07/20/2026
What a day at the 2026 EDAA Summer Conference! đź‘Ź
We kicked off the morning with our EDAA 5K Fun Run, setting the pace for a day full of energy, networking and learning.
Our General Session delivered an incredible lineup of speakers, inspiring stories, and valuable industry insights.
We began by honoring Ed Castile on his retirement after 33 years of dedicated service to AIDT.
🎤 Jimmy Yeary captivated the audience with an unforgettable keynote, sharing his journey as a singer, songwriter, and speaker.
🏠Industry Insight: The Owens Corning Story featured Amy Hilliard (City of Prattville), Nick Shaver (Alabama Department of Commerce), and Lauren Lambiase (Alabama Power), who shared perspectives on collaboration and economic growth.
🤝 We closed the day with “A Partnership to Strengthen Alabama Communities: A Cullman Case Study,” featuring Kenneth Boswell (ADECA), Mayor Woody Jacobs (City of Cullman), and Dale Greer (City of Cullman), highlighting how strong partnerships create lasting success.
A huge thank you to our outstanding speakers for sharing their knowledge, experience, and passion. Today’s sessions reminded us why bringing Alabama’s economic development community together each year is so impactful. On to another great day!
