REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Celebrating the hard work, innovation, and collaboration moving the Indiana Uplands toward a more prosperous future.
Expect an inspiring look at the projects, partnerships, and people making a real difference across the region. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just getting to know ROI, the Annual Report to the Region is the perfect time to connect, reflect, and cheer on the progress happening all around us. Stay tuned for more details! For questions, please contact info@regionalopportunityinc.org.
Abbreviated Annual Report to the Region Schedule
Friday, October 2, French Lick Resort Conference Center
| 8:30 a.m | – Registration and Check-In | |
| 9:00 a.m. | – ROI’s Annual Report to the Region | |
| 10:45 a.m. | – Morning Breakout Sessions | |
| 11:45 a.m. | – Lunch, Keynote, & Regional Innovation Awards | |
| 1:45 p.m. | – Afternoon Working Sessions | |
| 3:30 p.m. | – Event Concludes |
Session Descriptions
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration and Check-In (Room: Windsor Business Center)
Arrive early to pick up your badge and network with fellow attendees.
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. ROI’s Annual Report to the Region & Workforce Trends Discussion
In this opening session, ROI will share stories of success, highlighting innovative strategies driving sector growth and outcomes in education, workforce, and quality of place across the region. A panel will also share their perspectives on trends impacting the life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and the national security and defense industry sectors in the Indiana Uplands.
Presenters: Tina Peterson, ROI; Pat Adams, Simtra BioPharma Solutions; Carl Holmberg, General Motors; and Brooke Pyne, Kratos Defense. Read more about these presenters.
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Morning Breakout Sessions
Stay tuned for session announcements.
Talent: Work-Based Learning (WBL) and Indiana’s New High School Diploma
Work-Based Learning is an integral part of Indiana’s new high school diploma for all students. Come learn about the new diploma requirements and hear from school leaders, employers, and students about innovative work-based learning strategies happening in the Indiana Uplands.
Presenters: Rebekah Frazer, Indiana Department of Education; Mark Murphy, PRD, Inc.; Kale Woodward, PRD, Inc.; and Emily Menkedick, Regional Opportunity Initiatives. Read more about these presenters.
Who Should Attend: employers, educators, community partners, post-secondary education and economic development organizations
Talent: The Power and Potential of High School Academies
Partnerships between local high schools and regional employers through high school academies like the Indiana Uplands Microelectronics Academy and others in the Uplands provide students with opportunities to learn about and prepare for post-secondary careers while helping employers build strong talent pipelines. Attendees will learn what it takes to implement this innovative model effectively and maintain strong partnerships between education and employers.
Presenters: Joel Karl, Indiana Uplands ME Academy; Dr. Shelley Christmas, Loogootee Community Schools; Greg Gogel, Southridge High School; Lucas Helderman, Artisan Electronics; and Michi McClaine, Regional Opportunity Initiatives. Read more about these presenters.
Who should attend: employers, educators, post-secondary education, and economic development organizations
Place: The Impact of Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) in the Indiana Uplands and What Comes Next
With READI 1.0 behind us and 2.0 projects launching, now is the time to acknowledge our successes and consider how best to prepare for the future.
Presenters: Tina Peterson, Regional Opportunity Initiatives, and Heidi Young, Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Read more about these presenters.
Arts & Culture: Deploying Arts and Culture Assets to Grow Economic and Community Prosperity in the Indiana Uplands
Learn how communities across the Indiana Uplands are using arts and culture resources to create vibrant places where people want to live, work, and visit. Explore strategies from the Arts & Culture Plan that support community vitality, resident engagement, and economic growth.
Presenters: Miah Michaelsen, Indiana Arts Commission; Paige Sharp, City of Bloomington; Marce King, Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development; and Julie Halbig, Regional Opportunity Initiatives. Read more about these presenters.
Who should attend: creatives, community foundations, tourism and destination organizations, and economic development organizations
Next-Generation Child Care: Exploring New Models for Families, Employers, and Communities
Child care challenges call for new approaches, and communities across the Indiana Uplands are exploring what those solutions could look like. Participants will learn about emerging models and strategies—including micro-facilities, Tri-Share, state and federal tax incentives, and community-driven investments such as school referenda—that can improve child care access, affordability, and sustainability for working families.
Join the conversation as we consider what it will take to build a child care system that works better for families, providers, employers, and communities—and how promising solutions can be expanded across the Indiana Uplands.
Presenters: Jennifer Myers, Indiana Uplands Smart Start; Camille Blunt, Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Tim Dowling, Monroe County Community School Corporation; Jenna Anderson, Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition; and Tikila Welch, Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning. Read more about these presenters.
Who should attend: educators and K-12 schools, economic development organizations, employers, community leaders, policymakers, and funders
Rethinking the Mission: How Employers, K-12 Schools, and Post-Secondary Institutions Are Innovating to Drive Success in the Indiana Uplands
Organizations across the Uplands are rethinking their role in ensuring this region has the talent and quality-of-place assets needed to grow its population and meet the region’s growing potential. In this session, you’ll hear from an employer developing housing, a school system building a training center for a regional sector, and a higher education institution incentivizing students to consider education and careers in the Uplands.
Presenters: Ron Walker, CFC Properties; Dr. Jerry Sanders, Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation; and David B. Johnson, Indiana University Office of Enrollment Management. Read more about these presenters.
Who should attend: economic development organizations, employers, educators, and school superintendents
11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch, Keynote Address, and Indiana Uplands Regional Innovation Awards
Attendees will have time to network and enjoy lunch together before a keynote presentation.
ROI proudly welcomes Denzil Ross, President of IU Health South Region, as our 2026 Keynote Speaker.
Following the keynote, ROI will also present the 2026 Indiana Uplands Regional Innovation Awards to honor accomplishments in education, workforce, economic development, and quality of place in the Indiana Uplands.
1:45 – 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Working Sessions
- ROI STEM Fellowship Cohort 8 (closed session)
- ROI Career Coaching Fellowship Cohort 5 (closed session)
- Indiana Redevelopment Tax Credit Program