trip is about listening, learning, and deepening partnerships with companies and talent that call both regions ‘home’,” he said. “By working together across county lines, we are strengthening the ties that already connect South Florida with New York City and setting a new benchmark for how regions can collaborate to support shared growth and opportunity.”
Throughout the mission, the delegation will spotlight South Florida as a unified, global business gateway powered by strong sectors such as finance, technology, innovation, and international trade. The initiative is presented in partnership with Hickey Global, a full-service economic development consulting firm with offices in New York and Fort Lauderdale. Programming will include a market briefing from Hickey Global and a fireside chat featuring Smallridge, Swindell, and Miller. The discussion will explore the forces fueling South Florida’s transformation and the role of regional collaboration in driving the next wave of innovation and investment.
In addition to group programming, the delegation will conduct one-on-one meetings with companies and advisors to discuss targeted opportunities and future expansion plans.
