Speaking & Workshops
DCI’s speaking engagements and workshops are designed to provide industry insights, relevant research, and tools to help your EDO or DMO team navigate today’s economic development, talent attraction or tourism landscape.
Whether you are hosting a stakeholder summit, a regional investor conference, facilitating a statewide retreat or planning an internal strategy session, our team delivers engaging presentations grounded in original research, industry trends and real-world case studies. We translate complex challenges into clear insights, helping audiences understand what is shaping corporate location decisions, talent migration and destination perception, and what it means for their community.
Beyond keynotes, DCI offers customized workshops on topics from crisis communications, media training, AI toolkits, site selector insights, field research on talent attraction, and best practices in economic development marketing among others. We collaborate with you to understand your goals, audience and challenges, then design an interactive experience that strengthens alignment, sharpens messaging and builds internal capacity. Participants leave equipped with practical frameworks, shared language and next steps that can be implemented immediately. When DCI comes to speak or lead a training, we help your team think differently, act strategically and apply real-time insights to their everyday work.
Our presentations and workshops have the flexibility to be conducted in person or virtually, and vary in length from an hour to a full-day session. Shorter, virtual sessions start at $2,500, while longer, in-person sessions typically range from $5,000-$10,000, plus travel expenses. Reach out to discuss your needs and to receive a custom proposal.
- Artificial Intelligence Philosophy
- Crisis Communications
- The State of Site Selection
- Talent Wars
- Winning Strategies
- Capturing the Canadian Consumer
- Media Training
- LinkedIn Thought Leadership
- Foreign Direct Investment
- DMOs Elevator Pitch to EDOs
- Creativity
Cut through the hype and learn practical ways to use AI to it's fullest potential.
- Length: 2-8 hours
- Format: In-person
- Speaker: Susan Brake, Partner
DCI’s Artificial Intelligence workshop is designed to help economic development organizations move from curiosity to confident use through a practical, “crawl, walk, run” approach. The training meets teams where they are, whether they’re brand new to AI or already experimenting, and focuses on real, everyday applications that improve efficiency and reduce workload. Participants learn how to use AI tools like ChatGPT for tasks such as drafting emails, preparing for meetings, summarizing reports and developing RFI responses, with a strong emphasis on safe use, fact-checking and human judgment. Live demonstrations show exactly how AI can support day-to-day work without replacing expertise or strategy.
Practical training and realistic scenario exercises that help teams act quickly, communicate clearly and protect trust when the stakes are highest.
- Length: 4-8 hours
- Format: In-person
- Speaker: Senior Leader
Through a comprehensive, full‑day preparedness training, a DCI crisis communications expert will walk participants through their crisis communications plan in detail, clarifying roles, responsibilities and decision‑making protocols so everyone knows exactly what to do under pressure. The session equips key team members with the knowledge and confidence to respond quickly, accurately and consistently, reducing confusion, risk and reputational damage when timing and clarity matter most.
The training comes to life through three to five scenario‑specific tabletop exercises tailored to realistic crisis situations organizations may face. In a controlled, facilitated environment, teams practice applying their response strategies, testing workflows, approvals and messaging in real time. These exercises surface gaps, strengthen coordination and build muscle memory, so when a real crisis occurs, responses feel practiced rather than improvised. Teams walk away better aligned, more confident and ready to act decisively.
Translate national trends into actionable insight for your community, leadership and partners.
- Length: 1-2 hours
- Format: In-person or virtual
- Speaker: Robyn Domber, Senior Vice President, Research
DCI’s State of Site Selection workshop brings the industry’s most trusted location strategy research directly to your leadership, board or stakeholders through a custom presentation led by DCI’s Head of Research and an invited member of the Site Selectors Guild. Based on DCI and the Guild’s in‑depth, biennial research, the session unpacks the forces reshaping corporate location decisions—from risk and readiness to workforce, infrastructure and reputation. Participants gain a clear understanding of how site selectors are evaluating communities today and how those expectations continue to evolve.
Each workshop is tailored to the audience and delivered either virtually or in person, connecting national and global trends to local competitiveness and strategy. Presentations move beyond headline findings to explore what the data means for economic developers in practice, helping teams align priorities, sharpen messaging and inform investment decisions. Whether presented to staff, partners or decision‑makers, the session equips organizations with credible, data‑driven insights they can immediately apply to strengthen their positioning in an increasingly complex site selection environment.
