Yes, your organization may submit more than one entry including multiple submissions for the same category. Separate entry forms and entry fees are required for each; however, one payment submission will suffice for all entries.

Yes, you may submit the same project for different categories. Separate entry forms and entry fees are required for each; however, one payment submission will suffice for all entries.

No, In 1989, the Labor Department awarded worker compensation benefits to the Bollinger family. This allowed the golf tournament to serve other families in need who suffered a similar loss of a parent. It was that year that the Foundation was launched. The Bollinger Open continued. But now the tournament had an additional goal: to raise funds for the Bollinger children's education.

IEDC's strategic plan can be downloaded here.

IEDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As such, we are prohibited from lobbying except under limited circumstances, and from endorsing political candidates. Even without such restrictions, we'd still be nonpartisan, because our members' political opinions are as varied as their work and life experiences are. We do generate papers on specific economic development-related topics, and have provided testimony at government hearings on the value of various economic development programs and policies. We also publish annual reports about federal spending on economic development projects and offer alerts to members about pending legislation or regulatory changes that could affect their work.

IEDC offers customized economic development technical assistance through advisory panel site visits as well as research and reports. Our professionals merge their technical expertise and extensive economic development experience with innovative approaches to help communities succeed. We work with public and private sector clients in communities large and small from across the world.

Our graduate interns are paid hourly for the actual hours worked, while our undergraduate interns receive a daily stipend.

Visit the Bollinger website to learn more about applying to recieve a grant from The Bollinger Foundation.

If you would like to be considered for IEDC instructor opportunities, please submit the following documents via e-mail to [email protected].

• Cover letter stating areas of interest and availability. Be sure to include contact information such as name, phone, fax, e-mail etc.
• Detailed resume highlighting economic development experience
• Outline of teaching and/or speaking experience at conferences, professional courses, and meetings, including date, name of the event, sponsor of the event, size of the audience and speaker evaluations

To learn more, follow the instructions on this pdf.

Please contact the membership department for complete information about EDRP membership benefits and prices.

We invite all certified economic developers to serve as CEcD exam graders. Participation may be applied towards recertification. The CEcD exam is a two-day process, beginning early afternoon on day one and ending on day two by early noon. Exam dates and locations are generally in conjunction with IEDC annual or technical conferences. Travel arrangements should be made accordingly to avoid conflicts with the exam schedule.

On day one, all graders are expected to attend the preliminary exam overview, as well as partake in the grading of the short answer and/or essay exams. For day two, the number of graders required for the oral portion of the exam will depend on how many candidates pass the exam on day one. Graders will be informed the night of day one whether or not their services will be needed on day two.

CEcDs will receive an immediate confirmation after expressing their interest to grade. The grader/exam agenda and applicable forms are sent via e-mail two- three weeks prior to the exam date. The first 30 CEcDs to sign up for a given exam will be accepted. No-shows at the exam site will not receive credit nor will be allowed to serve as a grader for a period of one year.

If you are interested in becoming a grader, please email [email protected].

The deadline for submitting grant applications is September 1, 2021. Please be sure to download a hardcopy nomination form (MS Word document), and return via email to Chanell Hasty at [email protected].

Visit the sign in page to retrieve your username or password. If require additional assistance, please contact Jason Christian via email at [email protected].

Have questions about the series, program or speakers? Please contact Erica Panado at [email protected].

Contact Shari Nourick at [email protected] if your organization would like to sponsor a 90-minute webinar in 2021.

View our catalog of EDRP reports here. Members can download reports free, while nonmembers will be redirected to purchase through our bookstore.

Students can apply for internships at IEDC by sending their application package to [email protected], specifying their desired internship semester in the subject line. The application package should consist of:
• One-page cover letter stating interest and availability. (Clearly state the internship you are applying for)
• Detailed resume.
• (1) Writing sample, no longer than 6-pages. The piece can be related to economic development, but it is not required. It can be an academic paper from a school project or other writing pieces regarding relevant development issues.
• For the Design and Communication Internship: Provide a link to your digital portfolio or provide a link to download work samples.

