The 2026 PDI Fall Conference, hosted by the Professional Developers of Iowa, is set to take place September 23-25 in Burlington, Iowa. Under the theme “Flowing at the Speed of Change: Economic Development, AI, and Community Readiness,” the event will gather Iowa economic-development professionals to explore the forces reshaping local economies. Katie Milton Jordan, founder and CEO of SimpleEDO.ai, will deliver a keynote and moderate a panel, bringing her thought leadership on the intersection of artificial intelligence and economic development to the forefront.
Jordan's participation underscores a critical issue for communities nationwide: how to integrate AI into development strategies without losing the human elements that drive success. Her work focuses on helping mission-driven organizations move beyond AI experimentation and build governed workflows that support better decisions, stronger teams, and measurable results. This is particularly relevant as many public-sector and nonprofit entities struggle with limited budgets and capacity while facing pressure to adopt new technologies.
The conference agenda covers a wide range of topics, including downtown redevelopment, AI's impact on economic development, disaster preparedness, data-center growth, childcare solutions, legislative updates, and community readiness. Jordan's sessions will place her in direct conversation with professionals who are grappling with the same questions that confront communities across the country: how to adopt new technology without sacrificing local judgment, institutional knowledge, or the relationships that make development work effective.
“The most important AI conversations are not really about software,” Jordan stated. “They are about readiness—whether leaders have the systems, judgment, and shared language to turn change into community advantage.” This perspective highlights a broader implication: as AI becomes more prevalent, economic development organizations must ensure they are not just adopting tools but also fostering the governance and human accountability necessary to produce meaningful outcomes.
Jordan's background adds weight to her insights. As a former economic development executive, Certified Business Intermediary, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, she brings practical experience to the discussion. Her company, SimpleEDO.ai, specifically targets economic development organizations, chambers, regional partnerships, and other mission-driven teams that operate under real constraints. Her emphasis on “governed, human-accountable workflows” suggests a pragmatic approach to AI that prioritizes results over hype.
The 2026 conference in Burlington provides a platform for Iowa's development professionals to learn from Jordan and each other. With the theme focusing on speed of change, the event is poised to help communities prepare for what comes next. More information about the conference is available at pdiowa.com, and details about Jordan's work can be found at katiemiltonjordan.com.
This conference matters because it addresses a pressing challenge: balancing technological advancement with human-centric values. As communities across the country face similar pressures—from data-center growth to childcare shortages—events like this offer a roadmap for turning disruption into opportunity. Jordan's involvement signals a growing recognition that AI is not just a tool for efficiency but a catalyst for reshaping how communities approach economic development. By focusing on readiness, the conference aims to equip attendees with the skills and frameworks needed to thrive in an era of rapid change.
