Opening Plenary | Wednesday, Oct. 14

Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins

First female mayor of the City of Miami

 

We are excited to announce that Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins will open the 2026 Florida Planning Conference during the Opening Plenary Session on Wednesday.

 

The mayor will particpate in a one-on-one conversation to discuss her vision and approach to sustainable growth, innovative development, and resilient communities that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors throughout the region.

 

Through a planning-centered approach, Mayor Higgins is advancing policies that expand housing opportunities, invest in modern infrastructure and multimodal transportation, strengthen neighborhood vitality, and support a thriving local economy. Her leadership emphasizes data-driven decision-making, transparent governance, and long-term planning to ensure Miami remains a connected, resilient, and competitive city for generations to come.

Keynote Luncheon | Thursday, Oct. 15

Leonard Pitts, Jr.

Writer. Columnist. Pulitzer Prize Winner.

 

Leonard Pitts, Jr. knew from the age of five that he was destined to be a writer—and more than four decades later, that calling still defines him. Over a 43-year career, he has worked as a columnist, professor, radio producer, and lecturer, but at his core, he remains devoted to the written word. His widely read newspaper column reaches millions, and his acclaimed books, including The Last Thing You Surrender, have earned critical praise.

 

Pitts’ work has garnered numerous honors, highlighted by the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for commentary, along with awards from major journalism organizations and induction into the National Society of Newspaper Columnists Hall of Fame.

 

A sought-after speaker and educator, he has taught at several universities, including Princeton. His powerful voice resonated nationally after 9/11, cementing his reputation as a deeply impactful commentator. Born in Southern California, he now lives in Maryland with his wife.

Closing Plenary | Friday, Oct. 16

Phillip Dunlap

City of Phoenix Arts & Culture Director

 

Phillip Dunlap is a nationally recognized arts and culture leader whose career has been dedicated to advancing the arts as a driver of economic development, community vitality, and civic identity. As the Director of the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, he provides strategic leadership for the city’s cultural initiatives, fostering partnerships that support artists, arts organizations, and Phoenix’s growing creative economy.

Prior to joining the City of Phoenix, Dunlap served as Director of the Broward County Cultural Division, one of the nation’s largest local arts agencies. In that role, he led transformative efforts in cultural funding, public art, artist development, and creative economy programs. His leadership resulted in the launch of several signature initiatives, including Arts Launch, the annual State of the Arts Address, and IGNITE Broward, helping establish Broward County as a national model for innovation and public investment in the arts.

Before his tenure in Broward County, Dunlap spent twelve years as Director of Education and Community Engagement at Jazz St. Louis, where he developed nationally recognized arts education and community engagement programs that expanded access to arts learning and enriched community participation. He has also taught jazz history, music business, and arts administration at the university level, mentoring the next generation of arts leaders and creative professionals.

A respected advocate for cultural policy and public support of the arts, Dunlap is a past President of Missouri Citizens for the Arts and has worked throughout his career to strengthen arts advocacy at local, state, and national levels. An accomplished jazz pianist, he brings both an artist’s perspective and executive expertise to his leadership, championing the arts as an essential investment in creativity, innovation, economic prosperity, and quality of life.

Through his vision and commitment to cultural excellence, Dunlap continues to elevate the role of the arts in building vibrant, inclusive, and thriving communities.