Federal Economic Development Forum
Building Tomorrow's Economic Foundation: Innovation │Infrastructure │Investment │International
March 18-20, 2012
Washington, DC Metro Area

http://www.iedconline.org/FederalForum/index.html

Register before THIS Friday, February 3 and save $100 with our Early Registration Rates

Budget belt tightening will soon be felt around the waists of American defense communities and industries. According to the Obama Administration's defense budget proposal, defense spending over the next ten years will shrink by nearly $500 billion dollars. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will also ask Congress for two additional rounds of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) activities, which will lead to more base closures. The impact will be felt in communities across the nation. How will your community adapt? How can you stay informed and begin to prepare now?

The 2012 Federal Economic Development Forum will feature a keynote session titled Understanding the Impact of Defense Cuts on Local Communities where past-IEDC Chairman Dennis Coleman will be joined by very special guest Dr. Dorothy Robyn, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Installations and Environment. Dr. Robyn will play a key role in the BRAC process and will share her predictions and insights for the years ahead. You won't want to miss this critically important session!

KEYNOTE SESSION OF INTEREST:
Understanding the Impact of Defense Cuts on Local Communities
Tuesday, March 20
11:15 am - 12:30 pm
As the federal government moves toward austerity, the Department of Defense stands to receive significant cuts dealing a blow to defense communities and companies throughout the country. Many communities will experience job loss as contractors are forced to cut back on important things such as R&D and high tech manufacturing.

This session will provide insight into the budget cutting process as well as include a case study on a successful program that was developed to combat these kinds of losses.

Dennis G. Coleman, CEcD, FM
President & CEO
St. Louis County Economic Council
St. Louis, MO

Dr. Dorothy Robyn
Deputy Under Secretary for Installations and Environment
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition
Technology and Logistics
Washington DC

SESSION OF INTEREST:

Better Understand Your Community's Economic Strengths through Federal Data
Sunday, March 18
3:15 - 5:00 pm
Today's volatile economy demands that economic development professionals have a constant and thorough pulse of their local economy. The federal government, through various agencies, provides economic developers access to a constant stream of new information including industry data, local workforce data and community demographics. This session will use case studies to illustrate how local economic developers can access and synthesize federal data to enhance their local economic development efforts.

Earline K.P. Dowell
Lead Technical Marketing and Training Consultant
Longitudinal-Employer Household Dynamics Program
Center for Economic Studies
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, DC

William M. Shobe, PhD
Director
Center for Economic and Policy Studies
Charlottesville, VA

Tom Tveidt
Research Economist
SYNEVA Economics LLC
Asheville, NC

About the Federal Economic Development Forum:
Federal policies and programs are continually changing to address the effects of the Great Recession and build U.S. global competitiveness. How can you navigate and capture federal resources to grow innovation and investment in your community? The Obama administration is pushing global trade, innovation and entrepreneurship as the keys to boosting the American economy. Meanwhile, economic developers play a front-line role in connecting Washington policies and programs with local and state efforts to create jobs and increase investment. You'll hear top national officials, thought leaders and senior program administrators address how federal resources can help your community strengthen its infrastructure, attract private investment, foster innovation and integrate globally.

Who Should Attend:
• Economic developers focused on federal policy
• Federal, state, and local government officials and policymakers
• Non-profits and associations
• Venture capitalists
• Private sector stakeholders
• Universities and research institutions
• Members of state and local economic development organizations

http://www.iedconline.org/FederalForum/index.html