2026 OEDA Annual Summit
October 6–9, 2026 | Dayton Convention Center | Dayton, Ohio
The 2026 OEDA Annual Summit will convene more than 500 economic development professionals for three energizing days of learning, inspiration, and meaningful connection—right in the heart of downtown Dayton. Whether you're a seasoned expert or just starting out, the Summit is designed to help you sharpen your skills, expand your network, and amplify your impact.
Highlights of this year's Summit include:
- 30+ Breakout Sessions organized into six dynamic tracks: Sites, Energy & Infrastructure; Workforce, Housing & Community Competitiveness; Finance, Incentives & Deal Strategy; Technology, Innovation & AI; Leadership, Partnerships & Community Engagement; and Wildcard (see flag #6)
- Content for All Levels: Each track features sessions for beginner, intermediate, and advanced practitioners, plus focused spotlights on Dayton and the Dayton Region's innovations.
- 5 Experiential Tours / Learning Labs showcasing real-world projects and community partnerships.
- 10 high-impact IGNITE presentations—quick, powerful talks that spark new thinking.
- Inspiring General Sessions and Keynotes featuring statewide and national voices in economic development.
- Engaging Networking + Social Events that foster collaboration and community—like the Chairman's Reception, Women in ED, and the always-popular Late Night Trivia.
- Pre-Conference Activities on October 6, including our annual community service project, a golf scramble, and an early arrival reception.
About the Host City – Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, the seat of Montgomery County, is a city in southwest Ohio's Miami Valley with a legacy of invention that still defines it. As the birthplace of aviation—home to Wilbur and Orville Wright—Dayton built a culture of engineering and ingenuity that lives on today in its aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing economy, anchored by nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Downtown Dayton is in the middle of a visible revitalization, from the restored Dayton Arcade to a reimagined riverfront, blending historic architecture with new energy. As a hub of the broader Dayton Region, the city pairs a diverse, innovation-driven economy with the walkable, welcoming feel of a community on the rise.
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About the Venue – Dayton Convention Center
The newly reimagined Dayton Convention Center sits in the heart of downtown Dayton and serves as the central hub for the 2026 Summit. Following a major renovation, the modernized facility offers flexible meeting and exhibit space, a central downtown location within walking distance of hotels, dining, and entertainment, and a fresh, contemporary setting that makes it one of the region's premier event venues.
The 2026 OEDA Annual Summit will be among the first major statewide events hosted in the renovated center.
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Where to Stay
OEDA has secured room blocks at five preferred hotels for the 2026 OEDA Annual Summit—all in or near downtown Dayton with easy access to the Dayton Convention Center. Rates and cut-off dates are confirmed for all five; online booking links are being finalized for the hotels noted below.
Hotel Ardent
- $149 (king) / $159 (two queens)
- 10 min walk (0.4 mi) to Dayton Convention Center
- Sold Out
Hilton Garden Inn
- Connected to Dayton Arcade
- 6 min walk (0.3 mi) to Dayton Convention Center
- $169 (king or two queens)
- Click here to book!
Fairfield Inn & Suites
- Starting location of OEDA Fun Run/Walk
- 16 min walk (0.7 mi) to Dayton Convention Center
- $179 (king or two queens)
- Click here to book!
- AC Marriott Downtown Dayton
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Thank you to Our Sponsors!
AES • Agracel • Bricker Graydon Wyatt • Bricker Development Strategies • Bruns Construction Enterprises • Business First • Choice One Engineering • City of Dayton • CityWide Development Corp • Coolidge Wall • Dayton Development Coalition • Dayton/Montgomery County Port Authority • Exxcel Project Management • Findlay-Hancock ED • HDR • Huntington National Bank • I-70/75 Development Association • JobsOhio • Kleinfelder • Kutak Rock LLP • Lathrop Turner • Mannik Smith • Messer Construction • Miller Valentine • Montgomery County • Neighborhood Strategies • NORED • Norfolk Southern • OCPA • PlanningNEXT • Rudolph Libbe • SSOE • Terracon • The Columbus Region • Verdantas • Woolpert
We are grateful to all our sponsors for their commitment and dedication to Ohio's economic development practitioners.
Interested in exhibiting or want to discuss available opportunities? Contact Jason Kester, Summit & Sponsorship Chair at jkester@agracel.com.
Visiting Dayton
Dayton offers visitors a rich mix of history, culture, and outdoor space. Aviation and history enthusiasts can explore the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, one of the world's largest military aviation museums and free to the public, or trace the Wright brothers' story through the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Carillon Historical Park brings the region's innovation story to life across an open-air campus of historic buildings.
Art lovers can visit the Dayton Art Institute, while the historic Oregon District offers a walkable stretch of local restaurants, bars, and shops. For outdoor time, RiverScape MetroPark and the Five Rivers MetroParks system provide trails and riverfront space just minutes from the convention center.
Link: Visit Dayton (Dayton/Montgomery County CVB)