19th ANNUAL
2026
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM
AUGUST 25-27, 2026
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM
AUGUST 25-27, 2026
Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
- Location: Renasant Convention Center | Memphis, TN
- Phone: 901-525-6512
EDF 2026 Highlights
Day 1 – Reception, Tuesday, August 25
Day 2 – Wednesday, August 26
Day 3 – Thursday, August 27
Robert R. Church, Sr. Achievement Awards Gala
19th
Year!
Welcome To EDF 2026
The Mid-South Business Continuum and TADP
The Mid-South Business Continuum and TADP
present the
2026 Economic Development Forum
Rub shoulders with thought-leaders, trendsetters and executives from your industry. Top-tier investors, policymakers, startups, and scale-ups, are among the many features of these two days of business, knowledge sharing and a whole lot of fun.
Power Forward
Built for Momentum. Designed for Movement.
Momentum is no longer optional. It’s essential!
Power Forward drives EDF 2026, a bold convening built to move business ahead through intentional connection and real opportunity. This is where ideas gain traction, relationships turn into action, and progress accelerates.
EDF 2026 brings together small businesses, corporations, public agencies, capital partners and ecosystem partners for a high-impact experience centered on purposeful engagement. Through curated matchmaking, dynamic programming, and thoughtfully designed interactions, EDF creates the conditions for partnerships to form, deals to take shape, and growth to move from possibility to reality.
This isn’t traditional networking. It’s strategic momentum...where the right people meet, the right conversations happen, and meaningful outcomes follow.
EDF 2026 Featured Speakers
EDF 2026 Sponsors
Our Official Sponsors
We have dedicated tracks for your industry, whether you want to hire top talent, find contracts, or get funding.
Presenting Sponsors
Host Sponsors
Diamond Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Star Sponsors
Media Sponsors
MATCHMAKING AT THE CORE
The Engine of EDF 2026
At EDF 2026, matchmaking isn’t casual networking. It’s structured opportunity.
Each stream is curated, scheduled, and designed to align real needs with real solutions. Whether pursuing contracts, capital, talent, services, or visibility, matchmaking transforms introductions into purposeful business conversations.
2026 Matchmaking Streams
- Procurement Matchmaking
- Corporate Gifting & B2C Product Matchmaking
- Workforce Matchmaking (Hiring Stream)
- Banking & Financial Services Matchmaking
- Capital & Investor Matchmaking
- Business Services & Resource Partners Matchmaking
- Media & Visibility Matchmaking
Matchmaking participation requires advance registration and profile completion and is reserved for confirmed sponsors and All Access Pass holders. Space is limited within select streams to maintain a high-quality experience.
Rub shoulders with thought-leaders, trendsetters and executives from your industry. Top-tier investors, policymakers, startups, and scale-ups, are among the many features of these two days of business, knowledge sharing and a whole lot of fun.
Contact Info
-
Renasant Convention Center
Downtown, Memphis, TN 38103 - 901-526-5261
- edf@mmbc-memphis.org
-
Event Hours: Wednesday, 8/26: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday, 8/27: 7:30 am - 9:00 pm