The Site Selectors Guild is pleased to announce the 2026 Guild Fall Forum will be held September 14–16, 2026 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. This vibrant Midwestern city, known for its dynamic corporate environment and revitalized downtown, will serve as the backdrop for the Guild’s annual fall gathering of top site selection consultants and economic development professionals.
“We believe Cleveland offers a compelling environment for our 2026 Fall Forum — combining accessibility, attractive venues and amenities, and a community reinvigorated with growth and development,” said Michelle Comerford, Site Selectors Guild board chair and Industrial & Supply Chain Practice leader at Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. “We’re eager to bring our members and partners together to “The Land” to discuss the latest trends in site selection and deepen relationships.”
The Guild Fall Forum remains one of the economic development industry’s most focused and intimate events — blending curated programming, high-impact networking, and meaningful collaboration. With 30 Guild members in attendance who are elite site selection consultants that advise corporations around the world, the Guild Fall Forum offers unparalleled access and meaningful interaction to drive deal creation, strategic partnerships, and valuable insight sharing.
Attendees can expect a robust agenda featuring:
- Insightful general sessions and breakout panels covering the latest trends in site selection and location strategy, including the unveiling of the 2026 State of Site Selection report.
- The return of The Dialogue Series — a fast-paced, one-on-one networking format allowing economic developers to meet directly with multiple Guild members in a single hour.
- VIP events, receptions, and networking opportunities designed to facilitate deep connections and deal-oriented conversations.
- Engaging content and programs aimed at delivering value to economic development organizations of all sizes and geographies.
“The Site Selectors Guild’s decision to choose Cleveland as host city for its 2026 Fall Forum is a powerful signal that these corporate location influencers realize the opportunities for their clients here,” stated Team NEO Chief Executive Officer Matt Dolan. “We look forward to showcasing our attractive assets and the competitive business case for transformative investments into Northeast Ohio.”
Elected officials and community partners shared their enthusiasm for the forum’s selection, offering the following remarks:
“This prestigious recognition celebrates our innovative site strategies, like the Site Readiness for Good Jobs, to transform our land into real opportunity: new jobs, cleaner neighborhoods, and renewed hope for our residents,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “We’re reimagining what’s possible in an industrial city, and the world’s pre-eminent site location consultants are taking note. It’s another example of how Cleveland is leading the way to create pathways to prosperity for generations to come.”
“Team Ohio is excited to welcome the site selection community from around the globe to Ohio this fall,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Hosting the Forum in Cleveland is an opportunity to showcase the state’s value proposition as a leading destination for companies throughout the world seeking talent, a business-friendly environment, and collaborative partnerships that lead to future success.”
President and CEO of Destination Cleveland said, “Cleveland’s selection as the host city for SSG’s 2026 Fall Forum is an awesome example of community collaboration. That teamwork is essential to attracting even more meetings and conventions – both big and small. And we know that seeing is believing when it comes to changing people’s perceptions of Cleveland; I’m confident that will happen next fall and the SSG attendees will go home with strong, positive perceptions of our area and a clearer understanding of why businesses that are looking to move or expand shouldn’t sleep on Cleveland.”
“Being chosen to host the 2026 Site Selectors Guild Fall Forum is a tremendous honor for Cleveland and Cuyahoga County,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “This event is a prime opportunity to demonstrate Cleveland’s world-class talent, strong development prospects, and innovative culture to top economic and business leaders from across the country. Hosting the forum will raise Cleveland’s national profile, build valuable industry partnerships, and drive new investment and job creation for our community.”
Registration and sponsorship details will be announced soon. Members and partners should watch for updates to secure their participation and lodging early; limited hotel room blocks at favorable rates are expected.
For more information about the Guild Fall Forum, including agenda, registration, and sponsorship opportunities, click here.
About the Site Selectors Guild
The Site Selectors Guild is the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants. Guild members provide location strategy to corporations across the globe and for every industry, sector, and function. Founded in 2010, the Site Selectors Guild is dedicated to advancing the profession of international corporate site selection by promoting integrity, objectivity, and professional development. Members are peer-nominated, vetted, and must demonstrate significant professional location advisory experience. In 2024, Guild members facilitated the committed or announced creation of approximately 111,000 jobs and $141 billion in capital investment by corporate clients, which required location analysis across 90 countries. Guild membership is the highest standard in the site selection industry. For more information, visit siteselectorsguild.com or follow Site Selectors Guild on LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Rachel Barvi, DCI
[email protected]
720-609-1379