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Central Alabama Economic Development Summit

Thu, Oct 15, 2026 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CDT
Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex - East Ballrooms and East Meeting Rooms - 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Central Alabama Economic Development Summit

On Thursday, October 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), you are invited to join us for the Central Alabama Economic Development Summit is a premier regional forum bringing together leaders who influence growth, investment, and competitiveness across Central Alabama.

Hosted by the Birmingham Business Alliance, in partnership with One East and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the Central Alabama Economic Development Summit is designed to educate, connect, and align municipal leaders, economic developers, infrastructure partners, employers, and private-sector decision-makers around the forces shaping the region’s economic future.  

If you are a state or government agency that does not have access to purchase tickets via credit card, please email Ryleigh Vessels at rvessels@birminghambusinessalliance.com 

 

The day will feature three general sessions and nine breakout sessions organized by the themes of site readiness, talent & quality of place and growth and attraction strategy. Participants will attend one session from each track, creating a personalized experience while gaining a well-rounded perspective on the interconnected factors that drive economic growth, investment and regional competitiveness. 

Through these keynote conversations, breakout sessions and intentional networking, attendees will leave with practical insights into workforce readiness, site development, infrastructure, innovation, quality of place and investment attraction, while building relationships that strengthen Central Alabama's ability to compete for jobs, talent and capital. 

The Central Alabama Economic Development Summit is designed for leaders who play a role in shaping the region's economic future, including: economic development professionals, municipal and county leaders, elected officials, industrial and retail developers, commercial real estate brokers, infrastructure & utility executives, engineering and development firms, workforce and educations leaders and others. 

Whether you are responsible for attracting investment, preparing sites, developing talent, planning infrastructure or strengthening your community's competitive position, the Summit offers practical insights, valuable connections and actionable strategies to help move your work forward. Tickets are $250 and include full summit access, breakfast and lunch, curated networking opportunities and direct access to regional leaders, national voices, speakers, sponsors and industry experts shaping the future of Central Alabama. 

Register NOW to gain insights, strategies and connections shaping the next era of investment.

Keynote Speaker
CAEDS Keynote Speaker
CAEDS_BreakOut Session_KeyNoteKnoxWhite-1

Time Slot: 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. 

Case Study: Greenville's Blueprint for Growth

Keynote Speaker: City of Greenville Mayor Knox White

Time Slot: 9:20 to 10:10 a.m. 

What Really Makes Regions Globally Competitive  

Keynote Speakers: 

Site Selection Magazine Executive Vice President Ron Starner 

Garner Economics Founder and President Jay Garner 

Burr & Forman Managing Director of Economic Development Greg Canfield 

Time Slot: 11:20 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.

Everyone Has a Role to Play & You Can't Win Alone

Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair 

Breakout Session 1 -

Time slot: 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

AI Infrastructure & the Next Wave of Site Selection  

Speakers:

  • Bradley Law Firm Partner Matthew Hinshaw
  • Standard & Works Editor-in-Chief Zach Silber 

Moderator: 

  • Birmingham Business Alliance Economic Development Director Caroline Mungenast

Telling the Talent Story: How Alabama Competes for Talent  

Speakers:

  • AIDT Chief Communications & Government Relations Officer Jacquie Allen
  • Alabama Department of Workforce Chief of Workforce Franklin Johnson
  • Alabama Community College System Executive Director for ATN/Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development Keith Phillips

Moderator: 

  • Alabama Power Workforce Engagement Manager Tom McNeal

From Reactive to Proactive: Rethinking Lead Generation  

Speakers:

  • Birmingham Business Alliance Senior Director of Business Intelligence Dr. Irina Pritchett
  • Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) Executive Vice President and Alabama Business Intelligence Center Executive Director Lauren Hyde
  • Alabama Power Company Business Development Director Blair King

Moderator: 

  • Lightcast Senior Vice President Carrie Cole

Breakout Session Block Two  

Time slot: 1:05 to 1:50 p.m.

Case Study: The Incentive Decision-Making Process and What Actually Moves Projects

 Speakers:

  • St. Clair County Economic Development Executive Director Don Smith
  • Bradley Law Firm Partner Trey Hill 

Moderator: 

  • Birmingham Business Alliance Economic Development Director Shane Alexander

The AI Workforce Shift: Rethinking the Future of Talent, Skills and Place  

Speaker(s):

  • Quanthub Workforce Strategy & Partnership Director Kelsey Bickett
  • Tech Birmingham Marketing Manager Jarrod Stisher
  • SHL Director Solution Architect Kristen Cooper

Moderator(s): 

  • Standard & Works Editor-in-Chief Zach Silber

Tourism as an Economic Development Engines: Where Visitor Experience Meets Economic Development

Speaker(s):

  • BJCC Executive Director & CEO Tad Snider
  • Corporate Realty Associates President Robert Simon
  • Birmingham Business Alliance Chief Business & Member Services Officer Martina Winston

Moderator: 

  • Jefferson County EIDA Executive Director Othell Philips

Breakout Session Block Three 

Time slot: 2:05 to 2:50 p.m.

Infrastructure for Investment: What Makes or Breaks Deals   

Speakers:

  • Goodwyn Mills & Cawood Birmingham Civil Engineering Practice Leader Darren Hamrick
  • Alabama Power Economic & Community Development Director Shane Kearney
  • Burr & Forman Attorney Denzel Okinedo

Moderator:  

  • Spire Economic Development Manager Jonathan Schniper

Place Branding: How Perception Shapes Where People Want to Live, Work & Play 

Speaker(s):

  • REV Birmingham, Vice President of People and Places, Julie Clark McKinney
  • Visit Tuscaloosa President & CEO Kelsey Rush
  • St. Clair County Director of Tourism Blair Goodgame

Moderator: 

  • Violet PR President April Mason

You're Recruiting the Wrong Customer! 

Speakers: 

  • Council Real Estate Principal Buff Teage
  • Breland Companies Shane Davis, P.E.
  • Blackwater Resources President John Abernathy 

Moderator:  

  • Southpace Properties Principal Bryan Holt

Click Here to Download 

2026 CEADS Agenda

 

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