Again, we're streaming today's plenary featuring Richard Florida live from Palm Beach starting at 5:30 until 6:30 pm EST. Don't miss it!

Richard Florida, author of the best-selling Rise of the Creative Class and The Great Reset, speaks at CNU 20 on May 11. Florida is the founder of the Creative Class Group, currently heads the Martin Prosperity Institute at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and is a senior editor at Atlantic Magazine, having recently created the Atlantic Cities program.

In Florida's many articles and books, he has highlighted the positive benefits and attractiveness of cities. Florida argues that urbanism will drive wealth and development in the new economy. His positive views of cities have made Florida popular with mayors and urban advocates across the world - and particularly in America - who have successfully reversed the negative image of urban life that prevailed in the '70s, '80s and early '90s. His research and writing have helped shine a light on cities as the valuable core of a vibrant culture and successful economy. Critics of Florida's pro-urban prescriptions contend that the Creative Class is a proxy for gentrification. Others maintain that "people, not places" develop and question how far a city can rejuvenate itself by focusing on amenities catering to certain demographics.