Illinois Economic Development Association

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=

🔋 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

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

📣 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

🔗 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.

🎯 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

📣 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

Mark your calendars! The Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) will host its 2026 Annual Summit on June 24–25 at the University of Illinois Chicago Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum (725 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608). Following a highly successful 2025 Summit in Peoria, we’re returning to Chicago to welcome more than 200 economic developers and stakeholders from across Illinois.

Heading to Chicago? A discounted room block is available at the Crowne Plaza West Loop (25 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661).
https://tinyurl.com/2026iedasummit
Group Code: ILE
You may also reserve your room by calling (800) 972-2494 and using the group code.

IEDA is pleased to offer sponsorship opportunities to help keep the Summit accessible and impactful. Sponsorship levels remain unchanged from 2025. Contact [email protected] or (217) 527-1279 for more information on sponsorships.

We look forward to sharing more details in the coming months! For more information, visit our website ileda.org.

The Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) is proud to announce that State Rep. Jay Hoffman has been named the 2025 IEDA Legislator of the Year!

Each year, the IEDA presents this award to a member of the Illinois General Assembly who demonstrates outstanding leadership in advancing legislation and programs that promote economic development, investment, and job creation across the state. The IEDA Board of Directors selected Leader Hoffman in recognition of his leadership and many years of service in the General Assembly.

On October 28, 2025, IEDA Chairman Ken Springer, Executive Director Henry Mohn, and Lobbyist James Sherwood met with Leader Hoffman in Springfield to present him with the award and discuss upcoming initiatives and priorities for the General Assembly’s fall veto session.