Agenda 2017

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

1:00p – 6:00pm

Tour (Optional)

Pre-Conference Tour – Tour Agenda

8:00pm – 12midnight

Networking – Hospitality Suite Open

Program moderator:  Spiro E. Stefanou, Professor and Chair, Food and Resource Economics Dept. UF/IFAS

Thursday, November 2, 2017

8:00 – 9:30am

Economic Outlook for 2017-18:  What Does a Trump Economy Look Like?

Edmond J Seifried, Professor Emeritus of Economics and Business at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania

President Trump has roiled the financial markets from day one. But what exactly does his administration and policy agenda mean for the US economy? Dr Ed will investigate the results of the Trump economy so far and speculate what’s to come. Dr Ed also has his eyes on the Federal Reserve, and will report on what that organization is likely to do in the new Trump economy.

9:30 -10:45am

Weather Outlook for 2018 Crop Planning

Dr. S. Elwynn Taylor, Agricultural Meteorologist, Iowa State University

Weather Outlook:  Tropical Storms are somewhat cyclic over a period of years.  The El Nino / La Nina do influence the risk of severe storms in the USA.  The Temperature of the Sea surface appears to be a major aspect of changing climate with the greatest impact on the agriculture economy.  The next nine years may bring harsh weather not seen in the past 90 years. Great information if you are currently working on your PRF crop insurance policy.

10:45 – 11:00am

Networking Break

11:00am – 12:00pm

Florida’s Current Climate is Ripe for Solar Energy Tax Incentives

Michael D. Minton, Shareholder and Chair of the Agribusiness and Solar Energy Teams, Dean Mead; Anna H. Long, Real Estate and Environmental Law, Dean Mead; and Dana M. Apfelbaum, Tax and Estate & Succession Planning, Dean Mead

For a number of years, certain Federal, state and local tax incentives have been available to promote, among other things, the importance of renewable energy like solar power.  These incentives benefit Florida’s business owners and residents who choose to implement solar energy systems on their property.  Businesses and individuals alike may wish to take advantage of these incentives, many of which have time limitations making early participation potentially more advantageous due to phase-outs or limited availability.

Not interested in installing and operating the solar farm yourself ? Then perhaps leasing your property to an energy provider sounds appealing.  Structuring the terms and conditions of a solar lease can be lucrative for the property owner, but the devil is in the details.  Structuring a solar lease should be done after careful consideration is given to the current and future use of the property.

Some power companies prefer to own the site rather than lease. Therefore, structuring a transaction that yields favorable tax consequences and like kind exchange potential is in the Owner’s best interest. Our presenters will share their expertise in presenting your best options.

12:00 – 1:00pm

Lunch

1:00 – 1:45pm

The Importance of Corporate Governance

William H. Cauthen, J.D., LLM (Taxation), William H. Cauthen, P.A.

Can you readily put your hands on your corporate/LLC documents? Are they kept up to date beyond the annual certification with the Secretary of State? We will review the essential role these documents play and the legal ins and outs in protecting the interests of the business and business owners over the course of a company’s lifetime.

1:45 – 2:45pm

Florida’s Economy is Changing at an Accelerated Pace.  How Can Florida Prepare for the Year 2030?

Jerry D. Parrish, Ph.D., Chief Economist Florida Chamber Foundation

Florida’s economy is changing at an accelerated pace.  By 2030, six million more residents will call Florida home.  To prepare for this continued growth and ensure Florida remains successful, we need a plan for Florida’s future that develops high-wage jobs, diversifies the economy,  ensures global competitiveness and creates vibrant communities. The Florida Scorecard™ provides Florida leaders and local stakeholders with the metrics needed to measure progress within their own communities.

2:45 – 3:00pm

Networking Break

3:00 – 4:00pm

Cyber Insecurity: The Evolving Threat Landscape

Chip Henderson, Senior Security Analyst, Pondurance

Another day, another hack. Cyber threats have transformed the way modern companies process, handle, and ultimately store valuable information. If they’re not careful, they could be featured on tomorrow’s 5 o’clock news for something that could have been prevented given a strategic execution of a mature information security program. A solid foundation of understanding the landscape of today’s threats is the first step in conquering an often overlooked aspect to conducting business in 2017.

