The DCI Marketing Summit is an intimate gathering of the economic development and talent attraction marketing community designed for professionals who want to think more strategically about how places compete for attention, investment and people. Across three days, attendees come together for candid conversations, collaborative learning and the kind of practical insight that are best achieved in an intimate, curated conference like the Summit. Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned leader, the Summit creates space for meaningful connection and honest dialogue about what is actually working in place marketing today.

The program blends data-driven insight with hands-on workshops led by DCI experts and industry peers. Participants explore how to protect credibility in a fragmented, AI-fueled media landscape, respond to geopolitical and economic shifts that influence location decisions and make smarter choices about how marketing, public relations and technology shape perceptions of place. Expect interactive sessions, real-world case studies and plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas with peers facing the same challenges.

With a limited number of attendees and sessions designed to encourage open discussion, the DCI Marketing Summit is intentionally different from traditional industry events. It is a chance to step away from the day-to-day, learn directly from colleagues across the field and return home with practical strategies, fresh perspective and new connections that will shape your work long after the Summit ends.

The DCI Marketing Summit is designed for professionals whose primary responsibilities are marketing for economic development and/or talent attraction and are ready to sharpen their strategy and connect with peers shaping the future of the industry.

Whether you lead a marketing and communications team—or are a team of one—manage digital campaigns, pitch media, support research and storytelling, or are just beginning your career in place marketing, this event offers insights and community for every level.

If you’re responsible for elevating how your city, region, state or province tells its story to businesses and talent, the DCI Marketing Summit is curated for you.

Full Registration Fee: $1,950

Registration for this event gives attendees access to the full 2026 DCI Marketing Summit experience, three days of insight‑rich programming, collaborative workshops, peer learning and dedicated networking designed to elevate the work of economic development and talent attraction marketers. Your registration includes all mainstage sessions, breakout discussions, welcome reception on 9/23, breakfast and lunch on 9/24, breakfast on 9/25 and event materials, ensuring you gain both practical knowledge and meaningful connections. Hotel, airfare and ground transportation are not included.

Register here. 

The schedule for the 2026 DCI Marketing Summit is as follows. Times and topics are subject to minimal change. Full session descriptions are forthcoming.

Wednesday, September 23 | Welcome & Marketing Best Practices from the Perspective of a Site Consultant

Opening session in Clayton Hotel Library

• 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Kickoff, welcome and meet your peers
• 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Fireside Chat with a Site Selection Consultant

Welcome reception in Clayton Hotel Sunroom

• 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Networking, heavy hors d’oeuvres and buffet dinner, beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages

Thursday, September 24 | Focus on Economic Development

Full day of programming in the Margaret Ballroom (with breakouts in Richens Room)

• 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast
• 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Marketing Summit Mission & Perspective on the Industry
• 9:30 – 10:25 AM | Navigating Thought Leadership and LLMs with Special Guest from LinkedIn
• 10:25 – 10:45 AM | Morning break (for emails, snacks, networking)
• 10:45 – 11:30 AM | Rising to the Occasion: How Places Tapped into America 250, the FIFA World Cup, and other Milestone Moments for Economic Development Storytelling
• 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Inspiration from Abroad: How the World Is Promoting Place
• 12:15 – 12:25 PM | Group Photo
• 12:25 – 1:15 PM | Lunch (with breakout groups among Cities, Counties/Regions & States/Provinces)
• 1:15 – 2:50 PM | Breakout by tenure and title: This multi-block session will include:
  • Share Your Knowledge: What tech stack is your EDO using that makes your job more efficient? How are you incorporating AI into workstreams? No tip is too small for this rapid-fire knowledge sharing.
  • Solve My Challenge: Solicit your peers support on something your EDO or marketing team is struggling with—they may have been in your shoes or have fresh thinking to consider!
  • Questions You Would Never Actually Ask: Are there questions you’ve always wanted to ask your peers, but were too polite to ask? Then this session is for you! We’ve found a creative – and anonymous – way to reveal the answers to some of our industry’s most personal questions.
• 2:50 – 3:15 PM | Afternoon break (for emails, snacks, networking)
• 3:15 – 4:00 PM | Session TBA
• 4:00 – 4:55 PM | Session TBA
• 4:55 – 5:00 PM | Closing remarks

