Speed Date Your Local Leaders 2026

Maybe you’ve never tried it yourself, but everyone’s heard of speed dating. And we've enjoyed making civic speed dating a fun hometown tradition! At a time when good civic conversations are either hostile or practically non-existent, it’s probably past time for a little local “matchmaking” for the good of our hometown. It’s a format so cool and unique that we were featured in USA Today back when we launched it.

Whether you're married, single, or even "it's complicated," Speed Date Your Local Leaders gives citizens the unusual opportunity to chat informally with the people who lead in our community. Join us at 5:30 PM for mingling with other guests and leaders, and some light bites. The program will run from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Here’s how it works: Leaders will rotate from table to table every 7 minutes, offering each group of participants an opportunity to ask questions or offer ideas that might never have rated a phone call or public testimony but are the grist of good citizenship and good governance nonetheless.

Check here to see which community leaders will be joining us!

Thanks to our funders Community Foundation of North Florida through a grant from the Knight Foundation for making Speed Date possible once again.