Spouse/Family Rate registrant must:
- be accompanying a registered attendee;
- not an IEDC member, nor a related professional;
- be attending the IEDC Annual Conference in a social capacity only.
Spouse/Family rate registration is being offered to allow spouses and family members of registered attendees to accompany them socially for breakfast and in the Exhibit Hall, including all functions held within the Exhibit Hall (Chair’s Welcome Reception and Ice Cream Social). Spouse/Family registrants may purchase tickets to ticketed receptions, happy hours and tours. Spouse/Family registration does not include attendance at any breakout or plenary sessions, including the keynote lunch.
Spouse/Family Guests may not register themselves; guest registrations are affiliated with a fully registered attendee.
10/24/2026
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This will be a guided tour of one of the most advanced beverage production facilities in the country with a guided tour of the Niagara Bottling Facility located in Tangipahoa Parish, LA. Get a close look at how Niagara’s high-quality bottled water is produced, from sourcing and purification to packaging and distribution. Learn about Niagara’s commitment to sustainability, innovative manufacturing and more. Important: Photography and videography are not allowed. Prohibited attire: Open-toed shoes, shorts or skirts. Guests wearing open-toed shoes, shorts or skirts will not be permitted to attend the tour.
10/25/2026 9:00 AM
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Start your conference experience strong with this session designed for first-time and solo attendees. You’ll receive introductions, practical tips, and insights to help make your IEDC Annual Conference experience valuable, productive, and enjoyable.
10/25/2026 11:00 AM
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Join generational expert and international thought leader Mark C. Perna for an interactive, 3-hour deep dive into the trends reshaping regional competitiveness. At the unique intersection of education, employment, and economic development, Mark brings a 360-degree view of how these systems can—and must—work together to supercharge your community's competitive advantage.
The talent shortage isn't slowing down, and the next generation is searching for purpose in systems that haven't kept pace with how they think, learn, and work. Talent is a critical deciding factor in nearly every expansion and relocation decision, making it imperative to connect education, workforce, and economic development into a single, purpose-driven pipeline.
In this interactive session, Mark will share the vital trends that drive communities forward:
- Competitive advantage: Build a talent strategy that benefits learners, employers, and your entire region simultaneously
- Engagement equation: Understand what truly motivates today's emerging workforce and how to meet them where they are
- Consensus before collaboration: Create the community rally point that turns stakeholders into a coordinated force for change
- Purposeful pipelines: Connect purpose-driven education to passion-driven employment, at every level of the system
- Rising together: Design for the long-term success of every student, employer, and community in your region
Mark's actionable strategies are already being implemented by regions everywhere, including the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Labor.
Come ready to engage during this session's open dialogue and Q&A. With data-driven insights and real tools, Mark will help you attract, engage, and empower the talent your community needs to thrive in a fast-changing landscape.
10/25/2026 1:00 PM
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In this interactive Lunch and Learn, the team at Camoin Associates will walk through how economic developers are moving beyond static reporting toward real-time intelligence to spot at-risk businesses before they leave, find hidden growth opportunities, and build more resilient local economies.
10/26/2026 12:15 PM
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In today's digital-first economy, regional visibility has become a critical competitive advantage in investment attraction. Global site selectors, corporate executives, and investors increasingly begin their location search online, evaluating regions before engaging directly with EDOs. As FDI competition intensifies, regions must actively manage their digital presence to remain visible and credible. Regions that consistently communicate their competitive advantages are better positioned to capture attention during the early stages of the investment decision process.
Our Lunch & Learn will explore how investment attraction discovery behaviors are evolving and why visibility matters more than ever. We will present effective ways to build and maintain visibility, reinforce your value proposition, and differentiate from competing locations. Through case studies and real-world examples, we will highlight practical approaches that help regions remain visible, relevant, and top-of-mind throughout the investment attraction journey.
10/26/2026 12:15 PM
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Finding the right data takes too long. Creating content from it takes even longer. This hands-on workshop gives economic developers direct access to a new AI platform built for the everyday needs of the profession.
Working individually or in small groups, you'll complete tasks you'd normally send to a consultant, graphic designer, or data analyst — including writing promotional materials, responding to a site selector inquiry, completing a sector analysis, building charts and maps for a presentation, and updating a web page with dynamic data visualizations and plain-language explanations.
