Positively Powerful plans 17th annual summit in Phoenix

Positively Powerful Development Corporation will host its 17th Annual Education Summit & Woman Awards Conference on Oct. 9 in Phoenix as the nonprofit expands into year-round programming focused on women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and community impact. The event arrives alongside a new launch registration, broader sponsorship opportunities and a push into AI and technology training for women business leaders.

Why it matters: - Positively Powerful Development Corporation is shifting from a single annual conference to a year-round nonprofit platform focused on women’s leadership, education, entrepreneurship, innovation and community engagement. - The move adds programs aimed at strengthening women, businesses, families and communities, including training tied to AI and technology. - The October summit is designed to connect women leaders, allies and sponsors around measurable leadership and business development goals.

What happened: - Dr. Joel P. Martin, president of Triad West, Inc. and founder and CEO of PPDC, announced the 17th Annual Education Summit & Woman Awards Conference. - The conference is set for Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center in Phoenix. - The theme is “Together, We Rise!” - Early registration opened with a special launch rate of $175 through July 31. - The event is expected to draw more than 200 women leaders and changemakers.

The details: - PPDC says the organization has spent 17 years bringing together women leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, corporate executives, nonprofit professionals and community changemakers. - The summit will include sessions on women leading AI, technology and STEM. - Additional topics will cover business growth through certifications and corporate connections, plus leadership development, innovation, entrepreneurship and community impact. - The awards celebration will honor Positively Powerful Woman Leadership Awards honorees, including the National Positively Powerful Corporate Leader, the Regional Positively Powerful Corporate Leader and the first Positively Powerful Ally Leader. - PPDC has expanded its leadership structure, added its first corporate board member and strengthened its organizational foundation. - Current PPDC programming includes a monthly Education Summit Series and the Women’s Retreat. - A new corporate partnership program focused on helping businesswomen understand and use AI and technology is in development. - Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available for corporations, foundations, nonprofit organizations and community leaders, including multi-year partnerships. - Event details and registration information are available at Positively Powerful.

Between the lines: - Dr. Martin is positioning PPDC as more than an event organizer and more like a leadership network with recurring programming and corporate ties. - The AI and technology focus signals an attempt to keep the organization’s offerings aligned with the skills women business leaders increasingly need. - Hosting the conference at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center during the center’s centennial year adds symbolic weight to the event. - Dr. Martin recently completed the National Minority Supplier Development Council Centers of Excellence Certificate Program with Rutgers University and Fifth Third Bank, and the certificate recognizes both Positively Powerful and Triad West, Inc.

What’s next: - The Together, We Rise launch registration remains open through July 31. - PPDC will continue building year-round programs and says more offerings are on the horizon. - Corporate and community partners can still buy sponsorships and multi-year partnerships ahead of the October conference. - The organization is moving ahead with its planned AI and technology program for businesswomen.

The bottom line: - PPDC is using its 17th annual conference to mark a bigger strategic reset: a broader nonprofit mission, deeper leadership structure and a more sustained role in women’s advancement.