Preliminary Conference Agenda

We’re excited to welcome you to Detroit this October for a two-day gathering focused on the future of the Great Lakes region. Things kick off with a relaxed networking reception on the evening of October 22, followed by a full day and a half of insightful sessions. From global investment trends and major infrastructure projects to water innovation and cross-border collaboration, this event brings together leaders and changemakers who are shaping the future of our region.

This is just the beginning; additional sessions are in the works, and we will share an updated agenda soon!

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Welcome Networking Reception

Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24, 2025

Navigating the Future: Trends and Opportunities in Foreign Direct Investment in the Great Lakes Region

Bruce Takefman, CEO, Research FDI

As global markets shift, the Great Lakes region is emerging as a prime destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). In this session, Bruce Takefman of Research FDI will share insights on the region’s competitive strengths—from advanced manufacturing and clean energy to robust cross-border infrastructure. Attendees will learn about current FDI trends, the top source countries, and key industries that attract global capital. The session will also highlight recent success stories and explore how regional collaboration can amplify investment opportunities across the Great Lakes.

Building the Brand: Overcoming Rust Belt Perceptions to Marketing the Great Lakes Region for Global Investment

Aaron Brossoit, CEO, Golden Shovel Agency

In an increasingly competitive global economy, strategic marketing and branding are essential tools for attracting investment and fostering economic growth. This session will explore how the Great Lakes region can craft a compelling, unified identity to position itself as a premier destination for domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI). Bethany Quinn, President of the leading economic development marketing firm Golden Shovel Agency, will share insights on how to align messaging across borders, leverage regional assets, and tap into international investor networks to elevate the Great Lakes' strengths and foster greater prosperity and competitiveness for the region.

Great Lakes Performance in Focus: Corporate Investment Trends and Competitive Benchmarking

Ron Starner, Executive Vice President of Conway Data

Join industry expert and veteran Ron Starner for a data-rich analysis of how the Great Lakes region compares to other U.S. and Canadian markets in attracting business investment and facility expansions. Using Conway’s global project database, Starner will reveal top-performing metros, key industry trends, and the factors influencing site selection today. This session offers actionable insights into where the region excels, where it lags, and how stakeholders can boost competitiveness to secure more high-value corporate investments.

Driving the Future: Retaining Global Automotive Leadership in the Great Lakes Through Advanced Mobility

Bernard Swiecki, Vice President of Mobility and Research for the Detroit Regional Partnership and the former senior director of research and director of the Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP) at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR)

The Great Lakes region has long stood at the center of the global automotive industry. But as the mobility landscape evolves—with electrification, automation, and connected vehicle technologies accelerating change—how do we maintain our competitive edge?

In this forward-looking session, Bernard Swiecki, a nationally recognized expert on the automotive sector and mobility ecosystems, will explore how regional assets, workforce readiness, and cross-border innovation can keep the Great Lakes at the forefront of advanced mobility. From electric vehicle manufacturing to smart infrastructure and supply chain resilience, this session will highlight what it takes to lead in a rapidly transforming industry—and how communities can position themselves to capture the next wave of automotive investment.

Navigating the Future: The Maritime Industry’s Economic Impact on the Great Lakes Region

Adam Tindall‑Schlicht, former Administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation and Senior Advisor, 
Ramboli

Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Senior Advisor for Transportation at Ramboll, will deliver a keynote on how the maritime industry is shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for the Great Lakes. Drawing on his leadership at Port Milwaukee and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, he’ll explore the region’s evolving infrastructure, green shipping, and economic opportunities. His talk will spotlight coastal resiliency, emissions reduction, and binational collaboration as key drivers of trade, investment, and climate action across the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region.

Water is the Great Lakes Economic Development Competitive Advantage

Karen Frost, Executive Director, The Water Council
Matt Howard, Vice President, The Water Council
Noelle Brigham, Director of ESG, A. O. Smith (invited)

If the Great Lakes region were a nation, its economy would rank as the third largest in the world. Much of this strength has historically been built on abundant freshwater resources that fueled industries such as automotive, food processing, pulp and paper, and water technology, while also serving as critical transportation corridors to global markets. Given new climate realities and under-utilized industrial and water supply capacities in the Great Lakes, how do we harness this competitive advantage to drive growth while protecting our freshwater resources? What risks tied to water availability, quality, and resilience threaten current and future businesses—and how can organizations like EDOs and The Water Council help address these challenges to ensure both prosperity and stewardship?

Through the Eyes of a Site Selector: Perceptions and Realities of the Great Lakes Region

Gregory Burkart – Principal, Site Selection Services, Walbridge

How do corporate decision-makers and their site selection consultants truly view the Great Lakes region when it comes to new business locations and expansions? In this engaging and unfiltered session, a leading site selection consultant will share the good, the bad, and the ugly, providing candid insights into the region’s reputation, performance, and opportunities for improvement. Attendees will gain a valuable outside-in perspective on what makes the region competitive or not, in today’s global investment landscape, with actionable takeaways for enhancing their local and regional strategies.

Harnessing Tourism as an Economic Engine in Great Lakes Communities

Sara Smith, Director, Institutional Advancement, National Museum of the Great Lakes
Philip Rice, Communications, Great Lakes Island Alliance
Jamie Cunningham, Director, Education, Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Diane Lupke, President, Diane Lupke & Associates, Inc.

Tourism is more than leisure—it’s a catalyst for economic growth, community vitality, and regional identity. From world-class museums and birding festivals to island ferries and cruise ship ports, Great Lakes destinations are leveraging their unique attractions to fuel jobs, investment, and year-round economic activity. This dynamic panel brings together leaders from the National Museum of the Great Lakes, Great Lakes Islands Alliance, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory to share proven strategies for turning local assets into lasting economic impact.  Moderated by Diane Lupke of Lupke & Associates, the conversation will highlight transferable insights relevant to communities of all sizes across the Great Lakes.

Crossing Borders, Building Prosperity: The Power of Binational Collaboration in the Great Lakes Region

The Great Lakes region supports over 50 million people and drives more than $500 billion in annual U.S.-Canada trade. As global supply chains evolve, binational collaboration is critical to sustaining growth and competitiveness. In this session, experts from both nations will discuss how shared infrastructure, coordinated policies, and joint initiatives are enhancing regional stability. Attendees will gain insights into how collaboration in trade, transportation, workforce development, and environmental stewardship is unlocking new opportunities and positioning the Great Lakes as a model for cross-border economic success.

Bridging Economies – Infrastructure Driving Growth and Trade

Discover how transformative infrastructure is fueling economic growth and international trade in the Great Lakes region. This session highlights the game-changing Gordie Howe International Bridge and the vital role of rail networks in strengthening U.S.-Canada connectivity. Learn how these assets are transforming supply chains, attracting investment, and creating new economic opportunities. Ideal for leaders in logistics, trade, and development, this session offers powerful insights into how infrastructure is positioning the Great Lakes as a global economic gateway.