2026 Agenda!

East Kentucky Leadership Conference

April 23-24, 2026

Churchill’s, Berea

Theme: Creating a Dynamic Regional Community Together

Thursday April 23

9:00               Registration opens

10:00             Early Bird Session

Rooted & Rising: Women Leading Where They’re Planted

11:30               Lunch

12:30               Welcome and Youth Panel: Why we would stay

1:30                 Break

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

3:30               Berea Tours    

5:00               Reception

6:00               Awards Banquet

                        Welcome - Governor Andy Beshear (video)

                        Keynote: Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to Governor Beshear 

Music: Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble

Friday April 24

9:00                 Welcome and Overview of the Day

9:30                 Topical concurrent sessions (repeated three times)

• 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)?

12:30               Lunch and special presentation:

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

1:30                 Adjourn