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:

Wednesday, September 23

• 3:00 – 5:00 PM | Opening session
• 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Welcome reception
  • Registration includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks

Thursday, September 24 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOCUS

• 8:30 – 5:00 PM | Full day of programming
  • Registration includes breakfast and lunch
• 6:30 PM | OPTIONAL Dine-Arounds
  • Self-pay, not included in registration

Friday, September 25 | TALENT ATTRACTION FOCUS

• 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Half-day of programming
  • Registration includes breakfast

The full agenda details will be shared with attendees in July. At least half of the event will be general sessions for all attendees, while the rest of the time will include breakouts by region size (e.g. state, large metro, small- to midsize city), tenure (e.g. VP, Manager, entry-level) and speciality areas.

In the meantime, below is a sample of past sessions.

• Show-n-share: learn from one another in this time-honored tradition and favorite part of the Marketing Summit! Hear directly from your peers in a brief presentation.
• Fireside chats with site selection consultants, journalists, influencers, platform reps
• Behind the scenes of America’s Best States for Business with Scott Cohn of CNBC
• AI in place marketing
• B2B social media benchmarking for EDOs
• Unlocking creativity for economic developers
• Deep dive on DCI research reports
• Live Talent Wars podcast recordings
• “Questions You Would Never Actually Ask” – the creative and anonymous way to reveal the answers to some of our industry’s most personal questions 
• and more

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.