From March 1–3, more than 600 economic development leaders and partners from around the world gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 2026 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Leadership Summit — the largest in the event’s history. Set against the backdrop of the nation’s capital during IEDC’s centennial year, the Summit brought together public, private, and nonprofit leaders to advocate for policy priorities, strengthen partnerships, and explore strategies for advancing communities and the economic development profession.

Throughout the three-day event, themed Navigating the Now, Shaping the Next: Leadership that Evolves, attendees participated in dynamic sessions, collaborative discussions, and networking opportunities designed to foster leadership, innovation, and policy engagement. The energy throughout the Summit reflected a shared commitment to strengthening communities and navigating the economic landscape together.

We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, exhibitors, and centennial supporters, whose support made the 2026 Leadership Summit possible. Your partnership helps us bring leaders together, spark new ideas, and drive progress in economic development. We are grateful for your commitment and investment in this important work. 

March 1, 2026

The Summit began with sessions focused on leadership, communication, and the evolving role of economic development professionals in today’s rapidly changing landscape.

Pre-conference programming set the stage for the policy conversations ahead. During “Advocacy 101: Navigating U.S. Federal Policy and Engaging with Congress,” attendees gained practical insights into the federal policy landscape and tools to help economic developers effectively advocate for their communities. Over lunch, the Women in Economic Development network created space for candid discussions about leadership, career growth, and strengthening the pipeline of women leaders in the profession.

The opening plenary brought the Summit together with remarks from Clyde Higgs, President & CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc., IEDC Board Vice Chair, and the Summit’s emcee, alongside Nathan Ohle, IEDC President & CEO, and Danielle Casey, President & CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance and IEDC Board Chair. Their remarks underscored the importance of collaboration, leadership, and advocacy at a time when communities are navigating complex economic challenges.

Keynote speaker Caleb Spitler, communication expert and public speaking coach, encouraged attendees to think differently about how they communicate their work. His presentation highlighted the power of clear, authentic messaging — an essential skill for economic development leaders working to build partnerships, attract investment, and engage stakeholders.

Later in the session, “Trust Builders: The Key to Thriving Economies,” moderated by Amy Holloway, President of Aha! Advisors LLC and Practitioner in Residence with Harvard Kennedy School’s Reimagining the Economy Project explored the role trust plays in successful economic development initiatives. Panelists Kimm Lauterbach, President & CEO of REDI Cincinnati; Brandon Dennison, Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development at Marshall University; and Ryan Williams, Founder & Principal Consultant of RAW Consulting, shared perspectives on how transparency, collaboration, and community engagement strengthen economic outcomes.

The day concluded with the Chair’s Welcome Reception, where attendees continued conversations, built new connections, and set the stage for the discussions and advocacy work to follow in the days ahead.

March 2, 2026

Day two opened with main stage plenary discussions examining the forces reshaping communities and the economic development profession. In “AI-Ready Data Centers: Balancing Performance, Resources and Policy,” moderated by Axios tech policy reporter Maria Curi, panelists Bryan Hill, County Executive of Fairfax County, Va.; Kelley Dearing Smith, VP Communications and Marketing, Louisville Water; Josh Levi, President & CEO of the Data Center Coalition; Andre Marshall, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Impact George Mason University; discussed the rapid growth of AI infrastructure and the policy, energy, and workforce considerations communities must navigate as demand for data centers accelerates.

A second panel, “From Emerging to Executive: How 40 Under 40 Leaders Are Shaping the Future of Economic Development,” featured past 40 Under 40 in Economic Development honorees who have risen to leadership roles across the profession, including Jason Giulietti of Central South Carolina Alliance, Cornell Wesley of Prosper Portland, Taylor Davis of Elevate Rapid City, and Molly Howey of GO Topeka Economic Partnership. Moderated by Danielle Casey, the discussion highlighted the perspectives of the next generation of economic development leaders and the evolving expectations facing the field.

Breakout sessions throughout the day explored strategies for strengthening communities and regional economies. Topics ranged from global investment and entrepreneurship to workforce development and trade, with sessions such as “Meet Your Match: Unlocking Growth Through International Innovation Corridors,” “Small Business is Big Economic Development,” and “Tariffs, Trade & Tools: How to Navigate Trade & FDI.” 

During the Lunch Plenary, attendees heard a memorable keynote presentation from Seema Sheth, Senior Vice President and Regional Executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, on the national economic outlook and helpful resources from the Fed. Following the keynote, “Ecosystems That Work: Partnerships and Policies for Inclusive Business Growth,” brought together Melissa Bradley of New Majority Ventures, Tiffany Henry of ACC Capital Foundation, and Anna Mason of Ingeborg Investments, moderated by Nathan Ohle, to explore how communities can better align capital, policy, and partnerships to support inclusive entrepreneurship. The discussion emphasized the importance of building coordinated ecosystems that expand access to opportunity and drive sustainable, community-centered growth.

The day concluded with the Industry Leaders Awards reception at the Library of Congress, celebrating leaders whose work continues to shape the future of economic development. Click here to learn more.

March 3, 2026

The final day began with the CEcD Breakfast, bringing together Certified Economic Developers for peer exchange and leadership discussions before the day’s programming began.

The closing plenary session explored how economic development leaders can leverage global partnerships and major events to drive long-term impact. In “Mega Events as Economic Catalysts,” panelists Stephen Cheung, President & CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation; Raheem Manning, Senior Director of Nighttime Economy for the City of Philadelphia; Vaughn Taylor, Vice President of Economic Development at the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; and Caroline Valvardi, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications at Seregh discussed how cities can turn large-scale events into sustained economic growth. 

A second panel, “Building Bridges Across Borders: A Global Conversation on National Economic Development Leadership,” brought together Jacqueline Brinkman, CEO of Economic Development Australia and John Perrott, Executive Director of Economic Developers Association of Canada. Moderated by Nathan Ohle, this discussion explored how country‑wide associations are adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Breakout sessions throughout the morning examined leadership culture, entrepreneurship ecosystems, foreign direct investment strategies, and workforce development. Participants then gathered for a Capitol Hill briefing, where IEDC leaders provided an overview of key federal policy priorities and prepared attendees for meetings with lawmakers. The Summit concluded with Capitol Hill visits, where attendees met directly with policymakers to advocate for policies that support economic development and strengthen communities across the United States.

Attendees departed Washington, D.C. with new ideas, strengthened partnerships, and a renewed commitment to advancing economic development in their communities. The conversations, collaborations, and advocacy efforts throughout the Summit reflected the collective leadership shaping the future of the profession. As IEDC continues its centennial year, the momentum generated will help guide the work ahead to support thriving, resilient communities around the world.

Don’t Miss in 2026 

Big Inspiration in the Big Easy 

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.