October 4-7 ׀ Reno, NV
Register before August 3 and save $100!

TIMES ARE TOUGH AND BUDGETS ARE TIGHT

With the economy in a state of depression, major employers are downsizing, factories are closing, unemployment is on the rise and retailers are struggling to survive. Economic developers are battling in the trenches against strong approaching forces. IEDC's 2009 Annual Conference will be an unprecedented experience with highly relevant sessions and top speakers tackling the tough issues economic developers are facing now.

Registration rates increase $100 after Monday, August 3. Register now and save $100!
http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Registration.html

IS YOUR COMMUNITY DOING EVERYTHING IT CAN TO HELP ITS LOCAL BUSINESSES DURING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS?

Around the globe, businesses are closing their doors, consolidating locations, and placing expansion plans on hold. Communities are scrambling to keep the core of their economies afloat by nurturing local businesses and entrepreneurs.

At the 2009 IEDC Annual Conference, regional and national experts will offer cutting-edge ideas for retaining businesses during the economic downturn and helping small businesses navigate the difficult market. With limited local budgets, these core economic development activities are being adapted in new and creative ways to boost their impact.

Discover new twists on traditional business expansion & retention programs, innovative ways to cultivate entrepreneurs, and top methods to drive job creation in second-stage enterprises.

Sessions Examine Key Economic Crisis Topics:

REVITALIZATION - STAYING AFLOAT: NURTURING SMALL BUSINESSES IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Small businesses face massive challenges during periods of economic distress. Whether it is concerns over loss of customers, how to afford their workers and pay the rent or how to acquire credit to purchase new technologies needed to be competitive, small businesses require additional nurturing to survive an economic crisis. This session will examine methods communities can use to support small businesses in challenging times.

RESOURCEFULNESS - ROAD TO RECOVERY: CULTIVATING ENTREPRENEURS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
With fewer companies available to attract and large companies closing or downsizing, many communities are looking to create new businesses locally to rebuild their economy and lower unemployment. First time entrepreneurs need special environments that are innovative and nurture needs to grow and flourish. This session will examine the environment needed to grow and nurture entrepreneurs.

REVITALIZATION - RESCUING FLOUNDERING EMPLOYERS: BRE STRATEGIES THAT WORK IN A RECESSION
For most communities in economic turmoil, finding ways to keep local businesses afloat has become the number one economic development priority. And they usually have to achieve this on a tighter budget with fewer staff as municipal finances are equally in decline. Around the country, innovative EDO's are redefining target companies and sectors, adapting their information gathering practices, working with new partners, and promoting their resources in new and wider ways to reach more businesses. This session will look at effective BRE strategies that can be implemented on small budgets to meet the needs-challenged economies.

RESOURCEFULNESS - ROAD TO RECOVERY: NURTURING SECOND-STAGE COMPANIES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
Around the globe, businesses are closing their doors, consolidating locations and placing expansion plans on hold. With fewer businesses to attract and retain, communities are targeting entrepreneurs to grow and sustain new businesses and jobs. Support for entrepreneurs traditionally has been focused on early-stage companies, however evidence shows that second-stage companies are driving job creation and making a sustainable difference in their communities. This session will provide an understanding of how to confront the challenges of working with second-stage companies and quickly implementing programs to serve their needs.

EXPERT SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Michael Akerlow, Small Business Economic Development Manager, Office of Economic Development, Salt Lake City Corporation

Kurt Chilcott, CEcD, FM, HLM, President & CEO, CDC Small Business Finance Corp.

Charles D'Agostino, Executive Director, Louisiana Business & Technology Center

Angeline Godwin, President, Area Development Partnership, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Ray Leach, Chief Executive Officer, JumpStart Inc.

Carol Lopucki, State Director, Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Centers, Grand Valley State University, Seidman College of Business
Tino Mantella, President, Technology Association of Georgia

Gloria O'Rourke, Statewide Coordinator, Montana BEAR; Coordinator, Montana Economic Development Services

Marty K. Vanags, President & CEO, Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area, Normal, IL

Terry Whipple, President/Executive Director, 7 Rivers Region/Juneau County EDC

Tim Williamson, President, The Idea Village

View the conference program: http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Program.html

Expert speakers: http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Speakers.html

Register today: http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Registration.html