Posted: May 01, 2026
NORTHWEST FLORIDA — Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) has reached a definitive milestone in its United Forward initiative, appointing two industry-leading firms to create a powerful framework to drive diversification and economic growth across Northwest Florida. Supported by a $4.7 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant, these partnerships signal the official transition from regional planning to high-impact execution across Northwest Florida.
FGNW has selected VisionFirst Advisors to serve as the "FORWARD Facilitator," a specialized role dedicated to overseeing the implementation of the Next Generation of Northwest Florida FORWARD, the regional strategy for economic transformation. Simultaneously, The Moore Agency has been tapped to lead comprehensive target audience research, which will inform the development of FGNW’s multi-year Market Activation Plan. This plan will showcase the region’s economic development assets and create a cycle of prosperity. Increased visibility leads to greater awareness, generating more quality jobs, capital investment, and enhanced wages for residents in Northwest Florida.
“By securing VisionFirst Advisors and The Moore Agency, we are elevating Northwest Florida’s position in the global spotlight,” said Jennifer Conoley, President and CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest. “United Forward launches the most extensive, strategically focused initiative in our region’s history, and these partners provide the strategic edge we need to drive industry diversification and unprecedented economic growth across Northwest Florida.”
As FGNW’s FORWARD Facilitator, VisionFirst Advisors will coordinate stakeholders in each county through "Next Generation" workshops to drive the implementation of the Northwest Florida FORWARD: The Next Generation regional strategy.
“Strong economic strategies are grounded in stakeholder insight and shaped by the communities they are meant to serve,” said Gray Swoope, President and CEO of VisionFirst Advisors. “By combining our expertise in data-driven analysis with meaningful stakeholder engagement, we are excited to support Northwest Florida in building a roadmap that reflects local priorities while advancing industry growth and long-term economic vitality.”
Tasked with Target Audience Research and Market Activation Plan development for United Forward, The Moore Agency will analyze perceptions and insights from international site selection experts and corporate executives to sharpen the region's competitive edge. This research will serve as the foundation for developing FGNW’s Market Activation Plan, ensuring marketing efforts are backed by rigorous insights and executed for peak effectiveness.
“Florida’s Great Northwest is at a pivotal moment, with growing momentum across the region,” said Terrie Ard, President and Partner, Moore. “The area has extraordinary assets, and our role is to translate that potential into a clear, compelling strategy that resonates with decision makers. Anchored in research and focused on results, we look forward to helping position the region’s competitive advantage for long-term, sustainable economic growth.”
With a strategic foundation now firmly in place, FGNW is moving from vision to reality. By positioning Northwest Florida as a premier destination for global investment, the United Forward initiative serves as a national model for regional collaboration that drives sustained economic success.
United Forward is the strategic initiative led by Florida’s Great Northwest to drive economic growth across Northwest Florida. Backed by a $4.7 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant, the initiative employs a dual approach: conducting research to develop the Northwest Florida FORWARD: The Next Generation strategic plan, then translating those insights into aggressive marketing to position the region as a premier destination for global business. To learn more, visit www.northwestfloridaforward.com
Florida’s Great Northwest is the regional economic development organization for the 13-county region of the Florida Panhandle. The organization's purpose is to promote Northwest Florida's economic growth and diversification, to advocate for economic development issues affecting the region, and to collaborate to improve regional competitiveness. For more information, visit FloridasGreatNorthwest.com.
