The Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) has announced that Katie Milton Jordan, a leading voice in AI and economic development, will deliver a keynote and moderate a panel at the 2026 PDI 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,” aims to equip Iowa's economic development professionals with insights into the forces reshaping local economies and the practical steps needed to prepare communities for future challenges.
Jordan's participation underscores the conference's focus on the convergence of artificial intelligence and economic development. Her work, as detailed on her website, centers on helping mission-driven organizations move beyond AI experimentation to implement governed workflows that enhance decision-making, strengthen teams, and deliver measurable results. Her appearance will address the critical questions facing communities nationwide: how to integrate new technology while preserving local judgment, institutional knowledge, and the human relationships essential to development efforts.
The conference agenda will cover a 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 participation places her in direct conversation with professionals who are navigating the same challenges, making her insights particularly relevant to the audience.
In a statement, Jordan emphasized the human dimension of AI adoption: “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.” This perspective aligns with the conference's goal of fostering practical, human-centered approaches to technological change.
The event will take place in Burlington, Iowa, and more details can be found at pdiowa.com. For further information about Jordan's work, visit katiemiltonjordan.com.
