Like vintners tending their harvests, the Southern California Wine Country Economic Development Coalition cultivates exceptional opportunities for its communities. Located in a region characterized by sweeping landscapes, vibrant innovation hubs, quality schools, top talent, and a diversified economy, the Coalition's track record speaks for itself. True to its pursuit of excellence, this EDO set its sights even higher, enrolling in the Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) program to deliver new opportunities, expanded resources, and a superb quality of life for people in their communities.
Connie Stopher, CEcD, Chief Executive Officer of Southern California Wine Country Economic Development Coalition, describes this journey as transformative:
"The path to gaining our AEDO accreditation was incredibly valuable. It shone a light on what we were excelling at, helped us identify growth opportunities, and provided a level of credibility to my board, donors, and stakeholders that has elevated us as an organization. We felt supported and empowered through the entire process by the IEDC staff and the accreditation committee."
Remarkably, the Coalition earned AEDO accreditation with a one-person team, demonstrating that this achievement is within reach for economic development organizations of all sizes.
If your EDO seeks the gold standard in accreditation, the AEDO program measures your organization against highest professional standards. Benefits include:
