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The early bird deadline ends tonight at 11:59 PM. Don't delay. Register now!
The arrival of the early bird deadline for 2017 Annual Conference means that the event is very nearby. Get ready to be wowed by some of the highest caliber and informed speakers from across industries that impact economic development. More than 1,200 economic developers, 200 speakers, and four dozen exhibitors are expected to be there. You will not regret attending the event. Professionals from which types of organizations benefit most from attending IEDC Annual Conference?
- Regional, state, county and city economic development organizations
- Local elected officials, city and county managers and planners
- Chambers of commerce and other business support agencies
- Entrepreneurial support organizations
- Community and neighborhood development organizations
- Technology development agencies
- Utility companies
- Educational and research institutions
- Consultants
- Workforce development organizations
And many, many other economic development community leaders.
The Gold Standard in Economic Development Education and Training
The mission of IEDC is to "Provide leadership and excellence in economic development for our communities, members, and partners." One way the mission is fulfilled is through the diffusion of knowledge based on best practices. And it doesn't stop there. IEDC surveys attendees after every event, maintaining a commitment to the mission. Here's a snapshot of why your peers attended the 2016 Annual Conference.
And here's what some of your peers had to say about the event:
"The IEDC annual conference continues to provide exemplary opportunities for professional growth, economic development initiatives and networking for both the public and private sectors across the globe." - Michael Davis, Economic Development Director, City of Moraine
"The conference was well organized, the speakers were engaging and the networking opportunities enabled me to exchange ideas and perspectives with fellow economic developers". - Trish Heidenreich, Town of Bel Air, Maryland
"As a first time international attendee to an IEDC Conference, I was struck by the level of professionalism, of focus and of inclusion that the event conveyed. It was a terrific, well-done affair that catered to both new and seasoned professionals from all over the world, and I cannot begin to express how impressed I was at the level of detail and execution that went into making the event an overwhelming success. Bravo!" - Gord Knowles, CEcD, Ec.D, APEC-CBC -Community Development Advisor, Atikokan Economic Development Corporation - 2016 IEDC Young Economic Development Professional of the Year - Board of Directors, Economic Developers Council of Ontario
"The IEDC Annual Conference is a great way to stay abreast of key issues that impact economic development and our constituents" - David A. Leezer, CEcD, FM
 The early bird rate really is too good to pass up. You can save as much as $140. Register today and as an IEDC Member, you pay $1,050 USD/ CAD. Starting next week, your rate increases to $1,190 USD / CAD. Take advantage of this savings opportunity of up to 20%. See all Conference rates.
But wait, there's more:
Take advantage of the Conference / Membership Bundle and save even more. Now is the perfect time to do so! You'd get an immediate savings off Annual Conference registration fees plus an additional 10% discount off your first year of membership fees. The difference in Annual Conference IEDC Member and Nonmember fees alone is $300. Call our membership team direct at 202.942.9485 for help signing up.
What key issues will you learn about at this year's event?
Plenty! The conference content focuses on five key tracks, and each track complemented by several concurrent sessions. You receive theoretical and practical knowledge from the event's speakers, and all IEDC events are interactive, providing the opportunity to ask questions during each session. These key content areas will be focused on during the event:
- Building Local Linkages and Expanding Global Trade
- Cashing in on Creative Capital
- Nurturing the Start-Up Ecosystem
- Regional Collaboration for Investment Promotion
- The Nuts and Bolts of Economic Development
Maintaining relationships rank second highest on our surveys, and dozens of networking events take place as a result. Here are some events you can attend to catch up with your peers:
Special Events 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.
 Golf: Humber Valley
Price: $100 USD
Day / Time: Saturday at 8:00 AM
Enjoy a good round of golf? You'll love this opportunity to play at Humber Valley, a championship course located just outside of Toronto. Enjoy breath-taking views at every hole.
 Defining Issues Luncheon
Price: $55 USD
Day / Time: Monday from 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
This fully-catered, full course luncheon gives you a chance to renew old connections and make new ones, before hearing a keynote presentation on a trending topic in economic development.
 Networking Reception
Price: Free, but registration is required
Day / Time: Tuesday 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Join your colleagues for a reception at Toronto's Historic Casa Loma for an evening of networking. You'll enjoy unparalleled ambiance, style and refined beauty in one of the most unique historic venues in our host city, Toronto.
These educational tours are also a great way to connect build relationships while learning:
Educational Tour: Markham Centre
Price: $55 USD
Day / Time: Sunday from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Markham Centre is a compact, vibrant and diverse neighbourhood that's emerged from within a traditionally suburban environment. The largest planned mixed-use development in Canada, Markham Centre spans 243 acres and is situated in one of the fastest-growing regions in the province. It is a compelling example of regional collaboration involving private and public sector leadership and long-term vision and commitment.
Educational Tour: Fort York - National Historic Site
Price: $55 USD
Day / Time: Monday from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
 Over the last decade, Toronto's founding landscape has been transformed from a relatively unknown 7-acre site to one of the City's most significant urban spaces at 43 acres in size. Fort York continues to play a pivotal role as an anchor for culture and heritage infrastructure within plans to revitalize the waterfront and the communities surrounding the Fort.
Educational Tour: DMZ Incubator at Ryerson University
Price: $55 USD
Day / Time: Tuesday from 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
 DMZ, located in the heart of Toronto and near the vibrant Yonge Dundas Square, is a leading business incubator for tech startups in Canada. The incubator helps startups build great businesses by connecting them with customers, capital, experts and a community of entrepreneurs and influencers. The DMZ is ranked the leading university-based incubator in North America and third in the world by UBI Global.
See full descriptions, plus other educational tours you can add to your registration.
Take a shortcut to popular sections of the Conference e-brochure where you'll see more educational tour and special events!
Don't forget to book your room now to stay at the Annual Conference headquarters hotel - spaces are going fast. Don't delay making your reservations.
 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
Spaces are still available for this IEDC professional development training course.
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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
Need another reason to say yes to joining us in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for IEDC Annual Conference? Here's one!
"IEDC Conferences are the best place to find new ideas in economic development. By observing best practice at work...I get the confidence to adapt and implement these ideas. I believe IEDC conferences have been essential to my success and the success of the communities I serve." - Fred Morley, FM, Chief Economist, Tourism Nova Scotia
Registering today ensures you'll pay $1,050 USD / CAD instead of $1,190 USD / CAD - a substantial discount! The early bird rate ends tonight. Sign up by 11:59 PM and receive a savings of up to $140.
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