2026 Agenda

East Kentucky Leadership Conference

April 23-24, 2026

Churchill’s, Berea

Theme: Creating a Dynamic Regional Community Together

Thursday April 23

9:00AM - Registration

10:00AM - Early Bird Session

Rooted & Rising: Women Leading Where They’re Planted

11:30AM - Lunch

12:30PM - Youth Panel: Why We Would Stay

1:30PM - Break

1:45PM - A Tale of Two Futures: Creating Places Where People Want to Live

3:30PM - Berea Tours

5:00PM - Reception

6:00PM - Awards Banquet

Welcome - Governor Andy Beshear (video)

Keynote - Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to Governor Beshear

Friday April 24

9:00AM - Welcome

9:30AM - Concurrent Session I

10:30AM - Concurrent Session II

11:30AM - Concurrent Session III

Concurrent Session Topics

• From Partnership to Progress: Building Regional Success

• Community Solutions: Recovery, Resiliency, and Supports

• Connected by Creativity: Art as a Tool for Belonging and Growth

• Who's Standing Up For the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)?

12:30PM - Lunch and Special Presentation:

                        “Shiners” – an award-winning documentary featuring Owsley County youth                     

1:30PM - Adjourn