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 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,” will gather Iowa economic development professionals to explore the forces reshaping local economies and the practical steps needed to prepare communities for the future.
Jordan's session will focus on thought leadership at the intersection of artificial intelligence, economic development, and human-centered execution. Her work emphasizes helping mission-driven organizations move beyond AI experimentation and build governed workflows that support better decisions, stronger teams, and measurable results. This approach is particularly relevant as communities nationwide grapple with integrating new technologies while preserving local judgment, institutional knowledge, and the human relationships essential to development work.
The conference agenda covers a wide 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 addressing similar challenges across the country, offering insights into how leaders can adopt technology without sacrificing the human element that drives successful development.
“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. Her keynote is expected to challenge attendees to think critically about AI adoption, stressing the need for governance and accountability to avoid what she calls “AI theater” and instead achieve real outcomes.
As a former economic development executive, Certified Business Intermediary, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Jordan brings a wealth of practical experience to her role. Her firm, SimpleEDO.ai, specializes in helping economic development organizations, chambers, regional partnerships, and other mission-driven teams operate effectively under real public, budget, and capacity constraints. By focusing on human-accountable workflows, she aims to equip leaders with the tools to navigate the complexities of AI integration while maintaining community trust and engagement.
The event will be held in Burlington, Iowa, a location chosen to facilitate networking and collaboration among attendees. Additional details about the conference schedule and registration can be found at pdiowa.com. For more information about Jordan's work and insights, visit katiemiltonjordan.com.
This conference underscores the growing importance of AI in economic development, not as a standalone technology but as a tool that must be integrated with human oversight and community needs. Jordan's presence highlights the critical need for leaders to develop the systems and judgment required to harness AI's potential responsibly, ensuring that technological advancements translate into tangible benefits for communities. As Iowa and other states face rapid changes, events like this provide essential platforms for sharing strategies and building the capacity to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
