Illinois Economic Development Association

06/17/2026

Last call to register for the 2026 Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) Summit!

Join IEDA June 24–25 at the UIC Dorin Forum in Chicago for two days of programming focused on the issues shaping economic development across Illinois, including transportation, energy, workforce development, tourism, housing, and more.

Registration closes at 5:00 PM on Friday, June 19.

REGISTER HERE while tickets are still available: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

**Bussing provided between the Crowne Plaza West Loop and the UIC Dorin Forum on June 24 and 25, in accordance with event times.

06/10/2026

The 2026 IEDA Summit is only two weeks away, and we’re excited to highlight this year’s outstanding speaker lineup.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit (closing June 19 at 5:00PM CT)

Join us June 24–25 at the UIC Dorin Forum in Chicago for conversations with leaders from government, business, transportation, energy, workforce development, tourism, housing, and economic development organizations across Illinois.

The State of Transportation: How Trucking, Aviation, and Rail are Shaping Economic Development
Moderator: Kristin Richards, Director, DCEO
Tim Butler, President, Illinois Railroad Association
Matt Hart, Executive Director, Illinois Trucking Association
Clayton Stambaugh, Deputy Director of Aeronautics, IDOT

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Presentation
Alyson Grady, Deputy Director, DCEO Office of Regional Economic Development (RED)
Manuel Lopez, Assistant Deputy Director, DCEO Office of RED
Andrea Runge, Assistant Deputy Director, DCEO Office of RED
Renee Wott, Northeast Senior Region Manager, DCEO Office of RED
Additional DCEO Team RED Members
Margo Markopoulos, Deputy Director, DCEO Office of Trade and Investment

Powering Illinois’ Future: Capacity, Resource Adequacy, and the Role of Nuclear Energy
Moderator: Sameer Ghaznavi, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
Dwayne Pickett, Vice President of Government Affairs and Regulatory Advocacy, Constellation Power
Brian Granahan, Director, Illinois Power Agency
Brad Tietz, Director of State Policy, Data Center Coalition

Aligning Workforce Strategy with Business Needs
Moderator: Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, President and CEO, Lincolnomic Growth Strategies
Dr. Justin Arnold, President, Illinois Workforce Association
Julio Rodriguez, Deputy Director, DCEO Office of Employment and Training
Laticia Holbert, Senior Manager of Workforce Development, ComEd
Jackie Gallo, Senior Director of Programs, Revolution Workshop

Small Places, Big Impact: How Tourism Sparks Economic Growth Across Illinois
Moderator: Katie Dudley, Community and Economic Development Specialist, Illinois Extension
Cory Jobe, President and CEO, Great Rivers & Routes
Cortney Strohacker, Executive Director, DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tom Daughhetee, Economic Development Director, City of Casey

Making Sense of the Economy: Federal Reserve Midyear Assessment
Thomas Walstrum, Principal Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Illinois EDC Presentation
Paulina San Millan, SVP, Business Development, Illinois EDC
Illinois EDC Leadership

Community Approaches to Address Housing Needs
Ron Clewer, Principal, Tipping Point Consultancy
Doug Pryor, President and CEO, Will County CED
Olivia Ortega, Director of Housing Solutions, Office of Governor JB Pritzker
Mike Doyle, Vice President, Holladay Properties
Drew Mitchell, Vice President, Holladay Properties

**Bussing provided between the Crowne Plaza West Loop and the UIC Dorin Forum on June 24 and 25, in accordance with event times.

06/04/2026

What's the best way to kick off summer in economic development?

The 2026 IEDA Summit is just three weeks away — June 24–25 at the UIC Dorin Forum in Chicago — and our members say it best:

"The IEDA Summit keeps me up to speed on the latest issues facing economic development and I always return with new ideas, new tactics and renewed motivation to make my community stronger."

