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Fort Lauderdale Forum program, September 17, 2026, 7:30-9 AM. "Broward's Economic Gateway to the World: Port Everglades, FLL & the Impact of our Regional Economy"
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Fort Lauderdale's competitive advantage is not simply that we have an airport and a seaport. It is that we have an integrated air–sea gateway, located next to a major tourism destination and within one of the country's largest metropolitan economies.
That distinction is important.
* FLL brings people and business into the region.
* Port Everglades moves people, goods, energy and capital through the region.
* Fort Lauderdale sits at the intersection of those flows.
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Caribbean/global cruise vacations and international trade are what make Port Everglades an economic powerhouse for Broward County and one of the most diverse seaports in the United States.
Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. It is a leading container port in Florida and among the most active cargo ports in the United States. Port Everglades is also South Florida’s main seaport for receiving petroleum products including, gasoline and jet fuel. Its Foreign-Trade Zone 25, office space inside the port's secure area and neighboring logistical warehouses make Port Everglades a highly desirable business center for world trade.
CARGO — another piece of the story. Port Everglades handled approximately 1.167 million TEUs in FY2025.
The port connects South Florida to international markets, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean, while also serving broader global trade routes.
And the impact isn't confined to dockworkers.
Imported and exported goods support employment throughout: manufacturing, wholesale, retail, distribution, trucking, warehousing, logistics, professional services, more.
The FY2025 study estimates that 262,763 related-user jobs are associated with cargo moving through Port Everglades.
The Port Everglades Department is a self-supporting enterprise fund of Broward County government. It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations or capital improvements.
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Plan to Attend: September 17, 2026, 7:30-9 AM, 111. E. Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 (ground floor)
Moderator: (Former) Mayor Jack Seiler
Speakers:
> Glenn Wiltshire, Deputy Director, Port Everglades
> Michael Nonnemacher, Aviation Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Broward County Aviation Dept. Fort Lauderdale International Airport, (FLL), and North Perry Airports.
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Fort Lauderdale Forum, 111 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2206, United States
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