Preview the Agenda for the 2025 Regional Summit presented by Community Trust Bank

The 2025 Regional Summit, hosted by Commerce Lexington and presented by Community Trust Bank, returns on November 12, bringing together business, community, and government leaders from the nine-county Bluegrass Region to connect, receive updates on the Regional Competitiveness Plan, and learn strategies to make Greater LEX more competitive for jobs and talent.
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Building on last year’s momentum, the summit will feature breakout sessions, panel discussions, and keynote presentations focused on economic development, workforce, policy, and regional progress.

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Here is what attendees have to look forward to at the event:
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Local Remarks | Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton
Mayor Linda Gorton will open the Summit, welcoming guests and representing the many local officials in attendance. As the leader of the region’s largest metro area, Mayor Gorton and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government  have been key supporters of the Regional Competitiveness Plan, helping to drive collaboration among local governments.

State of the Region Update (sponsored by Republic Bank) | Ted Abernathy
Ted Abernathy, Managing Partner of Economic Partnership LLC, is a nationally recognized economic strategist who has guided the development of the Regional Competitiveness Plan from the beginning and is returning to deliver his highly anticipated annual State of the Region update. In this data-rich session, Ted will benchmark our region’s performance against peer cities, offer insights into how we’re progressing toward the goals outlined in the Regional Competitiveness Plan and national trends in talent attraction and retention strategies, economic development, and key policy issues shaping the business climate.

To see how last year’s discussion set the stage, watch Ted Abernathy’s conversation with DevelopLEX from the 2024 Regional Summit [here].

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Breakout Sessions: Designed to take a deeper dive into hot topics in economic development, talent attraction and retention, and policy advocacy.
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In our economic development–focused breakout session, Competing to Win – Back to the Basics for Economic Development Wins, Secretary Jeff Noel, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development; Greyson Evans, Executive Director of the Harrodsburg-Mercer County Industrial Development Authority; and Mercer County Judge-Executive Sarah Steele will discuss how local and state leaders collaborate to attract jobs—and what other communities can learn from a recent economic development success with Apple and Corning in Mercer County.

In our workforce development–focused breakout session, Connecting with the Next Generation of Talent (sponsored by Hanna Resource Group), Alex Batchelor, Relationship Manager with Handshake, will explore how businesses can better connect with students through online platforms and education partnerships. Attendees will gain practical strategies to strengthen internship programs and work-based learning opportunities that help attract and retain emerging talent.

​Lastly, in our policy–focused breakout session, Navigating the 2026 Legislative Session (sponsored by Cornerstone), State Senator Amanda Bledsoe, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee, and State Representative David Meade, Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tempore, will share insights on key policy and budget priorities expected during the 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly. This session will highlight regional priorities and provide guidance on how local leaders can effectively advocate for policies that make our region more competitive.

Federal Policy Update - Federal Policy & Regional Economic Impacts: Navigating Uncertainty (sponsored by Kentucky Utilities)
U.S. Congressman Andy Barr will provide a federal policy update, insights into the Trump Administration and Congressional priorities, and guidance on how regional leaders can become more effective advocates for policies that support job creation, workforce development, and critical infrastructure investment across our 9-county region.
 
Lunch Panel - Quality of Place as Innovative Economic Strategy (hosted by VisitLEX)
Moderated by Hollywood actor and Lexington native Josh Hopkins, this session will feature Chef Ouita Michel, Lisa Brin of FilmLex, Brady Nasfell, film and television producer, and Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Together, they’ll explore how Kentucky’s competitive policies, incentives, and creative collaborations are fueling growth in the state’s film and entertainment industry. Attendees will gain insights into how “Quality of Place” functions as an economic strategy—and how our region can harness this momentum to build a sustainable creative economy.
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Closing Session - A Conversation with Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman (sponsored by McBrayer)
To close out the 2025 Regional Summit, Renee Shaw, KET’s Director of Public Affairs, will sit down with Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman for an inside look at the Beshear Administration’s economic development priorities. The Lt. Governor will share insights on Kentucky’s economic momentum, strategies for growing and retaining talent, and the importance of regional collaboration in shaping the Commonwealth’s future. This engaging conversation will offer attendees a deeper understanding of the policies and partnerships driving progress across the nine-county region.
 
The 2025 Regional Summit will bring together hundreds of leaders to reflect on progress, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions that move the region forward. This year’s event is officially sold out.

For any event-related inquiries, please contact Angela Carlos at [email protected]. 

Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates and content surrounding the event!