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NCEDA 2025 Annual Conference, presented by ECS Southeast

June 11, 2025 - June 13, 2025

Description

Connect, Learn, and Celebrate at NCEDA's 2025 Annual Conference!

Join colleagues from across North Carolina for NCEDA's 2025 Annual Conference — a family-friendly event packed with outstanding networking opportunities, exceptional cuisine, engaging optional activities, and timely updates on key economic development issues, all set along the scenic Cape Fear River.

The conference planning committee is curating a dynamic agenda featuring insights from respected government, business, and education leaders. Highlights will include:

  • A Western NC Tourism Update
  • A game show-style Commerce and EDPNC Update with Secretary Lilley and Chris Chung
  • An Economic Outlook from Ted Abernathy
  • Sessions on master planning, downtown revitalization, retail strategies, managing burnout, and more!

Whether you're looking to stay informed, spark new ideas, or strengthen connections, this conference offers real value for you professionally and personally. We can't wait to see you there!

CONFERENCE DETAILS

All conference functions will be held at the Hotel Ballast, except for some optional activities. Optional activities have a separate registration fee and are detailed under 'Additional Items'. Tabletop exhibits are available, and you can reserve a table by selecting the Exhibitor option under 'Additional Items'.

Please note the schedule below for planning purposes. The agenda will be posted in May. Attire for the full conference is resort casual.

Wednesday, June 11

  • Optional Activities (Wilmington Area • late morning/afternoon)
  • Elite Engagement Reception for Emerging Execs, New Members, Board Members, NCCED Holders, Mentorship Program Participants, and Past Scholarship Recipients (Hotel Ballast • 4:45 - 5:30 pm)
  • Welcoming Reception (Hotel Ballast • 5:30 - 7 pm)
  • Optional Activity (Sunset Cruise • 7:30 - 9 pm)
  • Dinner On Your Own (Wilmington Area)

Thursday, June 12

  • Optional Fun Run (Riverwalk • 6 - 7 am)
  • Breakfast (Hotel Ballast • 7 - 8:30 am)
  • Conference General Session (Hotel Ballast • 8:30 am – 12:30 pm)
  • Optional Activities (Wilmington Area • afternoon)
  • NCEDA Awards Ceremony (Hotel Ballast • 5:30 - 6:30 pm)
  • Dinner Networking Reception (Hotel Ballast • 6:30 – 9:30 pm)

Friday, June 13

  • Optional Yoga (Hotel Ballast Patio • 6 - 7 am)
  • Breakfast (Hotel Ballast • 7 - 8:30 am)
  • Conference General Session (Hotel Ballast • 8:30 am – Noon)
  • Conference Adjourns (Noon)

LODGING DETAILS

NCEDA's block at the Ballast is full (the block opened in early April). If you want to be added to the Ballast waitlist, please contact Torsha Eubanks.

The overflow blocks we reserved are also full, and the downtown hotels have limited availability, so we cannot add any more rooms.

Many Airbnb and VRBO rentals are available in historic downtown Wilmington, so be sure to check out those options!

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Support NCEDA as an Annual Conference sponsor! Click HERE to view the different sponsor levels and benefits. Contact Liz Dobbins-Smith with any questions!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!


Location

Hotel Ballast
301 North Water Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Pricing

GENERAL REGISTRATION OPTIONS

Member Registration: $725 ($625 early bird rate valid through May 30)

Emerging Executives Member Registration: $550 ($450 early bird rate valid through May 30)

Retiree Member Registration: $550 ($450 early bird rate valid through May 30)

Emeritus Member Registration: $200

Student Member Registration: $25

Non-Member Registration: $1,050 ($950 early bird rate valid through May 30)

Spouse / Guest Registration: $200 (includes Wednesday and Thursday evening receptions and breakfast Thursday and Friday mornings)

Child Registration (ages 6-20): $50 (includes Wednesday and Thursday evening receptions and breakfast Thursday and Friday mornings)

Child Registration (ages 5 and under): Complimentary

Children are welcome at the evening functions. We encourage you to bring your entire family! If you have a child aged 21 or over attending, they should be registered using the Spouse/Guest option.

OPTIONAL REGISTRATION ACTIVITIES

There will be an opportunity for table-top exhibits this year. Please select the 'exhibitor' option under 'Additional Items".

Wednesday, June 11 Activities:

  • Golf Outing: $95 (tee times starting at 10:30 am)
  • Half-Day Fishing Excursion: $200 (11:30 am - 4 pm; includes lunch and beverages)
  • Pickleball Clinic and Round Robin Tournament: $60 (1:30 - 3:30 pm)
  • Kayaking Waterway Tour: $50 (1:30 - 3:30 pm)
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding Waterway Tour: $50 (1:30 - 3:30 pm)
  • Wilmington Beer Trolley: $40 (2:30 - 4:30 pm)
  • Sunset Cruise: $50 (7:30 - 9 pm; includes light hors d'oeuvres)

Thursday, June 12 Activities:

  • NCEDA Fun Run: Complimentary (6 - 7 am)
  • NC Wilmington Ports Tour: Complimentary (1:30 - 3:30 pm)
  • Wrightsville Beach Shuttle: Complimentary (1:15 – 4:45 pm)
  • Cornhole Tournament: $25 (2 - 4 pm; proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen)
  • Old Wilmington's Architectural History Walking Tour: Complimentary (2:30 - 4 pm)

Friday, June 13 Activities:

  • Yoga: Complimentary (6 - 7 am)

EARLY BIRD PRICING AND CANCELLATION POLICY

Registrations submitted by Friday, May 30, are eligible for the early bird registration rate, a $100 savings. NCEDA member and non-member rates increase $100 if submitted after Friday, May 30.

Refunds can be made (minus a $25 processing fee) if cancellations are received by Friday, May 30, at 5 pm. For cancellations, please call 888.246.2332 or email liz@nceda.org. No refunds will be granted after May 30.

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Contact Information

NCEDA
Name: Liz Dobbins-Smith
Phone: 888.246.2332
Email: liz@nceda.org

Click on the "See More" link above to view all conference details, including the schedule of events, lodging options, conference sponsors, and sponsorship opportunities! 

To register, please enter your email address below and click the "Go" button to the right of the email address box. If you are a member of NCEDA, this will allow you to select one of the member registration options, and all of your contact information will auto-populate to make the registration process easier.

If you are a colleague of an NCEDA member and are registering them for the event, be sure to enter THEIR email address. This is the only way our system will recognize the membership and allow you to select the discounted member registration option.

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