1. Experience Requirement

Minimum of 2 years of paid, full time in economic development or entrepreneurial support
2.Education Requirements

Required courses:
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Strategies (ESBDS)
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development (ELED I)
- Accelerating Growth through Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development (ELED II)
- ED Credit Analysis
Electives (choose one):
- Neighborhood Development Strategies
- Tech-led Economic Development
- Business Retention and Expansion
- ED Finance Programs
Note- If you took any of the above courses with IEDC previously, you will be able to count them towards the new credential.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we cannot provide status updates on individual applications. Our staff will contact candidates selected for an interview.

The International Economic Development Council 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.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or exhibitor, email Shari Nourick at [email protected] for more information.

Please note, that the documents below are guides through the proposal process. The numbers and figures might change slightly throughout the approval process.

Download a flyer about hosting an upcoming IEDC Conference.

» Leadership Summit
» Economic Future Forum
» Annual Conference

Please contact Shari Nourick at (202) 545-7339 or [email protected] to learn more about hosting an IEDC conference.

The EDP is a brand-new credential, designed to build the capacity of those supporting entrepreneurship in their communities. Through real world experience, training courses, and testing, EDPs show that they have what it takes to help their communities thrive in this unprecedented time, and beyond. Simply put, it’s an essential piece of your professional development future.

If you have previously been a member of IEDC and find yourself unemployed you may be eligible for the Member-in-Transition rate of $135. Upon renewal, the following conditions apply:

• If you have not found a job, you may renew as a member in transition.
• If you become employed during this time, you must inform IEDC and rejoin with your new employer.

If you are a Student, Member-in-Transition or a Retired Member you must be pre-qualified by membership ([email protected] or (202) 223-7800) and may not join online. You may submit your application in hard copy application form (PDF) by faxing (202) 223-4745 ATTENTION MEMBERSHIP, mailing or emailing [email protected].

Checks should be mailed to:
MAC Y1372-045
401 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

To be considered for a speaking role, please complete the following form. IEDC staff will review your submission and decide if there is an available role in an upcoming conference that meets your qualifications.

Completion of this form does not commit you to a speaking role. All speakers receive an official invitation and confirmation from IEDC. Your interest form will be kept on file for 2 years.

Fill out the Speaker Interest Form

Since IEDC membership is organizationally based, your membership does not automatically transfer with you to your new organization. You can join IEDC through your new organization.

You can email your updated information to our Membership Department at [email protected], or fax it to (202) 223-4745, Attention: Membership.

The accreditation process consists of two phases that elicit specific information about the structure, organization, funding, programs, and staff of the candidate economic development organization:

Phase one is a documentation review. Applicants submit documents demonstrating the organization’s development, structure, and activity. The document review process also helps determine if the organization is eligible for accreditation and deserving of a site team visit.
Phase two is a site team visit. The site team assesses the organization in action on a site visit. Members of the AEDO committee conduct the visit to meet with key personnel and community leaders over two days. Following the site visit, the site visit team makes a recommendation on the application. The AEDO committee then votes on the proposal. These results are not a “pass or fail” process. When an organization fails to earn accreditation, the site team will advise the necessary steps to attain accreditation. The organization will receive information and guidance on the areas of the accreditation process that require further development.

Read our Guide to Becoming an AEDO

To date, the Bollinger Foundation has given away over $1 Million in grants.

For further information on EDRP membership, please contact: Phil Goodwin, Director of Membership, at (202) 639-9106 or [email protected].

