2024 SEDC Annual Conference | Savannah, GA
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
1 Resort DriveSavannah, GA 31401-7000
United States
Event Details
Download the Onsite Agenda
Sunday, July 28
8:30 – 1:00 #AmericanSouth Golf Scramble Presented by ARCO Design/Build
Location: Southbridge Savannah Golf Club | 415 Southbridge Blvd. | Savannah | Georgia
Transportation Provided
10:00 – 1:00 Port of Savannah Tour Presented by Georgia Ports Authority
Transportation Provided
10:00 – 4:00 Beach Party at Tybee Island Presented by S&ME and Miller-Valentine Construction
Location: Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion
Tybrisa St | Tybee Island | Georgia
Transportation Provided
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Mastering Earned Media for Your EDO
Maria Satira | Greenville ENC Alliance
Location: Grand Ballroom C
Session Description: Let’s dive into earned media opportunities for economic development organizations! With media training and story-pitching techniques, EDOs of all sizes can find a place in local and regional media outlets. And no, it doesn’t always take a major announcement to get in the news. In this workshop-style session, former news anchor turned economic development marketing and communications director Maria Satira will share insider tips for working with a newsroom, pitching stories, and giving a great interview.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Pro-Growth State Policies and Initiatives in Action
Terri Bradshaw | KAED
Gwen Howard | MEDC
Bethany Shockney | Limestone County EDA
Mandi Mitchell | LEDA (Louisiana)
Linda Mosely | 365 Degree Marketing (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom C
Session Description: Just last year, the SEDC network generated over $220 billion in new capital investment, creating more than 250,000 new jobs. In this session, economic development leaders from across the SEDC footprint will discuss innovative, pro-growth strategies currently being implemented, particularly those specific to product development. These future-focused approaches are designed to sustain and enhance our globally leading momentum, perpetuating and accelerating the American South's position as the world's premier investment location.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Ugly Sites Need Love Too
Chris Bartley | Terracon
Location: Grand Ballroom C
Session Description: Quick and risk-free site selection, coupled with swift operationalization, are pivotal for economic development success. The American South boasts a remarkable global speed-to-market advantage, with communities and partners within the SEDC footprint making unprecedented investments in product development. In this session, American South leaders will discuss the development of winning sites.
3:00 – 4:00 SEDC Committee Meetings
3:00 – 5:00 American Prohibition Museum Private Guided Tour
Location: American Prohibition Museum
220 Congress St. | Savannah | Georgia
4:00 – 5:00 SEDC State Delegation Meetings
5:00 – 6:00 SEDC New Member Reception
Location: Grand Ballroom
6:00 – 7:30 #SEDC2024 Welcome Reception Presented by Terracon
Location: Grand Ballroom
Entertainment Provided Equinox Orchestra
Monday, July 29
6:00 AM – 7:30 AM #AmericanSouth 5K Presented by Creative Economic Development Consulting & Gaston County EDC
Location: Runners Meet in Westin Lobby
The first 30 participants receive a free shirt
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM SEDC Past Chairs’ Breakfast
Location: Aqua Star Dining Room
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast Presented by the SEDC Oklahoma Delegation
Location: Grand Ballroom
9:00 AM – 9:15 PM #SEDC2024 Opening Ceremony
Location: Grand Ballroom
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Welcome to Georgia
Location: Grand Ballroom
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM Keynote Address
CEO Alan H. Shaw | Norfolk Southern
Location: Grand Ballroom
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Networking Break with Exhibitors
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM The 50 Billion Panel: A Discussion with State Economic Development Secretaries & CEOs
Secretary Mitch Carmichael | West Virginia Department of Economic Development
CEO Christopher Chung | Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Executive Director Bill Cork | Mississippi Development Authority
Deputy Secretary Ashely Teasdel | South Carolina Department of Commerce
Commissioner Pat Wilson | Georgia Department of Economic Development
Gray Swoope | VisionFirst Advisors (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: The #AmericanSouth’s leading state EDO Secretaries, Commissioners and CEOs join a one-of-a-kind panel to showcase why the SEDC footprint is the world’s leading and best-positioned region. In 2023, panelists deployed strategies and practices responsible for the development of 50 billion in capital investment and tens of thousands created jobs. This is a can’t-miss session to inspire and inform ongoing strategy and progress in the #AmericanSouth.
