Throughout the summer we will be breaking down each of the exciting and educational tracks featured in this year's Annual Conference. Themed "Renewable Communities: Leveraging your Competitive Resources," this year's Annual Conference will be an unprecedented experience with highly relevant sessions and top speakers tackling the tough issues economic developers are facing now.

Register today and take advantage of our cheaper room rates!
REGISTRATION SPECIAL ENDS WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
Visit our website to learn more: http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/index.html

TRACK 1: RENEWABILITY

With energy prices fluctuating, water shortages plaguing parts of the country and a widespread acceptance of global warming, communities nationwide are looking for ways to conserve energy, foster renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, increase density and steward and strengthen their locational assets. As sustained high energy prices begin to shift the locational advantages of places and businesses, renewing natural, built and energy resources is becoming central to many communities economic development strategies. This track will take an in-depth look at sustainability economic development strategies, clean tech development, accessing financing, attracting businesses, green construction and other sustainable economic tools and strategies.

SESSIONS EXAMINE KEY ECONOMIC CRISIS TOPICS:

INNOVATIVE FINANCING STRATEGIES TO MAKE PROJECTS HAPPEN
Learn how communities can tap into tax credits, incentives and other financing mechanisms to make projects happen.

COMMUNITY-BASED VENTURE CAPITAL AS A KEY TOOL
Learn how experienced economic developers tapped, grew and even created new streams of funding through innovative, new vehicles to grow the economy of their regions.

LEVERAGING CLEAN TECH FOR RECOVERY
Tactics communities can implement to jumpstart clean tech businesses to create jobs and growth opportunities today.

SECTORS IN TRANSFORMATION: FINDING OPPORTUNITIES, AMELIORATING DISTRESS
Communities worldwide are struggling to cope with significant transitions in their economic sectors. Learn how are they are finding new economic opportunities for their businesses and people.

HOW TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD: CORPORATE REAL ESTATE DIRECTORS' SPEAK
Many companies are consolidating their operations or closing their doors. Learn what criteria corporate real estate directors are using to make their location decisions in the recession.

BUILDING GREEN TO SLASH ENERGY EXPENSES AND ENHANCE COMPETITIVENESS
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the most effective methods for promoting green developments, how to access funding, evaluate the ROI of a project, and build the political coalitions to make it happen in this harsh economic climate.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

John A. Adams, Jr., PhD, CEcD
President & CEO
Enterprise Florida, Inc.
Orlando, FL

Ronnie L. Bryant, CEcD, FM, HLM
President & CEO
Charlotte Regional Partnership
Charlotte, NC

Julia Burrows
Deputy City Manager
City of Roseville, California
Roseville, CA

Kenneth E. Dobson
Director, Community & Economic Development
The University of Toledo
University College
Toledo, OH

Ronald Kitchens, CEcD
Chief Executive Officer
Southwest Michigan First
Kalamazoo, MI

Rick Little
Director, Real Estate
Weyerhaeuser Company
Federal Way, WA

Alessandro Teixeira, PhD
President
Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil)
World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA)
Brazil

Steven W. Weathers, CEcD
President & CEO
Regional Growth Partnerships
Toledo, OH