Professional Development

• Local, Regional, and State-Level Economic Development Practitioners
• Economic / Industrial Development Board Members
• Chamber of Commerce Officials
• Municipal and County Managers and Department Directors
• Community Planners and Developers
• State / Local Elected Officials
• Tribal Leaders
• Congressional Aides
• Community Leaders
• County Commissioners
• Utility Company Representatives
• Community / Regional Planners
• Real Estate Professionals
• Workforce Development Professionals
• Poverty Reduction Advocates

• Organizing, Planning and Managing Economic Development Initiatives
• Finance and Budgeting
• Ethics
• Community Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Workforce Development
• Real Estate Development and Reuse
• Infrastructure
• Managing Economic Development Organizations
• Business Retention and Expansion

Dates: January 27-30, 2025
Location: Goodyear City Hall, 1900 N. Civic Square, Goodyear
Register

MONDAY, JANUARY 27th

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28th

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29th

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30th

Ben Warren Memorial Scholarship

Ben Warren worked as an economic developer in Arizona for more than 34 years. Ben was one of AAED’s founding fathers and a charter member. He is credited as being a pioneer in the formation of Arizona’s economic development industry. He served as the organization’s President in 1978-79 and in 1984, Ben received the William W. Lampkin Long Term Excellence in Economic Development award. Ben worked for Salt River Project for 20 years before joining Arizona Public Service in 1987 where he worked as a Senior Economic Development Consultant until his retirement in 2001. Ben passed away in August of 2004 and in 2006, AAED established the Ben Warren Memorial Scholarship to honor his memory.

The Arizona Economic Development course provides intensive training in economic development basics and is designed for individuals who are new to the economic development profession including workforce developers, urban planners, chambers of commerce, community development agencies and Native American tribes.

Tim Kanavel Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Economic Development Professionals

The Tim Kanavel Memorial Scholarship Fund for Emerging Economic Development Professionals was established in 2021 as a memorial of Tim Kanavel. This scholarship is to provide financial assistance to the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) members to attend conferences and professional development opportunities offered by AAED. Donations may be made to the Fund by any donor at any time. AAED will solicit donations at least once a year in recognition and celebration of the contributions of Tim Kanavel to AAED and the State of Arizona. The amount of the scholarships will be determined at the start of AAED’s fiscal year with applications distributed to members. The Professional Education Committee will be responsible for awarding the scholarships.

For more information and to apply for any of these scholarships, contact Katie Hurst at katie@aaed.com.

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) is proud to honor one of its founding members and a past AAED president Ben Warren, and long-time economic development supporter and champion Tim Kanavel by offering the Ben Warren Memorial Scholarship and Tim Kanavel Memorial Scholarship for the Basic Economic Development Course in Arizona.

AAED will award at least two scholarships for the 2024 Basic Economic Development Course in Arizona, which is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The scholarship will cover the full course tuition fee and meals on course days. Lodging and transportation are not included. More information on the course may be found at: https://www.members.aaed.com/events

Course Date: January 27-30, 2025

Location: Goodyear City Hall, 1900 N. Civic Square, Goodyear, Arizona

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Economic development practitioners in the state of Arizona with less than five years of experience.
• Currently working in the economic development field and includes those working for state or local economic development or workforce agencies (public or private), chambers of commerce, urban planning or community development agencies, Native American tribes, or similar organizations.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Potential benefit of training to the applicant’s community/organization

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit the following information, along with the application form:

• Applicability to current occupation and job responsibilities
• Cover letter addressing each of the selection criteria
• Current resume
• Any additional supporting documentation
• While not required, strong preference will be given to AAED members

The BEDC scholarship application for the 2025 course is now closed.