This fall, “in-person” doesn’t always mean sitting in a ballroom, barely staying awake for slides. Organizers have collectively decided that if they’re going to get economic developers into a room, that room had better earn it. Case in point: Carroll County’s “Lunches About Nothing” is proof that even economic development can be a little tongue-in-cheek and fun! And Main Street Maryland is closing out its conference with a literal talent show, in addition to digital passport trails you can follow through Maryland’s downtowns. Economic Development Week in Maryland is getting in on the fun too, with a Women in Business Happy Hour in Frederick County proving that sometimes the best connections happen over a glass of wine and a shared experience. Here’s our short list of where to be, and how to show up with your best foot forward. Now for the shameless plug: the PPR team has a hand in planning all the events below, so they’re real passion projects!
Momentum in the Mid-Atlantic
2026 Economic Development Week in Maryland – September 28 – October 2: A sparkling statewide celebration of the people and powerhouse businesses (large and small) fueling our economy, featuring Business Appreciation Weeks, entrepreneurial workshops, and networking events galore. Many events are playful, all are approachable, and most are free or low-cost.
Main Street Maryland Conference – October 6 – 7: Spend two inspiring days celebrating Maryland’s downtowns. This $50 (in Maryland) or $100 (out of state) extravaganza (yes, you read that correctly) teaches you how to breathe new life into Main Street properties, discusses accessibility as an inclusivity strategy, and shows you how to leverage digital passport trails to attract business downtown. Come for the creativity, and stay for the Main Street Talent Show; it won’t disappoint!
MEDA Fall Conference: Economic Development’s Role in Building Maryland’s Future – October 22: If you’ve ever tried to recruit talent to a community that doesn’t have anywhere for folks to live, this one’s for you. The morning kicks off with insights on why housing has become a workforce and competitiveness issue, not just a planning one, followed by a panel on what’s actually standing in the way of getting housing built. For anyone whose economic development work keeps running into the same housing wall, this is a chance to hear real local solutions, not just the problem restated.
Charles County Fall Meeting – Entrepreneurship: Driving Economic Impact – November 10: Featuring insights on where the economy is headed, tech funding, marketing strategy, and market-share growth from businesses actually doing it in Charles County.
Inspiration Further Afield
IEDC 2026 Annual Conference – October 25 – 28: Creating a comeback strategy that sticks is a through line that tracks with the Mid-Atlantic offerings we’ve shared above. IEDC gathers global visionaries to share insights in New Orleans, a city that wrote the book on resilience.
Georgetown County Fall Meeting – From Vision to Investment – November 13: Coming back from a period of manufacturing plant closures is never easy, but this charming coastal community is using targeted investment and tenacity to draw key industries like advanced manufacturing, marine technology, and aviation.
Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit – November 18 – 20: This year marks the Summit’s 45th anniversary and brings together hospitality and tourism leaders from across Maryland for three days of connection, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategy. This year’s program is packed with thought-provoking content, including sessions on AI and its impact on the industry, travel trends, rural tourism strategies, and more.
Your Game Plan: Before, During, and After
Showing up is step one; now you’ve got to make it count!
Before: Scout the roster. Look at who’s attending and speaking before you arrive. Spoiler alert: Whova and Cvent conference apps make this easier than ever! Pick two or three people you actually want to talk to, not just whoever’s closest to the coffee. A five-minute LinkedIn scroll or Whova stalk beats an hour of small talk with strangers.
During: Play the whole game, not just the highlights. It’s tempting to duck out after your session or skip straight to the reception. Don’t. The hallway conversation between sessions is often where the real value lives, so take the seat next to someone new, ask one good question, and actually listen to the answer.
After: Don’t fumble the follow-up. The connection you made on Tuesday is worth nothing if it’s forgotten by Friday. Send the email, make the intro, share the article you promised, within a week, while you’re still a name and not just a business card in a stack.
So what’s your game plan? Are you scouting the roster for IEDC, working the crowd at Main Street Maryland, or planning your Economic Development Week itinerary? Tell me what you’re preparing for, and what “winning” this event season looks like for you!
