CAREER CENTER
Professional Development
Basic Economic Development Course
Each year, AAED partners with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to provide the Basic Economic Development Course. This course provides attendees with a foundational understanding of economic development to grow and enhance community wealth, attract and retain jobs and investment, improve quality of life, and contribute to a strong tax base.
Your experience in this course will include the practical application of concepts through simulated case studies involving real-life challenges in real-life communities.
Who Should Attend
- 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
Topics Covered
- 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
2024 Schedule
Dates: January 22-25,2024
Location: Galvanize Phoenix, 515 E Grant St
Register
Please note: All topics listed will be covered in this BEDC course. However, while dates and times will not change, topics may be reordered to meet scheduling demands.
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024
8:00am – 4:00pm
| 8:00 – 8:30am | Check-in | ||
| 8:30 – 9:00am | Welcome and Course Introduction | Skip Becker & Katie Hurst | |
| 9:00 – 9:30am | Introduction to Economic Development | Heath Vescovi-Chiordi | Elective, 0.5 |
| 9:30 – 11:00am | Ethics in Economic Development | Richard Wilke, CEcD | EDE, 1.5 |
| 11:00am – 12:00pm | Tribal Economic Development | Levi Esquerra | Elective, 0.5 |
| 12:00 – 1:30pm | Lunch & Case Study Introduction | ||
| 1:30 – 3:00pm | Strategic Planning for Community & Economic Development | Katherine Hutton, CEcD | SP, 1.5 |
| 3:00 – 4:00pm | Case Study Work Time |
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024
8:00am – 4:00pm
| 8:00 – 8:30am | Check-in | ||
| 8:30 – 10:00am | Finance for Economic Development | Keneshia Raymond | EDF, 1.5 |
| 10:00 – 11:30am | Marketing & Attraction in Economic Development | Jack Fitchett Serena Remy |
MA, 1.5 |
| 11:30 – 1:00pm | Lunch & Case Study Work Time | ||
| 1:00 – 2:30pm | Overview of Infrastructure | Kelly Patton Peter Hjerstedt Michael Boule |
Elective, 1.5 |
| 2:30 – 4:00pm | Community & Neighborhood Development | Evelyn Casuga, CEcD | CND, 1.5 |
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024
8:00am – 4:00pm
| 8:00 – 8:30am | Check-in | ||
| 8:30 – 10:00am | Workforce Development | Brian Wright Joel Millman |
WD, 1.5 |
| 10:00 – 11:30am | Business Retention & Expansion | John Saltonstall | BRE, 1.5 |
| 11:30 – 1:00pm | Lunch & Case Study Work Time | ||
| 1:00 – 2:30pm | Managing Economic Development Organizations | Kristin Stephenson, CEcD Jeanine Jerkovic, CEcD |
MEDO, 1.5 |
| 2:30 – 4:00pm | Real Estate Development & Reuse | Jeff Robins, CEcD Jeremy Legg |
RED&R, 1.5 |
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024
8:00am – 4:00pm
| 8:00 – 8:30am | Check-in | ||
| 8:30 – 10:00am | Entrepreneurship | Victor Gonzalez, CEcD Diana Vowels Eric Smith |
S&ED, 1.5 |
| 10:00 – 11:30am | Equity & Inclusion | TBD | Elective, 1.5 |
| 11:30 – 1:00pm | Lunch & Case Study Work Time | ||
| 1:00 – 2:30pm | Case Study Presentations | ||
| 2:30 – 3:00pm | Judging | TBD | |
| 3:00 – 4:00pm | Case Study Feedback & Awarding of Certificates |
Scholarships
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.
Scholarship Application
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 22-25, 2024
Location: Galvanize Phoenix, 515 E Grant Street, Phoenix, 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 deadline to apply for a scholarship for the January 2024 course is December 22, 2023 by 12:00 PM.
2024 Ben Warren & Tim Kanavel Memorial Scholarship Application
Guest Speakers
Do you need a professional to speak to an economic development, workforce development, legislative policy, or redevelopment topic?
Do you have a topic that economic developers across Arizona should hear about? Do you have an innovative project you completed or a best practice?
Complete the appropriate form below.
Speaker Interest
With a group of highly accomplished professionals serving on the Board of Directors and more than 500 statewide practitioners and providers, AAED has a cadre of members with which it can connect you.
Speaker Submission
Send in your information today to become a speaker at an AAED Event.