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Visit IEDC's 2017 Annual Conference website


#BreakingNews - Nunavut Economic Developer's Association with IEDC

We're excited to announce that the Nunavut Economic Developer's Association (NEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enter partnership with IEDC. Nunavut joins fellow Canadian provincial organizations including:

- Economic Developers Alberta
- Economic Development Association of British Columbia
- Economic Development Council of Ontario
- Saskatchewan Economic Development Association

More than 52 state, regional and provincial associations have signed Memorandums of Understandings with IEDC. See the full list and more information.


A Year of Better
2017 just keeps getting better and better for Canada. With the 150th anniversary celebration in full swing, Nova Scotia and provinces across the country expect record-breaking numbers for tourism this year. The rich history of Canada will be on display for millions of visitors as the warmer spring and summer months approach. IEDC will be visiting Toronto, Ontario this September and adding to the excitement. This is one 2017 event you won't want to miss.


Keynote Speakers Spotlight:

Dr. Richard Florida

Author and Professor
The Creative Class Group, LLC
Miami Beach, Florida

Richard Florida is one of the world's leading urbanists. He is a researcher and professor, serving as University Professor and Director of Cities at the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto, a Distinguished fellow at New York University's Schack Institute of Real Estate, and a Visiting Fellow at Florida International University.

He is a writer and journalist, having penned several global best sellers, including the award winning The Rise of the Creative Class and serving as senior editor for The Atlantic, where he co-founded and serves as Editor-at-Large for CityLab. And he is an entrepreneur, as founder of the Creative Class Group which works closely with governments and companies worldwide. See full bio.


Dr. Ron Foxcroft
Chairman, Founder & CEO
Fox 40 International Inc.
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Over the last 6 months, Ron has been featured in the New York Times, CBC, ESPN, the History Channel, he's had an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace and was named Burlington, Ontario Citizen of the Year.

Ron continues today as a logistics entrepreneur. Starting in 1982, he built Fluke Transportation from 3 trucks to 176 trucks and 4 75 trailers. Beginning with 250,000 square feet of warehousing space Fluke grew to 1.3 million square feet. He is Chair of the Hamilton John C Munro Airport the largest packaging freight airport in Canada. He serves on many boards throughout the world.

Ron is the Inventor of the Fox 40 Pealess Whistle which is now sold in 140 countries and is sanctioned by almost all major sports worldwide. Fox 40 a Canadian company proudly dominates the world-wide sport and safety whistle industry. See full bio.


Check out the conference tracks below to see some of the discussions you'll experience at Annual Conference:

Cashing in on Creative Capital
Culture, sports, film, music, and other creative industries are major contributors to communities around the world. From major movie productions to backend business and professional services, supporting creative industries can drive a new workforce, generate new revenue streams, and transform local economies. This track will explore how economic development organizations can support the advancement of creative industries to further the workforce, business development, and cultural economy of their communities.


Building Local Linkages and Expanding Global Trade
Global trade, especially in terms of exporting, is vital to sustained economic growth. It creates local jobs, generates capital investments in machinery and equipment, encourages innovation, increases productivity and attracts foreign direct investment (FDI). This track will explore examples of successful trade and investment relationships between international cities and regions.


The Nuts and Bolts of Economic Development
From BRE to financing, some of the fundamental tasks of economic developers remain constant throughout the years and are the building blocks on which new trends and initiatives are built. This track is intended to help us revisit some of the nuts and bolts of economic development, take stock of current best practices, and anticipate future trends. This track will cover topics such as real estate development and reuse, marketing and attraction, neighborhood development strategies, and workforce development strategies.


Nurturing the Startup Ecosystem
Supporting entrepreneurship and small business creation is an economic development trend that will never go out of style. The majority of new jobs and innovation are developed from startups and small businesses. This track will examine the ways economic development organizations can embrace the startup ecosystem strategy within their communities through the bolstering of support for local startups and industry expansion.


Regional Collaboration for Investment Promotion
The benefits of inward investment are well-known; whether from foreign sources or the next town over, investment brings new capital and jobs to a region and the spillover benefits of new knowledge and talent can give the local economy an innovation boost. This track will look at how you can strengthen your community's assets in order to offer a total and irresistible package for prospective companies.


Justify Your Annual Conference Expenses

Need help explaining why you need to attend IEDC's 2017 Annual Conference? Look no further, we've created a justification letter and benefits page.


Here's what an economic developer from Quebec has to say about this milestone event:

“Quelle chance s'offre à nous de prendre part au congrès annuel 2017 d'IEDC à Toronto et de développer un nouveau réseau de contacts avec des développeurs économiques des quatre coins du Globe. Il s'agit de la première fois dans l'histoire d'IEDC que le congrès annuel a lieu à l'extérieur des états-Unis, et c'est au Canada. Il s'agit d'une excellente occasion de faire valoir le savoir-faire des professionnels en développement économique du Québec et du Canada français au reste du monde, tout en prenant avantage des attraits et de la vitalité de la Ville Reine.” - Michel Merleau, Gatineau Valley Regional Government Warden, Chairman of the Outaouais Regional Government Association


Don’t wait till the last minute. Spaces will go fast. Book your room now to stay at the Annual Conference headquarters hotel:

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

Book your room now.


Other important dates:
Conference Dates: September 17-20, 2017
Early Bird Registration Rate Cutoff: June 30, 2017





Sponsor Annual Conference

IEDC offers a range of sponsorship packages and exhibit opportunities to fit any marketing budget. Your sponsorship allows us to provide world-class speakers, a dynamic and enlightening program, and a valuable networking forum for economic professionals. Whether you are looking to market your services as an exhibitor or gain unparalleled exposure as an event sponsor, we have the perfect opportunity for you. See sponsorship packages and more information.

Join in the celebration of Canada while gaining skills and making connections at the largest annual gathering of economic developers. Register now and save your budget.


IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban and local to international, IEDC's members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.

734 15th Street NW, Suite 900
Washington DC, 20005
Phone: 202.223.7800

Official Hashtags: #IEDC #EconDev

Link: Visit IEDC's website