Description

About this Event

MEDA is excited to bring our Fall Conference back to Traverse City after a successful event in October 2025. 

Agenda

Last year’s Fall Conference in Traverse City was such a success that MEDA’s leaders, attendees, and members immediately expressed their desire to hold it there again!

This year, we bring topics with perspectives from the local, industry, state, and federal levels. Gain insight from a federal economic development leader; design your community’s commercial zone based on consumer behavior; learn from a partnership that is not only a great example for bringing stakeholders together to drive innovation, workforce development, and economic growth, but will also have a positive impact on the drone and mobility sector in our state; get ready for the changes from our state economic development leaders; and be inspired by MEDA members and partners that are passionate about housing growth and development in Michigan.

Join us to build your skills, grow your network, take in Northern Michigan’s fall scenery, and get the leadership insights that you need.

8:00 a.m. Registration Opens

8:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Not only has Amy Shamroe been the mayor of the prestigious City of Traverse City for 10 years, but she also works through Northwestern Michigan College as an Industry Navigator, connecting businesses with all the resources and funding available in the region, helping identify where there might be gaps in the training/education currently available, and learning what is needed to have workers trained for today's job market. She’s a mover just like you! Her morning message will inspire and wake us up along with the sunrise on Grand Traverse Bay.
Amy Shamroe, Mayor, City of Traverse City

9:00 a.m. EDA Update: Programs, Trends, and Opportunities (Tentative)
Hear how the EDA - the only federal agency focused exclusively on economic development - is helping communities strengthen planning, infrastructure, technical assistance, and more. Susan Brehm will share the latest programs, national trends, and practical ways your EDO can use EDA resources to meet challenges and create new opportunities.
Invited: Susan Brehm, Regional Director, U.S. Economic Development Administration

10:00 a.m. Networking Break

10:15 a.m. Rebranding Your DDA - Updating the Branding for Your Commercial Zone in Response to Consumer Lifestyle Changes
The branding of your commercial areas must be regularly evaluated for effectiveness. Consumer behavior may significantly change to the point where a rebrand is critical. This presents several challenges: assessing relevance, developing concepts, generating internal consensus, and implementation. Using Canton DDA's Ford Road District (FRD), we examine the reasons for change, build consensus, implement the branding, and share lessons learned.
Gavin Beckford, Economic Development and DDA Manager, Canton Township

11:15 a.m. Networking Break

11:30 a.m. Driving Innovation, Workforce Development, and Economic Growth through Strategic Alignment
The NorthSky Consortium is a regional alliance formed to position Traverse City and northern Michigan as an Uncrewed Innovation Zone – a national leader in Uncrewed Aerial Systems, Advanced Air Mobility, and Uncrewed Marine Systems. Led by Traverse Connect, Northwestern Michigan College, and 20Fathoms, the Consortium brings together public, private, academic, and defense stakeholders to drive innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. This collaborative model ensures strategic alignment through planning, shared resources, and joint funding efforts. In coordination with state agencies, FAA regulators, the Michigan National Guard, and local communities, the NorthSky Consortium is creating a scalable and sustainable ecosystem for drone innovation. This cooperative framework is essential to unlocking the region’s full potential and attracting long-term investment in the drone and mobility sectors.
Moderator: Warren Call, President & CEO, Traverse Connect 
Jim Cooley, Assistant Professor, Aviation, University of North Dakota 
Stacey Feeley, Executive Director, 20Fathoms
Jason Slade, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Northwestern Michigan College

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:15 p.m. MEDC Outlook
As you prepare your strategic plan for 2027, you will need to stay informed about the latest developments at the MEDC so you can plan for tool availability and quickly reach the teams you need to keep projects moving.
Speakers TBD

2:15 p.m. Networking Break

2:30 p.m. Michigan is Opening Doors to Housing
Over the last few years, housing development has become a strong part of economic development, and there are lessons to be learned for those still honing the craft. Speakers passionate about housing growth will share the latest strategies, highlighting the power of land banks as a tool.
Justin Horvath, CEcD, President and CEO, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership
Jim Tischler, Development Director, State Land Bank Authority
Additional Speakers TBD

3:30 p.m. Adjourn

Reserve Your Stay

A limited number of rooms have been held at the special group rate of $219.00++/night for the night of October 8th. Reserve by Tuesday, September 08, 2026.

When making the reservation, call the Reservations Department at (231) 947-3700 and identify yourself as part of MEDA Fall Conference and provide their credit card number to guarantee their reservation.

• Hotel room rates are subject to MI occupancy/sales tax of 11% (subject to change) and a daily service charge of $15.00. Taxes are subject to change without notice.
• Rates quoted are for single/double occupancy. There is an additional person charge of $85 per person, per night for triple/quad occupancy. Maximum occupancy is four guests.
• Extend your stay: A discounted group rate of $399.00 per night will be extended to the group for the nights of October 9–11, 2026, based on availability.

Sponsor this Event

One-Day Partner ($800) - Unlimited

• (1) Registration
• Excel List of Attendees
• Introduce Speakers (optional)
• Logo on Event Sponsor Screen Display
• Social Media Promotion – Paired
• Sponsor Spotlight* in Promotional Emails
• Sponsor Spotlight* on Event Webpage

*Spotlights include your logo linked to your website, a description up to 150 words, and contact information.

One-Day Event ($1,200) - Limited to (3)

• (1) Registration
• Address the Audience
• Excel List of Attendees
• Exhibit Table
• Introduce Speakers (optional)
• Logo on Event Handouts
• Logo on Event Sponsor Screen Display
• Social Media Promotion – Exclusive
• Sponsor Spotlight* in MEDA Newsletter for 1 Week
• Sponsor Spotlight* in Promotional Emails
• Sponsor Spotlight* on Event Webpage

*Spotlights include your logo linked to your website, a description up to 150 words, and contact information.

Reception Sponsor ($500) - Limited to (4)

• (2) Registrations to Reception (if charge for event)
• Address the Audience
• Excel List of Attendees
• Logo on Event Handouts
• Logo on Event Sponsor Screen Display
• Social Media Promotion – Paired
• Sponsor Spotlight* in Promotional Emails
• Sponsor Spotlight* on Event Webpage

*Spotlights include your logo linked to your website, a 150-word description, and contact information.

Contact Cassandra at cjorae@medaweb.org with any questions or to sponsor.

Our Commitment

MEDA is committed to making our event accessible to all attendees. If you require any accommodations to fully participate, please contact Catie at catie@medaweb.org or 517-241-0011 at least 5 days before the event. You can also list your dietary restrictions on the registration form.