2026 Economic Summit

*Registration is now closed for this event as we are at capacity, thank you for your support!

Join us for the 2026 Economic Summit!
Presented by M&T Bank

Networking & Breakouts:
8:30a - 11:15a | Cinemapolis
Coffee and pastries from Gimme! Coffee

Breakout Topics include:
9:00am - 10:00am

• Research Matters: How Cornell research impacts our local economy and supports innovation around the world - Tom Schryver, Executive Director, Center for Regional Economic Advancement, Cornell University; Ilana Brito, Associate Professor, Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Principle Investigator of Brito Lab
• Stronger Together: Lessons from Cross-Sector Collaboration - Cindy Wilcox, Executive Director, Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County; Donna Scott, Deputy Commissioner, Tompkins County Department of Social Services; Lara Parrilla, Director, Health Equity, Cayuga Health Partners; Gina Benedict, Vice President, Employee Experience Manager, Tompkins Community Bank

• How Resident Sentiment Influences Successful Destination Management - Melaine Rottkamp, President & CEO of Destination Duchess; Nick Helmholdt, Tompkins County Principal Planner, Tourism Program Director; & Jodi LaPierre, PDM, Director of Visitor Experience of Visit Ithaca
• Regional Partners – Key Ingredient for Local Success - Kurt Foreman, President & CEO, Ithaca Area Economic Development; Jen Gregory, Executive Director for Southern Tier 8 Regional Board; Jenn Smith, Senior Director, Food and Ag Programs, Cornell Center for Regional Economic Advancement; Omar J. Sanders, Regional Director for the Southern Tier at Empire State Development (ESD)

Luncheon:
11:30a - 2:00p | Ithaca Downtown Conference Center
 
State of the Economy:
featuring:
Peggy Coleman, President | Tompkins Chamber

Keynote:
GO SEMI: Connecting Your Work
Merideth Andreucci, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration (GO-SEMI), Empire State Development
The Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration is a New York State initiative to make New York a global semiconductor hub. This talk will highlight that effort and ways that businesses can connect with this burgeoning industry.

With thanks to:
Presenting Sponsor: M&T Bank
Gold Sponsor: Centralus Health 
Economic Development Partner: Ithaca Area Economic Development
Keynote Sponsor: Cornell University
Breakout Session Sponsor: Ithaca Downtown Conference Center
Coffee & Pastry Sponsor: Gimme! Coffee

A special thanks to our hosts: Cinemapolis & Ithaca Downtown Conference Center!