Florida Trend marks 20 years of Icon with special edition

Florida Trend has released the inaugural Florida Trend ICON special edition to mark 20 years of its signature profile series. The commemorative issue spotlights 60 influential Florida business leaders and underscores the magazine's role documenting the state's business history.

Why it matters: - The special edition highlights how Florida's business leaders have shaped industries, communities and the state's economy over two decades. - The ICON franchise has become one of Florida Trend's most recognizable editorial properties, with stories that preserve leadership lessons in the subjects' own words. - The publication aims to connect the past 20 years of business change with the next generation of Florida leaders.

What happened: - Florida Trend released the inaugural Florida Trend ICON special edition in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Aug. 14, 2026. - The commemorative publication marks 20 years of the magazine's Icon feature. - The special edition brings together 60 of the most influential people ever featured in the series. - The Icon series debuted in 2006 and has profiled more than 240 Floridians since then.

The details: - Each Icon profile is told in the subject's own words rather than in a standard biography format. - The editorial team selected the 60 leaders included in the special edition. - Florida Trend said the collection recognizes leaders whose achievements transformed industries, strengthened communities and left a lasting imprint on Florida's business landscape. - David Denor, president and publisher of Florida Trend, said the featured leaders influenced more than their own organizations and helped shape modern Florida. - Executive Editor Amy Keller said the concept was built around giving accomplished Floridians space to tell their stories in their own voices. - Former Executive Editor Mark Howard conceived the feature 20 years ago. - Howard modeled the idea on Esquire's "What I've Learned" format. - The first Icon profile featured entrepreneur Wayne Huizenga. - Huizenga's businesses included Waste Management and Blockbuster. - The series has since profiled executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, philanthropists and civic leaders from across Florida. - Producing each profile requires extensive preparation, thoughtful interviews and careful editing to preserve the subject's voice. - The special edition includes stories of resilience, innovation, perseverance and leadership. - The publication says the collection reflects the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven Florida's growth and continues to shape its future. - More information about Florida Trend ICON and purchasing details are available here.

Between the lines: - The special edition is both a milestone for Florida Trend and a statement about the staying power of long-form business storytelling. - The magazine is positioning Icon as a record of Florida's economic evolution, not just a celebrity-style profile series. - The focus on first-person narratives suggests Florida Trend sees value in firsthand leadership lessons at a time of rapid business change.

What's next: - Florida Trend is likely to continue using the Icon franchise as a platform for preserving the perspectives of established Florida leaders. - Readers can expect the special edition to serve as a reference point for future profiles and business coverage. - Florida Trend directs readers to FloridaTrendICON.com for purchase and additional information.