Call for Session Proposals: 2025 OEDA Annual Summit
Shaping Ohio’s Economic Future
Summit Dates: October 15-17, 2025
Location: Akron & Northeast Ohio
Submission Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST
1. About the Summit
The Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) Annual Summit is the premier event for economic development professionals in Ohio. The conference brings together economic developers, local and state government officials, business leaders, site selectors, and industry experts to discuss critical issues, share best practices, and explore solutions that drive economic prosperity across Ohio.
This year’s Summit will be held in Akron & Northeast Ohio, and we are committed to showcasing local and regional economic development success stories within each track.
We invite you to submit session proposals that provide practical strategies, expert insights, and innovative solutions for Ohio’s economic development professionals.
2. Session Tracks & Themes
We are looking for five sessions per track, ensuring a well-rounded mix of content. Each track will include:
- One Advanced (Expert) session
- One Basic/Foundational session
- One session showcasing Akron/Northeast Ohio projects
Our six content tracks for 2025:
- Energy & Infrastructure
- Housing
- Workforce Development
- Technology & Tools
- Real Estate Development
- Principles & Practices (Core economic development topics, EDO leadership, policy, and legal considerations)
3. Session Formats
We are primarily seeking breakout session proposals, but will also consider:
- Regular Sessions (Standard panel or presentation)
- IGNITE Sessions (5-minute rapid-fire presentations)
4. Topics of Interest
While proposals are not limited to the topics below, the Summit Content Subcommittee and our Annual Member Survey have identified several key areas of interest:
4.1 Energy & Infrastructure Track
- PJM & distribution: How the lights stay on
- The business of power generation
- Impact of data centers on the grid
- Data centers: Case studies, incentives, and ROI
- Funding strategies for energy infrastructure projects
- Microgrids: How local utilities are evolving
- Water and sewer capacity, especially for rural areas
- Infrastructure planning after a “mega-project” win
4.2 Housing Track
- The role of economic development organizations (EDOs) in housing
- Converting office space to residential: Capital stack & challenges
- Housing studies: What they are and how to use them
- Residential TIF for housing development (case studies)
- Workforce housing: What is it, and how do we create more?
4.3 Workforce Development Track
- Childcare as a workforce issue
- Transportation solutions: Lessons from The Paradox Prize
- Immigration, H1B visas, and building a welcoming workforce
- Leveraging the sector partnership model
- Workforce 101: Understanding Ohio’s workforce development ecosystem
- Talent attraction and retention strategies
- Career pathways and upskilling for emerging industries
4.4 Technology & Tools Track
- AI for economic development: Use cases and applications
- Data analytics and visualization tools for economic developers
- GIS and mapping tools for site selection and planning
- Best practices for using economic data in decision-making
- CRM and project management tools for EDOs
4.5 Real Estate Development Track
- Brownfield redevelopment & middle neighborhoods: strengthening legacy cities
- Navigating transparency in economic development incentives
- Communicating ROI to stakeholders
- Using tax credits as part of the capital stack (LIHTC, NMTC, HTC)
- Industrial site readiness and certification programs
- Redevelopment strategies: Brownfields, vacant properties, and adaptive reuse
4.6 Principles & Practices Track
- EDO leadership and strategic planning
- Public records and sunshine laws refresher for economic developers
- Funding and financial strategies for EDOs
- Business retention and expansion (BR&E) best practices
- Maximizing incentives & community growth
- Tax impact analysis for smarter decision-making
- Best practices in community development: lessons from local agreements
- Bridging the gap: enhancing state-local collaboration in economic development
- Regional collaboration: Multi-stakeholder partnerships and resource sharing
- Policy and advocacy strategies for economic developers
- Site selection best practices: Working with site consultants and developers
5. Submission Guidelines
- Speaker Diversity: OEDA values diverse perspectives and encourages proposals featuring speakers from different backgrounds, geographic regions across Ohio, community sizes, and organizations.
- Speaker Confirmation: All proposed speakers must be notified and confirmed before submission.
- Speaker Limits: Speakers may only present in one session. However, submitters are welcome to submit multiple proposals.
- Session Design: Sessions should focus on practical takeaways, case studies, and innovative solutions rather than product or service promotion.
- Preferred Consideration:
- OEDA members, investors, and sponsors will receive preferred consideration in the selection process.
- OEDA reserves the right to modify session titles, descriptions, and panelists to ensure a balanced program.
6. Speaker Expectations
- OEDA does not cover travel expenses or speaker fees.
- Accepted speakers will receive complimentary access to their session and may attend the session before or after their own at no cost (excluding meals and receptions).
- All speakers must register for the conference if they wish to attend beyond their session.
7. How to Submit
Submit your proposal by Friday, May 2, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST via https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OEDASummitRFP
For questions, contact Max Upton, Chair, Content Subcommittee at uptonm@north-olmsted.com or 440.714.2363 (cell) or David Zak, OEDA President & CEO at 419.912.1150 (cell) or dzak@ohioeda.com.
Help shape the future of economic development in Ohio! Submit your session proposal today.