With Northwest Florida's economy continuing its slow but steady recovery, and unemployment at a six year low, what's the best game plan going forward for the region's businesses and industries?

Answering that question is the focus of the 18th annual Gulf Power Economic Symposium set for Oct. 13-14 at Baytowne Conference Center in Sandestin.

Considered Northwest Florida's most prestigious and longest-running economic summit, Gulf Power's symposium will feature a stellar lineup of the state and region's top business and economic experts.

Scheduled topics on the two-day agenda include "Preparing Workers for our Changing Economy," along with a measured dose of economic optimism from several other speakers.

This year’s theme, said Gulf Power spokesman Jeff Rogers, is "Game Plan for the Future … What’s Your Next Move?"

On Monday afternoon Rick Harper, director of the University of West Florida Office of Economic Development and Engagement and director of the Studer Institute, will deliver his annual economic outlook for the coming year.

Harper's remarks will be followed by a panel discussion about what has worked in Florida and what hasn't worked for some local successful business owners.

That Monday panel will include: Moderator: John Hutchinson, Community and Economic Development Director, Gulf Power; Marshall Criser III, chancellor, State University System of Florida; Randy Hanna, Chancellor, Florida College System; Chris Hart IV, president & CEO, CareerSource Florida; Pam Stewart, commissioner of Education, Florida Department of Education; and Gray Swoope, Florida Secretary of Commerce and president & CEO, Enterprise Florida, Inc.

On Tuesday, the symposium will feature:

-- Helping Florida Businesses Make the Next Move – Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director, Department of Economic Opportunity

-- Innovation & Growth – Doug Tatum, Chairman, Newport Board Group; and Entrepreneur in Residence, The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

-- And a panel discussion on "Making a Move in Northwest Florida," moderated by Steve Dunnivant, dean, Gulf Coast State College Advance Technology Center.

The panel includes Jason Crawford, CEO, Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems (IRIS); Dale Eade, owner, Cindale Farms; Louis Erickson, COO and Co-Founder, Bit-Wizards; Simona Faroni, Co-Founder, GS Gelato;  Michael Hicks, president & CEO, Hixardt Technologies;  Rick Linton, president, Absolute Consulting, Inc.; and  Will Owen, President & CEO, Jet Boat Pilot.

The symposium will conclude Tuesday noon with closing remarks by Gulf Power CEO Stan Connally.

For more information, or to register for the symposium, visit gulfpowersymposium.com.