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 theme, “Flowing at the Speed of Change: Economic Development, AI, and Community Readiness,” will convene Iowa’s economic development professionals to explore the forces transforming local economies and the practical steps needed to prepare communities for future challenges.
Jordan’s participation underscores the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and economic development, a critical area as communities nationwide grapple with how to integrate new technologies without sacrificing local judgment or institutional knowledge. Her work emphasizes moving beyond AI experimentation to implement governed workflows that improve decision-making, strengthen teams, and deliver measurable results. Her keynote and panel are expected to provide actionable insights for mission-driven organizations facing real constraints in budget, capacity, and public accountability.
The conference agenda includes sessions on downtown redevelopment, AI’s impact on economic development, disaster preparedness, data-center growth, childcare solutions, and legislative updates. Jordan’s presence places her in direct dialogue with professionals who are confronting the same questions that are reshaping communities across the country: how to adopt technology while preserving the human relationships that underpin development work. As Jordan noted, “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.”
The event is particularly timely given the rapid pace of technological change and its implications for local economies. Economic development professionals are increasingly required to balance innovation with practical community needs, such as workforce training, infrastructure, and business retention. Jordan’s expertise in AI execution, combined with her background as a former economic development executive, positions her to address these nuanced challenges. She holds an MBA and is a Certified Business Intermediary and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, credentials that add depth to her guidance on governance and accountability in AI adoption.
The conference will be held in Burlington, Iowa, a location chosen to highlight regional development issues and community readiness. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from Jordan and other experts about strategies for maintaining a human-centric approach amid technological disruption. For more details about the event, visit pdiowa.com. Additional information about Jordan’s work can be found at katiemiltonjordan.com.
