The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) has announced that Katie Milton Jordan will deliver a keynote address and moderate a panel at its 2026 Fall Conference, scheduled for September 23-25 in Burlington, Iowa. The conference theme, "Flowing at the Speed of Change: Economic Development, AI, and Community Readiness," is set to explore the transformative forces impacting local economies and the practical steps needed to prepare communities for the future.
Jordan, founder and CEO of SimpleEDO.ai, is recognized for her expertise in AI execution for economic development organizations, chambers, and regional partnerships. Her presentation will focus on moving beyond experimental AI projects to establish governed workflows that enhance decision-making and produce measurable outcomes. According to Jordan, "The most important AI conversations are not really about software. They are about readiness - whether leaders have the systems, judgment, and shared language to turn change into community advantage."
The conference agenda includes sessions on downtown redevelopment, AI's impact on economic development, disaster preparedness, data-center growth, childcare solutions, and legislative updates. Jordan's participation underscores the growing importance of AI in economic development, a topic that resonates with professionals across the country who are grappling with how to adopt new technologies while preserving local insights and human relationships.
Jordan's work is particularly relevant as communities face the dual challenge of embracing innovation and maintaining the trust and collaboration essential for successful development. Her approach emphasizes human-accountable workflows, ensuring that AI tools support rather than replace the judgment of local leaders.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with these ideas during the conference, which promises to be a pivotal event for Iowa's economic development community. For more information about the event, visit pdiowa.com. To learn more about Jordan's consulting and resources, visit katiemiltonjordan.com.