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM #AmericanSouth Luncheon with the US EDA
Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Castillo
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Gather with the #AmericanSouth economic development community for an unparalleled interactive opportunity with the head of the United States Economic Development Administration, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Y. Castillo.
1:15 PM – 1:30 PM Networking Break with Exhibitors
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Game Changer: Youth Sports Facilities as Anchors for New Mixed-Use Developments
Jim Arnold | The Sports Facilities Companies
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Leading experts explore how youth sports facilities are transforming real estate developments. Discover successful projects like AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk and Emerald Acres Sports Connection, and learn how these developments drive economic growth and enhance community life. You'll gain insights into emerging trends with youth sports facilities as key components in mixed-use developments, hear success stories from behind-the-scenes of successful projects, and understand the community impact of these developments boosting local economies and quality of life.
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM US Economic Outlook
Dr. Gary Wagner | University of Louisiana
Location: Harbor Ballroom
Session Description: Dr. Gary Wagner of the University of Louisiana breaks down the economic trends, key indicators, and data necessary to inform perspectives and projections relative to the United States economy.
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM Refreshment and Networking Break Presented by St. Tammany Corporation
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Leveraging Federal Funding for Transportation and Economic Development Projects
Pierce Homer | Moffatt & Nichol
Eli Falls | Moffatt & Nichol (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Join us for an impactful session regarding leveraging federal grant opportunities to fill gaps in project financing. You’ll learn from real-life examples and get basic information of the broad range of potential federal grant and resource programs available to support economic development strategies and project implementation.
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Small but Mighty: Strategies for Economic Development Competitiveness Regardless of Community Size
Lindsay Dennis | Develop Abilene
Darren Achord | Amazon
Sandra Baker | Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Breaux | Amazon (Moderator)
Location: Harbor Ballroom
Session Description: In this panel, hear from economic development practitioners on various strategies for competitiveness in the project landscape regardless of community size. You’ll hear how communities throughout the southeast are positioning themselves with land availability, workforce development, and marketing strategies that help them win. Our panelists will share insights on local, state and Federal partnerships they utilize to move initiatives forward and create economic opportunity for their residents.
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM Networking Break with Exhibitors
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM The NOT BORING Legal Side of Economic Development
W. Ford Graham | McGuireWoods
Tushar Chikhliker | Maynard Nexsen
John Satira | Debevoise & Plimpton
Anne-Tyler Morgan | McBrayer
Jody Lassiter | CSX (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Join us for an insightful panel featuring leading economic development attorneys discussing their vital roles in the economic development process. This session will cover a range of topics, including real estate transactions, deal closing, navigating federal policies, and understanding incentives. Our panel of experts will provide valuable insights into the legal aspects of economic development, ensuring you are well-equipped to handle the complexities of project management, closing, and implementation.
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Honing Executive Presence and Becoming a Thought Leader
Ted Abernathy | Economic Leadership
Kat Saunders | Economic Leadership
Location: Harbor Ballroom
Session Description: Enhance your executive presence and become a thought leader in the field of economic development with our dedicated session on executive leadership development. This session will focus on personal leadership growth, executive-level branding, and advanced communication strategies. Gain the tools and insights needed to elevate your professional influence and lead with confidence in the dynamic world of economic development.
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM Navigating the #AmericanSouth Energy Landscape
Walt Farrell | Georgia Power
Tyler Chaffee | TVA
Jen Kostyniuk | Dominion Energy
Bill Roberts | Duke Energy
Janet Smith | American Electric Power
Shelby Zaricor | Global Location Strategies (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Leading utility partners will discuss the essential partnership between utilities, prospects, and economic developers. As the #AmericanSouth continues to lead as the world’s premier investment location, this session will explore strategies to perpetuate and enhance our global position. Emphasizing collaboration, our panel will highlight how “Team #AmericanSouth” will drive economic development and success in the evolving energy landscape.
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM SEDC Awards Ceremony
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: As the world's premier investment location, the #AmericanSouth boasts the finest economic developers implementing the most strategic and forward-focused approaches. The SEDC Communications and CEDA Awards honor the best of the best. Join us in celebrating the transformative initiatives, programs, and projects that contributed to over $220 billion in capital investment last year.
