Annual Leadership Conference 2026 8/18/2026 - 8/19/2026

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:56:26 GMT

Day 1: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Day 2: 9 a.m. - Noon

Annual Leadership Conference 2026

Wake County is growing by 67 new residents per day, and the decisions leaders make now will shape how our region grows in the years ahead. The Annual Leadership Conference presented by TowneBank brings together business executives, elected officials, and civic leaders for a retreat-style conversation about how we lead with purpose, act with clarity, and Set The Pace for what comes next.

This conference is built for real insight, not headlines. Over two days in Beaufort, leaders will have space to compare notes, pressure-test ideas, and align around the priorities that will keep our region competitive, resilient, and ready.

This year’s agenda will focus on the forces shaping our region’s next chapter, including economic competition, power capacity, workforce design, housing and infrastructure demands, public investment, policy decisions, and the regional impact of major civic and economic wins.

Table conversations are built into both days so attendees can share what they are seeing on the ground, compare perspectives with peers, and help shape a clear set of takeaways for the full room.

What's On The Agenda

The Next Big Arenas: Where the Growth Race Is Headed
A practical look at where the growth race is moving next and how leaders can position their organizations and region to compete.
Speaker: Kevin Russell, Senior Fellow, McKinsey Global Institute

Why Dallas, Why Now: A Preview of ICVLC 2027
A focused preview of why Dallas was selected for the 2027 Inter-City Visit & Leadership Conference and what it can teach us about growth, competitiveness, infrastructure, and talent.

Data Center Expansion and Grid Capacity
A timely discussion on power capacity, timelines, siting, and how our region can balance economic opportunity with reliability and community impact.
Speakers:

Matt Conrad, Vice President, Business Development & External Affairs, Tract
Kevin McLaughlin, Vice President, Government Affairs and External Relations, Duke Energy
Steven Pearce, Vice President, Infrastructure and Economic Development, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC
Moderator: Kyle Touchstone, Director, Raleigh Economic Development

Economic Update: Driving Through Fog
A clear look at Wake County’s growth pace of 67 new residents per day and what it means in a foggy economy, including housing, services, infrastructure, and what leaders should watch next.
Speakers:

Danielle Claremont, Chief Executive Officer, Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS
Tommy Dalton, Principal | Managing Director, Dalton Property Partners LLC
Brian Reid, President, TowneBank Triangle
Moderator: Russell Killen, Partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

Policy Briefing: What to Watch in 2026
A useful briefing on the policy and political landscape shaping business this year, with clear signals on what leaders should track and prepare for.
Speaker: Joe Stewart, Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina

Designing High-Impact Roles: Talent Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement
A practical presentation on how leaders recruit, retain, and engage talent across sectors by designing high-impact roles and building a workforce that can set the pace.
Speaker: Courtney White, BASF Agricultural Solutions, North America

Lightning Talk: 2026 Wake County Schools and Wake Tech Bond Referenda
A focused look at the Wake County Schools and Wake Tech bond referenda, what they would fund, and what they mean for growth, workforce readiness, taxes, and regional infrastructure
Speakers:

Melanie Black Dubis, Partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
Matt Smith, Vice President, Development + Strategic Partnerships, Wake Technical Community College

Championship Economy: The Regional Impact of the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup Win
A timely discussion on the economic impact of the Hurricanes’ championship and what it means for regional visibility, visitor spending, partnerships, civic momentum, and the broader business community.

Scott Dupree, Executive Director, Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance
Brian Fork, Chief Executive Officer, Carolina Hurricanes
Terrell Midgett, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Raleigh Raised Development
Moderator: Jeff Merritt, Executive Director, Centennial Authority

Who Attends
The Annual Leadership Conference brings together a cross-section of senior business, government, and civic leaders. Attendees can view a list of companies represented at previous Annual Leadership Conferences to better understand the caliber of leaders and organizations that take part in this annual retreat.

Day 1 | 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. + Reception
Registration, lunch, Sessions 1 through 4, Table Conversations, Senate Candidate Fireside Chat, Table Takeaways, Networking Break, and Reception.

Day 2 | 9 – 11:25 a.m.
Session 5, Lightning Talk, Table Conversations, Session 6, and Closing Remarks.

Please Note
Agenda is subject to change. Sponsorship does not include hotel accommodation.

No refunds after August 4, 2026.

Hotel Accommodations: Conference registration/sponsorship does not include hotel accommodations. Attendees are responsible for booking their hotel room directly with the Beaufort Hotel by emailing Senior Sales Manager Alyce Kelly at alyce.kelly@concordhotels.com or by calling 252-838-7237 for the special group rate of $269 (plus taxes and fees.)

Questions?
For questions about the agenda, call 919.664.7037 or email Devin Brown.
For logistics questions and ADA needs, call 919.664.7036 or email Kennedy Wordsworth.
For registration questions, call 919.664.7033 or email Alea Morales.
For sponsorship information, email jhuitt@raleighchamber.org.

Join the conversation on social media!
@raleighchamber
#RaleighALC26

Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Events Newswire

Annual Leadership Conference 2026 8/18/2026 - 8/19/2026