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 2026 SWREDA Annual Conference in Austin, Texas, April 14-17, 2026. The conference is designed for staff from Economic Development Districts, Tribal Planning Grantees, Revolving Loan Funds, and others engaged in economic development across the region.
Topics to be covered during the conference will include disaster recovery, housing, AI and economic development, CEDS, project development, RLF strategies, communication strategies, tourism, energy, a federal legislative update, and the Annual Star of the Southwest Showcase.
In addition, two mobile workshops are being offered. Please note that pre-registration and an additional fee are required to attend a mobile workshop.
The Texas Space Commission leads statewide space initiatives and strategic investments to bolster Texas’ aerospace ecosystem to spark innovation, workforce development, and long-term economic growth. Firefly Aerospace is a leading commercial space company advancing responsive, reliable launch and lunar services. Firefly’s cutting-edge manufacturing, testing, and mission operations are helping solidify Texas’ position as a leader in the new space economy.
There is an additional fee of $50; pre-registration is required; limit of 30 participants.
Explore practical, place-based strategies and engage with key regional partners working on water planning, flood control, energy reliability, community infrastructure, and economic development. This workshop will emphasize collaborative problem-solving and regionally-grounded solutions aimed at strengthening Central Texas communities for disasters through strategic resource management.
There is an additional fee of $50; pre-registration is required; limit of 30 participants.
| Registration Type | Registration Rate |
|---|---|
|
SWREDA Member Early Bird (by 03/30/26) |
$365 |
|
Non-Member Early Bird (by 03/30/26) |
$440 |
|
SWREDA Member Regular (after 03/30/26) |
$415 |
|
Non-Member Regular (after 03/30/26) |
$490 |
|
Mobile Workshop (Texas Space Commission & Firefly Aerospace) |
$50 |
|
Mobile Workshop (River Resilience: Water, Energy, & Disaster Management) |
$50 |
|
Executive Directors Leadership Institute |
No cost, but registration required |
|
Storytelling Workshop |
No cost, but registration required |
Cancellation Policy
Registrants who cancel their registrations by April 1, 2026, will receive a refund minus a $100 administrative fee.
Click here or on the button below to reserve hotel rooms for the conference.
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The Southwest Region Economic Development Association (SWREDA) welcomes you to this year’s Annual Conference in Austin, Texas, April 14-17. The reference guide below contains general event information to help participants prepare to attend the conference.
Click here to navigate to the conference agenda.
See who will be attending the conference here (PDF).
Conference App – Whova
We are using the Whova mobile app for this year’s conference. Download the Whova app if you haven’t already (App Store/Google Play), and sign up with your conference registration email.
Questions about the app? Email [email protected].
General Hotel Information
Check-in: 4:00 p.m.
Check-out: 12:00 p.m.
Hotel reservation questions? Email NADO’s Senior Manager, Events and Member Services, Jamie McCormick, at [email protected].
Wi-Fi: Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access is available in guest rooms and meeting space. Login details will be provided onsite.
Parking: Onsite self-parking is available for hotel guests and conference attendees for $23/day.
Hotel Cancellation Policy: An individual may cancel their reservation 48 hours prior to check-in without penalty.
Getting There
About Austin, Texas
Time Zone: Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Weather:
During the Meeting
Registration: Upon arrival, pick up your name badge and meeting materials at the registration desk located in the foyer of the Phoenix Ballroom. Registration hours are:
Conference Registration Questions? Email [email protected].
Attire: Business casual is recommended for the conference.
Code of Conduct Policy: All participants are expected to maintain professionalism. Discrimination, harassment, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. View NADO’s Code of Conduct Policy here.
Social Media: Please use the #SWREDA2026 when posting about the conference.
See you in Texas!
Please note: Sessions from this conference qualify for AICP Certificate Maintenance (CM) credits. Follow this link to log credits.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Executive Directors Leadership Institute
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Regional Storytelling Training Workshop
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
SWREDA Board of Directors Breakfast Meeting
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SWREDA Membership Annual Business Meeting
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Opening Plenary: Liftoff to Economic Development
2:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Mobile Workshop: Texas Space Commission & Firefly Aerospace
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Getting an EDGE: EDA Grants Management
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
EDA RLF Eligibility
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Empowering EDDs: Energy & Data Centers
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Supporting Regional Manufacturing Ecosystems
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Regions of Tomorrow, Today: Impacts of the AI Revolution and What to Do About It
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Emergent Learning: Economic Development Fundamentals
Thursday, April 16, 2026
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
From Highway to Heritage Corridor: Route 66’s Second Century
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Smarter RDOs, Smarter Regions: Tech Tool Conversation Café
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
CEDS Conversation Carousel
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
GIS Tools for Regional Economic Development
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Resilient Recoveries: Building Disaster Ready Regions in the Southwest
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Childcare as Economic Development: Building the Coalition
11:25 AM – 12:25 PM
Aligning Missions: Partnerships with Military Installations
11:25 AM – 12:25 PM
Stop Publishing Plans. Start Communicating Them
11:25 AM – 12:25 PM
From Where You Are to Where You Are Going: Transportation Bringing Communities Forward
12:30 PM – 1:40 PM
Plenary Luncheon: State of the Region
1:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Mobile Workshop: Lower Colorado River Authority: Water, Energy, & Disaster Management
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Brownfields 101
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Idea to Implementation: Developing Successful EDA Projects
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
House on the Range: A Role for Regions in Housing
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Plenary Session: Star of the Southwest Award Showcase
Friday, April 17, 2026
9:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Closing Plenary: Federal Policy Update
11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Post-Conference Rural Energy Academy Session
