--- title: Annual Conference Agenda, State of the Field Survey Reminder, & More --- This week in IEDC News ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­   | View in browser This Week in IEDC News The latest in economic development news, opportunities, and more!   August 19, 2026 Congratulations to our 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Award Winners! IEDC proudly announces the recipients of our 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards. This year, we recognize the ground-breaking projects and programs that demonstrate excellence in the field of economic development. Spanning multiple countries and territories, our award winners build resilient economies across the globe.   "This year's winners embody the spirit of innovation and excellence in economic development," said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. "Their outstanding accomplishments have not only enhanced their own communities but also serve as shining examples of impactful and sustainable economic development worldwide.”   Recognition Roundup 226 total awards distributed across multiple categories 73 Gold winners representing the pinnacle of achievement 83 Silver winners showcasing exceptional excellence 70 Bronze winners demonstrating remarkable impact 15 Best in Show nominees competing for the highest honors 140 unique organizations earning recognition for their transformative work Congratulations to our 2026 award winners! You set the standard for economic development excellence and inspire communities around the world. Explore the complete collection of winning projects and organizations in our searchable gallery here. Read More The Full IEDC Annual Conference Program Is Live New Orleans, Louisiana \| October 25–28 The full program for the 2026 IEDC Annual Conference is now available. Explore the sessions, speakers, and conversations planned for New Orleans as economic developers come together to learn from legacy, lead with impact, and prepare their communities for what comes next.   Newly added tour (Oct. 27): Explore two of New Orleans's most inspiring community-building stories — Strongward, a national nonprofit helping communities recover from disaster and rebuild stronger, and the Lafitte Greenway, a 2.6-mile linear park transforming green infrastructure into community connection. See how rebuilding — homes and public space alike — strengthens the fabric of New Orleans.   We will continue to add details as speakers and sessions are confirmed, so check back regularly to see the latest.   Register by September 4 to receive early-bird pricing. View Program Inside the 2026 IEDC Annual Conference: What to Expect in New Orleans In this episode of the Develop This! podcast, IEDC Board Member Dennis Fraise sits down with IEDC President & CEO Nathan Ohle for an exclusive preview of the 2026 IEDC Annual Conference in New Orleans. As IEDC celebrates 100 years of leadership in economic development, Nathan shares how this milestone event will honor the profession's rich history while focusing on the innovations shaping its future. Listen to the Episode Survey of Rural Challenges IEDC’s partners at SaveYour.Town have launched the Survey of Rural Challenges for rural and small-town people to share their challenges and assets. Rural experts Becky McCray and Deb Brown will analyze the results and share them, without identifying information, as public reports, infographics, presentations, and articles.   The survey is open to anyone who considers themselves to live or work in a small town anywhere across the globe. We invite you to complete the survey by October 31, 2026. Learn More Podcast: What if Economic Development Started with Community Culture? In a new episode of ICMA’s Voices in Local Government podcast, Economic Recovery Corps Fellow Contessa Trujillo and Taos County Economic Development Director Jessica Stern explore how the Cultural Treasures Project is bringing community culture and identity into economic development planning. The conversation examines cultural asset mapping, community participation, and why “moving at the speed of trust” can help communities shape growth around what residents want to protect, restore, and revitalize.  Listen to the Conversation $100 Celebrating 100 Years: Donate Today For a century, we've supported and uplifted economic developers who strengthen communities, grow economies, and create opportunities. Join our $100 Celebrating 100 Years Campaign and be part of this once-in-a-century moment.   Your gift to IEDC will directly support scholarships that help economic development professionals attend IEDC's Annual Conference, expanding access to the connections, learning, and opportunities that move our profession and communities forward. Donate Now Membership Minute New Member Orientation Wednesday, August 26 at 2:00 PM ET   Maximize the value of your membership by joining this introductory session designed to walk members through key benefits, resources, and ways to get involved. Register Emerging Leaders Meeting Thursday, August 27 at 2:00 PM ET   The Emerging Leaders (EL) Affinity Group is designed for professionals with five years or less of experience in economic development. This community helps early-career practitioners build relationships, strengthen skills, and find their place within the profession. Register Upcoming Events Business Retention & Expansion September 1–3, 2026 Registration ends August 25, 2026 Economic Development Credit Analysis September 8–9, 2026 Early Bird Registration ends August 25, 2026 Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development September 15–17, 2026 Early Bird Registration ends September 1, 2026 Career Opportunities Vice President of Business Development \| Greater Waco Chamber \| Waco, TX Economic Developer \| Grow Choctaw - Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma \| McAlester, OK Vice President, Economic Development \| Charleston Regional Development Alliance \| Charleston, SC Request For Proposals - Conference Sponsorship Strategy and/or Fulfillment Services \| International Economic Development Council Economic Development Manager \| Town of Cornelius \| Cornelius, NC Chief Economic Development Officer \| City of Palm Springs \| Palm Springs, CA Economic Development Specialist \| City of Salem, Virginia Economic Development \| Salem, VA Research Analyst \| Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance \| Las Vegas, NV Regional Manager, Economic Development \| QTS Data Centers \| Irving, TX President \| Coweta County Development Authority \| Cartersville, GA Request for Proposals \| Pueblo Economic Development Corporation \| Pueblo, CO View More Jobs You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in IEDC.   This is an unmonitored inbox. If you have questions, please call 202-223-7800.   International Economic Development Council  1275 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, District of Columbia, 20005-4083   Unsubscribe  Manage Preferences | | --- |