Southwest Michigan First Presents: The State of Economic Development

Join more than 500 regional stakeholders, C-suite executives, and community leaders for Southwest Michigan First’s third annual State of Economic Development.

In 2023, we launched The Path to Regional Prosperity—a bold three-year strategic action plan that set the pace for our region’s future. Now, we’re building on that momentum with The Road to Regional Prosperity (2026–2028), designed to accelerate growth, spark innovation, and capitalize on the vast opportunities in Southwest Michigan.

This year’s event brings together a fresh new lineup of thought leaders and changemakers you won't want to miss. Plus, we've built in plenty of networking opportunities along the way so you can interact with like-minded individuals who also want to move our region forward. You'll walk away with fresh perspectives, actionable strategies, and lots of inspiration for what's possible on the road ahead.

• Registration
• Lunch and networking
• Keynote Speaker #1 – Economic Outlook, Dr. Christopher Thornberg, Founder, Beacon Economics
• Keynote Speaker #2 – Future Trends
• Networking break
• Entrepreneurship panel
• Keynote Speaker #3 – The Road Ahead, Jonas Peterson, CEO, Southwest Michigan First
• Closing remarks
• Reception and networking

During checkout, you will be asked to provide attendee information, including:

• Full name
• Email address
• Company/Organization
• Dietary preferences
• Mobility restrictions

This ensures we have complete and accurate records for all attendees.

Sponsorship options are available at multiple levels, with benefits such as reserved seating, onstage recognition, and logo placement on event materials. Sponsor logos will be added here as commitments are confirmed.

For more information, visit: southwestmichiganfirst.com/soed.

For questions, please contact Nick Riashi at [email protected] or 248.766.4342.

Register now to secure your spot!

Note: All ticket sales are final. Should you be unable to attend, we offer the opportunity to transfer your ticket to a fellow team member or partner organization. Please contact a member of our team to transfer your ticket, if necessary.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center | Arcadia Ballroom, 100 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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