Pricing for courses varies by length of the offered course and membership. See below for 2021 Course Fees:

IEDC Members*
Early/ Regular/ Late/On-site**

2-Day Course: $505, $650, $670
3-Day Course: $615, $760, $780
Academy: $858, $1105, $1139

Non-Members
Early/ Regular/ Late/On-site**

2-Day Course: $660, $805, $825
3-Day Course: $795, $940, $960
Academy: $1122, $1368, $1650

Full Time Student***
Early/ Regular/ Late/On-site**

2-Day Course: $110, $130, $150
3-Day Course: $130, $150, $170
Academy: $187, $221, $255

*State Economic Development Associations who have a formal Partner Agreement (MOU) with IEDC receive the IEDC member rate for their members for those courses held in their respective states.

**For in-person courses, after the regular registration deadline, only on-site registrations will be accepted. Call (202) 223-7800 to check on availability. On-site registrations must include full payment. On-site registrants will not be included on the attendee list and will receive a certificate by email after the event. For online courses, registrations will be accepted up until 9:00 am ET on Day 1 of the course. Please refer to the individual course pages for Early, Regular, and Last Chance/Onsite Registration dates.

Individual webinars from our 2021 Webinar series is $99 for IEDC members and $149 for Nonmembers. For more savings purchase a Full or half series package.

IEDC membership is organizationally based. Individuals are members representing their organization. However, IEDC does offer individual memberships for students, members who have retired or are in between jobs. Please click on the link for membership categories and dues structure.

IEDC offers a range of sponsorship packages and exhibit opportunities to fit any marketing budget. (2017 Sponsorship Brochure)

Accreditation & re-accreditation fees consider the budget of the organization. Fees for members range from $1,320 to $11,990 for accreditation ($7,700 to $12,100 for state agencies), and $880 to $7,150 ($5,005 to $10,450 for state agencies) for reaccreditation. The candidate organization is responsible for reimbursing all travel and lodging expenses of the site visit team. There is an application fee of $300 ($330 for state agencies).

Based on the early rate for IEDC members: Course Registration Depending on the elective course chosen, the total cost varies by just $110. Two-day courses are $505, and three-day courses are $615. $2,635 - $2,745

Exam Application - $595
Total $3,230 - $3,340

The certification exam application fee is $595 for IEDC members and $825 for non-members.

Courses are offered throughout the year all over the country and are the leading source of information for economic developers at all levels.

PAYMENT POLICY
• All payments sent to the IEDC office must be received by September 25th, 2020 or registrants will be required to resolve unpaid balances onsite (excluding those with government purchase orders).
• Conference attendees with a balance due will be required to remit payment before being admitted to the conference, with the exception of those attendees paying by government purchase order.
• If a copy of your purchase order was not forwarded to IEDC, please present it at the onsite registration desk.

CANCELLATION, REFUND and NO-SHOW POLICY
• Substitutions will be accepted at any time.
• There will be no refunds or credits for cancellations after September 18, 2020.
• All cancellation requests must be in writing and can be emailed or sent to Cherrika Gordon at [email protected].
• All registered attendees canceling their registration, will be charged a $95 processing fee, regardless of when the written cancellation notice was received.
• Cancellation requests received by IEDC prior to close of business on Friday, September 18, 2020 will have their registration fees refunded or credited to a future IEDC event, less the $95 processing fee.
• A registrant who does not submit a written cancellation, or attend the conference, is considered a “No Show”. No-Shows are not eligible for refunds or credits, and are still liable for outstanding balances.

The below links provide details on the range of projects and types of clients that we assist:
• Economic Development Strategic Planning and Organizational Development
• Research Publications and Policy Analysis
• Trainings and Workshops
• Real Estate Development and Reuse
• Neighborhood Development & Revitalization

In a global economy, you never know where the next opportunity to advance your career or community will come from. We give you the chance to form and foster relationships with economic developers from around the world – and the next county over.

AEDOs receive: increased credibility with stakeholders, personalized recommendation reports, participation in the Annual Meeting of AEDOs, exclusive use of the AEDO logo, and more. Visit our AEDO Benefits page to learn more.

