Annual Conference
September 26 – 29, 2010
Columbus, OH
http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/index.html

Register before Friday, July 23 to receive our Early Registration Rates!

At the International Economic Development Council's 2010 Annual Conference, September 26-29, 2010 in Columbus, OH, we'll break down the traditional tools of the profession and learn how these tools are evolving to meet the needs of post-recession 21st century economic developers.

The traditional tools in the economic developer's toolbox, with some upgrades and available new resources, are rebuilding communities around the country. Each day IEDC Annual Conference attendees will explore how other economic development professionals from around the country have upgraded their traditional tools to meet new economic and community demands. From site selection and Brownfield redevelopment, to business retention and finance, some aspects of economic development never change! While the foundation may stay the same, the industry is constantly evolving. Join IEDC in Columbus, and learn how to adapt your existing tools for maximum impact.

MONDAY
10:00 - 11:30 am
Using Green to Turn Brown Around
Brownfield redevelopment projects are very valuable to communites as they put unproductive properties back into tax-generating productive use and control environmental risks. Attend this session to learn how to bring your local brownfield back to life. This session will also highlight federal incentives to support brownfield redevelopment.

2:00 – 3:30 pm
Energizing Small Business Recovery
During the recession, many small businesses were hit hard and struggled to stay afloat. Traditional support strategies for small businesses were no longer sufficient to keep many thriving. This session will examine initiatives communities can take to support and grow small businesses in their community during the recovery economy.

TUESDAY
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Federal Tax Credits: Incenting Community Reinvestment and Creating Jobs
A clear understanding of the new tax credit programs can directly and indirectly help your community be competitive. This session will provide an understanding of how these programs work and how they can be leveraged to meet economic development goals.

2:15 - 3:45 pm
Branding Your Community: The Power of Reputation
Attracting investment into a community means more than simply wooing business and industry to expand and relocate there. This session will explore the importance of reputation to a community's bottom line, discussing ways to leverage community strengths and assets into a positive image, brand and competitive identity.

WEDNESDAY
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Site Consultants Forum
The unique format used in the session is immensely popular and gives the attendees the opportunity to learn the ins and out of site selection, latest trends to ensure their communities are doing what they need to attract the site consultants and the opportunity to have their questions answered. Your state can not afford for you to miss gaining this valuable information.

ABOUT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The International Economic Development Council's Annual Conference is the premiere 2010 conference for the economic development industry. Join IEDC in Columbus, OH for the world's largest annual gathering of economic developers, as industry leaders break down the current issues and new models essential for " The Practice of Economic Development in a Changed Landscape." A conference like this only happens once a year – Register today!

WHO ATTENDS THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
• Regional, state, county, and city economic development organizations
• Chambers of commerce and other business support agencies
• Community and neighborhood development organizations
• Technology development agencies
• Utility companies
• Educational institutions
• Consultants
• Workforce development boards and agencies

CONFERENCE TRACKS
New Tools
The tools utilized by those in the economic development realm must adapt to meet the needs of the emerging virtual office trend and other market environments. This track will explore the full spectrum of resources needed in this ever-changing landscape.

New Uses
Every urbanized or natural place in the world is under constant evolution and change. This track will focus on development opportunities and non-traditional tools to use when undertaking difficult projects.

New Ventures
Small business development is a mainstay of any sound economic development program. One of the building blocks that every community should include in their strategy for building wealth is a strong process. This process should include planting the seeds of small business development and providing a nurturing environment that allows those seeds to take root, grow, and thrive – even under the harshest economic conditions.

New Directions
How do small communities and organizations effectively manage the myriad of duties associated with their scope of responsibility? The New Directions track gives guidance and insight into the most critical issues facing a small organization.

COLUMBUS, OH AS A LEARNING LAB
At the IEDC Annual Conference, participants have the chance to not only learn from each other, but also gain valuable best practices and insight from the city, state, and region that we're in!

For the fourth year in a row, more CEOs have invested capital in Ohio than any other state in the nation. Ohio continues to be at the forefront of many technological advances in such diverse fields as bioscience, polymers and fuel cells. The state also boasts key advantages in transportation and logistics, energy, and professional and financial services. Ohio continues to invest heavily in research and development to drive advances in critically important areas that will strengthen the global economy.

The Ohio Third Frontier represents an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to expand Ohio's technological strengths and promote commercialization that leads to economic prosperity throughout Ohio. Designed to build world-class research programs, nurture early-stage companies, and foster technology development that makes existing industries more productive, Ohio Third Frontier creates opportunity through innovation. Long recognized as an effective place to do business simply because of its central location, Ohio has redefined its business climate for the 21st century.