19TH ANNUAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM
August 25 – 27, 2026
Where connections are activated,
Renasant Convention Center
collaboration is intentional, and businesses gain the
Memphis, TN
edf.businesscontinuum.org
Power Forward. power to move forward.
Eventbrite.com: EDF 2026 Mid-South Business Continuum · edf.businesscontinuum.org · 901-525-6512
BUILD YOUR OWN EDF EXPERIENCE
One Place. Multiple Connections. Something for Every Corporate Leader + Business Partner + Small Business
🤝
🏪
🤖
🎯
📋
New Connections
Business Marketplace
AI Fluency Cert.
Matchmaking 7 Streams
Business Clinics
Network with corporate
Discover products, services &
Earn your AI Certification and
Pre-scheduled 1-on-1
Mini-workshops on
leaders, procurement pros
solutions from diverse
drive innovation in your
meetings
advertising,
& investors
vendors
business or job
across 7 curated categories
project management & more
Scan · Register · edf.businesscontinuum.org
EDF 2026: Power Forward · August 25–27
EVERY SESSION IS DESIGNED TO MOVE YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD. From power keynotes and expert clinics to the most intentional matchmaking system in the Mid-South — EDF 2026 is built for results.
August 25 – 27, 2026 · Renasant Convention Center · Memphis, TN
AUGUST 25: EXHIBITOR MOVE-IN 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM EXHIBIT HALL – LOADING DOCK
August 25 – 27, 2026 · Renasant Convention Center · Memphis, TN
AUGUST 25: OPENING BUSINESS RECEPTION
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM ALOFT HOTEL
August 25 – 27, 2026 · Renasant Convention Center · Memphis, TN
EXCLUSIVE MEMBER EVENT
A Cup of Joe With Our CEO 📅 August 26, 2026 🕐 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM 📍 Renasant Convention Center
Start EDF day one the right way with direct access to Mid-South Business Continuum President & CEO Jozelle Booker. This exclusive member session is an intimate conversation about how The Mid-South Business Continuum can help you grow, scale, and power forward.
Jozelle Booker President & CEO · Mid-South Business Continuum
edf.businesscontinuum.org
OPENING PLENARY SESSION
Global Trends, AI Economy & Business Strategies 📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 🕐 8:30 AM · Ballroom A 📍 Renasant Convention Center
Kevin Russell, Senior Fellow at McKinsey Global Institute, opens EDF 2026 with a commanding look at the global forces shaping business in the next decade. Industry trends, AI economics, and the strategies that will define who wins.
Kevin Russell Senior Fellow · McKinsey Global Institute
edf.businesscontinuum.org
POWER SESSION · FIRESIDE CHAT
Behind the Build 📅 August 26, 2026 🕐 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM 📍 Exhibit Hall Floor
Lessons from the Obama Presidential Center — a fireside chat with Rashod Johnson, CEO of Ardmore Roderick. How do you win and execute one of the nation's most complex construction projects? From procurement to workforce to risk management, this session delivers the playbook.
Rashod Johnson · Moderated by Travis Spencer CEO, Ardmore Roderick · Head of Supplier Relations, Ford Motor Co.
edf.businesscontinuum.org
LUNCH & LEARN · POWER ZONE MAIN STAGE
The AI Edge: Artificial Intelligence as Competitive Advantage 📅 August 26, 2026 🕐 11:45 AM – 1:30 PM 📍 Power Zone – Main Stage
AI is no longer a future conversation — it's today's competitive edge. Bethanie Nonami, Award-Winning AI Strategist and CPD-Certified Trainer, delivers a practical session on how to leverage AI for productivity, innovation, and growth. Every participant receives an AI Certification of Participation.
Bethanie Nonami Award-Winning AI Strategist · CPD-Certified Trainer
edf.businesscontinuum.org
POWER SESSION · AUTHOR PANEL
Booked for Business 📅 August 26, 2026 🕐 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 📍 Exhibit Hall Floor
Three powerhouse authors — Brad Federman, Lekeyantia Naylor, and Lauren Ready — share real stories, hard-won lessons, and practical takeaways to uplift and empower small businesses. Book sales and signing immediately following.
Federman · Naylor · Ready Authors, Speakers & Entrepreneurs
edf.businesscontinuum.org
POWER SESSION · BUSINESS CLINIC
Advertising 101: How Advertising Helps Small Businesses Grow 📅 August 26, 2026 🕐 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM 📍 Exhibit Hall Floor
Leon Williamson, iHeartMedia's Market President for Memphis & Tupelo, breaks down how advertising builds awareness, creates demand, and drives customer action — and how small businesses can maximize their marketing investment for long-term revenue growth.
Leon Williamson Market President Memphis & Tupelo · iHeartMedia
edf.businesscontinuum.org
FEATURED SESSION · MAIN STAGE
The Human Premium: Leaders Who Master AI Will Win. 📅 August 27, 2026 🕐 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM 📍 Exhibit Hall · Main Stage
"AI won't replace great leaders — but leaders who master AI will outpace those who don't." Jonathan Mitchell, Seasoned Media Executive, delivers a practical blueprint for building an AI Action Plan and preparing your organization to lead what's next.
Jonathan Mitchell Seasoned Media Executive
edf.businesscontinuum.org
POWER SESSION: BUSINESS CLINIC
BANK ON IT: Tools & Time With Financial 📅 August 27, 2026 🕐 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM 📍 Main Stage – Power Zone
Financial partners share banking resources for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals.
Banking Partners Capital Readiness - Building Banking Relationships
edf.businesscontinuum.org
FEDEX LUNCHEON KEYNOTE
Future of Work: Robotics, AI & the New Economy 📅 August 27, 2026 🕐 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 Ballroom A · Ticketed Event
Calvin Zhou, Co-Founder of Magnus Robotics, closes EDF 2026 with a forward-looking keynote on how robotics and AI are reshaping industries, redefining jobs, and creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and the workforce.
Calvin Zhou Co-Founder · Magnus Robotics
edf.businesscontinuum.org
FEATURED SESSION · MAIN STAGE
2G:MPOWER Big Ideas Shaping the Future 📅 August 27, 2026 🕐 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM 📍 Exhibit Hall · Main Stage
Empowering young professionals with information about new and emerging technology. Robotics industry - Deployment. Data. Integration.
Calvin Zhou Co-Founder – Magnus Robotics
edf.businesscontinuum.org
THE DEFINING FEATURE OF EDF 2026
7 Curated Matchmaking Streams Wednesday & Thursday / Pre-scheduled · 10–12 minute meetings · Right people, right connection #01
#05
Procurement Matchmaking
Capital & Investor Matchmaking
Private & public sector buyer/supplier connections
CDFIs, microlenders, angel networks & regional funds
#02
#06
Corporate Gifting & B2C
Business Services & Resources
Products into new sales channels & gifting programs
Legal, HR, IT, marketing & ecosystem organizations
#03
#07
Workforce Matchmaking
Media & Visibility
Employers connect with job seekers
Journalists, podcasters & content creators
#04
Banking & Financial Services Capital access, lending & financial planning EDF 2026: Power Forward · Register at edf.businesscontinuum.org
edf.businesscontinuum.org
Eventbrite.com: EDF 2026
One Place. One Yes. Claim your seat, select your streams, and come ready to move.
REGISTER NOW · edf.businesscontinuum.org · 901-525-6512