Your participation in the EDRP program opens doors to concepts and people in a way like no other. Being a member of EDRP provides economic development practitioners with high level networking and professional development opportunities while supporting IEDC’s research efforts. Through peer to peer exchange, EDRP members discuss the most pressing issues in economic development and decide which challenges EDRP will address. At every IEDC conference, EDRP members are invited to an exclusive dinner or luncheon, as well as an invitation to the yearly EDRP retreat. Other benefits include:
1 year of standard IEDC membership
8 member seats for staff
Acknowledgement on the IEDC website, conference programs and more
Access to research data
VIP networking opportunities

As an IEDC member, you are entitled to the following products, services and discounts:
Member Directory
Economic Development Now newsletter
Economic Development Journal
and Discounts on IEDC Events, Professional Development courses and certifications, Awards, ED Marketplace, and Bookstore

Having CEcD after your name makes you more marketable (check out our job listings to see what we mean.) It shows that you have the breadth of knowledge to perform at the top level in the profession. Still, it also enhances your organization’s visibility and the visibility of your organization within the profession. Read all of the benefits here.

At IEDC, we are committed to offering students a meaningful professional experience. Interns work alongside IEDC staff in providing significant research support for a variety of projects. Interns have the opportunity to learn about economic development through interactions with experts, board members, and staff during brown bag lunches and other events.

Sponsorship opportunities allow you to attract new clients and enhance your business relationships with current customers. As an IEDC sponsor, you will earn the recognition of your peers for your commitment to and leadership in the economic development community.

Our training courses are the leading sources of education for professionals at all levels. Covering both key topics and specialized issues, courses are designed to be interactive and provide an international perspective with a focus on real life experiences, best practices, and tools you can use in your community.

The CEcD exam is made up of 3 parts:
Multiple Choice/Short Answer - Questions in this section come directly from the 4 core competency manuals and 2 elective manuals each candidate has selected.
Essay - This section requires candidates to answer questions for the core competencies: Business Retention & Expansion; Credit Analysis/Finance; and Real Estate Development & Reuse. Candidates are able to choose to answer 2 additional questions from the list of 8 elective questions.
Oral Interview - To take this section, candidates must pass both the multiple choice/short answer and essay sections. Candidates will be interviewed by a panel of three current CEcDs and those who pass are newly minted Certified Economic Developers!

The exam will have 2 components:

Multiple choice
Project Assessment and Oral Interview
As part of the course curriculum, attendees will be asked to identify an issue facing their organization or program and develop a plan to address that issue. The idea is to encourage translation of the skills learned in the classroom directly to the attendee’s work. Exam candidates will be asked to submit a brief project write-up and make a presentation during the oral interview. Oral graders will assess and provide feedback.
Oral graders will ask additional questions not pertaining to the project to assess candidates on their knowledge of ELED topics.
To start, and under the current global pandemic, the exam will be offered only online until such time as it is considered safe to gather in person. IEDC will assess the costs and benefits of online exams vs. in-person exams at a later date and may choose to offer both online and in-person exam opportunities in the future.

For more information on how to apply, please email [email protected].

Costs depend on deadlines and membership. Each payment is per entry submitted. If payment is submitted by April 16th, members will pay $115 and non-members $200 for the early bird rate. After the early bird deadline, members pay $175 and non-members $220.

PLEASE NOTE: Communities with populations under 25,000 pay $115 regardless of deadlines or membership. Additionally, some honorary and leadership awards have no entry fee.

All awards, with the exception of the Innovation in Economic Development Week category, must be paid for and submitted by May 14th, 2021. Economic Development Week category entries must be paid for and submitted by May 28th, 2021.

Our technical and annual conferences will not only connect you with others who share your goals and experiences, but keep you in the forefront of the profession by providing access to and insights from community leaders, industry experts, and federal policy makers.

