Richard Florida
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Richard Florida

Renowned Economist | Bestselling Author

Richard Florida is one of the world’s most sought after speakers on global trends, economics, prosperity, competitiveness, and growth. Combining in-depth analysis, a fascinating personal story, and a touch of self-deprecating humor, it’s no wonder he was named one of Esquire’s “Best and Brightest,” alongside luminaries such as Bill Clinton and Bill Gates. Fascinating audiences all over the world, Florida’s talks are as transformative as they are perceptive.

Florida is the bestselling author of The New Urban Crisis: How Our Cities Are Increasing Inequality, Deepening Segregation, and Failing the Middle Class—and What We Can Do About It; The Rise of the Creative Class Revisited; The Great Reset; Who’s Your City: How the Places We Pick Shape the Lives We Lead; Flight of the Creative Class; and The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It’s Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life. A senior editor for The Atlantic, Florida writes frequently for major newspapers and appears regularly on CNN and other news broadcasts, and Time magazine recognized his Twitter feed as one of the “140 Most Influential in the World.”

Florida is the founder of the Creative Class Group, which works closely with cities, nations, and companies worldwide, and is the Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. He has also taught at Carnegie Mellon University, and has been a visiting professor at Harvard and MIT. Florida holds a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers College and a PhD from Columbia University.

Why Creativity is the New Economy

Regions are becoming more specialized in economic activity, creating a global battle for talent.

Combining in-depth analysis, cutting-edge trends, compelling personal stories, and a touch of humor, Dr. Richard Florida presents his insights into how creativity and the Creative Class are revolutionizing the global economy during a time of “Great Reset.” Looking toward the future, Florida identifies the patterns that will drive the next Great Reset and transform virtually every aspect of our lives, from how and where we live, to how we work, to how we invest in individuals and infrastructure, and how we shape our cities and regions.

Florida shows how these forces, when combined, will spur a fresh era of growth and prosperity, define a new geography of progress, and create surprising opportunities for all of us. He takes a deeper look at the forces reshaping our economy, giving us a provocative new way to think about why we live as we do—and where we might be headed. Florida uses lessons from the last ten years to show how Creative Class theory has grown from a prediction to a prescription for an economy in turmoil, outlining the need for a Creative Compact—a new social compact that can put us back on the path to economic growth.