The future, at its most glamorous, began to arrive around 6 p.m. April 16 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers.
An international group of innovators mingled in black-tie attire for the 39th annual Edison Awards gala, often dubbed the Oscars of Innovation, where they were recognized for developing technologies shaping the world to come.
The gala capped two days in which the River District became a hub for the global innovation industry. The convention drew companies from around the world, including several from Southwest Florida, showcasing advances in robotics, agriculture, energy, aviation and other sectors.
Chemical engineer Yuchi Wang traveled from Taiwan for the event.
“It’s my third time, and the previous year I got a gold,” said Wang, project director of the Medical Devices Division Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories for Industrial Technology Research Institute.
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson welcomes attendees to the Edison Awards, emphasizing collaboration and innovation during his opening remarks.
Horizon Foundation
Fort Myers hosted the awards for the sixth year, celebrating the legacy of inventor Thomas Edison, one of the city’s most famous seasonal residents.
Mayor Kevin Anderson opened the ceremony as attendees — executives, scientists, researchers, students and policymakers — settled into the ballroom for dinner. He highlighted Edison’s embrace of collaboration, experimentation and failure as part of the creative process.
“Innovation rarely happens in isolation,” Anderson said. “The breakthroughs that truly transform our world are born when people come together across disciplines, industries and communities, united by a shared purpose. The Edison Awards embodies that idea.”
Earlier in the day, expert panels explored the future of technology. One session focused on innovations expected to reshape the world by 2030.
Dunbar High School student Maiya Zhang and teacher Denise Spence present their first-place project in the AI + HI Innovation Challenge during the Edison Awards.
Horizon Foundation
“I like to think that pretty soon here, we’re getting close to having robots as collaborators to ourselves … moving beyond being tools that we can use, but more like coworkers,” said Edward Tunstel, director of robotics research and development in the Intelligent Systems Division at Southwest Research Institute.
Another panel examined the strain on global energy infrastructure.
“We’re hurtling toward this AI driven future,” said moderator Aisling Carlson, chief growth officer of Greentown Labs. “And our current power systems were not designed to accommodate that kind of growth. If we stay on this path, do the lights actually stay on?”
The question remained open, though panelist Marc Nichol of the Nuclear Energy Institute said renewed interest in nuclear power could help meet demand.
“(The) growth in interest in nuclear is incredible, and it all goes back to recognition that energy, electricity, has to be reliable, economic, safe and clean,” he said.
Close
A speaker addresses attendees during the Edison Awards 2026 ceremony.
Attendees watch a presentation during the Edison Awards gala at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers.
Guests at the Edison Awards gala.
From left, Ahmad Rashad, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Gulfshore Business Senior Editor David Dorsey speak during the Edison Awards in Fort Myers.
Attendees toast during the Edison Awards gala in Fort Myers.
Guests gather at the bar during the Edison Awards reception.
A server delivers dinner during the Edison Awards gala at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers.
James Richmond, founder and president of Bonita Springs-based e2Companies, speaks during a panel on the future of power at the Edison Awards.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, right, and Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg participate in a discussion on water quality and restoration at the Edison Awards.
Bill Johnson, left, and Shelby Baucom of The Horizon Foundation introduce winners of the AI + HI Innovation Challenge at the Edison Awards.
Ben Spence, left, and Helen Edenfield of The Horizon Foundation outline economic development opportunities during the Edison Awards in Fort Myers.
Students representing Dunbar High School and Island Coast High School pose after earning top honors in the AI + HI Innovation Challenge during the Edison Awards.
A humanoid robot is demonstrated on stage during the Edison Awards in Fort Myers, highlighting advances in robotics and human-machine interaction.
Attendees gather inside the Caloosa Sound Convention Center during the Edison Awards, which drew innovators and business leaders from around the world.
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson welcomes attendees to the Edison Awards, emphasizing collaboration and innovation during his opening remarks.
Dunbar High School student Maiya Zhang and teacher Denise Spence present their first-place project in the AI + HI Innovation Challenge during the Edison Awards.
Kyrin Hall, founder of Naples-based Digital ShortCutz, moderates a panel on technologies expected to shape the world by 2030 during the Edison Awards.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks during a panel discussion at the Edison Awards, addressing water quality challenges and opportunities for innovation.
