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GEDA 2025 Annual Conference

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM (EDT) to Friday, September 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EDT)

Please join us in Savannah on Wednesday, September 17th through Friday, September 19th for our Annual Conference. Our event takes place at The Hyatt Regency Savannah. We have a great program lineup along with fun networking events and optional activities this year!


Thank You to Our Generous Yearly Sponsors!

Champion Circle Sponsors

Winners Circle Sponsors

      

Registration Type

Early Bird Rates

Until 8/14/25

Regular Rates

8/15/25 - 9/19/25


Full Conference Registration

Members $415 $475
Non-members $535 $595

One-Day Registration
Members $205 $235
Non-Members $230 $260

THURSDAY OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Registration for optional activities can be found through the conference registration page. Click the orange "Register Now" button and the top of the screen. All activities take place on Thursday afternoon, September 18th. 

If you are already registered for the event but would like to go back in and add an activity, click the "Register Now" button and type your name into the "Add Attendee" line and then Continue. 

  • Sporting Clays ($120)
  • SOLD OUT - Golf Tournament at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club ($150)
  • SOLD OUT - Georgia Ports Authority Tour by Boat ($75). 
  • SOLD OUT - Cooking Class at the Savannah Culinary Institute ($150). 

To be added to the wait-list for Sold Out activities complete this form.

STAYING IN SAVANNAH

Additional hotel rooms are available at the Hotel Indigo (201 West Bay Street) at the GEDA negotiated rate - you can book here.  The online booking link shows a $25 Destination fee but this will be adjusted upon arrival to $15. 

See these fantastic speakers and more at the GEDA 2025 Annual Conference!


Ron Clark

Educator, Author, and Motivational Speaker






Barbara Rivera Holmes 

Commissioner
Georgia Department of Labor




Dr. David Gattie

Associate Professor of Engineering
University of Georgia College of Engineering


Christopher Lloyd, Sr.

VP & Director, Infrastructure & Economic Development
McGuireWoods Consulting LLC



 

Malcom Mitchell
Author, Advocate, and Super Bowl Champion

Agenda

September 17
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Registration Open
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM GEDA Board Meeting
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Exhibitor Setup
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM GEDA 101 - New Member Orientation
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM New Member Luncheon Invitation Only
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM Opening Remarks & Welcome
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM Powering Georgia in the 21st Century Speaker: Dr. David Gattie, Associate Professor of Engineering, University of Georgia 
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Strengthen Communities and Economic Outcomes Through the Power of Education Speaker: Ron Clark, Ron Clark Academy, New York Times Best Selling Author
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Break with Sponsors
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Door Prizes and Hot Political Issues & Economic Development Trends Speaker: Chris Lloyd, Senior Vice President, McGuireWoods Consulting
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Young Professionals Reception Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar Rooftop
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Welcome Reception
September 18
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Buffet Breakfast
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM Registration
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM Door Prizes & Opening Remarks
8:15 AM - 9:00 AM Update from GDOL Commissioner Speaker: Commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes, Georgia Department of Labor
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM General Session Speaker: Bill Strang, Toto USA
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM Break with Sponsors
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Lessons on Adversity Speaker: Malcolm Mitchell, Author, Advocate, and Super Bowl Champion
11:15 AM - 11:55 AM Insights on Data Centers (Moderator) Charlie Moseley, Director of Statewide Economic Development, Georgia Power Company
Aaron Bilyeu, Chief Development Officer, Cloverleaf
Katie Comer, Head of Community Development, Meta
Nathan Regan, Economic Development Strategic Negotiator, Google
11:55 AM - 12:00 PM Door Prizes & Adjourn
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Optional Thursday Afternoon Activities
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Cocktails and Conversations
September 19
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM Buffet Breakfast
7:00 AM - 11:00 AM Registration
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM Door Prizes & Opening Remarks
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM GEDA Annual Business Meeting, Georgia DOE EDP, UGA CVIOG Graduations, GRAD Site Presentations, GT CEDR-C Recognition, GDECD Update
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Leveling Up Your K-12 Partnerships Mickey Daniell (Moderator), Georgia Power Company
Patrick Ledford, Georgia Department of Education
Hannah Mullins, Candler County Industrial Authority
Bethany Gilliam, Bulloch County School District
Jason Zdunich, Hyundai Motor Group Megaplant America (HMGMA)
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Break with Sponsors
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Georgia Rural Site Development (Moderator) Rusty Haygood, Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Bob Kosek, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Gina Webb, Executive Director, OneGeorgia Authority
Brynn Grant, CEO, Liberty County Development Authority 
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM Door Prizes / Final Comments / Adjourn
Download Agenda

Sponsorship Information

Click the link below to access information on sponsorship opportunities for this year's workshop. Contact Cecilia Arango, Sponsorship Chair at arango.c@tandh.com for more information!

If you are already registered for the conference but would like to add a sponsorship to your registration, click the "Register Now" button and type your name into the "Add Attendee" line. 

SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES HERE

Exhibitor Setup is Wednesday, September 17th, 11 am - 1 pm.

Deadline to have logo printed on signage is Thursday, August 28th. Any sponsor purchases beyond this date will only be on digital promotions.

A registrant who does not submit a written cancellation, or attend the Annual Conference, is considered a "No-Show.” No-Shows are not eligible for refunds or credits, and are still liable for outstanding balances. Those who are ill and have a doctor’s excuse or a death in the family will be excused.

Substitutions will be accepted at any time.

There will be no refunds or credits for cancellations after the close of business (5:00 pm) seven days prior the event.

All cancellation requests must be received in writing (email or hard copy) and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline.

Refund requests must include the name of the attendee.

When possible, refunds will be credited back to the original credit card used for payment.

For those who have registered and choose the bill me or pay by check option, you are still subject to the refund policy.

The Legal Stuff:

Consent to Use of Photographic Images

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, GEDA meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to GEDA's use and distribution (now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee's image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities.


Liability Waiver

Waiver and Release of Liability – Please Read Carefully

I acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in an optional activity that has inherent risks, dangers and hazards, and my participation in such activities and/or use of equipment is voluntary.

I, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs, hereby voluntarily agree to release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) officers, board of directors, committee chairs, members, and employees from any and all claims, actions or losses for bodily injury, property damage, or wrongful death.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE, AND BY SIGNING IT AGREE IT IS MY INTENTION TO EXEMPT THE GEORGIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION (GEDA) OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEE CHAIRS, MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES FROM LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR WRONGFUL DEATH.

Please check the box as part of your registration.

A GEDA website account is required to register for GEDA events:

  • New Guests & Members - Initial account setup may require email verification according to our digital security protocols.  Please check your spam/junk folder for this e-mail
  • If you account needs admin approval, you will not be able to register until this approval is completed. Please allow 1 business day for this approval, if needed. 

LOOKING TO BECOME A MEMBER?

Click HERE to Join GEDA

NOT READY TO BECOME A MEMBER? 

Click HERE to create a Non-Member / Guest Account Before Registering