This year’s inaugural Growth & Development Summit brought together business leaders, urban planners, sustainability experts, and policymakers to chart a path for smart, intentional growth in the Triangle region. The event marked a new flagship initiative for the Raleigh Chamber and Wake County Economic Development, focused on how the region can grow responsibly while preserving the quality of life that makes it such an attractive place to live and work.

Renowned urbanist Richard Florida opened the event with an engaging keynote, drawing on case studies from across the country to highlight successful smart growth strategies. He emphasized that growth isn’t just about expansion – it’s about doing it with purpose. That means ensuring economic development is inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with long-term community goals. As one breakout session discussion put it: “Smart growth is much more than infrastructure and technology. It’s about collaboration and having everyone in the business community working toward a shared vision. Great partnerships challenge each other and grow together.”

This theme carried through the panel discussions, where experts explored the delicate balance between economic expansion and environmental responsibility. Topics ranged from sustainable urban planning and workforce development to building infrastructure that can keep pace with Raleigh’s rapid growth.

The breakout sessions reinforced three core themes: sustainability, workforce development, and infrastructure. Each session addressed the real challenges Raleigh is facing today, while offering practical insights and examples of effective strategies from other cities. Whether the focus was on green building, growing talent pipelines, or easing traffic congestion, participants walked away with actionable, real-world takeaways.

The message of the day was clear: growth is inevitable, but how we manage it matters. It’s not just about adding people or buildings – it’s about making sure Raleigh’s growth is thoughtful, equitable, and sustainable.

The Raleigh Chamber and WCED extend their sincere thanks to all the speakers, panelists, and facilitators who shared their time, insights, and expertise at the inaugural Growth & Development Summit. Their contributions made this event both impactful and inspiring, and we are grateful for their leadership in shaping the region’s future.

Featured Speakers and Panelists:

Executive Panel:

• Kendal Bowman, North Carolina President, Duke Energy
• Laurie Braxton, Head of NC Operations, SVP, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies
• Ward Nye, CEO, Martin Marietta
• Mike Smith, CEO, Kane Realty Corporation
• Moderator: Kristen M. Hess, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, HH Architecture; Incoming Board Chair, Greater Raleigh Chamber

Breakout Sessions:

Smart Growth, Sustainability, and Infrastructure

• Rob Herman, Vice President & General Manager, Workstation & Client AI Group, Lenovo
• Derrick Remer, District Manager, Duke Energy
• Darla Rivera, Sr. Engineer, EHS, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies Holly Springs
• Whit Wheeler, Director, Raleigh Water
• Moderator: Mike Munn, President & CEO, McAdams 

New Opportunities and Challenges Mean New Funding Tool

• Lauren Berry, Senior Manager, Location Analysis and Incentives, Maxis Advisors
• Jeanne Milliken Bonds, Professor of the Practice, Impact Investment and Sustainable Finance, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
• Dr. Jonathan Morgan, Professor of Public Administration and Government, UNC School of Government
• Moderator: Billie Redmond, Founder & Chair, TradeMark Properties

Building a Future-Tech Innovation Hub

• Tim Humphrey, Senior Site Executive, Chief Analytics Officer, IBM Corporation
• Jamie Royster, Senior Director, K-12 Sales, Lenovo
• Bennet Waters, President & CEO, NCInnovation
• Moderator: Tia McLaurin, Senior Community Lead, AirBnB

Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities

• Kurt Hartman, Senior Managing Director, Hines
• Nathaniel Hoffman, Vice President of Development, Hoffman & Associates
• Mike Smith, CEO, Kane Realty Corporation
• Moderator: Michael Wagner, Senior Designer, LS3P Associates

The Urban Core-Downtown and the New Economic Geography

• Clyde Higgs, President & CEO, Atlanta Beltline, Inc.
• Bill King, President & CEO, Downtown Raleigh Alliance
• Moderator: Brian Leary, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Highwoods Properties

The Future of Growth

• Nathan T. Dollar, Ph.D, Director, Carolina Demography
• Zachery Eanes, Reporter, Axios
• Matthew Martin, Regional Executive, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond