Southwest Michigan First Presents: The State of Economic Development | Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center | Arcadia Ballroom
Cultural Experiences
The Road Ahead
Join more than 500 regional stakeholders, C-suite executives, and community leaders for Southwest Michigan First’s
third annual State of Economic Development
.
In 2023, we launched
The Path to Regional Prosperity
—a bold three-year strategic action plan that set the pace for our region’s future. Now, we’re building on that momentum with
The Road to Regional Prosperity (2026–2028)
, designed to accelerate growth, spark innovation, and capitalize on the vast opportunities in Southwest Michigan.
This year’s event brings together a fresh new lineup of thought leaders and changemakers you won't want to miss. Plus, we've built in plenty of networking opportunities along the way so you can interact with like-minded individuals who also want to move our region forward. You'll walk away with fresh perspectives, actionable strategies, and lots of inspiration for what's possible on the road ahead.
Agenda
Registration
Lunch and networking
Keynote Speaker #1 – Economic Outlook, Dr. Christopher Thornberg, Founder, Beacon Economics
Keynote Speaker #2 – Future Trends
Networking break
Entrepreneurship panel
Keynote Speaker #3 – The Road Ahead, Jonas Peterson, CEO, Southwest Michigan First
Closing remarks
Reception and networking
Registration Details
During checkout, you will be asked to provide attendee information, including:
Full name
Email address
Company/Organization
Dietary preferences
Mobility restrictions
This ensures we have complete and accurate records for all attendees.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship options are available at multiple levels, with benefits such as reserved seating, onstage recognition, and logo placement on event materials. Sponsor logos will be added here as commitments are confirmed.
For more information, visit:
southwestmichiganfirst.com/soed.
Contact
For questions, please contact
Nick Riashi
at nriashi@southwestmichiganfirst.com or 248.766.4342.
Register now to secure your spot!
Note: All ticket sales are final. Should you be unable to attend, we offer the opportunity to transfer your ticket to a fellow team member or partner organization. Please contact a member of our team to transfer your ticket, if necessary.
Information Source: Southwest Michigan First | eventbrite