2026 Emerging Executives Forum, presented by ECS Southeast and Lenoir County Development Alliance
Base Hotel: Mother Earth Motor Lodge (501 North Heritage Street – Kinston, NC 28501)
Welcoming Reception: Mother Earth Brewing Tap Room (311 North Heritage Street – Kinston, NC 28501)
Forum General Session: Community Council for the Arts (400 North Queen Street – Kinston, NC 28501)
Pricing
Member Registration Fee: $150
Non-Member Registration Fee: $225
Student Member Registration: $25
Join us February 4-5 in Kinston for two energizing days designed to help you grow your economic development network and sharpen your professional toolkit! This year’s agenda is packed with engaging, practical sessions that will benefit emerging leaders at every stage.
You’ll hear from seasoned professionals on how to build stronger partnerships and collaborations, gain insight into what your role looks like during site visits, and explore key strategies to help you step confidently into future leadership positions. We’ll also dive into international business etiquette and wrap up with interactive roundtables where you can deepen your understanding of North Carolina’s incentive funding programs.
Come learn, connect, and elevate your career alongside peers from across the state!
FORUM DETAILS
The meeting locations and general schedule are posted below for planning purposes, and the agenda will be posted in January. Attire for the full event is business casual.
Wednesday, February 4
(Note: The optional activities are complimentary, but you’ll need to sign up separately so we can plan accurately. Be sure to check the “Additional Items” section to add them to your registration!)
- Optional Lunch at Farmer and the Dail (Snow Hill • noon - 1:30 pm)
- Optional Tour at Simply Natural Creamery (Snow Hill • 2 - 3 pm)
- Optional NC Global TransPark Tour (Kinston • 3:30 - 4:30 pm)
- Welcoming Reception (5:30 - 7 pm)
Thursday, February 5
- Breakfast (8 - 9 am)
- Forum General Session (9 am – 12:45 pm)
- Luncheon (12:45 – 2 pm)
LODGING DETAILS
NCEDA has secured a group block at the Mother Earth Motor Lodge for the night of February 4 (reservation deadline is January 20). Call the Lodge to make your reservation and request the NCEDA Block: 252.520.2000.
The discounted group rates are listed below:
- King Room - $98.10/night++
- Two Doubles or King with Desk Room - $107.10/night++
- Two Doubles or King Suite - $125.10/night++
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNTIES!
We would love to have you support as a Forum sponsor. Opportunities to sponsor are available at the Gold Level ($1,000) and Program Level ($500). Please contact Liz Dobbins-Smith for more details!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
