I G N I T E

2026

TICKETS!
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JANUARY 29, 2026

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January 29, 2026

About Ignite

About

The Community Development Foundation believes at our community’s core, the ultimate catalyst for growth is the ability to identify, engage and ignite the right people. Ignite is a leadership conference featuring world-class speakers, incredible peer-to-peer interaction and an energizing atmosphere. Ignite will get you what you need to grow your leadership skills or those of your entire team.

[ Who is CDF? ]
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Speakers
since 2018
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Local Leader
Attendees
since 2018
About
  • World Class Speakers
  • Powerful Connections
  • Practical Takeaways
Ignite Where?

The Orchard, Tupelo

Google Map Link

Ignite When?

Thursday
January 29, 2026

Get your ticket before we sell out!

TICKETS

Early Bird Sale ends November 14, 2025

Conference Tickets

Attendance on January 29, 2026
$279 $229

EARLY BIRD PRICING!


  • 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Free Coffee & Soft Drinks
  • Free snacks!
  • Limited Availability
REGISTER

Staying Overnight?

Welcome to Tupelo!
  • Stay overnight in Tupelo for Ignite!
  • Contact one of our many CDF Member Hotels to secure your room
  • Plan on visiting one of our many CDF Member Restaurants during your stay
CDF Member Hotels CDF Member Restaurants

Ticket Questions?

Contact Us!
  • If you have any questions about purchasing tickets—whether for yourself, your team, or a large group—our team is here to help. Please reach out to Zandra at 662-842-4521 for details on ticket options, group pricing, or any other information you need to make your Ignite experience as smooth as possible.
EMAIL
World Class Speakers

2026 SPEAKERS

Speaker

John "GUCCI" Foley

Former Blue Angels
Lead Solo Pilot
& Keynote Speaker
Speaker

Noelle Russell

Leading AI Innovator & Practitioner
Founder & Chief AI Officer at
AI Leadership Institute
Speaker

Justin Forsett

NFL Pro Bowler
Entrepreneur, Broadcaster,
& Philanthropist
Past Ignite Speakers

Info

What You Need to Know

Here are the basics. If you have more questions, be sure to check out the FAQ section.

Location

Ignite will be held at The Orchard located at 1379 N Coley Rd Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

[Google Map link]

Time

Ignite will begin promptly Thursday morning, January 29, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. and will end at 12:30 p.m.

Time is subject to fluctuate with speaker timing and presentations.

World Class Speakers

Impactful speakers will guide the day through an inspiring journey to ignite the leader in you and your community.

View Past Speakers

Networking

Ignite is not just a chance to hear some incredible speakers, but it is also your opportunity to build your network with other great leaders in your community.

Certificates (C.E.U.)

Are you in search of continuing education credits? You can get them by attending Ignite. Email us for more information.

Email for more informaiton

Nine Consecutive Years

Since 2018, Ignite has been bringing high quality leadership experts and skill set developers to the area to share knowledge, insight and inspiration. Ignite 2026 will be our ninth year!

Tickets!

Ignite 2025 Highlight Video


Video PLAY


Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

"How can I convince my boss?"
(I really want to come!)


Do you need help convincing your boss? Download this WORD (put it in your company letterhead) or PDF letter to help convince your boss. At Ignite, you will gain practical skills and learn methods that are proven to help your work performance and you will learn from real success stories how to be the best leader you can be. You will be in the midst of the best networking opportunity to grow your client base and your circle of influence!

"Who puts this conference on?
Is it a national conference?"


Ignite is developed, created, produced, led, organized, planned, staffed and completely designed by the Community Development Foundation staff in Tupelo, Mississippi. Why? As the local Chamber of Commerce for Tupelo, Mississippi, and the economic development organization for Lee County, Mississippi, our mission is to create more and better jobs. Ignite helps train and identify leaders that will help our community grow and therefore help bring in new businesses and launch entrepreneurial startups.

"I just registered, now what?"


After you register, you will receive a confirmation email that includes your digital ticket. Upon arrival at Ignite, your digital ticket will be scanned for entry. You may print it ahead of time or access it from your phone at the door.

"Where do I sit?"


You may sit anywhere in the general admission seating area. All seats are first–come-first-serve to Ignite.

"What about food and drinks?"


Free coffee, soft drinks & snacks will be provided.

"What do I wear?"


Jeans, jeans, jeans. Leave your suits, ties and heels at home.

"Do I need to bring any money?"


Your pre-paid ticket covers your event participation and drinks and snacks during the times already mentioned. You may want to bring money for the on-site book store and merchandise store.

