Economic Development 411 (ED411)
Bringing together individuals and companies from across the 11-county Columbus Region.
ED411 is where ideas flourish and partnerships grow.
ED411: December 5, 2025
Navigate the changing economic landscape.
Join us on December 5, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom for the Columbus Region’s signature event for economic developers, business leaders, and community leaders.
Our Agenda:
8:00
Registration, Breakfast and Networking
9:00
Welcome
9:15
Morning Mainstage: Lessons on Leadership
Hear from President Ted Carter, The Ohio State University, for a keynote presentation, followed with an interview by Sophia Fifner, President & CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Club
10:15
Breakout Sessions
Economic Development 101: Foundations of Growth
Housing at Scale: Solutions for Growing Communities
The Talent Imperative: Matching Skills to Market Needs
Passenger Air: The Future of Connectivity in the
Columbus Region
12:45
AI and Competing at the Speed of Change
AI adoption is no longer optional; it’s existential. This session brings together leaders who are proving that companies can change fast, scale efficiently and remain competitive as the pace of change accelerates. Learn what this means for economic development, talent evolution, and the future competitiveness of our state and region.Mark Kvamme, Co-Founder and CEO of The O.H.I.O. Fund, will provide brief keynote remarks, followed by a panel discussion including Chad Delligatti, CEO of InnoSource and Peter Coratola, Founder, President, and CEO of EASE Logistics, moderated by Irene Alvarez of the Columbus Partnership.
1:30
Economic Development Update & Closing
2:00
Event Concludes
Renowned keynote speakers
Hear from nationally recognized keynotes who will reshape your outlook on the Region’s future and your role in it.
Expert-led breakouts
Learn from the best in the field during sessions that range from tackling current challenges to exploring future opportunities.
Inspired Connections
Network with your peers, make new connections, and engage with influential leaders.
Why does Economic Development Matter in the Columbus Region?
It fosters new job opportunities
Allowing our residents to have a stable income or career advancement, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.
It increases tax revenue
Allowing for vital investments in essential services such as education, infrastructure, and public safety – that benefit all citizens.
It develops a diversified economy
While also fostering greater innovation and competition, empowering the Columbus Region to be more resilient to economic headwinds as they come.
It creates a vibrant economy
A vibrant economy boosts property values, attracts skilled workers, and encourages cultural and recreational activities, making the Columbus Region a more attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.
“It’s powerful to see peers, elected officials, civic leaders, and business leaders come together to share a collective vision for the future of the Columbus Region. Events like ED411 strengthen our profession and our communities.”
Jenna Goehring / President of MODE, Economic Development Administration for the City of Dublin
The event is recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a professional development event that counts towards the recertifications of Certified Economic Developers (CEcD).
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