ACE Memphis Agenda

9:30 AM bus departure. Participants will have the opportunity to visit Graceland, the iconic home of Elvis Presley, offering insight into a landmark of American cultural heritage and its lasting impact on the creative economy. Registration in advance required. 2:30 PM transfer back to The Peabody.

Sign in at the registration desk to receive your badge and welcome materials. 5:20 PM gather for introductory comments and departure to Beale Street.

An evening of networking at the renowned B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street. Participants will engage in informal exchanges while experiencing live blues performances and Southern cuisine in one of Memphis’ most vibrant cultural districts.

8:00 AM Opening Ceremony: Paul A. Young (Mayor, City of Memphis), H.E. Leandro Rizzuto (Ambassador, U.S. to OAS), Barbara Kotschwar (Officer in charge, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, OAS). Economic Development Forum: Dr. Joann Massey (President & CEO, EDGE), Gwyn Fisher (Chief Economic Development Officer), Doug McGowen (CEO of Memphis Light Gas & Water). International Trade, Compliance & Government Regulations: Thaddeus McBride (Bass Berry Sims). Innovation Driven Economic Development & Setting Expectations for the Week: Andre Fowlkes (President, Start Co.).

FedEx is one of Memphis’ most important economic and innovation engines. Presentation, site visit, group photo & lunch with FedEx leadership.

R&D and Commercialization Efforts. Highlights: Center for Electrified & Automated Trucking, National Science Foundation I-Corps Program, Crews Center for Entrepreneurship. Presentation, site visit & group photo.

Networking with Memphis-based business leaders on a rooftop overlooking downtown. Speakers: Ashley McDurmon (CEO, Orion Financial), Alex Matlock (President, Mid-South Latino Chamber of Commerce), Paul A. Young (Mayor, City of Memphis).

Globally recognized leader in pediatric research. Speakers: Dr. James R. Downing (President & CEO), Sue Harpole (Senior Fellow, former Chief Development Officer), Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo (Executive Vice President, St. Jude Global). Guided visit & applied innovation discussion.

Lunch discussion about social justice and economic mobility with Russell Wigginton (President, NCRM). Guided visit of Lorraine Building (Civil Rights Movement & Dr. King’s legacy) and Legacy Building sneak peek.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Presentation. Speakers: Anthony Young (CEO, Epicenter), Nate Smith (Director of Programs). Focus on logistics, medical devices, and emerging technologies.

FedEx Forum — Pinnacle Room. Moderator: Natasha Main (Co-Founder, Innovation Exchange Coalition). Presenters: Erika Dillard (PopCheck Technologies, Inc., Memphis, USA), Jillian Friot (Venture Builders Fund, Memphis, USA), Jee Vahn Knight (Tourism, USA), Gonzalo Valenci (Córdoba Tech Cluster, Argentina), Patrick Van Pelt (Altravia Venture Studio, USA), Mary Angelica Pérez (Yucatán State Development Agency, Mexico). Networking.

Inside look at the Downtown Action Plan Vision. Investments in public safety, beautification, and Main Street revitalization. Speaker: Chandell Ryan (CEO, Downtown Memphis Commission). Includes Beale Street Economic Investment & Cultural Tour and Medical & EDGE District Bus Tour.

Hernando Desoto Room. Working lunch on energy, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Speakers: Latrivia Welch (Manager, Government & Community Relations), Jennifer Call (Senior Program Manager, Environmental Compliance), Eugene Johnson (Regional Economic Development Consultant).

Lauderdale County exploration of innovative agriculture practices in the Delta region. Agtech applications and high-value specialty crops. Rose Creek Farms Visit & Field Trials: A human-powered, no-till farm in Selmer, TN that grows and harvests from real soil 52 weeks a year using techniques developed over 12 years.

Networking session with Somerville Mayor and local business owners. Ripley Town Square Experience. Midsouth Development District, AgLaunch, The State of Tennessee.

Adaptive reuse “vertical urban village” in the former Sears distribution center. Talk with Todd Richardson (President & CEO of Crosstown Concourse). Site visit led by Erin Shelton (Director of Marketing and Business Development).

Catered by Rendezvous BBQ at the Memphis in May International BBQ Festival.

Curated speed networking meetings with regional economic and community organizations and companies.

Exclusive access to BBQ Alley with up to five competing pitmasters. Opportunity to connect with festival organizers and representatives from this year’s honored country, Ireland.

Immersive guided bus tour showcasing transformative work across Memphis communities. Visit key sites including urban farms, community orchards, affordable housing developments, and local farmers markets. Tour culminates with a visit to the Northside High mixed-use development. Speakers: Roshun Austin (President & CEO, The Works). Code Crew Introduction: Meka Egwuekwe (CEO, Code Crew) — expanding access to STEM education, building pathways into engineering, data science, AI, and technology careers. Site visit & group photo.

World’s largest independently owned hardlines distributor. Working lunch with Orgill leadership. Speakers: Boyden Moore (CEO, Orgill Innovation Center), Greg Stine (EVP of Marketing & Communications). Welcome remarks and presentation, site visit, group photo & lunch.

Explore, shop, relax & take pictures at this 535k square-foot Bass Pro Shop located in the Memphis Pyramid. Offering a retail experience like no other, this store features 100-foot tall cypress trees, two floors of immersive retail space, and over 600,000 gallons of water with 36 varieties of fish native to the Mississippi River.

Letter of Intent signing ceremony at The Forrest Room, The Peabody Memphis Hotel.

Closing Remarks: Dr. Joann Massey (CEO, EDGE), Julianna Aynes-Neville (Development Counselor, Permanent Mission of the United States to the OAS), Barbara Kotschwar (Officer in charge, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, OAS), Paul A. Young (Mayor, City of Memphis). ACE Memphis Highlights, announcement of the next ACE edition, presentation of certificates & reception.