Understand talent priorities to inform smarter place strategies.
- Length: 25-60 minutes for a keynote; 2-3 hours for a workshop
- Format: In-person or virtual
- Speaker: Patience Fairbrother, Senior Vice President, Talent Attraction
A custom Talent Wars presentation brings the firm’s most widely cited talent attraction research directly to your team, board or stakeholders. The session, offered as either a high-level keynote presentation or in-depth workshop, unpacks what today’s talent actually values when choosing where to live and work, based on the latest Talent Wars study, and how those priorities are evolving amid labor shortages, economic uncertainty and rapid change. Participants gain a clear, data‑backed understanding of why talent is moving, how quickly decisions are made and where communities have the greatest opportunity to influence relocation decisions.
The session connects national and cross‑border insights to local strategy, helping organizations sharpen their talent attraction messaging, channels and positioning. Beyond trends, time will be spent focusing on practical implications and case studies, what communities should lead with, where common assumptions fall short and how to compete more effectively in a crowded marketplace for talent. The workshop equips leaders with the clarity and confidence to align partners, inform strategy, and take action based on what talent truly wants now and into the future.
Gather data‑backed insights into what decision‑makers value most.
- Length: 1-2 hours
- Format: In-person
- Speaker: Senior Leader
DCI’s Winning Strategies workshop translates decades of proprietary research into practical insight through two distinct session options, each designed for a different audience. Organizations can choose between Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing, which focuses on how corporate executives and site selectors form perceptions and make investment decisions, or Winning Strategies in Destination Marketing, which examines how meeting planners and business events decision‑makers evaluate destinations. In either format, participants gain a clear understanding of which marketing tactics matter most, how expectations have shifted and where organizations should focus their time and resources to compete more effectively.
The workshop is tailored to the audience in the room and grounded in real‑world examples, helping teams move beyond the data to discuss what it means for their own strategy. By connecting research findings to day‑to‑day marketing decisions, the session supports more focused conversations around messaging, channels and partnerships, ensuring participants leave with clarity on how to apply the insights to their specific goals and market conditions.
How destinations can align marketing strategy with Canadian travelers’ decision‑making.
- Length: 1-2 hours
- Format: In-person or virtual
- Speaker: Senior Leader
Based on DCI’s third edition of the Capturing the Canadian Consumer study, this workshop helps destinations better understand the motivations, media habits and decision‑making process of Canadian travelers. Drawing on survey insights from a nationally representative sample of Canadian consumers, including recent international travelers, affluent households and both English‑ and French‑speaking audiences, the session unpacks how Canadians move through the “path to purchase” and what influences their destination choices in today’s evolving travel landscape.
The workshop translates research findings into actionable marketing guidance, showing how destinations can tailor messaging, channels and timing to more effectively reach Canadian audiences. Participants explore differences across traveler segments, learn which platforms Canadians rely on most when planning international trips and gain clarity on how factors such as value, experiences and regional preferences shape demand. Designed to move beyond data alone, the session equips teams with practical insights they can apply immediately to strengthen campaigns, prioritize investments and more successfully capture the Canadian outbound travel market.
Build confident spokespeople who perform under pressure.
- Length: 2-6 hours
- Format: In-person
- Speaker: Senior Leader
DCI’s group media training prepares leaders and subject matter experts to communicate clearly, credibly and confidently with media and public audiences. Delivered as a highly interactive, in‑person workshop, the training is tailored to the specific roles and responsibilities of the participants, whether they are promoting destinations, investment, talent or quality of place. Over the course of a focused three‑hour session, DCI coaches participants on what makes a story newsworthy, how media operate and how to stay on message when representing their organization in high‑visibility moments.a subject matter expert on our team
The session combines strategic guidance with hands‑on practice. Participants learn how to handle difficult questions, prepare effectively for interviews and adapt their delivery across formats, including live television, radio, phone, in‑person interviews and panel discussions. Mock one‑on‑one interviews are filmed and shared with each participant, providing practical feedback and immediate takeaways. Each training includes a resource handout with best practices, tips and techniques so teams leave better prepared, more polished and ready to engage with confidence long after the session ends.
