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The Summit provides an opportunity for businesses, community, and local government leaders within the 9-county Bluegrass Region to network with each other, receive updates on the Regional Competitiveness Plan, and learn from industry experts about how we can make Greater LEX more competitive for jobs and talent. See below for the 2025 agenda.
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Regional Summit is presented by:
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Wednesday, November 12
Hyatt Regency Lexington
7:30 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by:
8:30 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
Bob Quick
Commerce Lexington President & CEO
8:40 a.m.
Regional Competitiveness Plan Year in Review
8:45 a.m.
Presenting Sponsor Remarks
Community Trust Bank
8:50 a.m.
Local Official Remarks
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton
9:00 a.m.
State of the Region: An Economic Competitiveness Outlook
Ted Abernathy
Economic Leadership LLC |
Session Description: Ted Abernathy of Economic Leadership returns to deliver the 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 business climate.
Session sponsored by:
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10:00 a.m.
Networking Break
Sponsored by:
Breakout Sessions: 10:30 a.m.
Breakouts sponsored by:
Economic Development: Competing to Win: Mercer County’s Shift from Stagnation to Economic Growth
Session Description: Join Secretary Jeff Noel, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Greyson Evans, Executive Director, Harrodsburg Mercer County Industrial Development Authority, and Mercer County Judge-Executive Sarah Steele for a discussion about how local and state leaders work together to attract jobs and what other communities can learn from a recent economic development win with Apple and Corning in Mercer County.
Jeff Noel
Secretary of Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development |
Greyson Evans
Harrodsburg Mercer County Industrial Development Authority |
Sarah Steele
Mercer County Judge-Executive |
Session sponsored by:
Workforce Development: Connecting With The Next Generation of Talent
Alex Batchelor
Handshake |
Session Description: Alex Batchelor, Relationship Manager with Handshake, will explore how businesses can better connect with students through online platforms and maximize their connections with education partners. Handshake is a leading online platform for student career engagement with employers. During this session, you’ll learn strategies to strengthen internship programs and other work-based learning opportunities to attract and retain emerging talent.
Session sponsored by:
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Policy & Advocacy: Navigating the 2026 Legislative Session
Session Description: State Senator Amanda Bledsoe, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee, and State Representative David Meade, Kentucky House Speaker Pro-Tempore, will share their insights on key state policy and budget issues expected to be priorities for the 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly. This session will highlight regional priorities and offer insights on how local leaders can effectively advocate for impactful policies in Frankfort to make our 9-county region more competitive for jobs, talent, and an improved business climate.
Amanda Bledsoe
State Senator Vice Chair - Senate A&R Committee |
David Meade
State Representative Kentucky House Speaker Pro-Tempore |
Session sponsored by:
11:30 a.m.
Federal Policy & Regional Economic Impacts: Navigating Uncertainty
Congressman Andy Barr
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Session Description: From trade and tariffs to the federal budget, shifting federal policies—and the uncertainty surrounding them—have significantly shaped this year’s economic outlook. U.S. Congressman Andy Barr will provide a federal policy update, offering insights into the Trump Administration and Congressional priorities as well as actionable guidance on how regional leaders can become more effective advocates for policies that support job creation, workforce development, and critical infrastructure investment across the 9-county region.
Session sponsored by:
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Noon: Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Luncheon Session: Quality of Place as Innovative Economic Strategy
Session Description: Join an expert panel for a dynamic lunchtime discussion about how the Kentucky film and entertainment industry is emerging as a powerful economic development tool for Kentucky. Panelists will discuss Kentucky’s competitive policies and incentives, the intentional strategy to grow the local film ecosystem, and the collaborative partnerships laying the groundwork for a sustainable new industry. Attendees will walk away with insights into “Quality of Place is Economic Strategy” — and how Central Kentucky can capitalize on this momentum and replicate the approach across other target sectors.
MODERATOR:
Josh Hopkins Actor |
Chef Ouita Michel
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Lisa Brin
FilmLex |
Brady Nasfell
Film & TV Producer |
Jeff Noel
Secretary - KY Economic Development Cabinet |
Session sponsored by:
Jacqueline Coleman
Kentucky Lieutenant Governor 
Renee Shaw
KET |
1:30 p.m.
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