International Economic Development Council’s 2015 Annual Conference
Anchorage, Alaska │ October 4-7

Register by August 7, and save with our Early Registration rates

Themed Foundational Transformations: Creating Future Growth & Prosperity, the IEDC 2015 Annual Conference will explore a new foundation for economic success, and the evolving roles for economic development practitioners.

The Annual Conference program is built around four tracks that explore the stakeholders and industries necessary for successful economic development: the public sector, private sector, NGOs and nonprofits, and institutions of higher learning. Many of the conference sessions will span across several of the four tracks. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll explore each track in detail. Today, we’ll begin with:

Government and Economic Resiliency
In this track conference attendees will be exposed to the new role of government, as well as contemporary models for restoring a strong economy and job market in your community, including: creating a competitive tax and regulatory regime, public-private partnerships, public financing, and targeted policies to facilitate private sector growth.

Conference sessions include:

Developing Economic Opportunity and Economic Resilience
At least 60% of small businesses fail to make preparations before an emergency and of those without a plan, 43% will not reopen, and 75 % will fail within three years. Being prepared for natural catastrophes by developing a business continuity plan can ensure a faster recovery, with less economic damage. Attendees of this interactive workshop will learn how to build a resilient economy one business at a time.

The Push-Pull of Zoning and Regulatory Changes
Are zoning regulations helping or hindering economic development in your community? Drawing on case studies, this session will demonstrate how new strategies in zoning can maximize the economics of development, and how economic developers can quantitatively pre-test the likely impacts of proposed regulatory changes. 

Public-Private Partnerships: Expanding the Traditional Model
Infrastructure is an essential part of being a competitive business destination, yet competition for public resources limits what any community can build and maintain. Public-Private Partnerships, also known as PPPs or P3s, could be the answer to get your critical infrastructure needs financed, built, operated and maintained. This session will review examples of new types of P3 projects, and will introduce attendees to trends and innovations that turn burdens into business opportunities. 

Housing Matters: The Importance of Affordable Housing for Economic Competitiveness
Affordable housing can have a profound impact on your community's economic competitiveness, and a lack of it has been proven to be a major factor in recruiting talented workers. This session will explore the benefits of affordable housing for your community, as well as the financing tools that are out there.

Inclusive Development: Meeting Equity Challenges through Economic Development
A truly inclusive approach to local and regional economic development requires awareness by practitioners of how equity and social justice intersect with the professions efforts. Bringing research, best practices, and decision-makers together, this session will explore useful and applicable steps that economic developers can take to improve life for everyone in their community.