The Southwest Florida Legislative Delegation met with a diverse group of constituents yesterday – at the third annual Solutions Forum.

More than 200 people turned out for the forum at Florida Gulf Coast University. They included county and municipal officials, developers, educators and environmentalists. State Representative Mike Davis of Collier County – who together with FGCU President Bill Merwin launched the annual conference 3 years ago – says the diversity leads to constructive dialogue.

“that’s essential for us having a good discussion and a good presentation because if we have any one faction missing then I don’t think we get where we want to be when we stop to consider about how we want to see southwest florida develop over the next 50 years…”

This year’s conference focused on Growth and Transportation issues – which Davis says are of paramount importance to the people in seven county area. The legislative delegation includes several newly elected members – Davis says they’re quickly getting up to speed and becoming team players.

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Area lawmakers heard from a cross-section of constituents today at the 3rd annual Southwest Regional Delegation Forum at Florida Gulf Coast University. The seven county region will be represented by many newly elected lawmakers in Tallahassee year. Veteran area lawmaker Mike Davis of Collier County – says the forum contributes to team building.

“and frankly – Gary Abishon, Doug Holder, Nick Thompson and our other new members have immediately embraced this whole regionalism concept – and understand – they’re quality people and I know they understand how important it is to be part of the team because we go up against some pretty big metropolitan areas – so we’ve gotta work harder and work smarter if we’re gonna win”

The more than two hundred people at the forum included local officials, educators, conservationists and developers. Florida’s annual legislative session begins March 6th.