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Silent Auction Presented by the SEDC Foundation
Location: Harbor Ballroom
Southern Economic Development Council, North America's oldest and largest regional economic development association, will convene in Savannah for #SEDC2024 on July 28 - 30. Join 500 of the world's leading economy builders for a capacity-building and fun experience. Ticket sales are open now!
Host Hotel
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
1 Resort Dr, Savannah, GA 31421
Tuesday, July 30
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast Presented by the
SEDC Oklahoma Delegation
Location: Grand Ballroom
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Applying AI to Risk Identification and
Management for Economic Development
Ron Bertasi | GIS WebTech
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: In this session, we will explore how economic developers in the American South are deploying cutting-edge strategies and leveraging the latest technologies to maintain and enhance our position as the world’s premier investment location. Leading experts will delve into the application of artificial intelligence in identifying and managing risks, showcasing how cutting-edge AI solutions can optimize decision-making processes, mitigate potential challenges, and drive sustainable economic growth. Discover how the integration of AI is transforming economic development practices and ensuring continued success in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM State of the #AmericanSouth: Rankings, Bragging Rights, and Where Economic Developers Go From Here
Amy Holloway | EY
Brian Kelsey | EY
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: In this session, Amy Holloway and Brian Kelsey from EY’s Economic Development Advisory Services practice will discuss the state of the economy in the #AmericanSouth and highlight key trends shaping opportunities for SEDC members. Attendees can expect a fast-paced overview of macro trends in the region, spotlights on local economies in SEDC member areas, and observations on the state of the economic development profession drawn from EY’s work across the country.
9:45 PM – 10:00 PM Networking Break with Exhibitors
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Accelerating #AmericanSouth FDI
Parker Wyatt | Global Location Strategies
David Hickey | Hickey and Associates
Chuck Sexton | Strategic Location Advisors
Dewey Evans | Site Selection Group
Bruce Takefman | ResearchFDI
Scott Poag | Yates Construction (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Global enterprises flourish in the American South, as our region outpaces competitors in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). International companies channel billions annually into industrial projects in the United States, yet securing such investments poses significant challenges. We'll delve into the criteria that companies evaluate and how you can prime your community for foreign business recruitment. Participants will gain perspectives from seasoned experts who have not only established but also nurtured and expanded partnerships with international firms eyeing the U.S. market.
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Film as a Catalyst for Economic Development
Christopher Stelly | Louisiana Entertainment
Guy Gaster | North Carolina Film Office
Lee Thomas | Georgia Film Office
Christopher Crane | Arkansas Economic Development Commission
Misti Martin | Cherokee Office of Economic Development (Moderator)
Location: Harbor Ballroom
Session Description: Leaders will explore how the #AmericanSouth has become one of the world’s leading destinations for motion picture, TV, and film projects. These projects not only create jobs but also spotlight our communities on a global stage and often revitalize local areas. This panel will highlight how film production is being strategically used as an impactful element of economic development, driving growth and transformation. Featuring state leaders who are national experts in this field, this session will provide insights into the significant role of the film in enhancing our economic landscape.
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Networking Break with Exhibitors
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM Rural EDO Roundtable
Mayor Alan Keck | City of Somerset
Ben McDaniel | Barrow-Braselton EDA
Meryl Fisackerly | Golden Triangle Development LINK
Oppie Jordan | Carolinas Gateway Partnership
Andrea Anderson | Ardmore Development Authority
Raul Peralta | ECS (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Rural communities and economic development partners in the #AmericanSouth are thriving on the highly competitive global stage. As the world's premier investment location, the American South's rural areas are setting the standard for strategy and opportunity. In 2023 alone, rural communities contributed significantly to the over $220 billion in capital investment. This roundtable session, featuring leading professionals, will delve into best practices for workforce development, product development, BR&E, community and small business growth, innovation, and more. Join us to discuss why rural communities in the American South are uniquely positioned to perpetuate and accelerate economic development in the world’s premier investment location.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM Metro EDO Roundtable
Dr. Pete Fullerton | Kansas City Aviation
Steven Wright | Chesapeake Economic Development
Jason Giulietti | Central SC Alliance
Kim Wilmes | Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
David Hartnett | Metro Atlanta Chamber
Cyndi Dancy | Garner Economics (Moderator)
Location: Harbor Ballroom
Session Description: Urban economic developers in the #AmericanSouth are leading the charge in advancing regional development on the global stage. As the world's premier investment location, the American South's urban centers are pivotal in shaping our economic future. This session will explore the unique opportunities, advantages, and challenges faced by urban economic developers. Highlighting their critical role in crafting regional economic development, our panel of experts will share insights and strategies that reinforce why urban centers are essential to perpetuating and accelerating economic development in the South. Discover how urban areas are thriving and setting the global standard in metropolitan economic development.