Ignite Sparks!

TESTIMONIALS

Hear from those that have attended Ignite.

"I go to these things all of the country and there's not one better than this. It's a great day of learning things that you can take back and implement in your own business - if you listen and you take notes and you go home and you try to implement this you'll be a better person, so how can you not spend four hours in order to do that?
Author

Scott Reed

Hardy Reed, LLC
“I love IGNITE, this is my third year attending - I love having the opportunity to just to see all of our community members to engage with them, and I'm always learning new ways to lead and to engage and it's just something different every year. I will save you a seat because I'm already scheduling my tickets for next year.""
Author

Kristin Pannel

TOYOTA MS
“I absolutely loved this year's IGNITE conference - you never know what to expect and this year all three speakers knocked it out of the park. I would HIGHLY recommend that everybody get a seat for next year because it only gets better every year."
Author

Emma James

The Orchard

SPONSORS

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor - Renasant

Gold Sponsors

Gold Sponsor - Cadence Bank Gold Sponsor - Blue Cross Blue shield of Mississippi Gold Sponsor - North Mississippi Health Services Gold Sponsor - TOYOTA Motor Manufacturing Mississippi

Silver Sponsors

Silver Sponsor - HomeStretch Silver Sponsor - HomeStretch



Program Book Sponsor:
Weatherall's Printing

Education Sponsor:
Toyota Wellspring Education Fund

Bookstore Sponsor:
Reed's

Energy Sponsor:
Tennessee Valley Authority
Break Sponsors:
ATA
Regions Bank

Photo Booth Sponsor:
Renasant

Pen Sponsor:
Room to Room

Bag Sponsor:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi
Official Ignite Leadership Conference Podcast

IgniteCast

Ignite your leadership passion with Ignitecast, presented by iHeartMedia, the official podcast of the Ignite Leadership Conference in Tupelo, MS.

Ignite your leadership passion with Ignitecast, the official podcast of the Ignite Leadership Conference in Tupelo, MS.

IgniteCast features content from past Ignite speakers along with insights from local leaders. Each episode will be a short, engaging 20-to-30-minute conversation designed to highlight the impact of leadership and economic development in Tupelo and Lee County.

Our purpose is to tell the Community Development Foundation’s story by showcasing how we create more and better jobs, attract top talent, and foster leadership growth within the community. Through these conversations, we aim to strengthen talent retention, support business expansion, and ensure that Tupelo, Lee County, and CDF remain relevant and forward-thinking.

Listen Now!

iHeartMedia is this year's IgniteCast presenting sponsor and sponsor of all four seasons of IgniteCast!

About CDF

Ignite is presented by Community Development Foundation.
Community Development Foundation is a membership-based organization serving to advance the community through partnerships and growth initiatives for more than 70 years. We are the local Chamber of Commerce for Tupelo, Mississippi and serve as the economic development organization for Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi. For more information, please see our website at www.cdfms.org

Refund Policy

No refund of tickets will be made. If you are unable to use your ticket, you may give it away, sell it to a friend or contact the Community Development Foundation at 662-842-4521 to donate it as a student or non-profit scholarship ticket. We can change the date if the weather goes crazy. CDF may postpone, cancel, interrupt or stop the event due to adverse weather, dangerous situations, or any other causes beyond its reasonable control. If weather-related changes are made to the event date, time or location, notice will be emailed to those who have registered. If an event is postponed or rescheduled, tickets will be honored for the rescheduled date. New tickets will not be issued. If an event is cancelled without a rescheduled date, the purchaser should contact the Community Development Foundation at 662-842-4521.

You Should Have Been There

Past Ignite Memories

Ignite Facebook Page
Project Masonry
Ignite 2025
SPEAKER: Justin Wren
Project Masonry
Ignite 2024
SPEAKER: Jade Simmons
Project Masonry
Ignite 2019
SPEAKER: Justin Patton
Project Masonry
Ignite 2018
SPEAKER: Jon Gordon
Project Masonry
Ignite 2021
SPEAKER: Dr. Henry Cloud
Project Masonry
Ignite 2022
SPEAKER: Dominique Dawes
Ignite Saves Your Company Money

Save Money, Learn Local

If you live in the Northeast Mississippi region, there’s no need to travel to major cities for high-caliber leadership training. Ignite brings world-class speakers, top-tier production, and a dynamic venue experience—right here at home. Use the tool below to compare costs and see just how much you can save by choosing Ignite over out-of-town conferences. Same powerful content. Way less cost.

If you are considering an out of town national Leadership Conference...how would you get there? Select below and see the savings by attending Ignite!