International Partners

Each year IEDC continues to ensure that its mission of providing leadership and excellence in economic development is being fulfilled with a global perspective. Our international partners allow IEDC’s members to gain access to the best practices and resources in economic development from around the world. As part of the IEDC bylaws, our organization strives to maintain an international perspective with a mandate that requires representation from Canada and the European Union. IEDC looks forward to continuing to expand its global presence, building relationships with other economic development agencies, and providing innovative services for international communities.

Foreign Delegation Meetings and Trainings

IEDC has hosted multiple groups to IEDC’s office to present and train on economic development internationally and in the U.S. IEDC has organized international delegations and training seminars on site and around the DC Metro. Several of the delegations have met with other economic development associations in DC, political leaders, and local business CEOs. Delegations have visited from the countries of China, Northern Ireland, Ukraine, Australia, North Macedonia, Russia, Japan, and Germany. IEDC also works with a number of intermediary groups, such as Triway International Group, FCC Group International, and The American Council of Young Political Leaders.

International Advisory Committee

The International Advisory Committee is comprised of around 40 Economic Development Council members with the objective to promote international membership and content in IEDC’s conferences and in the professional development training courses. The committee reports to the External & Member Relations Committee and also takes on special assignments as directed by the board. The committee holds five conference calls throughout the year and one in-person meeting at the IEDC’s annual conference. The committee also works with IEDC staff to develop the theme and suggest speakers of at least one international themed webinar each year. A list of these webinars can be seen later in this page in the webinar section. The committee also works with IEDC staff on international themed sessions and speakers at IEDC’s Annual Conference. More information about this is located later in this page under the conferences section.

International Partners

		Organization of American States The Organization of American States is the premier regional forum for political discussion, policy analysis and decision-making in Western Hemisphere affairs. The OAS brings together leaders from nations across the Americas to address hemispheric issues and opportunities. Together, they seek to build cooperation among states and advance a common regional agenda on democratic governance, human rights, multidimensional security, and sustainable development.
		World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) WAIPA is an NGO, who through its wide range of activities, provides the opportunity for investment promotion agencies (IPAs) to network and exchange best practices in investment promotion. To learn more about their events via their website, click here.
		European Association of Development Agencies (EURADA) EURADA gathers those working on economic development within the European Union and beyond, and encourages exchanges of best practices in the field of local and regional economic development. To learn more about their events via their website, click here.
		Economic Developers of Australia (EDA) EDA is a nationally recognized network of economic development professionals, fostering prosperity in communities across Australia through building capacity, promoting excellence and providing leadership on issues that matter to their members. To learn more about their events via their website, click here.
		Economic Developers New Zealand (EDNZ) EDNZ provides a full range of member services including networking, conferences, joint projects, access to information, and government lobbying for economic developers in New Zealand. To learn more about their events via their website, click here.
		Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade by organizing international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. To learn more about their events via their website, click here.
		Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) EDAC is Canada’s national organization of economic developers, whose mission is to advance economic development as a profession, and contribute to Canada’s well-being through professional development, conferences and scholarship. To learn more about their events, click here.
		Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) EDCO provides leadership to enhance the professional development of its members, advance economic development as a profession and support their municipalities in fostering economic prosperity in the province of Ontario. To learn more about their events visit their website, click here.
		The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) BCEDA is the leading professional association of economic development practitioners in the Province of British Columbia and provides services that helps member communities grow and expand new and existing businesses, attract new business investments, and work towards strategic infrastructure investment, land use planning, and community enhancement. To learn more about their events visit their website, click here.
		Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) EDA provides valued expertise that is integral to fostering an economically prosperous, diverse, sustainable Alberta by providing leadership to advance economic development as a profession; professional development for its members; and support to Alberta communities in fostering sustainable community economic prosperity. To learn more about EDA’s events, visit their website here.
		Saskatchewan Economic Developers Association (SEDA) The Saskatchewan Economic Development Association has operated successfully for over 25 years as the provincial association for those engaged in community economic development throughout Saskatchewan, Canada. From community economic development and social enterprise to international trade and investment, SEDA works consistently to support practitioners and community leaders in all paths of economic development. SEDA believes that prosperity requires a coordinated, cooperative effort of many individuals and organizations in the public, private and civil sectors. Together with our members, allies and partners, SEDA works to enhance the economic capacity of Saskatchewan communities. To learn more about SEDA’s events, visit their website here.

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