“The breakfast sold out within 15 minutes of registration opening in September,” said Doug Evans, CEO of the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Evans referred to the 650 people attending a chamber breakfast featuring Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg.
Eikenberg discussed issues like Everglades restoration and water quality.
Town Council Member Nikki McDonnell praised the turnout as the biggest attendance ever.
Speaking at Mar-a-Lago. Eikenberg commented on Everglades restoration success. “As goes the Everglades, goes the Florida economy,” he said.
Also, huge issues affecting South Florida, such as the EAA Reservoir and how that will positively affect those in Palm Beach.
The foundation’s focus remains on improving water conditions, which benefits not just citizens, but also property values, the overall real estate economy, and tourism.
Eikenberg’s conversations throughout the region still resonate with residents and Floridians going into the 2026 midterm election.
He has said many Floridians are surprised that their drinking water comes from Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades.
Traveling throughout the state, Eikenberg has highlighted how the state and certain groups like the fishing & kayaking community are seeing positive returns following this year’s drought.
One of Eikenberg’s favorite topics at the chamber event was the $4 billion reservoir currently being constructed just south of Lake Okeechobee.
Eikenberg said the project is ahead of schedule and nearly halfway complete. The original plan was to finish it by 2034; now, Eikenberg says, the project may be completed by 2029, ahead of schedule.
