Thursday, May 7, 2026 | Distillery Labs | Peoria, IL Free admission. Registration required.
Part of Economic Development Week 2026 — 100 Years of Impact
Greater Peoria is positioning itself at the forefront of American energy and manufacturing — and you’re invited to be in the room.
Join the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and Distillery Labs for Powering the Heartland, a full-day innovation summit that brings together regional leaders, energy innovators, and community builders for conversation, connection, and commitment to what comes next for central Illinois.
THE DAY INCLUDES:
Big Table Community Report Release — Regional leaders publicly release findings and recommendations gathered from community engagement events across Greater Peoria. This report will directly inform the development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the region.
Panel Discussions — Conversations on building the regional innovation ecosystem and the future of Industry 5.0 in central Illinois, featuring local and state leaders.
Virtual Keynotes — Dr. Jacopo Buongiorno, MIT professor and member of the National Academy of Engineering, on advanced nuclear energy. Randy Freer, former CEO of Hulu, on marketing and public engagement for the future of energy.
Startup Showcase — Local startups from gener8tor gBeta cohorts in the Distillery Labs maker space.
Networking Reception — Open networking to close the day.
Doors open at 9:30 AM. Lunch provided.
REGISTER