The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) has announced that Katie Milton Jordan, founder and CEO of SimpleEDO.ai, will deliver a keynote and moderate a panel at its 2026 Fall Conference, scheduled for September 23-25 in Burlington, Iowa. The conference, themed “Flowing at the Speed of Change: Economic Development, AI, and Community Readiness,” will gather Iowa’s economic development professionals to explore the forces reshaping local economies and the practical steps needed to prepare communities for future challenges.
Jordan’s participation underscores the growing importance of artificial intelligence in economic development. Her work focuses on helping mission-driven organizations move beyond AI experimentation and establish governed workflows that support better decisions, stronger teams, and measurable outcomes. By addressing the intersection of AI, economic development, and human-centered execution, Jordan aims to equip attendees with strategies to integrate new technologies without sacrificing local judgment or institutional knowledge.
The conference agenda covers a broad range of topics, including downtown redevelopment, AI’s impact on economic development, disaster preparedness, data-center growth, childcare solutions, legislative updates, and community readiness. Jordan’s sessions will place her in direct conversation with professionals facing similar questions nationwide: how to adopt technology while preserving the human relationships that drive development work.
“The most important AI conversations are not really about software,” Jordan said. “They are about readiness—whether leaders have the systems, judgment, and shared language to turn change into community advantage.” This perspective aligns with the conference’s goal of fostering practical, forward-looking dialogue.
Jordan brings a unique blend of experience as a former economic development executive, Certified Business Intermediary, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor. Through her work at katiemiltonjordan.com, she helps leaders move beyond “AI theater” into governed, human-accountable workflows that produce real results. Her insights are particularly relevant for public-sector and nonprofit organizations operating under budget and capacity constraints.
The event will be held in Burlington, Iowa, and more details are available at pdiowa.com. As communities across the country grapple with rapid technological change, PDI’s focus on readiness and human-centered AI offers a timely framework for economic developers seeking to navigate the evolving landscape. Jordan’s involvement signals a shift toward practical, governance-focused AI adoption in the field.
