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How IAEOZ Summit Connects Investors with High-Impact Projects

The IAEOZ Summit is the premier event for Opportunity Zone investors and project developers. Here's what to expect and how to maximize your participation.

KDM & Associates
January 22, 2026
8 min read
IAEOZSummitInvestmentOpportunity ZonesNetworking

The International Association of Economic Opportunity Zones (IAEOZ) Summit has become the premier gathering for Opportunity Zone investors, project developers, community leaders, and policymakers. For businesses seeking OZ investment or investors looking for high-impact projects, the Summit is an essential event.


What Is the IAEOZ Summit?


The IAEOZ Summit is an annual conference that brings together the full ecosystem of Opportunity Zone stakeholders:

  • Investors — seeking OZ-qualified investments
  • Project developers — with shovel-ready OZ projects
  • Community leaders — representing OZ communities
  • Policymakers — shaping OZ legislation and regulation
  • Service providers — (legal, accounting, real estate, finance)
  • Researchers — studying OZ impact and effectiveness

    • What Happens at the Summit


    Keynote Sessions

  • National policy updates on OZ legislation
  • Economic impact data and research findings
  • Success stories from OZ communities
  • Future outlook for OZ investment

    • Deal Flow Sessions

    The heart of the Summit—structured matchmaking between:

  • Investors with capital gains to deploy
  • Project developers with qualified OZ projects
  • Communities seeking investment
  • Funds seeking investors

    • Sector-Specific Tracks

    Focused sessions on key investment sectors:

  • Manufacturing and Industrial — Factory development, reshoring projects
  • Real Estate — Commercial, residential, mixed-use development
  • Technology — Innovation hubs, data centers, tech campuses
  • Clean Energy — Renewable energy, energy storage, grid infrastructure
  • Agriculture — Vertical farming, food processing, agri-tech
  • Healthcare — Medical facilities, telehealth, wellness centers

    • Policy and Regulatory Updates

  • IRS guidance and regulatory changes
  • State and local OZ incentive programs
  • Legislative proposals affecting OZs
  • Compliance best practices

    • Networking Events

  • Structured networking sessions
  • Investor-developer speed dating
  • Community showcase exhibitions
  • Evening receptions and dinners

    • How to Maximize Your Summit Experience


    For Investors


    Before the Summit:

  • Define your investment criteria (sector, geography, size, return expectations)
  • Research projects and developers attending
  • Schedule meetings in advance
  • Prepare your investment thesis and capacity

    • During the Summit:

  • Attend deal flow sessions in your target sectors
  • Meet with multiple project developers
  • Collect detailed project information
  • Evaluate community support and local incentives
  • Network with other investors for co-investment opportunities

    • After the Summit:

  • Follow up with promising projects within 1 week
  • Conduct due diligence on top opportunities
  • Engage legal and tax advisors
  • Make investment decisions
  • Stay connected through IAEOZ network

    • For Project Developers


    Before the Summit:

  • Prepare a compelling project presentation
  • Develop a detailed financial model
  • Gather community support documentation
  • Prepare marketing materials and data room
  • Identify target investors

    • During the Summit:

  • Present your project in deal flow sessions
  • Meet with as many qualified investors as possible
  • Collect investor contact information and criteria
  • Attend policy sessions for regulatory updates
  • Network with complementary developers

    • After the Summit:

  • Send follow-up materials to interested investors
  • Provide access to data room
  • Schedule follow-up calls and site visits
  • Address investor questions promptly
  • Maintain relationships for future projects

    • For Manufacturers


    Why attend:

  • Identify OZ locations for facility expansion
  • Connect with investors for manufacturing projects
  • Learn about incentive stacking strategies
  • Network with economic development agencies
  • Discover workforce development resources

    • Key sessions to attend:

  • Manufacturing and Industrial track
  • Incentive stacking workshops
  • Workforce development panels
  • Community showcase (identify potential locations)
  • Policy updates (manufacturing-specific incentives)

    • The KDM & Associates Connection


    KDM & Associates participates in the IAEOZ Summit to:

  • Connect defense manufacturers with OZ investment opportunities
  • Facilitate partnerships between investors and manufacturing projects
  • Advocate for manufacturing-focused OZ policies
  • Support community economic development through defense contracting
  • Build the V+KDM Consortium's OZ investment portfolio

    • Key Takeaways from Recent Summits


    Trends in OZ Investment

  • Manufacturing is growing — Reshoring driving industrial OZ projects
  • Clean energy dominance — Largest sector for new OZ investment
  • Community engagement matters — Projects with community support succeed
  • Incentive stacking — Most successful projects combine multiple incentives
  • Long-term perspective — 10-year hold requirement aligns with manufacturing

    • Challenges Identified

  • Regulatory uncertainty around OZ program extension
  • Need for better impact measurement and reporting
  • Ensuring community benefit from OZ investments
  • Connecting small projects with institutional capital
  • Navigating complex compliance requirements

    • Conclusion


    The IAEOZ Summit is more than a conference—it's a marketplace where capital meets opportunity. For manufacturers, investors, and community leaders, it's an essential event for building the relationships and knowledge needed to succeed in Opportunity Zone investment. Mark your calendar and prepare to engage.



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    Join the KDM Consortium Platform today:


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