- Ken Springer, IEDA Board Chair, President, Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development

Despite a nearly six-hour drive or train ride from southernmost Illinois—or now a convenient one-hour jet flight—we make the IEDA Summit a priority each year. It’s an invaluable opportunity to connect with colleagues from throughout the state, learn from one another, and engage directly with key state, federal, and economic development professionals to ensure the communities we serve benefit. Whether you’re nearby or traveling from a distance, this annual convening consistently delivers a strong return on both time and investment."

- Deb Barnett, Executive Director, Southern Illinois Now

“The Illinois Economic Development Association’s annual summit is a fantastic opportunity to connect with economic development professionals across Illinois, providing excellent opportunities for networking and education. Please join us for our annual summit later this month.”

- Karen Halstead, Senior Economic Development Specialist, ComEd

“The IEDA Summit is valuable because it creates a unique opportunity to connect with economic development professionals from every corner of Illinois. As a past attendee and planning committee member, I've seen firsthand how the conversations, partnerships, and ideas that emerge from the Summit translate into real-world projects and stronger communities. It's one of the few events where you can learn from peers, engage with thought leaders, and leave energized with new strategies to support economic growth across our state.”

- Renee Wott, Senior Northeast Regional Manager, Office of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Two days of insights, connections, and strategies to strengthen your community — don't miss it.

If you haven't registered yet, now is the time. 🗓️
REGISTER HERE: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

**Bussing provided between the Crowne Plaza West Loop and the UIC Dorin Forum on June 24 and 25, in accordance with event times.

05/27/2026

Panel Spotlight: Small Places, Big Impact: How Tourism Sparks Economic Growth Across Illinois

We're excited to spotlight this panel at the 2026 IEDA Summit on the afternoon of June 24 at the UIC Dorin Forum in Chicago.

Hear from Katie Dudley (Illinois Extension), Thomas Daughhetee (Casey, IL), Cortney Strohacker (DeKalb County CVB), and Cory Jobe (Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau) on how communities across Illinois are turning tourism, placemaking, and local assets into real economic growth.

🔗 Register: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

⚠️ Our hotel block at the Crowne Plaza West Loop closes June 5—that's only one week away. Book now before it's gone! https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99801505&icdv=99801505&qSlH=CHISH&qCiD=23&qCiMy=052026&qCoD=25&qCoMy=052026&qGrpCd=ILE&qAAR=6CBARC&qRtP=6CBARC&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=CP&qDest=25%20South%20Halsted%20Street,%20Chicago,%20IL,%20US&showApp=true&adjustMonth=false&srb_u=1&qRmFltr=

05/20/2026

🔋 Panel Spotlight: Powering Illinois' Future: Capacity, Resource Adequacy, and the Role of Nuclear Energy

Join us at the 2026 IEDA Summit on June 25 for a timely conversation on Resource Adequacy & the Future of Nuclear Energy in Illinois—as demand surges and the grid faces new challenges. With rapid load growth from data centers and electrification, alongside ambitious decarbonization goals, the question is no longer if change is coming…it's how we manage it.

Hear from leaders across the energy ecosystem on grid reliability, nuclear's role, and what's next for Illinois energy policy.

Featuring:
Sameer Ghaznavi, Partner-In-Charge, Norton Rose Fulbright (Moderator)
Brian Granahan, Director, Illinois Power Agency
Dwayne Pickett, Vice President of Regulatory Advocacy and State Government Affairs, Constellation
Brad Tietz, Director of State Policy, Data Center Coalition

📍 UIC Dorin Forum | Chicago, IL 📅 June 24–25, 2026

🔗 Register now: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

05/13/2026

The 2026 IEDA Summit is just weeks away, and we want to give a huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors who make this event possible! 🙌

🏆 Platinum: Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Illinois DCEO, Illinois Economic Development Corporation, Wabash Valley Power Alliance
🏆 Gold: CivicServe, Clayco, Conway Data, Inc., Kane County EDC, Norfolk Southern, Ready Nation, REsimplifi, Tallgrass
🏆 Silver: Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Innovation Network, Illinois Manufacturers' Association, McGuireWoods Consulting, Norton Rose Fulbright, Nicor Gas, SI Now, Union Pacific, World Business Chicago
🏆 Bronze: BNSF, Champaign County EDC, Grundy EDC, Village of Hoffman Estates

Their generosity keeps registration affordable and allows us to deliver top-notch content and networking opportunities for economic development professionals across Illinois.

