Illinois Economic Development Association

Panel Spotlight: Small Places, Big Impact: How Tourism Sparks Economic Growth Across Illinois

We're excited to spotlight this panel at the 2026 IEDA Summit on the afternoon of June 24 at the UIC Dorin Forum in Chicago.

Hear from Katie Dudley (Illinois Extension), Thomas Daughhetee (Casey, IL), Cortney Strohacker (DeKalb County CVB), and Cory Jobe (Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau) on how communities across Illinois are turning tourism, placemaking, and local assets into real economic growth.

🔗 Register: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

⚠️ Our hotel block at the Crowne Plaza West Loop closes June 5—that's only one week away. Book now before it's gone! https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99801505&icdv=99801505&qSlH=CHISH&qCiD=23&qCiMy=052026&qCoD=25&qCoMy=052026&qGrpCd=ILE&qAAR=6CBARC&qRtP=6CBARC&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=CP&qDest=25%20South%20Halsted%20Street,%20Chicago,%20IL,%20US&showApp=true&adjustMonth=false&srb_u=1&qRmFltr=

The 2026 IEDA Summit is just weeks away, and we want to give a huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors who make this event possible! 🙌

🏆 Platinum: Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Illinois DCEO, Illinois Economic Development Corporation, Wabash Valley Power Alliance
🏆 Gold: CivicServe, Clayco, Conway Data, Inc., Kane County EDC, Norfolk Southern, Ready Nation, REsimplifi, Tallgrass
🏆 Silver: Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Innovation Network, Illinois Manufacturers' Association, McGuireWoods Consulting, Norton Rose Fulbright, Nicor Gas, SI Now, Union Pacific, World Business Chicago
🏆 Bronze: BNSF, Champaign County EDC, Grundy EDC, Village of Hoffman Estates

Their generosity keeps registration affordable and allows us to deliver top-notch content and networking opportunities for economic development professionals across Illinois.

📅 June 24–25 | UIC Dorin Forum, Chicago
🔗 Register now: https://www.ileda.org/2026-ieda-summit

🎯 Save the Date!

We're excited to announce IEDA’s annual Site Selector Forum & Consular Corps Reception – coming to Downtown Chicago on Sept. 30, 2026!

📍 Offices of McGuireWoods Consulting, 77 W Wacker Dr
🕝 1:30–3:30 PM – Site Selector Forum
🥂 3:30–5:30 PM – Reception with the Chicago Consular Corps and International Trade Representatives

We're thrilled to confirm three panelists for this year's Forum, with more to be announced in the coming months:
🎤 Meredith O'Connor, Vice Chairman, International Director Co-Chairman of National Site Selection and Incentives Practice, JLL
🎤 Courtney Dunbar, Director, Site Selection, Burns & McDonnell
🎤 Ford Graham, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure & Economic Development, McGuireWoods Consulting

Network with top site selection pros & international partners 🌎
Details + registration coming soon.
Interested in sponsoring? Contact [email protected] or (217) 527-1279