Business & Professional
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 lineup of thought leaders and changemakers you won’t want to miss. Featured keynotes include Dr. Chris Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics and one of the nation’s leading economic forecasters, and Erica Orange, partner at The Future Hunters and one of the world’s Top 50 Female Futurists. Together, they’ll provide a compelling look at the economic forces shaping our future—offering data-driven insights, global trends, and forward-looking strategies to help leaders and organizations navigate what’s next.
Plus, we’ve built in plenty of networking opportunities along the way, allowing you to interact with like-minded individuals who are driven 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.
During checkout, you will be asked to provide attendee information, including:
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 nriashi@southwestmichiganfirst.com 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.
