Great Lakes Economic Development Council Hosts Its First Conference in Detroit: A Path to Regional Innovation and Growth

Great Lakes Economic Development Council to Launch Inaugural Conference in Detroit

The Great Lakes Economic Development Council (GLEDC) is gearing up for its first-ever Annual Conference in Detroit, scheduled for October 22-24, 2025. This newly instituted economic organization aims to catalyze growth and revitalization across the crucial binational Great Lakes region, which encompasses about 20% of the world's fresh water resources. The impending conference serves as a platform for business leaders, policymakers, and economic development professionals to converge and address the regional challenges and opportunities ahead.

As North America's latest regional economic development initiative, GLEDC aims to unify critical voices from all 10 Great Lakes jurisdictions: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ontario, and Québec. The council's board comprises volunteers representing diverse sectors and interests within these regions, thereby reflecting a comprehensive understanding of what the area needs to thrive.

Tim Hindes, executive director of GLEDC, expressed excitement about hosting the conference in Detroit, describing it as a city that embodies the resilience and reinvention that characterize the Great Lakes region.