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"Spend time with peers, hear from excellent speakers, learn cutting - edge practices that will help you function at a higher level. And do it all in one of the world's most fascinating and dazzling cities."
F. Michael Langley, CEO, GREATER MSP & 2017 IEDC Chairman of the Board
Choosing a host city for IEDC Annual Conferences is no easy task. A lot goes into the process with the intent to ensure that every IEDC member will both identify with and gain access to new knowledge, tools and resources they can immediately use in their communities. Toronto has a terrific economic development story, and you'll get to hear about it during the many plenary and concurrent sessions. Four people who are sure to offer glimpses into Toronto's success stories are the keynote speakers.
 Dr. Richard Florida
Dr. Florida, serving as University Professor and Director of Cities at the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto, is also a Distinguished fellow at New York University's Schack Institute of Real Estate, and a Visiting Fellow at Florida International University.
Dr. Florida will also share insight into his new book The New Urban Class, a publication which offers "promising ideas for building stronger cities that offer greater opportunities for all." according to Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City
For a limited time only, you can purchase this new book for $16.99 plus shipping and handling. Place your order in the IEDC Bookstore and we'll ship it to you immediately.
Dr. Florida will address Annual Conference attendees during Tuesday's Keynote luncheon at 12:15 PM.
 Dr. Ron Foxcroft
Perhaps you're familiar with Dr. Foxcroft's Fox 40 Pealess Whistle invention, which is sanctioned by almost all major sports worldwide! Fox 40 a Canadian company proudly dominates the world-wide sport and safety whistle industry.
Over the last 6 months, he has been featured in the New York Times, CBC, ESPN and the History Channel. He's had an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace and was named Burlington, Ontario Citizen of the Year. His track record as a logistics entrepreneur is extensive. In the past, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Profit Magazine. Dr. Foxcroft will have plenty of stories to share about successful and world famous career successes during the opening plenary session on Sunday at 2 PM.
 Professor Meric Gertler
Professor Gertler is one of the world's foremost urban theorists and policy practitioners, and is widely known as an expert on innovation, creativity, and culture as drivers of the economic dynamism of city-regions.
He is the 16th President of the University of Toronto and previously served as the Dean of the University's largest and most diverse academic division, the Faculty of Arts & Science. He has served as an advisor to local, regional, and national governments in Canada, the United States and Europe, as well as to international agencies such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (Paris) and the European Union. In December 2015, he was appointed to the Order of Canada.
Professor Gertler will stories of success in Toronto during his Tuesday morning keynote address at plenary.
 The Honourable Michael Wilson
Formerly an investment banker with various responsibilities in corporate, government and international finance, the Honourable Michael Wilson is the Chairman of Barclays Capital Canada Inc. where he builds onto his 37 years experience in the investment business.
Previously, Mr. Wilson was Canada's 22nd Ambassador to the United States of America from March 13, 2006 to October 9, 2009. Prior to taking up this position, Mr. Wilson was Chairman of UBS Canada, an operating division of UBS AG. Mr. Wilson was elected to the House of Commons in 1979. In September 1984, he was appointed Minister of Finance. In May 1991, he became Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade. During his tenure as a member of the Cabinet, Mr. Wilson had responsibility for the NAFTA negotiations and represented Canada at the G-7, IMF, World Bank, OECD, GATT and other international meetings.
You'll have the special opportunity to hear Mr. Wilson's keynote address during Tuesday morning plenary session as well.
Concurrent Session Spotlight:
Collaborative Tourism: Banding Together for Regional Tourism Strategies
Day / Time: Monday at 10:30 AM
As with other initiatives in economic development, cooperating as a region in tourism can lead to bigger gains and greater returns on your investment. Collaborative regional tourism can help more evenly distribute the tourism dollars between main tourist centers and the smaller or lesser known treasures within close proximity. It can also provide tourists with a more compelling reason to visit your region in the first place if you lack a major draw. This session will present several cases of communities banding together to draw more tourists in, keep them longer and get them to spend more money.
 This session will be moderated by Leah Woolford, CEO and Founder, USDM, Austin, TX.
Leah Woolford is one of the earliest marketers to experience firsthand the metamorphosis of the digital landscape. She continues to be a futurist peering at the next wave of digital innovations and mapping a path ahead of the curve. Woolford works with Public and Private Sector Development and Travel clients, as well as global brands, to guide strategy, develop emerging business models and advise on Smart Data marketing. Leah is an international author and speaker and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, ADWEEK, and others. Leah is a valued resource for private equity groups, public sector and worldwide brands.