The session also covers how to ensure outputs are accurate, sourced, and defensible, which is important for any organization that needs to stand behind what it publishes.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop or be open to working in a group.
10/26/2026 12:15 PM
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What if your local economy could be dynamically shaped in real time? In this lunch & learn, we’ll explore how cities are using programmable incentives to influence spending behavior, support small businesses, and drive measurable economic outcomes. Learn how modern rewards infrastructure allows you to target campaigns by geography, category, and timing - driving local spending via a flexible, data-driven system. We’ll share real-world examples and practical frameworks learned across 100+ communities in launching and scaling this program. Expect candid stories, actionable advice, and the chance to connect with peers who are just as driven as you are.
10/26/2026 12:15 PM
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Across the field of economic development, women are advancing bold ideas, building strong communities, and leading with impact, while confronting unique and complex challenges.Hear from a panel of women leaders as they explore the realities of working on a traditionally male-dominated space, sharing personal and professional strategies they have used to thrive.
10/26/2026 12:15 PM
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Established in 2024 with the support of Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr., who represents Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District, the AgriAquaculture Center of Excellence (AACE) is the largest closed-loop hydroponic aquaculture center in Louisiana. Located in Harvey, the AACE encompasses over 10,000 square feet of operating and greenhouse space dedicated to cultivating fresh, locally sourced vegetation and advancing the AgriAquaculture industry in the region. This state-of-the-art facility functions as both a business incubator and a workforce training center, aiming to empower small businesses in AgriAquaculture—particularly those owned by residents in rural communities, Jefferson Parish, and the greater New Orleans metropolitan area. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Business Innovation Center, Classroom and AquaFarm, while receiving a brief presentation on Aquafarming and engaging in a Q&A with the Aquafarm staff.
10/26/2026 1:30 PM
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Guests can expect an inside look at one of the nation’s most important working ports and its role in moving cargo, supporting jobs, and connecting the Mississippi River region to global markets. The tour, consisting of a brief classroom presentation and exploration by bus, will highlight the Port’s marine terminals, cargo operations, rail connections through the New Orleans Public Belt, industrial real estate, and the infrastructure that supports international trade.
Participants will gain a better understanding of how ships, barges, trucks, rail, warehouses, and terminal operators work together to move goods efficiently through the region into the heartland of America. The tour also offers insight into the Port’s economic impact, ongoing development efforts, and its importance to the global economy and supply chain. Important: All participants will be required to sign a waiver.
10/26/2026 2:00 PM
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Celebrate the power, progress, and potential of women in leadership at this delightful evening reception. Designed to honor the achievements of women across all sectors, this gathering offers a space for connection, collaboration, and inspiration.
10/26/2026 6:00 PM
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Join us for a dynamic gathering celebrating Black leadership in economic development. Connect, unwind, and engage in meaningful conversations on professional growth, representation, and community impact.
10/26/2026 7:00 PM
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Join members and friends at this year’s LGBTQIA+ reception. Attendees are sure to enjoy the evening, engaging in meaningful conversations with peers from the ED community. Learn how your peers navigate the profession, leverage their unique perspectives, and support inclusive and more diverse communities.
10/26/2026 7:00 PM
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Build a foundation in ethical decision-making through guided instruction on key issues shaping the profession. The first portion of the economic development ethics workshop introduces common challenges and practical strategies to help economic development professionals navigate ethical considerations in their work. Part 2 requires attendees to apply skills from the first portion of the workshop to situations that they may face in their actual work. Attendees will review and discuss within smaller groups before presenting their findings and opinions to the entire session. Must attend both sessions to receive credit.
10/27/2026 11:00 AM
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Come discover the beauty and history of New Orleans’ Warehouse District Architecture and its vicinity on this exclusive expert guided walking tour curated by the Preservation Resource Center!
Tour-goers will also explore neighboring areas including Lafayette Square, which is the city’s second oldest public park, and the American Sector, a residential area that developed after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and features one of the state’s most impressive collections of 19th century townhouses.
The 2-hour tour will start and end at the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, housed in an 1852 former iron foundry, just steps away from the Convention Center, Central Business District, and the Arts and Museum District.
10/27/2026 2:30 PM
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