Business leaders to gather in Sandestin at annual Fall Leadership Summit

How to go
For more information or to see a summit schedule, visit www.waltonareachamber.com or contact the chamber at 850-267-0683.

SANDESTIN — More than 400 business people are expected to turn out to hear keynote speakers Thursday during the Second Annual Fall Leadership Summit.

“What we want to do is really focus on what we can do to really impact and stimulate our own economy in a positive way in Northwest Florida,” said Dawn Moliterno, Walton Area Chamber of Commerce president.

The chamber is one of the hosts of the event, which also has several partners that include the Bay County and Panama City Beach chambers of commerce, according to the Walton chamber Web site.

The summit is expected to draw about 400 people from across the region, including out-of-state business leaders, and bring officials together for thought-provoking discussions, Moliterno said. Highlights include economic development updates from Bay, Walton and Okaloosa counties, an update on the new Northwest Florida-Panama City International Airport and a keynote speech from Brian Wilson, a Fox News Channel anchor and reporter.

Participants also will hear from keynote speaker Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines vice president of properties.

The carrier announced earlier this month it will serve the new airport near West Bay once it opens in May.

“We are thrilled to have Bob Montgomery come and speak to us about the future of Southwest Airlines in Northwest Florida,” Moliterno wrote in a press release. “This community will forever be changed by the impact that the low-cost carrier will have on the local economy.”

Montgomery will speak at the summit because the company believes in connecting with communities in which it serves, spokeswoman Christi Day wrote in e-mail.

“We believe in being the hometown carrier in every city we serve,” Day said. “We feel that the Northwest Florida Leadership Summit is a great way for us to connect with the community and local business leaders.”