Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance

06/24/2026

Welcome home Brady! Tkachuk Brothers Reunited in Greater Fort Lauderdale as Panthers Acquire Brady Tkachuk🏒
Florida Panthers

06/22/2026

✈️ Aerospace is soaring in Greater Fort Lauderdale.

At MRO Americas 2026, Alliance President and CEO, Bob Swindell shared why Broward County continues to be a destination for aerospace and aviation companies seeking innovation, connectivity, and growth.

From a highly skilled workforce and strategic location to world-class aviation infrastructure, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers the competitive advantages companies need to thrive.

Watch this Alliance Spotlight to learn why aerospace businesses are choosing Greater Fort Lauderdale to invest, expand, and succeed.

06/22/2026

This week's Alliance features Stephanie Toothaker.

Stephanie is a Martindale Hubbell AV rated attorney, regularly recognized as a SuperLawyer and by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and known for a sophisticated approach to governmental relations and procurement. Representing private equity firms, innovative companies, and entrepreneurial individuals seeking complex land development entitlements, her specific expertise on these matters is focused on innovative activation of property rights, public/private P3 initiatives, mixed-use projects, land use plan amendments, zoning modifications and site plan approvals in the commercial, residential, hospitality, and sporting sectors.

She is an effective advocate at the Federal, State, and local level. Based in Fort Lauderdale, she regularly represents clients before governmental entities throughout South Florida. Stephanie is consistently recognized for her unique ability to seamlessly navigate multi-agency processes, efficiently manage the government relations environment, and achieve success with aggressive timelines.

Stephanie’s practice also includes representation of global sporting and destination lifestyle brands. With clients that have included David Beckham's InterMiami, Red Bull Global Rallycross, Swatch Volleyball World Championships, Key West Race Week, and Informa - producer of the Monaco, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach International Boat Shows - she has a proven ability to leverage resources to create profitable outcomes.

06/22/2026

🏆 Home to champions.

As the world celebrates soccer's biggest stage, Greater Fort Lauderdale is proud to be home to global icon and World Cup champion Lionel Messi.

It's just one more reason why top talent from around the world chooses to live, work, and thrive here.

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/where-does-lionel-messi-live-the-billionaire-athletes-real-estate-portfolio

06/18/2026

Fortune: Ken Griffin has Miami. Stephen Ross has West Palm Beach. Fort Lauderdale had Wayne Huizenga — and it’s been winning ever since

By Jenni Morejon, President & CEO at Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority (Downtown FTL)

"That remains part of the culture today. Rajiv Jain, chairman of Fort Lauderdale-based GQG Partners and one of the city’s Forbes-listed billionaires, described Fort Lauderdale as a place where executives can stay connected to Miami without living in its intensity. The wealth has always been here; it simply doesn’t perform for attention. These are people raising families, meeting on Las Olas Boulevard for lunch, closing international deals, and docking superyachts the same afternoon. They aren’t hiding. They value discretion."

In the conversation about where American business is heading next, Fort Lauderdale offers a quieter but equally compelling answer. The city isn’t chasing the spotlight. It has become a destination for long-term investment on its own terms.

06/17/2026

On June 11, Alliance members gathered at JM Lexus for an insightful discussion on one of Broward County’s most pressing challenges: affordable housing.

Hosted by the City of Margate at JM Lexus, the meeting featured welcoming remarks from Liz Taschereau, Director of Development Services for the City of Margate, and Joy Arauz, Marketing Manager at JM Lexus. Attendees also learned about exciting developments underway at JM Lexus and the continued growth taking place throughout the region.

The program's featured speaker, Ralph Stone, Executive Director of the Broward County Housing Finance Authority, presented Broward County’s Ten-Year Affordable Housing Master Plan and shared valuable insights into the challenges, opportunities, and collaborative efforts shaping the future of housing in our community.

06/16/2026

A big thank you to Jennifer Valencia and the entire Makers Air team for hosting The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Leadership Influencers (ALI) last week.

We had the opportunity to get an up-close look at the world of aviation - from touring the hangar and stepping aboard one of their aircraft to learning how air service connects communities, supports local businesses, and drives economic growth throughout South Florida.

06/09/2026

From scenic waterways and world-class dining to thriving industries and endless outdoor adventures, this is a place where lifestyle and opportunity go hand in hand.

Visit: Livewhereyouvacation.com

06/08/2026

This week's Alliance features Shani Gerberg.

Shani is an award-winning Area Manager with AppleOne Employment Services and provides executive oversight for large-scale, time-sensitive staffing programs across South Florida, as well as professional services in the following industries: IT, HR, Construction, Accounting & Finance and Administrative/Clerical to name a few. With more than 15 years of experience in staffing, recruiting, and workforce leadership, Shani brings deep expertise in scaling contingent workforces, maintaining service continuity, and ensuring consistent performance across complex, high-volume deployments.

In her current role, Shani oversees a team of account executives and recruiters responsible for delivering temporary and direct hire staffing solutions that support public-sector operations and mid-large sized corporations while operating under mission-critical timelines. She provides strategic leadership for workforce planning, fulfillment strategy, and escalation management, including oversight of deployments exceeding 100 temporary associates. Shani works closely with branch leadership and client stakeholders to ensure staffing levels, candidate quality, and responsiveness meet or exceed agency expectations.

Shani is recognized within AppleOne for operational excellence, responsiveness, and a consultative leadership style that prioritizes accountability and professionalism. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communications from Bowling Green State University and is committed to AppleOne’s Hiring Made Human™ philosophy, balancing workforce technology with human insight to deliver reliable staffing outcomes in public-facing environments.

06/07/2026

A major airline. A candid conversation. A glimpse into what's next.

🎤 JetBlue President Marty St. George shares his perspective on the trends shaping the future of aviation, and why Greater Fort Lauderdale remains part of the conversation.