North Carolina’s economy continues to surge ahead, propelled by innovation, workforce investment and forward-thinking leadership. A steady flow of multi-billion-dollar investments in the state has created more than 640,000 jobs since 2017. The
state has continued to climb the ranks and reached No. 4 in Chief Executive’s Best & Worst States for Business in 2025. Advanced manufacturing, clean energy and technology are driving sectors. Significant investments from companies like Wolfspeed,
Toyota and Siemens Energy have positioned North Carolina as a national leader in electric mobility and semiconductor production.
Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG): Offers a cash grant for companies investing capital and creating jobs in North Carolina.
One North Carolina Fund (OneNC): Offers discretionary grants to incentivize job creation and significant new investments.
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
edpnc.com
North Carolina Department of Commerce
nccommerce.com
Raleigh Office of Economic Development
raleighnc.gov/business
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
charlotteregion.com
Twelve Fortune 500 company HQs in the state.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