 Session speaker:
Sandra Badry
Sandy has been with Red Deer County for the past 9 years. She completed her University of Waterloo Ec Dev Certification, University of Dalhousie Ec Dev Certification and her Local Government and Advanced Certificates through the University of Alberta. She lives in Lacombe, Alberta with her husband. She loves to travel to see how tourism is done all over the world.
See all concurrent sessions and speakers.
Education Tour Spotlight:
Chinatown / Kensington Market Walking Tour
Day / Time: Sunday from 2 PM - 5 PM
Price: $55 USD
 Chinatown, in the centre of Toronto's downtown, stems back to the late 1870's. The outdoor fresh market lining the streets is a big community attraction. Shops also draw visitors for their authentic baked goods, herbal medicines, books, videos and Chinese arts and crafts. On this tour, you'll see this and two large shopping malls that cater to the ethnic Chinese - the Dragon City and the Chinatown Centre. Then venture over to Kensington Market which is known as a cultural mosaic of Canada for centuries. Waves of immigrants - Scottish labourers, European Jews, Chinese, Portuguese, Jamaican, and South & Central American made Kensington Market their own before moving on to make room for the next tile of our cultural mosaic. The neighbourhood is well known for its independent spirit, colourful shopfronts, vibrant murals, charismatic locals and over 240 unique and eclectic businesses.
Special Event Spotlight:
 Chairman's Reception
Day / Time: Sunday from 6:30 PM - 8 PM
Price: Free, but registration is required
Meet or greet IEDC Chair F. Michael Langley, FM and your colleagues during an evening of networking and fun. This special opportunity allows you to spend time with peers, meet new people, and meet IEDC exhibitors and sponsors as well. You'll be in the perfect place, the Economic Development Marketplace (Exhibit Hall).
Michael Langley, founding CEO of GREATER MSP, the Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership will also welcome you during the Monday morning plenary session as the keynote speaker! You'll want to hear his speech, and gain additional insight into how GREATER MSP leads global promotion, regional strategy, and project management for economic growth and job creation in the Minneapolis Saint Paul region, which has approximately 3.5 million residents and a Gross Metropolitan Product of over $230 Billion.
Take a shortcut to popular sections of the Conference e-brochure!
Don't forget to book your room now to stay at the Annual Conference headquarters hotel - spaces are going fast:
 Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
123 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2M9
IEDC Room Rate: $249 CAD single/double
Group Rate Cutoff: Friday, August 25, 2017
Register now
Book your room now
Other important dates:
Conference Dates: September 17-20, 2017
Early Bird Registration Rate Cutoff: July 14, 2017
Access US passport applications
Arrive in Toronto a few days earlier than the crowd for this professional development training course. Becoming a member today will allow you to immediately save on registration fees for this course, too. That's an additional $150 difference.
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This highly interactive course lets participants work in small teams to help understand the complexity of strategic planning and its challenges. Economic developers must build consensus among board members, stakeholders and the community as a whole, creating a unified vision for the future. Learn techniques to build consensus among stakeholders who represent different values and interests. Also, participants will learn the quantitative techniques used to better understand their community including: location quotients, shift share, input-output and cluster analyses.
Course Highlights:
- Stakeholder analysis, structuring participation, planning fundamentals
- Consensus building, group facilitation and conflict
- Defining geography, competitive advantage and SWOT
- Determining vision, mission, goals and objectives
See them all
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Instructors:
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Eric McSweeney, CEcD, EcD(F), CCIM, ALC
President
McSweeney & Associates
See bio |
Jon Roberts
Principal
TIP Strategies, Inc.
See bio |
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Anne Roise, CEcD MCP
Instructor, Urban Studies & Planning
Savannah State University
See bio |
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Accommodations/Training Location:
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
123 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2M9
IEDC Room Rate: $249 single/double
Group Rate Cutoff: Friday, August 25, 2017
With all of these great things happening during Annual Conference, don't miss this chance to see leaders in the profession, and to hear practical examples throughout the host city. The keynote and concurrent session speakers and educational tours offer a comprehensive overview of the most trending topics in the profession and how you can move your community and career forward by using them. As an IEDC Nonmember, registering today means you pay $1,050 CAD instead of $1,190 CAD. Join today, and experience the ultimate savings by paying $750 CAD - a substantial discount. With the special price Bundle, you'll save an additional 10% off your first year of membership fees! The early bird rate ends in less than 48 hours. After Friday, the early bird member rate increases to $890. Join and register now.
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