Overview

2024 SWREDA Annual Conference

May 15-17, 2024 (Wednesday to Friday)

Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown
1 N Broadway Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 235-2780

The Southwest Region Economic Development Association (SWREDA), in partnership with the NADO Research Foundation and with support from the EDA Austin Region Office, will hold the 2024 SWREDA Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, OK, May 15-17. The conference is designed for staff from Economic Development Districts, Tribal Planning Grantees, University Centers, Revolving Loan Funds, and others engaged in economic development across the region. An Executive Directors Leadership Institute will occur at the conference location on May 14.

SWREDA 2024 will offer a slate of relevant and timely sessions—topics will cover inland ports, RLFs, project development, collaborations with new partners, and more. Attendees will also be able to learn more about EDA’s new platform EDGE, receive most up-to-date federal legislative information, and hear EDA Austin Regional Director Ayala’s 2024 State of the Region Report. The 2024 Star of the Southwest Awardees and the latest cohort of the Austin Region Training Program for Emerging Leaders will be introduced. There will also be a special opening reception. Stay tuned for details.

This year SWREDA is offering an Executive Directors Leadership Institute and two mobile workshops:
Tuesday, May 14, 2024

1:00 – 5:00 p.m.              Executive Directors Leadership Institute

This session is designed specifically for executive directors of Regional Development Organizations (RDOs) located in the Austin region. RDOs are also known as Economic Development District (EDD), Council of Governments, Planning and Development Districts, Regional Planning Commissions, and other names. No matter how long you have been on the job as an executive director, this session will have timely and relevant information for you. It is designed to offer ample opportunities for peer exchanges. There is no additional fee to attend, but you must pre-register.

Thursday, May 16, 2024

9:30 am – 12:00 pm     Oklahoma City Innovation District (OKCID) BBBRC – Oklahoma Biotech Innovation Cluster (OBIC)

Explore the various BBBRC projects that provide the foundation for the biomanufacturing ecosystem in Oklahoma City. This workshop will be a combination of presentations of all six funded projects, a walking tour of a state-of-the-art CDMO facility, and a driving tour of NE OKC and Convergence, an ecosystem reshaping Oklahoma City through innovation, collaboration, diversity and advanced technology. There is an additional fee of $40 to attend this workshop and pre-registration is required.

1:30 pm – 4:00 pm      First Americans Museum (FAM)

Learn how FAM honors and celebrates the cultures of the 39 diverse and distinct First American Nations in Oklahoma. This behind the scenes tour and discussion will offer insights into the planning and finding of FAM, its impact on the local and regional economies, and its role in sharing the important histories of the Indigenous cultures found in Oklahoma. There is an additional fee of $40 to attend this workshop and pre-registration is required.

 

SWREDA is located in the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Austin Region which covers the five-state area of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Please visit this page frequently as it will be updated regularly.
NADO’s Code of Conduct/Anti-harassment Policy (PDF)

Registration

Registration for the 2024 SWREDA Annual Conference is now open.

2024 SWREDA Annual Conference Registration Rates:

Early Bird – $365 (Deadline: Friday, May 3)

Regular – $415 

 

Accommodations

Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown
1 N Broadway Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

This contemporary hotel is in the area’s most dynamic neighborhood just steps from Bricktown’s wealth of dining and entertainment opportunities. Enjoy visiting nearby attractions such as Paycom Center and Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Retreat to our rooms and suites with luxury bedding, flat-screen TVs, mini refrigerators and ergonomic work-spaces. 
 
Check-in: 3 p.m.
Check-out: 12 p.m.
 
On-Site Parking 
Hourly: $2 | Daily: $10 
 
Valet
Daily: $32
*Garage clearance 6’8. No parking of oversized vehicles.
 
Cancellation Policy: The Hotel maintains a 72 hour cancellation policy for individual guest room reservations.

Reservations can be made using the ‘Book Now‘ button or call 1-800-325-3535 to book over the telephone. Be sure to mention “DP1 SWREDA” to receive the group rate.

Room Rate: $110 + tax
Hotel reservation cut-off date:  April 15, 2024
The Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown (conference hotel) is currently SOLD OUT. 
 
The booking link will be active until April 22. Please check back as cancellations will come in and rooms will become available. There is no official waitlist or overflow hotel. Below are two alternative nearby options for attendees still needing a room. 
 
Wyndham Grand Oklahoma City Downtown
10 N Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 228-8000
 
The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City
One Park Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 272-3040
 
 
If you have questions about hotel reservations, email NADO’s Meetings and Membership Manager Brittany Salazar.

Airport & Transportation

Getting to Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel

Will Rogers World Airport

Distance from Conference Hotel: 10.0 miles
Airport Transportation: Airport Express (Fee: $28 – one way). Reservation required. 
 
Other Transportation
Bus Station: Greyhound
Train Station: Amtrak

Agenda

Click here for a PDF copy of the agenda.

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**This agenda is subject to change.**

 

Presentations

Tuesday, May 14

1:00 – 5:00 pm
Executive Directors Leadership Institute Plaza North

Wednesday, May 15

1:30 – 3:00 pm
Plenary: Conference Welcome and Collaborations for Resilient Regional Development

3:15 – 4:30 pm
Plenary: Strategic Planning for Economic Development Organizations

Thursday, May 16

8:30 am – 9:30 am
Plenary: Federal Funding Opportunities

  • Cindy Axne, Senior Advisor for Rural Engagement, Delivery and Prosperity, US Department of Agriculture
  • Kevin Blake, Federal Program Officer, US Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
  • Jessica Falk, Area Director, US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, Austin Region
  • Moderator: Apu Naik, Economic Development Integrator, US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, Austin Region

9:30 – 10:45 am
Operation and Optimization: Revolving Loan Funds and EDDs

EDGE Training for Construction Grantees

Inland Ports: Economic Development and Multi-Modal Assets

10:55 am – 12:00 pm
Get ‘NERDE’: A Data Deep Dive with Argonne National Laboratory

EDA Environmental Review: Demystifying the NEPA Process

Bridging the Digital Divide: Tackling Digital Access, Equity, and Resilience Through Broadband Connectivity

12:15 – 1:30 pm
Plenary Luncheon

1:45 – 3:00 pm
Developing Successful Projects for EDA Investments

Building Economically Resilient Communities

  • Vanessa Morrison, Interim Director, Institute for Quality Communities, The University of Oklahoma
  • Rebecca Blaine, AICP, Research Fellow, Institute for Quality Communities, The University of Oklahoma
  • Moderator: Mark Sweeney, Executive Director, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), and Vice Chair, SWREDA

University Centers: Potential for Partnerships Around the Region

3:30 – 4:45 pm
Plenary Session: Star of the Southwest Award Showcase

  • Jan Smith, Executive Director, White River Planning and Development District
  • Kelly Davila, Director of Regional Services/Economic Development, South Plains Association of Governments
  • Vicki Eggers, Economic Development Director, Northern Oklahoma Development Authority
  • Jamie Setze, Chair, SWREDA, and Executive Director, Capital Region Planning Commission
  • Roger Knak, Administrator, Fairview Hospital
  • Augusta Meyers, Communications Manager, Mid-Region Council of Governments
  • Moderator: Joe Willis, Executive Director, Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District

Friday, May 17

8:00 – 9:15 am
Plenary Breakfast: SWREDA Annual Business Meeting

  • Jamie Setze, Chair, SWREDA and Executive Director, Capital Region Planning Commission, Baton Rouge

9:30 – 10:15 am
Federal Legislative Update

10:30 – 11:30 am
Plenary: State of the Region

  • Jorge Ayala, Regional Director, US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, Austin Region
The Southwest Region Economic Development Association (SWREDA) welcomes you to this year’s Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, OK May 15-17, 2024. The reference guide below contains general event information to help participants prepare to attend the conference.  
Get our official event app,
For feature details, visit Whova
 
General Hotel Information
Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown 1 N Broadway Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Check-in: 3:00 pm | Check-out: 12:00 pm Hotel reservation questions? Email NADO’s Meetings and Membership Manager, Brittany Salazar at [email protected]. Wi-Fi: You will have complimentary high speed wireless internet access in the meeting space. Network: MarriottBonvoy_Conference  Password: okcsi2024 Parking: Valet: $32 | Onsite Hourly ($2) or Daily ($10) Hotel Cancellation Policy: An individual may cancel their reservation 72 hours prior to check-in without penalty. Hotel Dining:
  • Block 23 – open for breakfast and lunch daily (room service available)
  • Aria Lounge Bar – open daily from 4pm-11pm
  • Library Coffee & Co – open daily from 6:30am-11:00am
  • Grab & Go Cooler – open 24 hours daily
  • Patio Vibes – open Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 pm-11:00pm
Getting There
Airport: When flying to Will Rogers World Airport, the conference hotel is 10 miles away. Airport Transportation: Airport Express (Fee: $28 – one way). Reservation required. Other Transportation: Bus Station: Greyhound | Train Station: Amtrak
About Oklahoma City
Time Zone: Oklahoma City, OK is in the Central Time Zone (CDT). Attire: Attire is business casual for the conference. Weather
During the Meeting
Registration: Upon arrival, pick up your name badge and meeting materials at the registration desk located in the Century Foyer on the 2nd floor.  Conference registration hours of operation will be:
  • Tuesday, May 14 | 12:00 – 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, May 15 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Thursday, May 16 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Friday, May 17 | 8:00 am – 11:30 am
Conference Registration Questions? Email NADO’s Operations Specialist, Karron Grant, at [email protected]. Social Media: Please use the hashtag #SWREDA24 when posting about the conference.    
See you soon!

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