This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

Simplified: In a community with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, employee retention is a big deal. That's why the Sioux Falls Development Foundation's 2026 WIN in Workforce Summit will share tools to help employers support, retain and engage their teams.

Why it matters

  • A key mission of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is to carry out talent and workforce initiatives, and for nearly a decade the WIN in Workforce Summit has been directly addressing those needs.
  • The one-day event – which this year will take place Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Canopy by Hilton downtown – centers on the theme of "Workforce Playbook 2.0: Engagement, Risk and Retention in 2026."
  • The overarching goal of the event is to help human resources professionals, managers, business leaders, C-suite professionals and anyone who manages people. Throughout the day, attendees will learn how to keep employees engaged, how to incorporate AI without scaring people away and how to better communicate so everyone can be successful.
"The hard part for businesses is getting employees through the door," said Leah Friese, director of marketing and digital media for the Foundation. "So, once you have them, what can you do to keep them? We're hoping each of our sessions has something that speaks to that."

Tell me more about the event

This year's WIN in Workforce event has a few new features:

  • First, (and maybe most exciting for folks who don't love to drive downtown) parking costs are covered for attendees of the WIN in Workforce Summit in the Steel District parking ramp. Street parking will still require payment.
  • This year also marks a shift in the cadence of WIN in Workforce events. The summit is typically held annually, but starting this year will move to an every-other-year cadence.
"You shouldn't wait until next year to attend because there's not going to be a 2027 WIN in Workforce Summit – you'll have to wait until 2028," Friese said.

As for the event itself, the schedule includes nine sessions with a mix of keynotes and breakouts to help leaders gain tools to be strategic with employees when it comes to burnout, uncertainty with AI, and more.

Keynote speakers include Jia Jiang, who has one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time. Jiang will speak about rejection and how to turn it from something to fear to something that can be a superpower.

  • Then, former Mayor Paul TenHaken will deliver the afternoon keynote on practical strategies for avoiding burnout, building resilience and creating a life that thrives both personally and professionally.

Here's a closer look at the full schedule:

How can I get signed up?

You can register for the WIN in Workforce Summit on the Sioux Falls Development Foundation website.