📅 June 24–25 | UIC Dorin Forum, Chicago
🔗 Register now: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

05/05/2026

📣 2026 IEDA Summit — Topics & Tentative Schedule Released!

We're excited to announce the session topics and tentative schedule for the 2026 IEDA Summit, taking place June 24–25 at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum in Chicago, IL.

IEDA's signature annual conference brings together over 200 economic development professionals and stakeholders from across Illinois. Click the link below to view the tentative schedule (times, topics, and session names are all subject to change). This year's sessions include the following:

🔹 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Presentation
🔹 Illinois EDC Presentation
🔹 Powering Illinois' Future: Capacity, Resource Adequacy, and the Role of Nuclear Energy
🔹 Aligning Workforce Strategy with Business Needs
🔹 Making Sense of the Economy: Federal Reserve Midyear Assessment
🔹 The State of Transportation: How Trucking, Aviation, and Rail Are Shaping Economic Development
🔹 Community Approaches to Address Housing Needs
🔹 Small Places, Big Impact: How Tourism Sparks Economic Growth Across Illinois

Register now! 🔗 https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

04/20/2026

🔗 Calling all economic development professionals in Illinois — let's connect in Chicago this June!

The 2026 IEDA Annual Summit is just around the corner (June 24–25), and I'm excited to spotlight one of my favorite parts of the event: our networking reception at Haymarket Pub & Brewery on the evening of June 24 from 5:30–7:30 PM. We've reserved the back room for food, drinks, and great conversation. Complimentary transportation will be provided between the venue, the Dorin Forum, and our hotel block at the Crowne Plaza West Loop. Haymarket is just a short walk away.

📋 Key details:

Registration: $249 (members) | $349 (non-members). New members can receive a $50 voucher — email [email protected] after joining.

Event Location: UIC Dorin Forum, 725 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608

Hotel: Discounted room block at Crowne Plaza West Loop

Sponsorships: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels available — see details at the registration link.

👉 Register now at ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

I look forward to seeing you there.

04/10/2026

🎯 Save the Date!

We're excited to announce IEDA’s annual Site Selector Forum & Consular Corps Reception – coming to Downtown Chicago on Sept. 30, 2026!

📍 Offices of McGuireWoods Consulting, 77 W Wacker Dr
🕝 1:30–3:30 PM – Site Selector Forum
🥂 3:30–5:30 PM – Reception with the Chicago Consular Corps and International Trade Representatives

We're thrilled to confirm three panelists for this year's Forum, with more to be announced in the coming months:
🎤 Meredith O'Connor, Vice Chairman, International Director Co-Chairman of National Site Selection and Incentives Practice, JLL
🎤 Courtney Dunbar, Director, Site Selection, Burns & McDonnell
🎤 Ford Graham, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure & Economic Development, McGuireWoods Consulting

Network with top site selection pros & international partners 🌎
Details + registration coming soon.
Interested in sponsoring? Contact [email protected] or (217) 527-1279

03/03/2026

📣 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 IEDA Annual Summit!

📅 June 24–25, 2026 📍 UIC Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum, Chicago

Join 200+ economic developers and stakeholders from across Illinois for two days of engaging content, valuable connections, and professional growth.

🎟️ Pricing: $249 members | $349 non-members 🍻 Networking reception at Haymarket Pub & Brewery on June 24 🚌 Complimentary bussing between the hotel and venue

Don't miss our signature event—register today!

REGISTER HERE: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit