(Tuesday-Thursday)
From Tuesday, July 21 to Thursday, July 23, the 2026 Economic Development Conference for the EDA Atlanta Region will bring together federal, state, regional, and local partners for timely conversations on economic resilience, regional collaboration, and strategies to strengthen communities within the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Atlanta Region. Attendees will gain practical insights from expert speakers, engage in meaningful peer discussions, and explore innovative approaches to advancing economic development in the southeast region.
| Registration Type | Registration Rate |
|---|---|
|
Early Bird (on or by June 17, 2026) |
$385 |
|
Regular (after June 17, 2026) |
$460 |
|
Mobile Workshop Add-On: Atlanta Beltline and Ponce City Market |
$50 |
|
Mobile Workshop Add-On: Data Centers and Regional Development |
$50 |
|
Mobile Workshop Add-On: Georgia Tech AI and Smart Manufacturing |
$50 |
|
July 20th Pre-Conference Workshop for EDDs: Disaster Recovery and Resilience |
No cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. Lunch will be provided. |
CANCELLATION POLICY
Registrants who cancel their registrations by Friday, July 10, 2026, will receive a refund minus a $150 administrative fee.
Hotel Reservation Cut-Off Date: Friday, June 19, 2026.*
*This rate is guaranteed until June 19. After this date, rooms and rates are subject to availability. Additionally, this rate applies only until our reserved room block is full, which could happen prior to June 19. We recommend making your reservation as soon as possible to secure this rate.
12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Workshop for EDDs: Disaster Recovery and Resilience
Disaster recovery and resilience policy is undergoing a major transformation as federal agencies are rethinking how recovery funds are distributed, new funding partners are emerging, and communities are being asked to do more with limited resources. For Economic Development Districts (EDDs), navigating this evolving landscape provides both a challenge and an opportunity. This interactive pre-conference workshop, hosted by the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP), will explore the evolving role of EDDs in disaster recovery, discuss funding opportunities, and examine innovative insurance and financing models. The session will also provide practical insights into how these policy and funding shifts may reshape long-term recovery timelines and create new opportunities to better align recovery efforts with broader economic development goals. No cost to attend, but pre-registration is required. Lunch will be provided.
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Conference Registration & Information Desk
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Conference Registration & Information Desk
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Opening Plenary
10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Networking Break
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Plenary Luncheon: EDA Atlanta State of the Region
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Mobile Workshop: Data Centers and Regional Development
Experience an inside look at how digital infrastructure is shaping regional planning and economic development with this interactive mobile workshop to the QTS Atlanta 1 data center facility. Explore the critical role data centers play in supporting cloud computing, AI, and emerging technologies, while learning about site selection, power and utility coordination, workforce needs, and infrastructure investment. This workshop will examine how communities are balancing rapid growth, community needs and benefits, and long-term competitiveness, as demand for data infrastructure continues to expand. There is an additional fee of $50; pre-registration is required; limit of 19 participants.
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Networking Break
2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Reception
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Conference Registration & Information Desk
7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast Buffet
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Morning Plenary
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Mobile Workshop: Atlanta Beltline and Ponce City Market
Experience and learn from two of Atlanta’s transformational redevelopment projects. The Atlanta Beltline is a 22-mile multi-trail and greenspace loop built on former railroad corridors and connecting 45 neighborhoods. The Beltline also serves as an economic catalyst, linking residential areas to major hubs such as the Ponce City Market – a revitalized food hall, retail center, and community anchor. Attendees will have lunch on their own at Ponce City Market. There is an additional fee of $50; pre-registration is required; limit of 24 participants.
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Networking Break
9:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
10:30 – 10:40 a.m.
Networking Break
10:40 am – 12:10 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
12:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Mobile Workshop: Georgia Tech AI and Smart Manufacturing
With increasing investments in revitalizing America’s manufacturing infrastructure, the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) is leading the charge with a mission to cultivate, scale, and integrate technology innovations in manufacturing into the market — and develop the workforce needed to maintain them. GTMI has been a national leader in advanced manufacturing technology for decades, convening industry leaders, government partners, and top researchers to collaborate on challenges and ensure rapid innovation that secures U.S. dominance in advanced manufacturing. There is an additional fee of $50; pre-registration is required; limit of 19 participants.
1:45 – 3:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Networking Break
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
7:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Conference Registration & Information Desk
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Good Conversations Breakfast Buffet
8:45 – 10:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
10:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Networking Break
10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Closing Plenary: Federal Policy Updates