Detroit was electric this September as thousands of economic developers from across the globe gathered for IEDC's Annual Conference. Over four incredible days, professionals and thought leaders immersed themselves in plenaries, breakout sessions, and tours that showcased how a city and region have catalyzed growth through collaboration and become a blueprint for resilience and reinvention.
I could not imagine a better story to tell than that of Detroit over the past decade. Special thanks to our Host Committee Chairs, Maureen Donohue Krauss, FM, Kevin Johnson, Paul Krutko, FM, HLM, and Quentin Messer, Jr., CEcD, for making this all possible. IEDC also extends sincere thanks to Niagara Bottling and Visit Detroit for their exemplary partnership.
The story of Detroit is one that every community can identify with, one that prides itself on grit and that has grown through regional collaboration. Where the public, private, and philanthropic sectors have come together, where communities have come together, and where people have come together to drive opportunity and showcase their collective spirit.
If you were in Detroit with us, you would have experienced a region on the rise. If you missed out this year, here is a quick synopsis of what you missed, and what you can expect in New Orleans for the IEDC Annual Conference next October 25-28, 2026.
Sunday, September 14
We opened the conference with powerful stories of Detroit's transformation over the past decade. As Maureen Donohue Krauss, Host Committee Chair and President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership, emphasized: "You're in the center of one of the most remarkable urban transformations of our time – a living lab where economic development theory meets reality."
The energy started with an inspiring keynote address by University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso. Under President Grasso's leadership, the University of Michigan is steadily building an innovation ecosystem that extends from campus research labs into the broader Detroit startup economy, which creates lasting economic impact for the region.
Chief U.S. Judge Gerald Rosen joined the discussion to talk about how he managed the City’s bankruptcy and how it was a turning point, as it allowed the region to reset. Jared Fleisher, President of Bedrock, showcased the amazing transformation underway as a result of redevelopment led by private sector leaders like Dan Gilbert. Key takeaways included:
- Private sector collaboration continues to unlock Detroit’s potential
- Detroit’s physical evolution has been stewarded by long-term, patient capital
- Detroit used bankruptcy to not only reset, but to catalyze reinvestment and collaboration, and gave the city the political will it had so longed for to drive opportunity.
Finally, philanthropic leaders Rip Rapson, CEO of the Kresge Foundation, and Skillman Foundation President & CEO Monique Power highlighted how:
- Mission-minded nonprofits transformed Detroit
- Philanthropic investments drove collaboration across the region in an intentional way, leading to new partnerships across the economic development ecosystem
Monday, September 15
Monday started with an inspiring speech from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who spoke passionately about the importance of economic development and how his office works hand in hand with EDOs to bring about change. Then, key foundation leaders discussed how the philanthropic sector must continue to:
- Collaborate and fill gaps in uncertain times
- Employ empathy as a key tactic to lead change
We later dove into the integration between economic development and entrepreneurship ecosystem building. These conversations helped us understand how:
- Entrepreneurship creates nimble economies that are ripe with opportunity
- Economic development and entrepreneurship ecosystem building are deeply connected, and building bridges between them is critical for economic prosperity
My favorite quote of the day was “Technology is not its own thing. It is in everything,” - Donna Harris, Builders + Backers
Conversations in the first set of breakout sessions helped attendees stay current with:
- The trends shaping the next generation of talent
- The latest and greatest in AI and tech
- The competitive edge every economic development professional needs to prosper
One of the day’s most meaningful moments was recognizing the excellence of our devoted colleagues in the field. AEDOs, CEcDs, EDPs, and Excellence Award winners were celebrated for the impact they make in communities across the globe.
We wrapped up our session by revealing a sneak peek at IEDC’s new State of the Field dashboard, which combines 80,000 data points from hundreds of economic developers worldwide to create a powerful, member-exclusive tool that will offer unique insights into our profession, launching September 30. Members: stay tuned for access details! Non-members: we encourage you to join now to access this resource.
Day two also brought dynamic conversations from a host of additional breakout sessions, including:
- Unlocking the creative economy
- AI as a strategic partner
- State and local innovations in housing
- Rethinking recovery
- Small business impact
Tuesday, September 16
Day three included some of the most dynamic and important conversations we have ever hosted. On the main stage, we kicked off with two panel conversations on trade impacts, with conversations offering glimpses into how the U.S. and countries around the globe are navigating trade uncertainty and geopolitical dynamics. The second panel was an exclusively international panel, bringing a variety of experiences from across the globe, including Australia, Bermuda, Canada, and Northern Ireland.