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM #AmericanSouth Luncheon with the Savannah Economic Development Authority
Trip Tollison | Savannah Economic Development Authority
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: As the world’s best economic developers network during lunch, the Savannah Economic Development Authority will provide a benchmarking presentation on a century of learning, growing, and transforming the Savannah region. In 2025, the Savannah Economic Development Authority will celebrate 100 years of operation. Learn about the foundations laid, lessons learned and the stumbles made along the way that got SEDA and the region to where it is today.
1:15 PM – 1:30 PM Networking Break with Exhibitors
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM SEDC Annual Meeting
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Join Council leaders for a “State of SEDC” update and special announcements.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Space-Based Economic Development: The Race to the Stars
Dan Gundersen | Camoin Associates
Alexander MacDonald | NASA
Kelli Kedis Ogborn | The Space Foundation
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Space is becoming big business, with successful launches up nearly 20% worldwide and commercial space revenue growing rapidly. Today, 91 nations operate in space, driving a new era of entrepreneurship, manufacturing, logistics, research, STEM education, and tourism. This session will explore how the #AmericanSouth is poised to leverage these 21st-century economic opportunities. Learn how to position your community to benefit economically, even if you're far from a spaceport. Join space economists and industry experts to discuss the burgeoning space industry and its economic development benefits. Discover how spaceports, like maritime ports, can increase economic prosperity and understand the business implications of launching spacecraft and satellites. This session will cover civil (NASA), military (DOD), and commercial (FAA-licensed) operations, highlighting the #AmericanSouth’s pivotal role in the space economy.
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Refreshment and Networking Break Presented by South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM An #AmericanSouth Project Case Study:
Scout Motors
Cody Thacker, Scout Motors
Jeff Ruble, Richland County
Steve Spartin, JLL
Corey Wise, Thomas & Hutton
Jon Baggett, South Carolina Department of Commerce
Brian Gwin, Norfolk Southern (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Join us as we celebrate and delve into a compelling case study showcasing how the #AmericanSouth is driving and charging the future of global economic development as the world's premier investment location. Enterprise thrives in the American South, and this session will highlight why by showcasing the strategy, process, and impact of a major project location. Leading experts involved in all aspects of this project will share their insights, providing a comprehensive overview of the innovative approaches and collaborative efforts that led to this success. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and see firsthand how the #AmericanSouth continues to set the standard in economic development.
3:45 PM – 4:30 PM A Discussion with Leading Site Selection Consultants
Bryan Farlow | Thomas & Hutton
Bob Westover | Colliers
Alan Reeves | Newmark
Minah Hall | Alvarez & Marsal Tax, LLC
Chris Masingill | St. Tammany Corp. (Moderator)
Location: Grand Ballroom
Session Description: Iconic brands that have defined global commerce and emerging industries that super-charge new markets call the #AmericanSouth home. As the world’s third-largest economy, the south is rooted in iconic tradition and poised for accelerated growth. In this session, leading experts share the latest global trends, expectations, and perspectives in site selection. Don’t miss an opportunity to capitalize on current economic development conditions and opportunities.
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM Closing Ceremony
Location: Grand Ballroom
4:45 PM – 5:45 PM VIP Reception
Location: Harbor Ballroom
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM #SEDC2024 Closing Reception Presented by Norfolk Southern
Location: Victory North | 2603 Whitaker Street | Savannah | Georgia
Entertainment Provided Electric Avenue: The 80s MTV Experience
Transportation Provided
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