The 2026 SOAR Summit, presented by Appalachian Wireless and the Appalachian Regional Commission, is Appalachia’s Premier Event and a gathering built around a simple idea: the future of Eastern Kentucky will be shaped by the people who care enough to build it.
For three days, leaders, employers, educators, entrepreneurs, students, nonprofits, elected officials, and community members come together to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore solutions to some of the region’s biggest challenges and opportunities.
The Summit isn’t just about conversation. It’s about connection, collaboration, and action.
Eastern Kentucky has never lacked talent, determination, or ideas. Across the region, communities are creating jobs, revitalizing downtowns, supporting entrepreneurs, expanding educational opportunities, improving healthcare, and finding new ways to move forward.
What we sometimes lack are opportunities to come together, learn from one another, and build the partnerships needed to turn good ideas into lasting impact.
The Summit exists to create that space.
It is where people from across the region gather to share what is working, discuss challenges, explore opportunities, and build relationships that can help move communities forward.
Because no single organization, community, business, or leader can build the future alone.
But together, we can.
The 2026 theme is: Building Eastern Kentucky. Together.
It’s more than a theme. It’s a reminder that meaningful progress happens when communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals work together toward a shared vision for the region.
Do you care about the future of Eastern Kentucky?
Do you believe our communities are stronger when we work together, share ideas, and learn from one another?
Do you want to be part of the conversations shaping the future of our workforce, economy, businesses, schools, healthcare systems, and communities?
Then the Summit is for you.
Whether you’re bringing an idea, a challenge, a success story, or simply a willingness to learn, you have a place at the Summit.
In fact, we don’t just want you to attend. We want you to have a seat at the table, share your perspective, build new relationships, and help shape what comes next for our region.
Because Building Eastern Kentucky. Together. isn’t just this year’s theme. It’s how lasting progress happens.
The Summit will take place October 7–9, 2026, in Corbin, Kentucky.
As one of Eastern Kentucky’s fastest-growing communities, Corbin provides an ideal backdrop for conversations about growth, opportunity, innovation, and regional collaboration.
We listened.
Attendees, sponsors, partners, and community leaders told us they wanted more opportunities to engage, learn from one another, and hear directly from people doing the work across Eastern Kentucky.
As a result, the 2026 Summit has been intentionally redesigned to be more focused, practical, and community-centered.
You can expect:
- More Eastern Kentucky voices and success stories
- More workshops and hands-on learning opportunities
- More practical takeaways you can apply in your community
- Expanded networking opportunities
- More time to connect in the EKY Experience Expo Hall
- A more focused and intentional event experience
The goal is simple: help attendees leave with ideas, relationships, and resources they can put to work back home.
The Summit will feature a variety of experiences designed to inspire, equip, and connect attendees.
Programming may include:
- Keynote presentations
- Breakout sessions
- Workshops
- TenTalks
- Community showcases
- Industry discussions
- Networking events
- Interactive experiences
Every session is being designed with a focus on practical application, meaningful conversation, and actionable takeaways.
TenTalks are one of the most unique and popular features of the Summit.
These fast-paced presentations give Eastern Kentuckians an opportunity to share ideas, innovations, lessons learned, and success stories that could help others across the region.
Whether it’s revitalizing a downtown, growing a business, addressing a workforce challenge, supporting students, or creating new opportunities for residents, TenTalks are designed to spark new thinking and inspire action.
Absolutely.
Individuals from across SOAR’s 54-county service region are encouraged to submit ideas for consideration.
We’re looking for practical insights, innovative ideas, compelling stories, and lessons learned that can help communities across Eastern Kentucky continue building momentum.
Yes, and more than ever before.
One of the most common reasons people attend the Summit is to make connections.
Whether you’re looking for a new partnership, funding opportunity, business connection, workforce solution, or simply a chance to learn from others facing similar challenges, the Summit is designed to help those conversations happen.
The EKY Experience Expo Hall is where you can see the future of Eastern Kentucky in action.
This immersive, hands-on experience showcases the people, businesses, schools, organizations, and communities creating opportunity across the region.
You’ll discover innovative programs, emerging industries, entrepreneurial ventures, educational pathways, tourism destinations, workforce solutions, and community success stories—all under one roof.
It’s one of the most dynamic and engaging parts of the Summit experience.
Want to showcase in the EKY Experience? Apply here.
Organizations interested in supporting the Summit can explore sponsorship opportunities through the Summit website or by contacting the SOAR team.
Sponsorship is more than brand visibility. It’s an opportunity to invest in the future of Eastern Kentucky while engaging directly with leaders, decision-makers, employers, educators, and community stakeholders from across the region.
Contact Dr. Joshua Ball, Chief Operating Officer, at joshua@soar-ky.org to learn more.
Registration details will be announced soon.
We encourage interested attendees to sign up for updates through the Summit website to receive announcements about registration, speakers, agenda releases, lodging information, and special events.
Information regarding lodging options and special Summit hotel rates is posted on the Summit website.
Business casual is recommended, but most importantly, dress comfortably.
You’ll be moving between sessions, networking events, workshops, and the Expo Hall throughout the Summit.
Yes.
The Summit is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming experience for all attendees. Anyone requiring accommodations is encouraged to contact the SOAR team in advance so we can assist.
We’re happy to help.
For questions about registration, sponsorships, exhibiting, speaking opportunities, lodging, or general event information, please contact: info@soar-ky.org
You can also visit the Summit website for the latest announcements and updates.
Join Us
for the 2026 SOAR Summit
We’re building something meaningful across Eastern Kentucky. And it starts with coming together.
