BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P1H REFRESH-INTERVAL:P1H CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=3;BYDAY=2SU DTSTART:20070101T000000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:Eastern Daylight Time END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=11;BYDAY=1SU DTSTART:20070101T000000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:Eastern Standard Time END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260617 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260620 TRANSP:TRANSPARENT X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:TRUE SUMMARY:NCEDA 2026 Annual Conference\, presented by ECS Southeast DESCRIPTION:Build Relationships\, Share Ideas\, and Shape the Future at the 2026 Annual Conference!\nJoin colleagues from across North Carolina June 17 19 in Wilmington for a family-friendly event along the scenic Cape Fear River. With 300+ economic development professionals expected\, this is a premier opportunity to build connections\, exchange ideas\, and engage with peers from across the state.The conference features outstanding networking opportunities\, engaging activities\, and timely discussions on the issues shaping North Carolina's economy\, including:Leadership-focused keynote on professional developmentState competitiveness and site selector insightsTransportation and infrastructure updatesHealthcare and workforce trendsBusiness development strategiesEthics in economic developmentWe're excited to offer breakout sessions this year\, giving attendees the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions on a range of timely and relevant topics.\nWhether you're looking to gain new insights\, strengthen relationships\, or reconnect with colleagues\, this conference offers meaningful value both professionally and personally. We look forward to seeing you in Wilmington!CONFERENCE DETAILSAll 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'.Attire for the full conference is resort casual. The schedule is listed below for planning purposes\, and the agenda will be posted as we get closer to the conference.Wednesday\, June 17Optional Activities (Wilmington Area late morning/afternoon)Connector's Network Reception for Emerging Execs\, New Members\, Board Members\, NCCED Holders\, and Mentorship Program Participants (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 18Optional Fun Run (Riverwalk 6 - 7 am)Breakfast (Hotel Ballast 7:30 - 8:30 am)Conference General Session (Hotel Ballast 8:30 am 12:30 pm)Optional Activities (Wilmington Area afternoon)Dinner Networking Reception & Awards Celebration (Hotel Ballast 6:30 9:30 pm)Friday\, June 19Optional Yoga (Hotel Ballast Patio 6 - 7 am)Breakfast (Hotel Ballast 7:30 - 8:30 am)Conference General Session (Hotel Ballast 8:30 am Noon)Conference Adjourns (Noon)LODGING DETAILSMain Hotel Block - Hotel Ballast (301 North Water Street)Rate: $189/night++ ($224 rate for river view rooms)Available Dates: Wednesday\, June 17\, and Thursday\, June 18 (A smaller number of rooms are available Tuesday night\, June 16 for anyone who would like to arrive early\, but please note that only the nights of June 17 and June 18 are needed - be sure to edit your arrival date to 6/17 as the link defaults to a 6/16 check-in.)Reservation Deadline: 05/15/2026 (note that the block will most likely fill up before then!)Click HERE to make your reservation online or call 1.800.HILTONS and request the group code CED.Overflow Option - Hampton Inn Downtown Wilmington (225 Grace Street)Rate: $179/night++Available Dates: Wednesday\, June 17\, and Thursday\, June 18 (A smaller number of rooms are available Tuesday night\, June 16 for anyone who would like to arrive early\, but please note that only the nights of June 17 and June 18 are needed - be sure to edit your arrival date to 6/17 as the link defaults to a 6/16 check-in.)Reservation Deadline: 05/17/2026Click HERE to make your reservation online.We will coordinate some additional overflow blocks as needed. There are also plenty of Airbnb and VRBO rentals available throughout historic downtown Wilmington\, so consider exploring these options if you would like an alternate lodging option!SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESSponsorship opportunities are now available\, ranging from $500 - $5\,000. Don't miss your chance to showcase your organization at one of NCEDA's premier events! Review the sponsorship levels and benefits below\, along with the companies already committed to supporting the conference.Ready to get involved? Click HERE to view the sponsor benefits\, and contact Liz to secure your sponsorship for the 2026 Annual Conference!THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS! X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:


Build Relationships\, Share Ideas\, and Shape the Future at the 2026 Annual Conference!

Join colleagues from across North Carolina June 17&ndash\;19 in Wilmington for a family-friendly event along the scenic Cape Fear River. With 300+ economic development professionals expected\, this is a premier opportunity to build connections\, exchange ideas\, and engage with peers from across the state.

The conference features outstanding networking opportunities\, engaging activities\, and timely discussions on the issues shaping North Carolina&rsquo\;s economy\, including:

We&rsquo\;re excited to offer breakout sessions this year\, giving attendees the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions on a range of timely and relevant topics.

Whether you&rsquo\;re looking to gain new insights\, strengthen relationships\, or reconnect with colleagues\, this conference offers meaningful value both professionally and personally. We look forward to seeing you in Wilmington!

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'\;.

Attire for the full conference is resort casual. The schedule is listed below for planning purposes\, and the agenda will be posted as we get closer to the conference.

Wednesday\, June 17

Thursday\, June 18

Friday\, June 19

LODGING DETAILS

Main Hotel Block - Hotel Ballast (301 North Water Street)

Overflow Option - Hampton Inn Downtown Wilmington (225 Grace Street)

We will coordinate some additional overflow blocks as needed. There are also plenty of Airbnb and VRBO rentals available throughout historic downtown Wilmington\, so consider exploring these options if you would like an alternate lodging option!

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorship opportunities are now available\, ranging from $500 - $5\,000. Don&rsquo\;t miss your chance to showcase your organization at one of NCEDA&rsquo\;s premier events! Review the sponsorship levels and benefits below\, along with the companies already committed to supporting the conference.

Ready to get involved? Click \;HERE \;to view the sponsor benefits\, and contact Liz to secure your sponsorship for the 2026 Annual Conference!

THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS!


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