The third annual CityWorks(X)po Florida is coming to Winter Haven April 4-6, 2018, and this year’s lineup of speakers is sure to inspire attendees with thought-provoking presentations and engaging dialog. The evening schedule includes special networking opportunities and entertaining events.

With generous enthusiasm and support from CityWorks(X)po founder Ed Walker, Main Street Winter Haven, Inc., is again partnering with the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, City of Winter Haven, Winter Haven Economic Development Council and Visit Central Florida to bring you this placemaking summit, idea exchange and festival-style conference.

CityWorks(X)po Florida attendees in 2016 and 2017 enjoyed making connections and gathering ideas. Former Lakeland Mayor Howard Wiggs, who attended the past two years, considers CityWorks a very beneficial experience that features quality speakers who present usable ideas and attainable goals. “Last year, I particularly enjoyed hearing from the representatives of Realize Bradenton as they talked about their downtown development programs that are working well,” Wiggs said. “Their ideas were both scalable and usable for other communities.”

This year’s CityWorks will encourage that same connectivity within and between cities. During the day, speakers, panelists and participants will include innovative leaders from seven major themes:

• Capital & Social Entrepreneurship
• Leadership & Good Government
• Arts, Design & Music
• Knowledge & New Media
• Outdoors & Recreation
• Public Health & Social Justice
• Food & Drink

In the evenings, participants will enjoy networking opportunities and entertaining events. Here’s a brief summary of this year’s (X)po schedule:

Wednesday, April 4
12:00 -2:00 pm:     Check in begins at Grove Roots Brewing Co.’s The Packing House.
2:00-5:00 pm:        CityWorks(X)po kicks off!
5:30–8:00 pm:       Stay for beer, bites and live music!

Thursday, April 5
7:30 am:                 Registration, coffee, juice and lite breakfast bites at Heartland Church.
9:00 am:                 Day 2 sessions begin.
5:30-8:30 pm:        Live music, great food and drink at Gram Parson’s Derry Down.

Friday, April 6
8:00 am:                Registration, coffee, juice and lite breakfast bites at Heartland Church.
9:00 am:                Day 3 sessions begin.
12:00 pm:              Wrap-up CityWorks(X)po Florida 2018.
1:00 pm:                Sign-up for a boat tour on the Chain of Lakes.

To register and to learn more about the (X)citing lineup of speakers, go to www.cityworksxpofl.com. If you would like to become a sponsor and help bring this innovative conference to our area, contact Main Street Winter Haven at 863-295-9422.

The Winter Haven Economic Development Council is pleased to be a partner again for this year’s (X)po, which promises to be another inspiring event. We hope you’ll join us to connect, learn and share big ideas to make our communities even better. If you need a little encouragement, we’ll leave you with one more quote from Howard Wiggs, “You’re missing out if you don’t go!”