Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference

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Network at the Guild’s Most Popular Event

Each year, the Guild holds its marquee Annual Conference event with 50 Guild members in attendance. The cornerstone of the Annual Conference is knowledge sharing, an interactive exchange of ideas, and networking between Guild members, economic developers, and investment promotion professionals from around the world.

At the conference, the ratio of Guild members to economic development organization (EDO) participants is eight to one (eight attendees for one Guild member). Members plan all conference content, serve on panels and participate in interactive breakout sessions with conference attendees to share insights and foster discussion. Additionally, our awards program for the Annual Conference gives EDOs, their partners, and communities the opportunity to be recognized within the industry and receive complimentary registration.

See below for general registration, sponsorship opportunities, agenda, and other information.

Event details

Date & Time

March 12-14, 2025

Location

Orlando, FL

Venue

Hyatt Regency Orlando

Agenda
Sponsorships
General Registration
Upcoming Annual Conferences
Past Annual Conferences

Agenda

All events are located at the Hyatt Regency Orlando hotel unless otherwise noted. Event locations, times and participation assignments are subject to change.

WEDNESDAY, March 12, 2025

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Presenting Sponsor event
(Private event for Presenting Sponsor & Guild Members)

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Conference Badge Pick-Up
Location TBD

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Guild Partner event
(Private event for Guild Partners & Guild Members)
Cuba Libre

6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Welcome Reception
Garden Terrace – 4th Floor

THURSDAY, March 13, 2025

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Breakfast
Plaza Ballroom

8:05 AM – 8:30 AM | Conference Welcome
Plaza Ballroom

8:30 AM – 9:45 AM | Looking Forward: Pending Policy Changes Shaping Location Strategy
Plaza Ballroom

Tariffs to talent to taxes, learn about the pending policy decisions that could reshape corporate location strategy.

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM | Break
Plaza Foyer

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM | Breakout Sessions – block 1

Infrastructure, Energy, and Water, Oh My! Meeting Challenges for Projects | Projects of all sizes require significant resources. Guild members share how communities can prepare and overcome obstacles to meet these demands.
Community Strategies for Turning Policy Changes into Opportunity | This session follows the Looking Forward session, and Guild members share actions that communities can take to stay competitive amid policy changes.
Battling NIMBYism: Key Strategies for Success |
Communities are increasingly pushing back against certain projects over concerns about the type of operation, country of origin, environmental risks, and other factors. Learn specific strategies to handle NIMBYism and how you can proactively prepare your community.
The Fast Pitch: Feedback on Your Site Pitch | You have 60 seconds to pitch your site to a site selector. What information do you share to stand out? Give your 60-second pitch in this session, get live feedback from the consultants, and hear broader recommendations that apply to pitching a specific site.
Rural Excellence: Top Ways Rural Communities Can Stand Out | Small and rural communities face unique challenges to being competitive and visible in the crowded economic development landscape. See how rural communities are catching the attention of site selectors.
Workforce Ready: Trends and Tactics in Workforce Development | In the midst of a worldwide labor shortage and increasing misalignment between educational programs and required job skills, workforce development should be at the forefront of every economic development strategy. Learn the top trends and tactics you should know about.

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM | Lunch, Ady Scholarship & ED Award Presentations
Plaza Ballroom

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Breakout Sessions – block 2
Same Presentations & locations as the previous block

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Break
Plaza Foyer

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Table Talk
Plaza Ballroom

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Silver Sponsor Reception
(Private reception for Silver Sponsors & Guild Members)

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Gold Sponsor Dinners
(Private dinners for Gold Sponsors & Guild Members)

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | After Hours
Descend 21

FRIDAY, March 14, 2025

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Breakfast
Plaza Ballroom

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Ask Anything
Plaza Ballroom

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Break
Plaza Foyer

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | The Crystal Ball: Trends Impacting Site Selection in the Next Three Years
Plaza Ballroom

The global economy and, consequently, the site selection industry are facing massive changes. Guild members share their top predictions for what’s ahead.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Conference Conclusion
Plaza Ballroom

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor

Sponsorships

Sponsorship opportunities are now open.

2025 Sponsorship Opportunities

General Registration

Registration Fee

The 2025 registration fee is $2,450. The registration fee is per attendee and is non-transferrable between other Guild events such as the Annual Conference and/or Fall Forum and can only be transferred to another attendee within the same organization.

Eligibility

To be eligible to attend the Annual Conference, you must be a practicing professional from a local, regional, state or national economic development organization in the U.S. or abroad. Each registration will be vetted for eligibility before attendance is confirmed. Once eligibility is confirmed, you will receive notification of your acceptance and provided information in regards to payment.U.S. or abroad. Each registration will be vetted for eligibility before attendance is confirmed. Once eligibility is confirmed, you will receive notification of your acceptance and provided information in regards to payment and the hotel link.