4:00 – 5:15pm

180 Days to Maximum Profit – Analyzing Efficiencies in Your Operation

Bob Blackburn, founder of Corporate Profit Solutions, LLC

  • Want to improve your operating cash flow?

  • Would you like to significantly improve your banking relations?

  • Want to learn how to expand your bottom line profits?

  • Do you know the financial trends of your company?  The trends are very important.

  • Did you know you can reduce labor costs with minimal efforts?

  • Do you know how capturing “Economies of Scale” can bring your company more profits?

  • Does your company use operating budgets and variance reports?  They are crucial to financial success!

  • Would you like to know how incentives can quickly boost your company’s performance?

5:30 – 6:30pm

Reception

6:30pm

Dinner On Your Own

8:00 pm – 12:00midnight

Networking – Hospitality Suite Open

Friday, November 3, 2017

8:00 – 9:15 am

Beating Hurricane Irma – Tax Strategies for Agricultural Recovery

Lynn Sedwick, Partner, Tax Services, RSM; Justin Silva, Senior Manager, Tax Consulting, RSM; and Kenton Thompson, Senior Director, Valuation Services, RSM

Hurricane Irma was an agricultural catastrophe, ravaging Florida crops, flooding pastures, destroying property, and interrupting operations. Attention has since turned toward a quick recovery and strong rebound. But, how much do you really know about your tax relief options and their implications?

In this session, RSM’s experts will provide you with strategic considerations for agricultural recovery including:

  • Federal relief available for farmers
  • Tax updates including tax treatment of government aid, hiring and retention incentives, replanting costs, proposed legislation for incentives, and more
  • Considerations for casualty loss damages

9:15 – 9:45am

Hurricane Relief – Overview of Financial Funding Available

Bronwyn D. Bethea-Rowland, Farm Loan Manager, USDA Farm Service Agency, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee, Desoto, Sarasota and Manatee Counties; Craig Stokes, County Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Brevard Counties

USDA’s Farm Service Agency offers a variety of programs and services to help communities, farmers, ranchers, and businesses that have been hard hit by Hurricanes Irma, Harvey, Maria and other natural disaster events. The programs available will be discussed in detail including ECP, ELAP, TAP and others.

9:45 – 10:00am

Networking Break

10:00 – 10:45 am

Getting a Fair Shake on your Hurricane Irma Insurance Claim 

Steven Boyne, Co-Chair of Insurance Practice Group, Gunster

After devastating Hurricane Irma ripped through Florida many farmers and ranchers are now assessing the damage, contacting their insurers, and starting on the long process of physical and financial recovery. Hear from an experienced attorney about what you need to know in order to make this a smoother process and to get the money you truly deserve based on your insurance policies and the value of damages sustained. This discussion will include both property and casualty and crop insurance claims.

10:45 – 11:15 am

Land Update

Richard Dempsey, ALC, CBC Saunders Real Estate

From its discovery, Florida’s allure has been broadcast with a siren-like song to explorers, investors,scam artists, the tired and the retired. Rich and poor have pursued their slice of paradise in the sunshine. All Florida landowners have been subject to cyclical, and somewhat predictable, changes in its value. Buying at the right time and then recognizing the peak, is an art that has resulted in great wealth. But being blinded by the hope of past performance and failing to see the impending fall has resulted in tragic loss. Every cycle has its own risks and rewards. Where are we today?

11:15 am – 12:15 pm

HERE COMES THE FUTURE. WILL I SURVIVE?

Harold Lloyd, Harold Lloyd Presents

This session is a quantitative, self-assessment designed to forecast the future viability of any business.  Our research and consultative experience has identified 10 key qualifiers which must be carefully managed by every business to insure its survival especially in times like these.  So, before it’s too late, learn where your firm should invest its time, talent, money, and energy in an effort to solidify your future.

12:15 – 1:15 pm

Lunch

ADJOURN

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