If you’re an energy executive who’s relocated to South Florida—or you’re thinking about it—here’s something worth knowing: Fort Lauderdale might actually be the perfect size for building the kind of network that changes careers.
I know that sounds counterintuitive. Bigger markets mean more opportunity, right? More people, more deals, more action.
But here’s the thing. In those sprawling business hubs, you can easily become just another face. Another LinkedIn connection that never turns into anything real. Fort Lauderdale offers something different: actual accessibility to the people who matter.
“Energy executives who come to Fort Lauderdale from Houston or Dallas are often surprised by how quickly they can build meaningful relationships here,” says Jim Hickey, President and Managing Partner at Perpetual Talent Solutions, a Fort Lauderdale executive search firm. “The business community is tight-knit enough that introductions actually happen, but diverse enough that those connections lead somewhere.”
Why Smaller Actually Works Better
Let’s look at the numbers for a second. Greater Fort Lauderdale sits at the heart of South Florida’s metro region—6.1 million residents, the largest metro in the Southeast. That’s serious scale. But the city itself? About 192,600 people. Big enough to matter, small enough to navigate.
For energy folks, this balance is kind of perfect. Florida ranks as the third-largest energy consumer in the country and produces more electricity than any state except Texas. So yes, real business happens here. But the executive community stays small enough that you can actually get to know people. Like, really know them.
And here’s another interesting wrinkle: small businesses account for 54.3 percent of employment in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area. That’s higher than most major cities. What does that mean for you? You’re surrounded by entrepreneurs and business owners. People who understand relationship-building. People who actually return phone calls.
The Hidden Job Market Is Even More Hidden Here
You’ve probably heard the stat: somewhere between 60 and 80 percent of positions get filled through networking, not job postings. For C-suite roles, it’s even higher.
In a smaller market like Fort Lauderdale? That dynamic gets amplified.
“When an energy company needs a new VP of Operations, they’re not always posting that role publicly,” Hickey explains. “They’re asking their board members, their attorneys, their banking contacts. They’re reaching out to people they trust.”
This is both good news and a wake-up call. If you wait until you need your network to start building it… you’re already behind. The executives who invest in relationships before they need them? They’re the ones who hear about opportunities that never hit LinkedIn.
Where to Actually Focus Your Energy
Not all networking is created equal. Here’s where energy executives should be spending their time in Fort Lauderdale:
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance is the region’s official economic development organization. They run CEO Council and Governor Council structures that bring together business leaders across industries. This is where you meet the people shaping the region’s direction.
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce operates leads groups and networking programs designed for real connections, not just handshakes. Worth checking out.
Industry-specific groups like the Florida Municipal Electric Association connect utility executives and energy professionals through conferences and collaborative work. You need these relationships too.
And don’t sleep on cross-sector events. That 600,000-square-foot convention center hosts gatherings where you’ll meet professionals from adjacent industries—and sometimes those are your most valuable contacts.
“The mistake I see energy executives make is focusing exclusively on industry-specific events,” Hickey notes. “Yes, you need to know the other energy people in town. But some of your most valuable relationships will come from healthcare executives, real estate developers, marine industry leaders. Fort Lauderdale’s economy is diverse, and your network should reflect that.”
Reputation Travels Fast Here
Look, I’m going to be direct about something. In Fort Lauderdale’s business community, people talk. Your reputation will precede you—for better or worse.
Executives who treat networking like a transaction—collecting business cards, working the room, always asking before giving—they get figured out pretty quickly. Word spreads.
But those who genuinely invest in others? That gets noticed too. And it comes back to you, often in ways you don’t expect.
The city’s 15 percent self-employment rate ranks fourth nationally. Many of the people you meet are business owners themselves. They understand the long game. And they’re generous with introductions when they trust someone.
“Energy is a relationship business at its core,” Hickey observes. “The technical expertise matters, obviously. But at the executive level, people want to work with leaders they know, leaders they’ve seen in action. Fort Lauderdale gives you the opportunity to become that known quantity relatively quickly.”
If You’re New Here, Start With This
Some practical advice for energy executives just getting established in Fort Lauderdale:
Pick one organization and show up consistently. Join something where you’ll see the same faces every month. Consistency builds trust faster than trying to be everywhere at once.
Get on a nonprofit board. Seriously. These roles put you alongside other community leaders in collaborative settings—working on something together, not just exchanging elevator pitches.
Give it six months before you judge. I know that feels like forever. But relationships take time. Don’t bail on a group after two meetings because you haven’t landed a deal yet.
Lead with value. Make introductions. Share your expertise. Be a thoughtful listener. Do all of this before you ask for anything. People remember who helped them.
Use the lifestyle as a networking tool. Fort Lauderdale has over 3,000 hours of annual sunshine and a climate that makes outdoor events practical year-round. The boating culture, the golf courses, the waterfront restaurants—these are natural venues for deepening relationships. Way better than another conference room.
The Long Game Pays Off
Executives who actually commit to building their Fort Lauderdale network—like, really commit—tend to see returns that go way beyond just career opportunities.
We’re talking deal flow. Partnership possibilities. Advisory opportunities. The kind of market intelligence that only comes through people who trust you enough to share what they’re really seeing.
“I’ve watched energy executives transform their careers by getting serious about their Fort Lauderdale network,” Hickey reflects. “Five years in, they’re getting calls about opportunities they never would have heard about otherwise. They’re being asked to join boards, to advise startups, to participate in transactions. That’s the power of a smaller market where people actually know each other.”
If you’re weighing where to invest your networking energy, Fort Lauderdale deserves a serious look. The market’s substantial enough to offer real opportunity. Compact enough to let you build genuine relationships. And it’s positioned in a state that’s only going to become more important to the energy sector in the years ahead.
Sometimes smaller is exactly the right size.
