Calendar

The Kentucky Economic Forum is the annual meeting of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development. Join economic developers, job creators, and policy makers as we celebrate the Commonwealth's economic momentum and discuss strategies to accelerate job creation and amplify growth in Kentucky.

 

 

2024 Economic Forum and Annual Meeting

presented by AEI an STV Company and Louisville Economic Development Alliance (LEDA)

 

*All events take place at the Hyatt Regency unless otherwise noted. All events outside the hotel are within walking distance, however, please remember to practice pedestrian safety by NEVER walking alone, stay in well-lit areas, and remain aware of your surroundings.

**All content sessions to occur in the Regency Ballroom - North unless otherwise noted.

***Event has been approved for city and county elected official training credits.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024

12:00 – 4:00 PM | Booth Set-Up Opens at the Hyatt |Foyer at top of escalators 

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1:30 – 2:30 PM | Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the KFC Yum Center |1 Arena Plaza

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3:00 – 4:30 PM | Advocacy Practices and Legislative Roundtable | Sponsored by Leadership Louisville | Leadership Louisville Center, 707 West Main Street

Join Rachel Phelps, Associate Partner at Government Strategies, as she discusses strategies for advocacy and the upcoming session with invited legislators. 

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5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Pre-Conference Reception |Derby City Gaming, 401 West Market Street

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2024

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Breakfast Buffet | Sponsored by Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Proud

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7:30 AM | Registration Begins| Sponsored by McBrayer| Regency Foyer at top of escalators

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8:25 AM – 8:30 AM | Chairman’s Welcome
Amanda Davenport, Eddyville Riverport & Industrial Development Authority, KAED Board Chair

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8:30 AM – 8:45 AM | Welcome to Louisville

Mayor Craig Greenburg

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8:45 AM - 9:00 AM| Kentuckians for Better Transportation Update

Jennifer Kirchner, KBT Executive Director  

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9:00 AM – 9:30 AM| KY Department of Transportation Update

A good transportation network can be the difference between a community that thrives and one that fails. At the center of every thriving community is a thriving economy; at the center of every thriving economy is an interconnected transportation network promoting success and connecting supply chains—a transportation network that people and businesses can be confident in. Secretary Gray discusses trends and strategies for Kentucky’s transportation network. 

KY Secretary of Transportation Jim Gray

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9:30 AM – 9:40 AM | A Word From Our Signature Sponsors| AEI an STV Company

Don Pedigo, PLS

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9:40 AM – 10:00 AM |Debunking the Fears of AI in the Workforce  

Cassidy Caid, University of Louisville, KyMEP

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10:00 AM – 10:20 AM | Networking Break and Visit “Made Where in Kentucky” Displays

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10:20 AM – 10:40 AM | KCED European Office Update

Finn Weisse, Executive Director European Office of the KCED and Victor Ehrnrooth, Executive Director European Representative Office of the KCED

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10:40 AM – 10:50 AM | |How to use the Foreign Trade Zone to Promote Economic Development

Miquel Zamora, Executive Vice President, Louisville Riverport Authority

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10:50 AM – 11:00 AM | |Ky Association of Riverports Update – Ben Weithman, Executive Director of the Henderson Riverport Authority, and Brian Wright, Executive Director of the Owensboro Riverport Authority- 10 minutes

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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Using Rail for Economic Development Panel Discussion

Rail is one of the 4 Rs of transportation infrastructure for successful economic development: rail, rivers, roads and runways. Representatives of Kentucky’s Class I and short line railroads will discuss Rails 101 basics, as well as recent market trends in rail-served industrial development that will keep economic developers “on track” with their rail partners. 

Moderator: Andy Games, Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation

Panelists:

• Jody Lassiter, CSX
• Jake Weir, RJ Corman
• Brendan Keener, Midwest & Bluegrass Rail
• Kevin McEwan, P&L Transportation

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12:00 PM | Lunch Sponsored by CSX

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12:30 PM – 12:55 PM | The Current State of the Railroad Industry and its Effect on Economic Development

Christina leads the CSX team that works daily at the intersection of rail and real estate for a Fortune 300 company that is also Kentucky’s largest rail service provider. She will share some of the initiatives and successes of CSX and its Industrial Development Team that have led new companies to choose partnerships with CSX for “how tomorrow moves” in their new Kentucky home. 

Christina Bottomley, VP Business Development & Real Estate, CSX

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12:55 PM – 1:15 PM | KAED Awards Ceremony

• Community Professional of the Year Award | Sponsored by Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy

• Young Professional of the Year | Sponsored by Jefferson Riverport International

• Allied Professional of the Year | Sponsored by LG&E/KU

• Kentucky Economic Development Hall of Fame Award

 

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1:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Networking Break and Complete “Made Where in Kentucky” Answer Sheets

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1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Made Where in KY Activity

Think you know your Made in Kentucky products? During the breaks visit the display tables around the room to test your knowledge and guess which Kentucky county each item calls home. During this session we will see exactly who knows your Kentucky made products.

