This event is brought to you by the International Economic Development Council, Southwest Initiative Foundation, and Elevate Rapid City. 

Join us in the heart of the Black Hills for a one-of-a-kind regional gathering celebrating milestone moments in economic development and community leadership; The Centennial Summit: The Future of Midwest Economic Development - An Official IEDC Centennial Event  

Together, we will mark three historic anniversaries: America’s 250th, Rapid City’s 150th, and IEDC’s 100th. Set in the City of Presidents, this mini-conference brings Midwest economic development professionals together for two days of context, conversation, and centennial celebration. 

CEcD Recertification Credit

This event has been recognized by IEDC as a level two professional development event that counts toward the recertification of Certified Economic Developers (CEcD), earning attendees 2 recertification credits for participating.

What to Expect: 

• Forward-looking plenary and breakout sessions focused on rural innovation and economic resilience  

• Interactive tours of Rapid City’s assets, including the innovation district  

• Evening reception at the Dahl Arts Center  

• A visit to Mount Rushmore for the nightly lighting ceremony  

• Networking, local experiences, and time to connect with peers across the Midwest

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Location: 

Hosted at the historic Hotel Alex Johnson, a landmark originally envisioned in 1927 as a “Showplace of the West.” Built alongside the early days of Mount Rushmore, the hotel reflects the culture, history, and character of the Black Hills. 

Hotel Accommodations: 
We have secured room blocks at two downtown locations within walking distance of event activities: 

• Hotel Alex Johnson (Host Hotel): 
  https://group.curiocollection.com/57lfef 
  Reserve by June 13  

• Hyatt Place Rapid City Downtown: 
  https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/RAPZR/G-CENT 
  Reserve by June 15  

Agenda At-A-Glance: 

Monday, July 13

12:00 PM – Check-in

1:00–2:30 PM – Plenary: The State of Economic Development
Nathan Ohle, IEDC | Mayor Jason Salamun, City of Rapid City

2:45–3:45 PM – Breakout Sessions

     a.    Global Competitiveness & Trade
              Chris Knight, FDI Intelligence for Financial Times | Joe Fiala, South Dakota Trade | Kallie Ruland, Elevate Rapid City

     b.    Capital, Capacity, and Community: 30 Years of Lessons Learned in Rural Ecosystem Building

                Joe Bartmann, Dakota Resources | Kristi Wagner, Dakota Resources

4:15–5:15 PM – Plenary: How Job Quality Will Define Economic Development
Todd Greene, Morehouse School of Medicine

6:00–7:30 PM – Centennial Reception | Dahl Arts Center

7:45 PM – Mount Rushmore Lighting Ceremony

Tuesday, July 14

8:30–10:00 AM – Plenary: Leading with Impact: Measuring What Matters in Economic Development
Nathan Ohle, IEDC | Josh Wright, Lightcast

10:15–11:15 AM – Breakout Sessions

         a.   Where Innovation Meets Place-Making
                 Garth Wadsworth, Elevate Rapid City | Mike Stanley, Dream Design Inc. | David Hancock, Ridgeline Roasters | Dr. Jim Stone, South Dakota School of Mines

         b.    Activate Rural: Working with Artists to Transform Buildings into Creative Third Places
                   Sarina Otaibi & Courtney Bergey Swanson | Minnesota Department of Public Transformation | Scott Marquadt, Southwest Initiative Foundation

11:30 AM–1:15 PM – Plenary Lunch: Future Ready: What Communities Need to Compete in the Next Era of Economic Development
Commissioner Bill Even, South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development | Courtney Dunbar, Burns & McDonnell

1:30 PM – Guided Tours: PLEASE SELECT ONLY ONE 

         a.     Building a Destination: How Rapid City Became the Gateway to the Black Hills
                   Walking tour of Rapid City’s vibrant downtown with Black Hills Adventure Tours

                    Please Note, walking tour has limited availability and will be filled first-come, first- served. 25 total spots are available. To book your spot, add the Downtown Walking Tour ticket to your order. 

         b.     Innovation in Action: Exploring Rapid City’s Innovation District
                   Windshield tour of Rapid City’s innovation district corridor

                    Please Note, the trolley tour has limited availability and will be filled first-come, first- served. 20 total spots are available. To book your spot, add the Innovation District Tour ticket to your order. 

3:30 PM – Innovation After Hours: Closing Reception at David Lust Accelerator Building

                    If you'd like to attend our closing reception, please add the Optional Ticket to your order. 

5:00 PM – Event Concludes

Download our app experience to see complete session descriptions, speakers and bios, sponsors and more! 

Registration closes on July 6!

If you have a food intolerance or allergy, please email events@elevaterapidcity.com so we can accommodate this ahead of time.

 Thank you to our Partners! 

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Black Hills Adventure Tours

Black Hills Energy

Economic Development Professionals Association

FT Locations

LIV Hospitality

South Dakota Basic Economic Development Course 

South Dakota Chamber

South Dakota Trade

Lightcast

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this event! Please reach out to events@elevaterapidcity.com if interested.

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