DEV2022, the Iowa Utility Association’s annual economic development conference, will be held this Wednesday, May 18, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville.
Formerly known as the SMART Conference, the newly reimagined forum is dedicated to addressing development from a variety of perspectives. Iowa’s business, community, industry and education leaders will gather to talk about economic development, as well as community and personal development, through such themes as:
- Workforce development
- Infrastructure development
- Policy development
- Placemaking
- Higher education innovations
- Transportation
- Energy development
- Child care
The conference will include flexible, relevant tracks that relate to attendees’ unique interests. The keynote speech, delivered by Erick Rheam, will center on rising above chaos, a crucial topic for today’s leaders. The morning keynote address will break down how the economy, politics and technology impact businesses and jobs.
Other keynote speakers throughout the day-long conference will include Coralville mayor Meghann Foster, Black Hills Energy Iowa Gas president Shirley Welte, economist Andrew Busch, Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham, Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend, Iowa Department of Education director Dr. Ann Lebo and MidAmerican Energy vice president of economic connections and integration Kathryn Kunert.
For a full conference schedule and registration information, go to https://www.iowautility.org/devconference/
