Business Forum of Palm Beach County
The Business Forum of Palm Beach County was established in 2004 to bring business leaders from Palm Beach County together to exchange information and ideas, to promote collaboration on public policy issues and to act collectively as the voice of business on issues of countywide significance.
The Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Inc. is a founding member of the Forum. Other founding members include local chambers of commerce and trade associations for realtors, builders, developers and the marine industry in Palm Beach County. Membership is limited to not-for-profit membership organizations, professional societies and trade associations that promote business and the free enterprise system. Each member organization is limited to three representatives. The Business Forum meets as needed, and each member organization has one vote. A vote of the majority plus one is required for the Business Forum to take a position on any public policy issue.
The Business Forum organized an independent study committee that endorsed the ˝-cent sales tax for school construction and modernization. The Business Forum supported the tax provided that it sunsets after six years, it will be used for capital construction only and there is an independent oversight board to monitor expenditures. The Business Forum subsequently created The Community and Education Partnership to organize a campaign to promote passage of the referendum. The Committee formed a broad-based, grassroots coalition of community, business and civic leaders that raised more than $700,000 in support of the measure. On November 2, 2004, the tax to generate $560 million over the next six years was approved by 58 percent of the voters. The Business Forum has two appointments to the construction oversight committee.
In 2006, the Business Forum helped create a new non-profit, the Housing Leadership Council, to address the shortage of affordable workforce housing. FIU Metropolitan Center was commissioned to complete a benchmark housing assessment study and employer survey that is now being used to identify solutions.
The Business Forum includes representatives from the following organizations: American Institute of Architects, Palm Beach Chapter; Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter, Inc.; Business Development Board; Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches; Community & Economic Development Council, Inc.; The Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Inc; Florida East Coast Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America; Gold Coast Builders Association; Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce; Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce; Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce; Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce; The Hispanic Chamber of Palm Beach County, Inc.; Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County, Inc.; Institute of Real Estate Management; Jupiter- Tequesta- Hobe Sound Association of Realtors, Inc.; Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance of Palm Beach County, Inc. (LORE); Marine Industry Association of Palm Beach County; Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce; Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce; Palm Beach County Hotel & Lodging Association; Palm Beach County Medical Society; Palms West Chamber of Commerce; Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches, Inc.; South Florida Hospital & HealthCare Association; Wellington Chamber of Commerce; World Trade Center Palm Beach.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The position of the Business Forum on a particular issue does not necessarily represent the position of all organizations listed. There may be some organizations that have not taken a position on a particular issue or are awaiting approval from their boards or membership. For a detailed position of each organization on issues, please contact the Business Forum or each organization directly. | 
