72. Lessons from Madison: Recapping Commerce Lexington's Leadership Visit

DevelopLex

This special episode of DevelopLex was created in partnership with Commerce Lexington to capture the biggest takeaways from the 2025 Leadership Visit to Madison, Wisconsin - and bring them home to Lexington.

Every year, Commerce Lexington organizes one of the largest and longest-running intercity leadership trips in the country. Presented by Central Bank & Trust Co., the 2025 visit brought 165 Lexington-area leaders to Madison for three days of immersive learning. The goal? Study what’s working in high-performing peer cities and bring those insights back to Lexington.

Madison’s story is one of intentional growth. With a youthful population, a booming research university, and major employers like Epic Systems, it’s a city defined by its constraints - and its creativity. From land use challenges and housing affordability to civic alignment and regionalism, this episode is packed with ideas Lexington can act on.

Speakers in the order they appear:

1:52 Jason Ilstrup - President, Downtown Madison Inc.

6:37 Jennifer Mnookin - Chancellor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

8:33 Kate Dale - EVP of Brand Strategy & Communications, Destination Madison

17:10 & 22:22 Kurt Paulsen - Professor of Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Hosted by Ross BoggessDevelopLex is proud to be supported by:

SVN Stone Commercial Real EstateCommunity Trust BankCraftsman Contractors