See What is Being Planned for the Summit
Introduction
You’re invited to Michigan’s Premier Economic Summit and Annual Meeting, taking place August 5-7, in the historic and trendsetting city of Detroit, Michigan. This year’s summit marks an exciting evolution in our mission to bring together a broader and more diverse coalition of economic development partners from across the state and beyond.
With a renewed focus on collaboration, innovation, and community impact, the conference promises to be a dynamic platform for sharing ideas, forging partnerships, and shaping the future of Michigan’s economy.
Learn More
Go to the Summit page for general information about the event.
Go to the Event page for cost, location, hotel reservation, and registration information.
Go to the Sponsor page to learn how you can support this event.
It’s remarkable to reflect on the fact that just a decade ago, MEDA gathered in Detroit and proudly declared Detroit the “All-American Comeback City.”
Today, that comeback has evolved into a full-scale transformation. Detroit – and the broader Southeast Michigan region – has not only rebounded but risen as a global leader and a model for what cities of the future can become. With breakthrough industries taking shape, world-class innovation emerging, and a skyline enriched by both groundbreaking new developments and extraordinary historic restorations, the momentum is unmistakable.
This August 5 – 7, 2026, MEDA members and partners from across the state are invited to Detroit’s iconic Westin Book Cadillac Hotel for three powerful days of learning, exploration, and connection. Attendees will dive into forward-thinking topics they can take home as catalysts for their own communities – ranging from an outlook on tech, manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing talent, to the latest need-to-knows about data center development, to building resilient local economies, to the potential for Michigan to lead the nation in drone innovation and other multimodal technologies.
As always, MEDA will ensure you experience the host city firsthand. Expect immersive tours, memorable networking opportunities, and a chance to witness Detroit’s continued evolution up close.
Tentative Agenda
Wednesday, August 5th
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. MEDA Board of Directors Meeting
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Conference Registration
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Opening Reception
7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Trivia Night
Thursday, August 6th
7:30 a.m. Registration and Networking Breakfast | Meet the Board Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Conference Welcome
9:00 a.m. Citizens Research Council Panel
Eric W. Lupher, President, Citizens Research Council
Additional CRC Representatives TBD
10:00 a.m. Networking Break (30 min)
10:30 a.m. All Hands On Deck: DRP's Innovative Solution to Facilitate Industrial Development (Tentative)
Stop potential projects from sinking into a "graveyard of shipwrecks." Explore DRP's Industrial Development Toolkit, a treasure trove of strategies for communities and industrial developers. The best ideas have been pirated to help you navigate modern zoning, avoid stormy public opposition, and ensure your next big project stays on an even keel. Case studies, model language, and practical steps will be shared as points of interest.
Suzanne Schulz, Practice Leader, Progressive Companies
Shannon Selby, Vice President, Real Estate, Detroit Regional Partnership
11:30 a.m. Networking Break
11:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions 1
1. Design as Strategy: Developing Resilient Economies
Strong local economies don’t happen by accident. They’re built through clear thinking, smart planning, and good design. This session shows how design goes beyond looks to support businesses, improve how services are delivered, and strengthen commercial corridors and infrastructure. When applied intentionally, design helps reduce inefficiencies, stretch limited resources, attract customers, and create a competitive advantage that supports reliable, long-term growth.
Bonnie Fahoome, Co-Executive Director, Design Core Detroit
2. FDI in a Changing World: Trends, Drivers, and Opportunities for Michigan
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is evolving as countries and companies respond to global disruptions, regional shifts, and innovation trends. This session will explore how Michigan can effectively translate global FDI opportunities into local economic wins—by understanding key trends, showcasing local strengths, and adopting proactive strategies for investment attraction and retention. Participants will leave with insights on where FDI is headed, how Michigan is positioned, and what practical steps communities can take to compete in a fast-changing global landscape.
Guillermo Mazier, SVP, Global Business, Financial Times
3. Media Training: How To Talk To A Reporter Panel (Tentative)
Speakers TBD
12:45 p.m. Awards Luncheon and Membership Meeting
1:45 p.m. Packard Park: A Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnership (P4) Model for Legacy Property Redevelopment (Tentative)
A case-study panel on Packard Park, redevelopment of the former Packard Plant site featuring Packard Development Partners, LLC, Albert Kahn Associates, Inc., and the Detroit Regional Partnership. Moderator Mark Bennett leads a discussion on integrating industrial job creation, site readiness, legacy-asset reuse, housing opportunities, incentives, and community-serving uses into a unified public-private-philanthropic partnership (P4) redevelopment
Moderator: Mark Bennett, Co-Developer, Packard Park
Panelists: Andrew Danaher, Principal, Corporate Director, Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.
Shannon Selby, Vice President, Real Estate, Detroit Regional Partnership
2:45 p.m. Networking Break
3:00 p.m. Leveraging a Corridor to Drive Economic Development: The Michigan Avenue Innovation Network (Tentative)
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, Township Supervisor, Canton Township
4:00 p.m. Tours (Tentative)
- AlumniFi Field (DCFC)
- Joe Louis Greenway
- Eastern Market
Friday, August 7th
8:00 a.m. Registration and Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions 2
1. Building a Stronger Small Business Ecosystem in Southeast Michigan (Tentative)
The New Economy Initiative will showcase MI Small Business Helper, a free digital platform that connects entrepreneurs across Southeast Michigan to trusted business resources in one centralized hub. The tool helps organizations streamline connections, align services, and expand access to funding, guidance, and programs that support business growth and long-term economic sustainability.
Wafa Dinaro, Executive Director, New Economy Initiative
Fred Paul, Associate Director, New Economy Initiative
Youseph Saad, Program Coordinator, New Economy Initiative
2. Flexible Zoning for Economic Development (Tentative)
Learn how zoning can be used to open the door to valuable development and land uses by streamlining processes, providing flexibility, and taking advantage of historical building stock to lower costs. This presentation will cover mixed use development, planned unit development, nonconforming uses and buildings, streamlining processes, training for elected and appointed officials, and administrative review.
Andy Aamodt, Senior Planner, Giffels Webster
Joe Tangari, AICP, Principal Planner, Giffels Webster
Julia Upfal, AICP, Senior Planner, Giffels Webster
3. Advancing Economic Development Through Multimodal Integration with UAS, AAM, and Emerging Technologies (Tentative)
This session convenes leaders from the public and private sectors to explore the policy, collaboration, and investment strategies needed to accelerate the safe, sustainable deployment of next-generation aviation infrastructure. From digital integration and automation to extended reality tools, panelists will discuss how forward-looking policy can unlock innovation, expand connectivity and access, and position Michigan as a leader in aviation.
Moderator: Christopher Girdwood, CEO, Detroit Region Aerotropolis
Panelists: Robert McCraight, Mayor, City of Romulus
Michael Healander, CEO, Airspace Link, Inc.
Others TBD
10:00 a.m. Networking Break
10:15 a.m. General Session 5
11:15 a.m. Networking Break
11:30 a.m. Data Centers Panel
Speakers TBD
12:30 p.m. Adjournment + Snacks for the Road
Learn More
Go to the Summit page for general information about the event.
Go to the Event page for cost, location, hotel reservation, and registration information.
Go to the Sponsor page to learn how you can support this event.