Richard Florida

The Richard Florida keynotes reveal the potential of the creative class -- a term he coined as the driving force behind revolutionizing the economy.

Florida went to Columbia University where he received a Ph.D in 1986. He then joined George Mason University's School of Public Policy, but moved to Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College two short years later. He assumed post as the Business and Creativity Professor at Rotman School of Management, where he still is today, and became the Director at the Martin Prosperity Institute at the same time.

Florida leads the Creative Class Group, a consulting firm which he founded in 2005. Since 2011, Florida has served as the senior editor at The Atlantic. He was dubbed one of Esquire Magazine's Best and Brightest.

Florida penned bestsellers 'The Rise of the Creative Class' and 'Who's Your City amongst five other titles -- all of which speak about how innovators are a category in themselves. He has also written for The New York Times, The Economist, The Harvard Business Review and The Globe and Mail.

By acknowledging artists, musicians and 'high bohemians' as a separate class, the Richard Florida keynotes explore the cutting-edge of economic development.