A small personal aircraft is displayed during the Edison Awards event at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers, highlighting emerging aviation technology.
A guest poses for photos on the red carpet at the Edison Awards gala, often described as the Oscars of Innovation.
A robot known as “Mickey” interacts with attendees at the Edison Awards, showcasing advancements in robotics and human-machine interaction.
Attendees interact with a humanoid robot during the Edison Awards, where robotics and artificial intelligence innovations drew strong interest.
A speaker addresses attendees during the Edison Awards 2026 ceremony.
Attendees watch a presentation during the Edison Awards gala at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers.
Guests at the Edison Awards gala.
From left, Ahmad Rashad, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Gulfshore Business Senior Editor David Dorsey speak during the Edison Awards in Fort Myers.
Attendees toast during the Edison Awards gala in Fort Myers.
Guests gather at the bar during the Edison Awards reception.
A server delivers dinner during the Edison Awards gala at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers.
James Richmond, founder and president of Bonita Springs-based e2Companies, speaks during a panel on the future of power at the Edison Awards.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, right, and Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg participate in a discussion on water quality and restoration at the Edison Awards.
Bill Johnson, left, and Shelby Baucom of The Horizon Foundation introduce winners of the AI + HI Innovation Challenge at the Edison Awards.
Ben Spence, left, and Helen Edenfield of The Horizon Foundation outline economic development opportunities during the Edison Awards in Fort Myers.
Students representing Dunbar High School and Island Coast High School pose after earning top honors in the AI + HI Innovation Challenge during the Edison Awards.
A humanoid robot is demonstrated on stage during the Edison Awards in Fort Myers, highlighting advances in robotics and human-machine interaction.
Attendees gather inside the Caloosa Sound Convention Center during the Edison Awards, which drew innovators and business leaders from around the world.
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson welcomes attendees to the Edison Awards, emphasizing collaboration and innovation during his opening remarks.
Dunbar High School student Maiya Zhang and teacher Denise Spence present their first-place project in the AI + HI Innovation Challenge during the Edison Awards.
Kyrin Hall, founder of Naples-based Digital ShortCutz, moderates a panel on technologies expected to shape the world by 2030 during the Edison Awards.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks during a panel discussion at the Edison Awards, addressing water quality challenges and opportunities for innovation.
A small personal aircraft is displayed during the Edison Awards event at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers, highlighting emerging aviation technology.
A guest poses for photos on the red carpet at the Edison Awards gala, often described as the Oscars of Innovation.
A robot known as “Mickey” interacts with attendees at the Edison Awards, showcasing advancements in robotics and human-machine interaction.
Attendees interact with a humanoid robot during the Edison Awards, where robotics and artificial intelligence innovations drew strong interest.
A discussion on artificial intelligence in health care also stressed collaboration.
“If we’re not having those conversations together, we end up in a space where people get paralyzed by uncertainty,” said Merage Ghane, director of responsible AI for the Coalition for Health AI. “What we do a lot at the Coalition for Health AI is bring the vendors, the health care delivery organizations, the patients, the payers, all into one room and say, let’s solve this problem.”
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush joined Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg to discuss restoration efforts and ongoing water quality challenges.
“What do you say to entrepreneurs and innovators who are in this room, and not in this room, as they’re thinking about solving this challenge?” Eikenberg asked.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks during a panel discussion at the Edison Awards, addressing water quality challenges and opportunities for innovation.
Evan Williams
Bush said he is still “waiting for some big technological advance” to address water quality issues and described the problem as a significant opportunity for innovation.
“[How] you store water, how you keep it clean in a state that’s growing, still continues to grow, with millions of people wanting to come here, and millions already living here — it’s got to be a massive opportunity,” he said.
A small personal aircraft is displayed during the Edison Awards event at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers, highlighting emerging aviation technology.
Evan Williams
Companies also showcased a range of products, including a small personal aircraft. A robot named Mickey and robotic dogs from TVC Robotics drew particular attention.
“It’s famous all over the world because it’s one of the most advanced robots and, so far, one of the most affordable ones,” said TVC Chief Operating Officer Artem Makhov.
The robots are primarily used for research at universities and range in price from about $9,000 to $75,000, he said.
A full list of award recipients is available at edisonawards.com.