Plan Your EDF Experience

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