CAREER CENTER
AZED Pro Certification
What is the AZED Pro certification?
AAED’s Academy offers the only state-specific economic development certification in Arizona — the Arizona Economic Development Professional (AZED Pro) certification.
While the Academy courses are open to all to attend on an individual basis, the AZED Pro certification requires professionals to complete six core courses and one elective within three years of beginning the program.
Is the AZED Pro right for you?
If you’re an economic development professional with fewer than five years in the field, the AZED Pro certification is a valuable asset. The coursework gives you a solid foundation in core areas like business retention and expansion, attraction, and workforce development. Just as valuable is the network you’ll build, connecting with peers at your stage and with established leaders across the state. And because Arizona employers recognize the credential, it signals your commitment to professional growth and can give your career a real boost.
I have not only enhanced my understanding and knowledge [of economic development], but have also been able to build relationships among professionals in the field through my involvement in AAED committees, events, and AZED Pro courses. AAED has allowed me to expand my professional network, garner planning and leadership skills through committee work, and further foster my passion for economic development.
What are the requirements?
Those seeking certification must complete each of the required courses below within three years of starting the program:
• Economic Development in Arizona (Green)
• Workforce Development (Orange)
• Taxation, Finance & Incentives (Gold)
• Marketing & Business Development (Red)
• Business Retention & Expansion (Blue)
• Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development (Purple)
You also must complete one elective or Grey course, which are offered periodically throughout the year. Graduates are announced at the Fall Forum conference, typically hosted in October.
What are the options for completing the certification?
The in-person Academy courses are typically a half-day deep-dive into a single economic development topic such as workforce development, finance and taxation, business retention and expansion, and more. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions, participate in partner and group activities, and network with instructors and fellow students.
The AZED Pro Cohort Program aims to cultivate a diverse group of visionaries who spend a year learning and growing together. Cohort participants have the benefit of building lasting relationships in the industry while gaining the tools necessary to develop innovative solutions, spark job creation, and build resilient economies in their local communities and beyond. The program is overseen by a Practitioner Advisor who provides one-on-one check-ins with each Cohort member and plans additional learning opportunities outside courses.
The Cohort requires participants to attend all courses in-person and is not available virtually.
For those that are unable to attend our in-person courses, our virtual academy offers online versions of our in-person courses. Students can take courses at their own pace, watching videos while following along with presentation slides and completing various activities and short answer questions. Students complete a final quiz to demonstrate their mastery of the course.
AAED’s Virtual Courses are currently in beta testing and have limited seats available for 2027. Please contact info[at]aaed.com to learn more.
AZED Pro Courses
Economic Development in Arizona (Green)
Explore Arizona’s key economic drivers and the strategic planning processes that fuel the state’s growth and resilience. Learn effective advocacy strategies to help influence policy and build partnerships that support sustainable economic development. Gain insights into current trends and challenges shaping Arizona’s economic development future. Get prepared to drive impactful changes in your community with practical actionable tools and forward-thinking strategies.
Arizona Workforce Development (orange)
Gain a comprehensive understanding of workforce development and talent attraction and the critical role it plays in economic growth. Explore the make-up and needs of the labor force, current and emerging skill gaps, and strategies for adapting and/or augmenting training programs to meet evolving demands. Learn about the primary stakeholders, relevant legislation, and how workforce development drives business retention and expansion. Discover techniques to gather and analyze workforce data effectively.
Arizona Taxation, Finance, & Incentives (gold)
Take a deep dive into the financial and tax-related aspects of economic development with an emphasis on Arizona’s competitive advantages to help you get more locates in your community. Explore business finance, taxation, and the impact of taxes on relocation and expansion projects, including real examples and comparisons with competitor markets. Incentives at local, state, and federal levels, their strategic use, and successful case studies from rural and metro areas will be shared. Gain insights into Opportunity Zones and Foreign Trade Zones—what they are and how they work. Learn to identify opportunities in your community, and hear about successful developments.
Marketing & Business Development (red)
Acquire strategies to market your community and attract businesses effectively. Learn to assess and leverage community strengths and identify target industries. Understand Arizona’s approach to prospect identification and attraction, including the role of various EDOs. Obtain essential marketing tools and strategies supported by real-world examples. Get an in-depth look at site selection processes and top factors influencing business decisions. Prepare to position your community as a competitive and appealing business destination.
Business Retention & Expansion (blue)
Get a comprehensive introduction to Business Retention & Expansion (BRE), its critical role in economic development, and the impact it creates across tribal, rural, and urban communities. Learn the main components of a BRE program, including effective site visits, CRM utilization, and methods for measuring program success. Learn strategies for explaining the importance of BRE to stakeholders, managing challenges unique to different community types, and diagnosing red flags during site visits. Engage in practical problem-solving, leveraging real-world examples to address common challenges in BRE efforts.
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development (purple)
Explore the vital role of small businesses and entrepreneurs in the economic development ecosystem., Acquire strategies to encourage and support their growth. Learn methods to assess community needs, develop tailored small business programs, and adapt entrepreneurial development approaches to fit your community. Delve into traditional and alternative financing options, grants, and strategies for improving financial literacy and capital management to ensure sustainable growth. Gain insight to address common small business challenges, leverage federal, state, and local resources, and foster successful partnerships to support entrepreneurs.
Elective Courses (grey)
Students must complete one elective course. Topics may include Tourism, Retail Development, Tribal Issues, Advocacy, or other timely topics.
AZED Pro Recertification
Recertification of your AZED Pro is done by obtaining 11 points over a three-year cycle. Points are awarded on activities that give back to the profession. Higher points are given for major events, such as conferences and classes, while other points are awarded for activities such as speaking at an IEDC event, publishing a news article, grading tests, participation in webinars, and other activities. You must have points from every category. The point system is outlined below.
Education (3 POINTS EACH; MAX OF 6 POINTS)
- Panelist on AZED Pro seminar/webinar
- Presenter at Conference
- Serve on AAED Board
- Chair or Vice Chair an AAED Committee or Affinity Group
- Serve as a mentor for Young Professionals
- Serve as an Ambassador for New Members
- Recruit new AZED Pro candidates
- Writing a white paper for AAED
Giving Back (2 POINTS EACH; MAX OF 6 POINTS)
- Attend Spring Conference
- Attend Fall Forum
- Writing a news article for AAED
- Securing sponsorship for AAED events
Participation (1 POINT EACH; MAX OF 3 POINTS)
- Attend a webinar or Academy course
- Attend an after-hours AAED special event
- Serve on an AAED committee or Affinity Group
AZED Pros need to keep track of their own points and submit documentation, via the AAED Recertification Form below and pay the $50.00 recertification invoice. Recertification applications can be accepted once annually.