Appalachia’s Premier Event returned to the Corbin Arena from October 7th-9th, bringing together leaders, communities, and partners from across the region to share what they thought was working and build what’s next.
This wasn’t just a conference. It was where the people doing the work across Eastern Kentucky came to build together.
Thank you for joining us in Corbin!
You joined more than 1,200 leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, employers, policymakers, students, and community champions in Corbin, KY for Appalachia’s Premier Event.
Special thanks to our 2026 SOAR Summit Sponsors
Replay the Inspiration.
Carry It Forward.
The conversations, connections, and ideas that made the 2026 SOAR Summit unforgettable don’t end when the Summit does.
From inspiring speakers and powerful stories to bold ideas shaping the future of Eastern Kentucky, revisit the moments that challenged us to think bigger, take action, and create lasting change in our communities.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker: John Sitilides
From advising U.S. diplomats across four presidential administrations to helping business leaders navigate global risk, John Sitilides brings a front-row perspective on the forces shaping our economy, national security, and future. A leading geopolitical strategist and national security commentator, he translates complex global challenges into insights that matter for leaders, communities, and industries here at home.
Get to know John Sitilides and learn more about what he brought to the SOAR Summit stage.
Featured Speaker:
Founding Co-Principal Officer Congressman Hal Rogers
A founding force behind SOAR, Congressman Hal Rogers has spent more than a decade championing collaboration and investment across Eastern Kentucky. This October, SOAR’s founding Co-Principal Officer returns to the Summit stage to reflect on the work underway and what comes next for the region.
From SOAR’s beginning to the work ahead, discover Congressman Rogers’ lasting impact on Eastern Kentucky.
Meet Our 2026 Plenary and EKY: In Motion Speakers
Local Voices. Regional Ideas. Shared Momentum.
Two slides. Your passion. A message that matters.
TenTalk returned to the 2026 SOAR Summit, presented by Appalachian Wireless and the Appalachian Regional Commission, to spotlight the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future of Eastern Kentucky.
This fast-paced storytelling experience was designed for local voices with practical ideas, lessons learned, and community-driven solutions that spark collaboration across county lines.
You Helped Shape the Conversation
FOCUS Sessions were participant-driven breakout sessions and workshops that created space for meaningful conversations, practical learning, and collaboration. These sessions helped shape the dialogue around the opportunities, challenges, and ideas that matter most to Eastern Kentucky.
We hope you found the session that spoke to you, sparked your curiosity, or offered a fresh perspective you could take with you. We can’t wait to see the outcomes that these conversations sparked!
Our Corporate Partners
The SOAR Summit wouldn’t be possible without our corporate partners who support SOAR’s work throughout the year.
