Agenda

Charting the Day

10:30 a.m.	Registration Opens: Networking and Meet & Greet Location: Foyer
11:45 a.m.	Welcome Remarks Location: Carolina Ballroom Bill Zadeits, President, Cherokee Media Group Chuck Norman, APR, Owner/Principal, SA Communications Kris Schultz, Publisher, Cary Magazine, Main & Broad, LookWest, Wake Living
12:00 p.m.	Movers & Shakers Awards Luncheon Location: Carolina Ballroom
12:45 p.m. Networking Break in Foyer, Sponsored by
1:00 p.m.	Blueprints for Growth: Real Estate Strategies for a Booming Wake County Location: Carolina Ballroom As Wake County continues its rapid expansion, real estate professionals are navigating rising demand, evolving zoning policies, and new mixed-use developments. In this panel, leading developers and commercial real estate executives share insights on how growth corridors are shaping investment priorities, what trends are emerging in office and industrial space, and how infrastructure is adapting to meet the future. Get a firsthand look at the real estate opportunities and challenges defining 2026. Moderator: Moss Withers, Chief Executive Officer, Principal, Lee & Associates \| Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington John Powell, Managing Director and Principal, SVN Raleigh Paul Zarian, Managing Director – Carolinas, Hines Skip Hill, Sr. Vice President and Raleigh Market Leader, Highwoods Jamie Schwedler, Partner, Parker Poe Sponsored by:
1:45 p.m. Networking Break in Foyer, Sponsored by
2:00 p.m.	Healthy Growth: Scaling Care for a Thriving Wake County Location: Carolina Ballroom Continued growth throughout the county is spurring investment in building and expansion of services or major healthcare providers and industry partners. Learn more about how these plans are progressing and how the healthcare industry is adapting and growing to meet the needs of a growing population in Wake County. Explore the evolving role of technology, workforce challenges, and new models of care designed for long-term impact. Moderator: Senator Gale Adcock Dr. Scott Ralls, President, Wake Tech Community College Cameron Ebron, Executive Director, Real Estate Planning North Carolina Children’s Donald R. Gintzig, President & CEO, WakeMed Dr. Barbara Griffith, President, Duke Raleigh Hospital, a Campus of Duke University Hospital Sponsored by:
2:45 p.m. Networking Break in Foyer, Sponsored by
3:00 p.m.	Future-Proof Finance: Navigating Risk, Regulation & Innovation in 2026 Location: Carolina Ballroom From interest rate pressures to AI disruption, the financial landscape is shifting fast. This session brings together top banking and credit union leaders to discuss how financial institutions are positioning themselves for resilience, growth, and customer trust in the Triangle. Learn what to expect in consumer and commercial lending, how fintech is reshaping services, and what Wake County businesses should prepare for in a complex 2026 economy. Moderator: Elias Dau, Branch Manager, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Tyler Grodi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Coastal Credit Union Jim Hansen, Regional President, Eastern Carolinas and Southeast Territory Executive, PNC Laura Bunn, Mid-Atlantic Regional President, First Horizon Bank Jonathan Taylor, Regional President – Triangle, Southern First Bank Sponsored by:
3:45 p.m. Networking Break in Foyer, Sponsored by
4:00 p.m.	Destination Wake: How Hospitality & Tourism Fuel Economic Momentum Location: Carolina Ballroom Visitors to Wake County account for billions of dollars in spending. In this conversation with top stakeholders and executives, you’ll come to understand more about what makes Wake County a growing travel destination and how the billions of dollars spent here support businesses and drive investment throughout the county. From hospitality and tourism to entertainment, discover the people and strategies that keep Wake County in the national spotlight. Moderator: Wit Tuttell, Executive Director, Visit North Carolina Scott Crawford, Chef/Owner, Crawford Hospitality Dennis Edwards, President and CEO, Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau Brian Fork, CEO, Hurricanes Holdings, LLC Sheri Erhart, COO, CMC Hotels
5:00 p.m.	Iconic Conversations Location: Carolina Ballroom An insightful and interesting fireside chat with iconic business executives who have made their mark in a big way on Wake County. We'll learn more about the significant moments and people along the way who had meaningful impact in the lives and careers of these local Business Icons.
5:30 p.m.	Evening Reception Location: Foyer Sponsored by:

*tentative agenda subject to change