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2:30 PM – 3:30 PM| Bringing Value to Economic Development by Integrating Stakeholders Early in the Process

In communities across the US and in the current construction environment, successful project delivery requires early and seamless integration of key stakeholders across all phases of development. This panel explores how engaging stakeholders early in the process can significantly improve efficiency, maximize knowledge input, and enhance overall project outcomes.

Moderator: Amanda Clark, Kentucky Power

Panelists:

• Hank Betts, Miller Valentine Construction
• Chella Subram, Cornerstone Engineering
• Michael Vickers, QK4

 

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3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Roundtable Discussion |Sponsored by DBL Law

Finish the day strong by chatting about industry best practices with economic development and design/build professionals and utility and service providers. At these roundtables, no topic is off limits, so come prepared with your most burning questions!

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4:30 PM | Invitation to Reception

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5:30 – 7:30 | Grand Reception | Sponsored by Greater Louisville Inc. |Number 15, 121 West Main Street

Entertainment |Cotter Hill | Sponsored by Terracon

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024

7:30 AM – 8:25 AM | Breakfast Buffet | Sponsored by Louisville Water Company

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8:25 AM – 8:30 AM | Opening Remarks  

Terri Bradshaw, KAED President & CEO

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8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | The Economic Impact of Kentucky’s Airports

Airport runways play a major role in Kentucky’s economy. Every year, they serve as the first and last touchpoints for millions of passengers and tons of cargo entering and exiting the Commonwealth. In this session, the CEOs of Kentucky’s three major airports discuss the economic impact of their operations, as well as new service recruitment, innovations, and special projects underway at each location.   

Moderator: Kimberly Rosetti, BeNKY Group Partnership

• Dan Mann, Executive Director of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
• Eric Frankl, Executive Director, Bluegrass Airport
• Candace McGraw, CEO, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

 

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9:30 AM - 10:00 | Kentucky Product Development Initiative Update

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10:00 PM – 10:15 AM | Networking Break 

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10:15 AM – 11:00 AM | KY Cabinet for Economic Development Panel Discussion

Leaders from the KY Cabinet for Economic Development will discuss trends, strategies and activities of the KCED.

Moderator: TBA

Panelists:

• Jeff Noel, KCED Secretary
• Kristina Slattery, Commissioner for Business & Community Development

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11:00 AM - 11:25 | Governor Andy Beshear

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history including more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $33 billion in investments, creating nearly 56,000 jobs. And he has plenty of time to grow those numbers. Today we will hear how he plans to do that.

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11:25 – 11:50 | KAED Membership Meeting

• Call to Order – Amanda Davenport, KAED Outgoing Chair
• Review of Amendments to Bylaws and Vote – Amanda Davenport, KAED Outgoing Chair
• Recognition of Departing Board Members and Officers – Terri Bradshaw, President & CEO
• Introduction of new Officers and Directors – Brett Traver, Outgoing Past Chair and Nominating Committee Chair
• New President’s Outlook – Kimberly Rosetti, KAED Incoming Chair
• Adjourn

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11:55 AM | Invitation to Paducah and Door Prize Drawings

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12:00 – Adjourn 

*Lunch will not be served. Please take the opportunity to visit one of Louisville’s many wonderful downtown restaurants for lunch. 

 

Pre-Conference Event Info:

Monday, December 9 at 1:30 – 2:30 | Behind the Scenes Tour of the KFC Yum! Center

The KFC Yum! Center has achieved great success since its opening in 2010 by attracting high-profile events to Louisville. The arena is consistently ranked among the top 30 arenas in the U.S. in Pollstar Magazine’s year-end Top 200, recognizing arenas for concert and show ticket sales. It is also the official home of the NCAA Division I University of Louisville men’s and women’s basketball programs. Aside from being a great concert and sporting event venue, the arena also has breathtaking spaces to rent for large or intimate private events varying from weddings to luncheons. Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of the arena and see where the likes of top recording artists Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffet, Luke Combs and Billie Eilish hang out when they are here.  The tour is free for conference registrants, but you MUST REGISTER BELOW TO ATTEND.

 

Monday, December 9 at 3:00 – 4:30 | Legislative Roundtable

Leadership Louisville Center, 707 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

Spend the afternoon with our Public Policy and Advocacy team as we discuss the upcoming session and the issues we will be following.  You will hear from key legislators during the Legislative Roundtable and our Lobbying Team will explain the state legislative process and prepare you to be competent, thoughtful advocates of behalf of economic development in the Commonwealth. The event is free for conference registrants, but you MUST REGISTER BELOW TO ATTEND.