The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) has announced that Katie Milton Jordan, a leading voice in artificial intelligence and economic development, will deliver a keynote and moderate a panel at the 2026 PDI Fall Conference. The event is scheduled for September 23-25 in Burlington, Iowa, under the theme “Flowing at the Speed of Change: Economic Development, AI, and Community Readiness.” This gathering of Iowa’s economic development professionals will explore the forces reshaping local economies and the practical steps needed to prepare communities for future challenges.
Jordan, founder and CEO of SimpleEDO.ai, brings a unique perspective to the conference. Her work focuses on helping mission-driven organizations move beyond AI experimentation and build governed workflows that support better decisions, stronger teams, and measurable results. As a former economic development executive, Certified Business Intermediary, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, she understands the real constraints public, budget, and capacity issues place on community development. Her presentation will center on the intersection of AI, economic development, and human-centered execution, offering practical insights for leaders navigating technological change.
The conference agenda addresses critical topics such as downtown redevelopment, AI's impact on economic development, disaster preparedness, data-center growth, childcare solutions, legislative updates, and community readiness. Jordan's participation places her in conversation with professionals grappling with questions that resonate across the country: how to adopt new technology without losing local judgment, institutional knowledge, or the human relationships that make development work.
“The most important AI conversations are not really about software. They are about readiness – whether leaders have the systems, judgment, and shared language to turn change into community advantage,” Jordan said. This perspective underscores the conference's focus on practical readiness rather than technological novelty.
The implications of this event extend beyond Iowa. As communities nationwide face the dual pressures of technological disruption and economic transformation, the dialogue at this conference could serve as a model for integrating AI into local development strategies. For business and technology leaders, the key takeaway is that AI adoption in the public sector and economic development is not just about implementing tools, but about fostering governance, accountability, and human-centric approaches. The conference aims to equip attendees with the frameworks and shared language needed to lead their communities through change effectively.
Jordan’s keynote and panel are expected to draw significant interest from economic development professionals seeking to understand how AI can be leveraged responsibly. Her emphasis on moving “beyond AI theater” into governed, human-accountable workflows aligns with a growing recognition that successful AI integration requires more than just technology; it requires organizational readiness.
The 2026 PDI Fall Conference will take place in Burlington, Iowa, from September 23-25, 2026. For more information about the event, visit pdiowa.com. To learn more about Jordan’s work and insights, visit katiemiltonjordan.com.