We then dove into an important conversation on AI in economic development, with the context set by Kendahl Palmer, Senior Director, Customer Success, at Placer.ai, who observed that "While AI can revolutionize investment opportunities to democratize access to economic resources, it also threatens to deepen inequality, displace workers, and concentrate power in the hands of those who control the data.” This session covered:
- Advantages and challenges that communities must consider when employing AI
- How economic developers can integrate AI into their workflows
- How companies are making decisions on the placement of data centers
The afternoon plenary assembled prominent Michigan executives, who discussed the current business landscape's obstacles and opportunities, while exploring ways economic development professionals can partner with companies to support sustained success.
Finally, we rounded out the day with a deep dive into infrastructure pain points and opportunities among energy and water leaders. Takeaways included:
- The water and energy infrastructure considerations involved with major projects and investments
- The geographic and logistical factors that impact locating enterprises
- The need to think regionally to ensure that power and water resources are both available and affordable, and big projects continue to grow
As JoAnn Crary, CEO of Crary Consulting, emphasized, "Mega projects like data centers are changing the economic development landscape. Yesterday's infrastructure planning just won't cut it."
Our breakout sessions kept the enthusiasm high throughout the day, including sessions on:
- Entrepreneurship-led economic development
- Driving transformational change
- Global talent programs
- Regional approaches
- Federal policy
Wednesday, September 17
We started our final day with a full slate of sessions on topics deeply impacting the economic development field and profession, including:
- Regional and cross-border collaboration
- Unlocking capital
- The evolution of economic development
- Storytelling for impact
We concluded with a fantastic fireside chat with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Her parting words resonated deeply: "You're all ambassadors for the economy, and the relationships you forge really matter."
Finally, a high-energy site selection panel gave economic developers candid advice on:
- Maintaining strong connections with site selectors
- Employing best practices in marketing
- Keeping their communities competitive and top of mind
These final conversations perfectly captured our conference themes of collaborative leadership, long-term vision, and people-centered approaches. As we concluded our time in Detroit, participants left with practical strategies they could take back to their communities, inspired by Detroit's dynamic blueprint.
Perhaps my favorite part of the conference is when the host city and region become part of the curriculum. Neighborhoods, innovation corridors, and revitalized spaces offered a living classroom for participants to see how infrastructure investment, mobility, manufacturing, and placemaking can spark reinvention. Tours and immersive experiences over the course of the conference allowed attendees to witness firsthand the creativity and resilience fueling Detroit’s resurgence, including:
- Ann Arbor Tech – Explored the University of Michigan’s $2B research enterprise, Ann Arbor SPARK’s startup ecosystem, and the American Center for Mobility, with stops at KLA’s R&D facility and Zingerman’s Deli.
- LIFT Manufacturing Hub – Showcased the National Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Institute’s 100,000-square-foot hub, where new materials, processes, and prototypes are shaping the future of manufacturing.
- Dearborn Tour – Highlighted how America’s first Arab-majority city fuels entrepreneurship through small business, culture, and immigrant innovation.
- Michigan Central Station – Unveiled Ford’s $740M restoration of the historic Beaux-Arts station and the creation of a 30-acre innovation district in Corktown
- Detroit RiverWalk – Traced the internationally recognized waterfront revitalization, from Cullen Plaza to Robert C. Valade Park.
- Motown Museum – Brought attendees into Studio A, where Motown legends recorded hits that defined an era.
This year’s conference was the most successful in the time I have been at IEDC by almost any metric. I am most proud of watching our IEDC team in action. Working with our leaders and partners, we spent countless hours planning an event that delivered invaluable, actionable resources to help our communities thrive.
I am also very humbled to serve alongside our exceptional Board of Directors. We are fortunate to have a stellar array of board members who are not just doing amazing work in their everyday jobs, they are giving back to the field and profession at every turn.
We have exciting plans for the year ahead, when we will celebrate IEDC’s 100th anniversary. I hope you will engage in IEDC and embrace the many opportunities to build a more prosperous future for communities worldwide.
Don’t Miss in 2026
Leaning into Leadership
Our momentum carries forward to the 2026 IEDC Leadership Summit, March 1–3, 2026, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. There, economic developers will continue the conversations sparked in Detroit, turning bold ideas into strategies and policy solutions that shape the next horizon for our profession.
Big Inspiration in the Big Easy
Detroit’s inspiring narrative set the stage for a space where economic developers shared lessons learned, celebrated successes, and charted a path forward that places opportunity, vitality, and prosperity at the heart of community growth.
Next year, we’re excited to gather for IEDC’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, from October 25–28, 2026. New Orleans is known for its resilience, culture, and innovation, and will provide a powerful backdrop for propelling the conversations and strategies that are shaping the future of our field.
Training in Focus
IEDC has released its 2026 Training Course Calendar. It outlines the base certification-related courses scheduled throughout the year, making it easier to map out the steps needed to reach your goals.
Renew Now
As you plan for the year ahead, don’t forget to renew your IEDC membership. Staying connected ensures that you have access to training, tools, and a global network of peers who are advancing the profession together.