Equip leaders to shape conversations and influence key audiences.
- Length: 1-2 hours
- Format: In-person or virtual
- Speaker: Hanna Gbordzoe, Vice President or Lina Lintemuth, Senior Director
Your organization’s reputation is built on the voices of its leaders. While some teams are media‑trained, many are not fully leveraging LinkedIn to shape conversations about their region and position their organization as the definitive authority for business, talent or tourism. DCI’s LinkedIn Thought Leadership Training is designed specifically for executive, leadership and business development teams, helping them transform their LinkedIn presence into a strategic platform for credibility, influence and visibility. Delivered by a subject matter expert on our team, in group or one‑on‑one formats, virtually or in person, the training provides tailored guidance that meets leaders where they are and aligns individual voices with organizational priorities.
Our program equips executives with practical, actionable tactics, including profile optimization, content creation tips, engagement and network‑growth techniques, and habit‑building guidance that fits into busy schedules. The result is a confident, consistent leadership presence that expands reach, builds credibility and ensures your team is leading conversations about your region’s potential on social media.
Demystify foreign direct investment for teams ready to think internationally.
- Length: 1-2 hours
- Format: Virtual
- Speaker: Steve Duncan, DCI Head of Global Strategy and C Studios Managing Director
Led by DCI’s Head of Global Strategy, our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) training helps economic development teams better understand how international investors evaluate locations, and how to position their community to compete on a global stage. Drawing on DCI’s on‑the‑ground experience supporting trade and investment promotion across Europe and other international markets, the session demystifies the FDI process and clarifies what truly matters to foreign companies considering expansion or relocation.
The training connects global investment trends to practical, actionable strategy. Participants explore how to sharpen their value proposition for international audiences, align messaging across markets, and avoid common pitfalls that can stall investor interest. Designed for teams at any stage of international engagement, the session equips participants with a stronger understanding of investor expectations, clearer internal alignment and the confidence to pursue foreign direct investment opportunities more strategically and effectively
Help destination leaders to speak the language of economic development.
- Length: 1-2 hours
- Format: In-person or virtual
- Speaker: Brittany Borsanyi, Vice President, Public Relations
This interactive workshop, led by a member of DCI’s leadership team, is designed to help destination marketing organizations build and deliver a compelling pitch to their economic development partners. Created specifically for DMOs, the session focuses on reframing tourism in terms that resonate with EDO priorities, positioning it not as a “nice‑to‑have,” but as a strategic driver of local revenue, infrastructure investment, talent attraction and business competitiveness. Participants learn how to clearly explain tourism’s role in funding core city services, from sales and lodging taxes to public infrastructure, and why those contributions directly support economic development goals.
Through real‑world case studies and guided discussion, the workshop shows DMOs how to translate their work into language economic developers understand and value. The session culminates in each participant refining a concise, credible elevator pitch tailored to their local context, one they can confidently deliver to EDO leadership to demonstrate alignment, relevance and impact. Attendees leave with a sharper narrative, stronger positioning at the table and a ready‑to‑use pitch that strengthens collaboration and influence with their economic development counterparts.
When familiar solutions stop working, creativity becomes the most valuable tool in the room.
- Length: 1-2 hours
- Format: In-person or virtual
- Speaker: Susan Brake, Partner
In today’s ever-changing industry, the skill sets of economic developers are being tested more than ever. They’re wearing more hats, navigating more policy changes, and responding to more public scrutiny, all while continuing to drive growth in their communities. To navigate these challenges effectively, you must embrace a growth mindset and bring fresh thinking to the table. This session explores how creativity—when paired with strategic insight—can help economic developers build stronger organizations, more compelling strategies and ultimately more resilient communities.
Creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s a practical skill for problem-solving, ideation and innovation. You’ll learn how to unlock creative thinking across your EDO, from business attraction to stakeholder engagement to workforce solutions to marketing, using proven tools and techniques that work in the real world. Whether you’re rethinking your strategic plan, responding to a stakeholder challenge, launching a fundraising campaign or refreshing your brand, this session will help you generate stronger ideas, build consensus, and lead your organization with vision.
Attendees of this workshop will have a set of creativity tools to take back to their team, and a renewed mindset to meet the future of economic development with innovation, energy, and confidence.
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