Jacksonville government officials and business leaders traded the River City’s sunshine and high of 77 degrees for the chilly high of 46 in Toronto, Canada — where the group is or the annual JAXCHAMBER Leadership Trip.
Incoming Chamber Chair John Peyton, who is a former Jacksonville mayor, picked the location because of the resurgence of Toronto’s downtown and how what succeeded there could apply to the River City’s central urban district, the Jacksonville Daily Record reported.
The business delegation numbers 140 and includes many public officials, some of whom are not attending the conference in their official capacity. Jacksonville conference goers will stay at the Four Seasons Toronto, which is owned by Jaguars owner Shad Khan. He is also expected to host his own private event for the group.
The cost per person for the trip is at least $3,200 for chamber attendees and $3,100 for government officials and members of nonprofits. Government representatives who are also serving in a chamber capacity won’t necessarily be billing taxpayers for the trip.
Governor Rick Scott was scheduled to speak at one of the conference’s events, as he is also on a separate trade mission in the city, but his schedule changed.
Scott will be headed to Puerto Rico Friday to supervise efforts to restore power to the island.
