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Opportunities for Networking and Learning 


Engaging Events

The Great Lakes Economic Development Council plans a broad range of opportunities to collaborate, network, learn, and grow professionally. The GLEDC brings together economic development, business, governmental and academic leaders, speakers, and training instructors for engaging growth opportunities.

Be Greater! - Monthly digital learning series

Upcoming events

    • 19 Jun 2025
    • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom meeting - link to be shared
    • 93
    Register


    Join the Great Lakes Economic Development Council (Great Lakes EDC) for the latest installment of our Be Greater! digital learning series. 

    The chaotic back-and-forth on proposed and actual tariffs has created grave challenges - and some potential opportunities -  for our communities, businesses, and workers. Economic development strategist Alissa Sklar, Ph.D., author of Economic Development Marketing & Priorities (Financial Times, 2024), will offer an overview of the context, impact, forecasts, federal, state, and provincial resources for economic development organizations, and some case studies of responses from different communities. 

    • Understand the ways uncertainty impacts your businesses and workers
    • Review the trading relationships between Great Lakes EDOs and their counterparts across the Canada-U.S. border
    • Explore possible strategic and tactical responses that economic developers can use to meet these challenges
    • Share your perspectives and initiatives with other members

    Our Presenters:

    Alissa Sklar, Ph.D.
    Principal, Alissa Sklar Consulting

    Dr. Alissa Sklar is a communications strategy consultant with expertise in economic development, digital marketing, and social media. She works with agencies, organizations, and businesses to develop strategic messaging closely aligned with business development objectives. She specializes in content marketing and establishing thought leadership for brand awareness, focusing on white papers, blogs, webinars, podcasts, and conference presentations. Using a customized, collaborative approach with client teams, Dr. Sklar works to expand the reach of location brands in the highly competitive field of economic development.

    Dr. Sklar’s clients have included Research fDi, Bermuda Development Agency, Violet PR, the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Research (CIER), Oakland County (MI), and Golden Shovel Agency. She spent 11 years as the vice president of content marketing for GIS Planning and the fDi Intelligence Portfolio, a service from the Financial Times, where she led their marketing efforts, authored the copy for a complete website redesign, developed marketing collateral, conference presentations, webinars, and client support materials. Alissa is the co-author with Anatalio Ubalde of Economic Development Marketing & Priorities (2024), published by the Financial Times. Her recent white papers include Brain Gain: Workforce Attraction Strategies for U.S. Medical & Scientific Workforce in Crisis and How to Prepare Your EDO’s Tactical Tariff Toolkit.

    Dr. Sklar has a Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication and Cultural Studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and held a post-doctoral fellowship with Concordia University’s School of Community & Public Affairs. She has worked extensively in both private and academic sectors, serving as a social media consultant for economic development agencies, a full-time faculty member at Concordia University’s Department of Communication Studies, a research faculty at McGill University, a blogger, and multiple award-winning journalist.

    • 22 Oct 2025
    • 24 Oct 2025
    Register

    The Great Lakes Economic Development Council Annual Conference brings together economic developers, site selectors, business leaders, and policymakers from across the region. The event focuses on collaboration, innovation, and strategies to strengthen the Great Lakes economy. Sponsors gain direct access to key decision-makers and high-impact visibility among regional leaders.

    A number of individual, Specialty Sponsorships are available including:

    • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Opening Reception, Networking Breaks)
    • Registration (Lanyards, Hotel Keycards, Tote Bags)
    • Events (Community Project, Fun Run)
    • Technology (Charging Station, Wi-Fi Connection, Conference App)
    • Lounge Sponsor, and Keynote Speaker 
    • Exhibitor Tables are also available upon request

    For more information, contact Support@GreatLakesEDC.org.

    • 22 Oct 2025
    • 5:00 PM
    • 24 Oct 2025
    • 1:00 PM
    • The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit 1114 Washington Boulevard Detroit, Michigan, USA, 48226
    Register

    Join economic development professionals, business leaders, and policymakers at the inaugural Great Lakes Economic Development Council Annual Conference in Detroit, Michigan, from Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025. This premier gathering will explore strategies to drive investment, innovation, and economic growth across the Great Lakes region.

    Through expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, attendees will gain insights into key issues such as workforce development, infrastructure, site selection, and the region’s competitive advantages in water and energy resources. Engage with top decision-makers, share best practices, and build connections that will shape the economic future of the Great Lakes.

    Be part of the conversation that’s driving prosperity in the region. Mark your calendar and join us in Detroit!

    Hotel Information

    Agenda Coming Soon!

    Cancellations: If you are not able to attend the conference, please send your written notification to support@greatlakesedc.org .

    An administrative fee of $150 will be assessed for cancellations received by Friday, September 12, 2025.

    No refunds will be made for requests after Friday, September 12, 2025.

Annual Events

Great Lakes EDC
Leadership Camp
Summer, 2026

The GLEDC Leadership Camp focuses on issues  impacting organizational performance, innovation and growth. It helps staff leaders be better managers, leaders and communicators.
Why you should attend: The GLEDC Leadership Camp is designed to equip emerging and current leaders with practical tools to enhance organizational performance, drive innovation, and support long-term growth. Participants will strengthen their management, leadership, and communication skills through focused, hands-on learning experiences.

Targeted Attendees: Senior and mid-level economic development staff, and Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs, Ec.D.s). Conference attendance is anticipated to be 150+

Great Lakes EDC
Annual Conference

October 22-24, 2025

The Annual Conference is the premier GLEDC event covering the latest trends in economic development and expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

Why you should attend: At the Annual Conference, attendees can connect with regional leaders, share ideas, and drive collaborative growth across the Great Lakes economy. With high-impact programming, this exclusive event offers valuable insights, networking, and a unique opportunity to shape the future of the region.

Targeted Attendees: Senior and mid-level economic development staff, and Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs, Ec.D.s), government employees, service providers, chambers of commerce, tourism officials, and other economic development intermediaries. Anticipated Annual Conference attendance is 250+ 

Great Lakes
Site Selection Summit

April, 2026

The Great Lakes Site Selection Summit is a leading national event that brings together site selection consultants, location advisors, and economic development professionals. 
Why you should attend: The Great Lakes Site Selection Summit brings together site selection consultants, location advisors, and economic development professionals. It offers a high-value opportunity to connect with industry influencers, gain insights into emerging trends, and showcase your community’s strengths to decision-makers.

Targeted Attendees: Federal, state, provincial, and elected officials, corporate real estate executives and C-suite leaders, site selection consultants, state/provincial/local managers, economic developers, Chambers of commerce, and other economic development intermediaries. Summit attendance is anticipated to be 250+ 

Great Lakes Local! events are held across the Great Lakes to provide members small in-person networking opportunities. Great Lakes Local offers members and prospective members the opportunity to discuss issues impacting the Great Lakes. At Great Lakes Local events participants can connect, build relationships and share knowledge with their local networks of economic development professionals. Anticipated attendance is 25 at each event.