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2026 Governor's Conference on Economic Development
About the Governor’s Conference
The Governor’s Conference on Economic Development features industry-thought leaders and practitioners who delve into entrepreneurship, solutions for workforce housing, trends Wisconsin manufacturers face and artificial intelligence in economic development. The Governor's Conference is WEDA's largest educational and networking event of the year. The packed agenda has something for everyone as we focus on advancing economic growth for people of all ages in rural and urban Wisconsin. We look forward to having you join us!
Opening Address: Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (Invited)
WEDA is pleased to welcome Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers as a featured conference speaker. The 46th governor of Wisconsin has been invited to open the conference with remarks on what his administration is working on to drive economic growth and prosperity across the state. During his time in office, Governor Evers has been committed to advancing key economic development policies and programs, including rural broadband expansion, small business economic recovery, and affordable housing expansion.
Conference Agenda: Coming Soon! There is still time to submit your presentation. Submissions are due November 7th. Submit Here!
Conference Awards
Organizational Excellence Award - Applications Due December 22, 2025
The Organizational Excellence Award celebrates a WEDA member organization that has demonstrated a sustained commitment to economic development, making outstanding contributions to fueling the growth of the Wisconsin economy. Open to economic development organizations, businesses, and other entities dedicated to prosperity and growth, past winners have excelled in innovative program development, introducing new services to their market, and providing solutions to local economic challenges.
Andy Lisak Young Professional Award - Applications Due December 22, 2025
The Andy Lisak Young Professional Award, named in honor of the late Andy Lisak, a distinguished figure in economic development, acknowledges the outstanding contributions of a WEDA member aged 40 or younger at the time of nomination. Andy Lisak's legacy, marked by his service at local, regional, and state levels, as well as his chairmanship of the WEDA board, underscores the profound impact that can be made early in a career in economic development. Nominees for this award should exemplify excellence in WEDA contributions, community and industry involvement, milestone achievements in economic development, active participation in WEDA educational initiatives, and leadership in forging partnerships
Conference Lodging
Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q Hammons Drive, Middleton, WI 53562
Special WEDA Conference Rates: $98 per night for a general standard room
Reservations must be made by JANUARY 06, 2026, to secure this discounted rate.
Call 1-888-745-2032 and reference WEDA 2026 Governor’s Conference when making your reservation.
Check-in: 4 pm | Check-out: 11 noon
Parking: Self Parking - Free
Exhibit Tables Available
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to share your products and services. Exhibit information can be found HERE and on the conference registration site or by contacting Liza Rosenthal, conference planner – lizar@badgerbay.co | 920.560.5624
Exhibit spaces are $150 (electricity is additional) for WEDA members and $300 for non-members (electricity is additional).
Conference Sponsorships Available – Sponsorship Opportunity Guide HERE.
Conference sponsors make this programming possible. In return, your organization will be recognized across Wisconsin!
Conference Attire is business casual.
This conference is approved for IEDC credits.
REGISTRATION:
Early Bird Registration --- Register by DECEMBER 22, 2025 for the best rate AND a Chance to WIN! Rates go up on December 23, 2025 by $50.00 for all registrants (see chart below).
EARLY BIRD DRAWING - SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY! Register by Deccember 22,2025 and be entered into a drawing to receive a special Gift Box! Three lucky winners will enjoy products from across the state.
Second Chance Discount - Register by January 14, 2026 to save an additional $50.00.
ALL REGISTRATIONS JANUARY 15 TO JANUARY 30, 2026 WILL GO UP AN ADDITIONAL $100 FROM THE ORIGINAL CONFERENCE RATE (see chart below).
Full Conference Registration includes Wednesday evening reception; Thursday morning continental breakfast & breaks, lunch and evening reception; Friday morning breakfast and am break. An optional fee required to participate in the Wednesday, January 28 Academy program and Women in ED WOW Luncheon. Separate registration page for the Academy.
| Registration Fees | November 1 to Dec 22, 25 | Dec 23, 25 to Jan 13, 26 | Jan 14 to Jan 30, 26 | |||
| Event | Member | Non-Member | Member | Non-Member | Member | Non-Member |
| Full Conference | $ 379.00 | $ 499.00 | $ 429.00 | $ 549.00 | $ 479.00 | $ 599.00 |
| Thursday Only | $ 279.00 | $ 399.00 | $ 329.00 | $ 449.00 | $ 379.00 | $ 499.00 |
| Friday Only | $ 129.00 | $ 249.00 | $ 179.00 | $ 299.00 | $ 229.00 | $ 349.00 |
Wed. Academy Workshop $ 0 $ 99
---REGISTRATION OPENS November 1, 2025 ---
Separate registration is needed for CRA Networking Listening Session and WEDA Academy. - Not open at this time.
CRA Networking Listening - Registration Coming Soon!
WEDA Academy - Registration Coming Soon!
CANCELATION POLICY: Registrations may be canceled for a fee of $100 until January 12, 26, you may transfer your registration to another participant for free. After January 12, 2026 only transfers of registration will be allowed.
2025 Conference Planning Team:
- Abby Attoun, City of Middleton
- Everett Butzine, Madison Regional Economid Partnership
- Maureen Calson, Greenfire Management Services
- Melissa Hunt, WEDA
- Anne Katz, Create Wisconsin
- Ashley Lucas, Associated Bank
- Matthew Mikolajewski, City of Madison
- Kristen Parent, Middleton Chamber of Commerce
- Patrick Schloss, City of West Allis
- Jack Zwicker, Mirron Construction Co., Inc.
Watch this website for updated information as conference dates near.
WEDA 2026 Governor's Conference on Economic Development
- January 28 - 30, 2026
-
1313 John Q Hammons Drive
Middleton, Wisconsin
United States
53562
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Refund, Cancellation and No-Show Policy
- Substitutions will be accepted at any time.
- All registered attendees cancelling their registration (except for Basic Economic Development Course), will be charged a $30 processing fee, regardless of when the cancellation notice was received. Cancellations must be received in writing by mail or email to WEDA (e-mail: weda@weda.org). Basic Economic Development cancellation see last bullet
- Cancellations received in writing two days prior to the event, will be refunded or credited to a future WEDA Conference (less the processing fee).
- There will be no refunds or credits for cancellations received two days prior to the event (after 5:00 PM).
- A registered attendee, who does not submit a written cancellation or attend the conference is considered a No-Show, and is not eligible for a refund or credit.
- A registered attendee, who does not submit a written cancellation or attend the conference, is still liable for any outstanding balances.
- Basic Economic Development Course cancellations are subject to a 25% administrative fee.
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Please note that the WEDA member portal is to be used by members of WEDA only. Certain workspaces within the member portal will be tailored for and restricted to certain membership types; access to these areas will be determined and approved by WEDA staff. The Content that is displayed in your member portal will automatically vary based on your user / membership type.
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To ensure all interactions within the WEDA member portal are safe and friendly, WEDA staff will oversee the member portal activity and will review, edit, and delete any inappropriate content that has been submitted. This includes abusive or offensive language, spam, malicious files, or other disrespectful contact. To help provide a productive environment, please report any offensive or suspicious activity to WEDA staff. Please note that not all user-submitted content is representative of WEDA, nor does it necessarily represent the views of WEDA, its staff or members.
