See What is Being Planned for the Summit
Tentative Agenda
As the agenda develops for the conference, we'll share updates, confirmed sessions, and more.
Monday, August 18th
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. MEDA Board of Directors Meeting
11:00 - 5:00 p.m. MEDC Toolbox
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tours
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Conference Registration
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Opening Reception at New Holland Brewing Co.
Join us in the heart of Downtown Holland at the New Holland Brewing brewpub for a long-held MEDA tradition, it’s Opening Reception, where old friends meet and new ones are made, while enjoying local food and drink before the conference.
Attendees: included – Guests: $50
7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Trivia Night at New Holland Brewing Co.
We know you’re smart, and you can prove it at Trivia Night while having fun with your economic development partners and friends and supporting the Birgit Klohs Fellowship and MEDA’s Scholarship!
Attendees and Guests: $35
Tuesday, August 19th
8:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
8:45 a.m. Conference Welcome
9:00 a.m. National Economic Forecast
Eight months into the new administration, the state of affairs at the national level could shift dramatically or the changes could have little noticeable impact. Gain a high-level perspective about the state of the economy, trends, and how communities across the country are preparing and adapting.
Tentative: Susan Brehm, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
10:00 a.m. Networking Break
10:15 a.m. The Energy Space
There is a lot going on in the energy space to meet the needs of the future when a higher demand for power is already a common request, leading to uncertainty. From a regional power initiative that transports energy between states to increasing alternative resources, Michigan’s power companies are working to support the state’s economic growth so we can stay ahead of the competition.
Moderator: TBD
Representative, Coldwater Board of Public Utilities
Representative, Consumers Energy
Representative, DTE Energy
Chuck Marshall, ITC
11:15 a.m. Networking Break
11:30 a.m. Adapting to Federal Budget Reductions
Even with cuts and uncertainty, our federal leaders need to look ahead, plan, and execute policy that drives the future and our economy. How are these departments – all incredibly vital to economic development success – shaping their resources to be most impactful?
Moderator: TBD
Representative, U.S. Department of Education
Representative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Representative, U.S. Department of Labor
Representative, U.S. Department of Agriculture
12:15 p.m. Awards Luncheon and Membership Meeting
1:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 1
>> SSBCI Update
The State Small Business Credit Initiative is a Department of Treasury funded program that flows through the State and into the MEDC. Realizing that businesses need more than just capital to succeed, the administrators of the SSBCI 2.0 program added technical assistance as a component. With that help businesses have been able to compete faster than ever before. Get an update on the SSBCI program, learn who is participating, resources available, and the next steps in helping businesses reach the next level.
Speaker: TBD
>> Entrepreneurship Training and Technical Assistance
Representative, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
>> Semiconductor Growth in Michigan
While semiconductors are known for being small, they can make a lot of waves. Remember the chip shortage? Michigan jumped on growing the semiconductor industry and the industry is projected for continued growth. Get an update on the industry, what is needed to attract these companies, and hear a story a company that is thriving in our state.
Representative, Ann Arbor SPARK
Representative, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
2:30 p.m. Networking Break
2:45 p.m. Data Centers
Along with the excitement about artificial intelligence (AI) have come conversations about the impact of data centers. Data centers in our state could attract technology companies with high power processing needs, but concerns remain regarding storage, utility costs, set-up costs, permitting, and regulations.
Speakers: TBD
3:45 p.m. Concurrent Tours (times will be adjusted as details are finalized)
>> Technology and Childcare Tour
Gentex is a technology company, proficient in a wide range of core competencies that yield a unique fusion of technologies, which develops and manufactures custom high-tech electronic products for the automotive, aerospace, and commercial fire protection industries. In addition to being a cool facility, they have an innovative, company-provided, nature-based childcare program and are creating a model to help other companies meet the need.
>> Incubation and Collaboration
Take a walking tour of two highly innovative economic development spaces in Holland. The Next Center is Lakeshore Advantage’s business support hub. It is an open concept, collaborative space with room for up to 50 startups. The Holland Community Ice Skating Park is a redevelopment project brought to live by a Revitalization and Placemaking Grant, crowdfunding, and an MEDC matching grant. Learn the collaborate story that put it together while touring the newly finished facility.
5:00 p.m. Adjournment (times will be adjusted as details are finalized)
Wednesday, August 20th
8:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions 2
>> AI Strategies for Economic Development
Confirmed: Eric Trevan, Ph.D., Investor, President an Chief Executive Officer, aLocal
>> Innovation and Industrialization
Kevin Johnson, President and CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
>> Tourism Collaboration
Holland is a unique place, but even unique places need to promote their attributes and activities to bring people there and get them to come back. Key entities will discuss how they collaborate to support tourism.
Speakers: TBD
OR
>> Bringing Agricultural Products to Market
Going from a small business to market can be overwhelming for makers and the MSU Product Center has programs to support the development and growth.
Representative, MSU Product Center
10:00 a.m. Networking Break
10:15 a.m. Today’s Outlook on Trade and Tariffs
11:15 a.m. Networking Break
11:30 a.m. Site Selectors Panel
The site selection process is more complex than ever. While sites and talent often emerge as the most important factors, there are many other elements that influence the ultimate choice. The discussion with three top site selectors will focus on major site selection factors and emerging trends to help communities compete.
Speakers: TBD
12:30 p.m. Adjournment + Snacks for the Road
Learn More
Go to the Summit page for general information about the event.
Go to the Event page for cost, location, hotel reservation, and registration information.
Go to the Sponsor page to learn how you can support this event.