6:30 PM | OPTIONAL Dine-Arounds: Self-pay, not included in registration; sign-up will happen closer to the Summit

Friday, September 25 | Focus on Talent Attraction

Half-day of programming in the Margaret Ballroom

• 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast
• 9:00 – 9:05 AM | Opening remarks
• 9:05 – 10:05 | Fault Lines: Cracks in the Global Labor Market (a Presentation by Josh Wright, Executive Vice President of Growth at Lightcast)
• 10:05 – 10:30 AM | 10 Years of DCI’s Talent Wars Research: An Interactive Celebration
• 10:30 – 10:45 AM | Morning break (for emails, snacks, networking)
• 10:45 – 11:45 AM | Session TBA
• 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Wrap-up and closing remarks

This year’s Marketing Summit will take place in Denver’s vibrant Cherry Creek neighborhood at the Clayton Hotel & Members Club, offering attendees the perfect blend of inspiration, walkability and modern comfort just outside of downtown.

We’ve secured a limited room block at the hotel, so be sure to reserve your room early before it fills. Your room is not included as part of event registration. Attendees are responsible for booking their own hotel accommodations and flights.

Book room here.

What’s included in my DCI Marketing Summit registration?

Full DCI Marketing Summit registration includes:

• Wednesday, Sept. 23 | half-day programming and welcome reception/dinner
• Thursday, Sept. 24 | breakfast, lunch, full-day programming
• Friday, Sept. 25 | breakfast & half-day programming

Are travel and accommodations included in the registration cost?

No, travel and accommodations are not included in the DCI Marketing Summit registration cost. We recommend flying to Denver International Airport (DEN), arriving by 1:00pm MT on Wednesday, September 23 and departing after 3:00pm MT on Friday, Sept. 25. Please book your hotel using our room block.

Is there an option to attend the DCI Marketing Summit virtually?

No. This event is open to in-person attendees only and will not be recorded.

What is the DCI Marketing Summit cancellation policy?

If you cancel before May 31, 2026 you will be refunded 50% of your registration fee.
If you cancel between June 1 and July 31, 2026, you will be refunded 25% of your registration fee.
If you cancel after August 1, 2026 no refunds will be provided.

If you are unable to attend, you are also able to transfer your registration to a colleague or someone from a qualified organization and responsibilities, with approval from the DCI team.

Who can attend the DCI Marketing Summit? 

The DCI Marketing Summit is open to marketing, communications, public relations and related professionals working in economic development and talent attraction for an economic development organization, chamber, municipality, government or related employer. There is no requirement for experience. Vendors and media are not permitted to attend unless invited to speak. Should you register and not be eligible, the DCI team will reach out to process a refund.

Who are the speakers?

Speakers are a mix of your peer attendees (we will elicit requests for show-in-shares as the attendance and agenda are finalized), the DCI team, and industry experts.

What is the format of the sessions? Will information be shared after the event? 

Sessions are a mix of panel, lecture, small group and roundtable. All sessions encourage discussion and will be open to Q&A throughout. Slides will be shared after the event.

What networking is available?

Both informal and organized networking time will be available throughout the event, from our welcome reception and mealtimes to breaks between sessions. In addition, all attendees will be added to our exclusive, private LinkedIn group for current attendees and alumni.

What accessibility accommodations are available?

If you require any dietary, mobility, vision, hearing or other accommodations, please reach out to Hanna (email below).

What should I pack?

We suggest bringing your laptop or a notebook for taking notes. While the dress code is business casual, we encourage you to dress comfortably and let your unique style shine. Please check the forecast frequently before travel, as the weather in Denver can vary.

Can I share photos or content from the summit on social media?

Absolutely, we encourage sharing photos from the DCI Marketing Summit. Please tag DCI on LinkedIn at @Development Counsellors International and on Instagram at @AboutDCI with the hashtag #DCIMarketingSummit.

Who do I contact with additional questions?

Please reach out to Hanna.Gbordzoe@aboutdci.com.