Once you’ve earned your CEcD, you must participate in economic development professional development activities, as well as remain active in the field. CEcDs must recertify every three (3) years by receiving 12 activity points by attending conferences, training courses, webinars and more. Certified Economic Developers are required to remain active in the economic development field and pursue professional development activities. The recertification fee is $375 for IEDC members and $555 for non-members.

To apply for the certification exam, you need to have at least four (4) consecutive years of full-time, paid professional experience in economic development. As part of the exam application process, you must submit a current resume that outlines your experience in the field. Individuals can begin taking coursework before they have the experience requirement

IEDC Summer internships are full-time positions and require a minimum commitment of ten weeks. Fall and spring internship positions can be either full or part time, with a minimum of 20 hours per week.

There is a limited number of paid positions for graduate students. Recent graduates and doctoral students are considered as well. Undergraduate interns are unpaid with a modest stipend provided. Academic credit can be arranged and must be set up by the student. All internships take place in Washington, DC. IEDC does not reimburse interns for travel and/or relocation costs.

An Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) is credential provided by IEDC. The AEDO Program recognizes the professional excellence of economic development organizations (EDOs). With the AEDO recognition, your organization will become part of an elite network of EDOS who have gone through this accreditation process.

IEDC's Economic Development Academy (EDA) includes two IEDC training courses, a virtual happy hour, and the Exam Essentials Workshop. Register for the Academy and save 15% on the cost of both courses! All EDAs in 2021 will be held virtually.

A set of programs and policies that aid in the creation, retention and expansion of jobs, the development of a stable tax base, and the enhancement of wealth. Economic development aims to influence the growth and restructuring of a community’s economy to enhance its well being. This is achieved through job creation and retention, wealth creation for individuals and businesses, tax base enhancements, and improvement in quality of life. While the private sector ultimately creates the jobs, the role of economic development organizations – through the core activities of business recruitment, retention and expansion, and business creation and entrepreneurship – is to create the conditions that better enable businesses to compete and thrive.

The Bollinger Foundation raises funds for the education and support of children who have lost one or both parents. Priority is given toward families in which either the deceased parent worked - or the surviving parent continues to work - in the field of public or affordable housing, or community and economic development.

The Foundation - established in 1989 - is named after Steve Bollinger, former Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), from 1981 until his death in 1984. After his death, Steve's wife Lin and their four young children were left to cope with the emotional and financial devastation that only the loss of a spouse and parent can bring.

Before his death, Steve had created an annual golf tournament. For three years, HUD staff, business associates, friends, and families would gather for a day of golf, sunshine, and companionship. After 1984, the Bollinger Open continued. But now the tournament had an additional goal: to raise funds for the Bollinger children's education. To date, the Bollinger Foundation has given away over $1 Million in grants.

In 1989, the Labor Department awarded worker compensation benefits to the Bollinger family. This allowed the golf tournament to serve other families in need who suffered a similar loss of a parent. It was that year that the Foundation was launched, with Lin Bollinger herself providing a generous donation.

Core courses:

• Real Estate Development and Reuse
• Business Retention and Expansion
• Economic Development Credit Analysis

Elective courses:

• Economic Development Finance Programs
• Economic Development Marketing and Attraction
• Economic Development Strategic Planning
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies
• Managing Economic Development Organizations
• Neighborhood Development Strategies
• Technology-Led Economic Development
• Workforce Development

New! Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development Core Courses

Accelerating Growth through Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development (ELED II)
Economic Development Credit Analysis*
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies*
Introduction to Entrepreneurship-led Economic Development (ELED I)

New! Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development Elective Courses

Neighborhood Development Strategies*
Technology-Led Economic Development*
Business Retention and Expansion*
Economic Development Finance Programs*

Honorary and Leadership awards recognize individuals who have made a significant impact in the economic development field. Excellence awards recognize organizations and their innovative economic development projects or programs.

The Economic Development Research Partners Program is an exclusive membership level of IEDC that supports practice-oriented research. The publications developed under EDRP's guidance and sponsorship are designed to increase the knowledge base of economic development professionals and help them navigate today's rapidly changing economy.

The EDP is a brand-new credential, designed to build the capacity of those supporting entrepreneurship in their communities. Through real world experience, training courses, and testing, EDPs show that they have what it takes to help their communities thrive in this unprecedented time, and beyond. Simply put, it’s an essential piece of your professional development future.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that, for nearly 100 years, has been helping economic developers around the world facilitate economic well-being in their communities. It is the largest organization of its kind supporting this profession. From public to private, urban to rural, and local to international, IEDC's members are engaged in the full range of the economic development experience.

Projects and programs do not have to occur in the current calendar year. If the project is still relevant to the operations of your organization and has not previously won a gold award, it will be considered a valid entry.

Application Deadlines

Summer Internships: March 15
Fall Internships: July 15
Spring Internships: November 15

IEDC will review applications as they arrive and schedule phone interviews when appropriate. ONLY candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Important Note: The IEDC internships are highly competitive. In order for your application to be considered, please make sure that you submit ALL required documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Also, we are unable to provide status updates on individual applications, due to the large number of applications we receive. No phone calls please. If you have questions, please email inquiries to [email protected].

IEDC offers two credentials: the CEcD certification and newest credential, Economic Development Professional (EDP).

All webinars are held in Eastern Standard Time  (EST) and Eastern Day Time (EDT).

IEDC membership is organizationally based. This means that your current employer must have an active membership for its employees to be considered members of IEDC.
To determine the membership level of your organization, please view our Membership Dues Structure.

In 2001, the the American Economic Development Council (AEDC) and the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) merged to form the world's preeminent organization of economic developers: the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Notifications will be sent out in July and August, 2021 with additional information about the awards ceremony.

At a minimum, we offer a CEcD exam in conjunction with all of our conferences every year. View our CEcD page to find upcoming dates.

Visit our upcoming events page here to see all training courses for the rest of the year.

Download our annual IEDC Professional Development Guide for a full schedule of the calendar year's course offerings.

You can find a complete list of accredited organizations here.

IEDC hosts three annual conferences in a calendar year. Each conference is in a pre-selected city. Host areas benefit from the recognition and increased visibility which come as a result of economic development professionals visiting and learning from a community’s achievements.

Learn more about upcoming conferences by visiting our conferences page here.

Our members are the people who work to persuade new businesses to locate in your community, region or state, help the businesses that are already in your community to continue growing there or look for ways to turn distressed areas into vibrant hubs of economic activity. Some IEDC members work in major cities, while others work in rural areas. Some work for public agencies, while others work for chambers of commerce, private nonprofit organizations, public/private partnerships or for universities. Some work with private-sector consulting firms, and some are sole practitioners working in the field. Name a type of economic development project, and some IEDC member has worked on it. In short, our members represent the entire range of economic development

Here is a list of EDRP members. They include a wide range of economic development organizations representing communities of all types - urban, rural, local, regional, academic, public-private partnership, state-level EDOs, chambers of commerce, lending institutions, and others.

Developed with support from the Kauffman Foundation and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and in partnership with SourceLink, two new courses are being added to IEDC’s professional development line-up. They are designed for professionals who work with entrepreneurs and small businesses as well as those that support them via programs, networks and approaches that foster small business and entrepreneurial growth.

Contact Shari Nourick at (202) 545-7339 or [email protected].

Steve Bollinger, former Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), from 1981 until his death in 1984.

Contact Frankie Clogston at [email protected] or (202) 223-7800 for additional questions about IEDC research and technical assistance.

Excellence awards are judged by selected panels of Awards Advisory Committee members and economic developers with experience in a variety of projects. Honorary and Leadership awards are selected by the Honorary Awards Committee, which includes experienced IEDC board or past board members.

All webinar recordings are available for purchase or free for registered attendees. Visit our store to find all of our past webinar recordings.