EDA News Centre

Economic development professionals and manufacturers are invited to join EDA for its next webinar in its Marketing Masters series Changing Face of Manufacturing Impacts Manufacturing and Economic Development. 

In this webinar you will learn how new forces are leading to a world that’s smart and connected -- what some refer to as the Internet of Things (IoT).

Changing Face of Manufacturing Impacts Manufacturing and Economic Development

Thursday, July 21
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm (MST)
Register Here

In manufacturing, (Industrial Internet of Things/IIoT) sensors in industrial machines and the products they make are combining with software via the Internet to produce a coming tectonic shift that changes manufacturing and economic development. 

This is not an Apple watch monitoring your heart rate. This is a world in which the battery in your car reports back to the manufacturer in real-time about its operating health and environment via the Internet to reduce service requirements, improve performance, and provide valuable input into the next generation battery.

Invite the manufacturers in your communities to join you for lunch, a webinar and for a conversation about the future!  

Special Canadian Registration Rate increases August 7th, so register today and save! We are continuing to develop our most international conference ever and are adding international speakers every week! Whether participating in the educational sessions, the international dinner, or mingling with international members and IEDC partners in-between sessions, this year’s conference is an exciting opportunity, so register today! Special Canadian Registration Rate Given the change of exchange rates, IEDC has lowered the registration rate for our Canadian friends. In addition to the $100USD early registration discount, the registration has been discounted an additional $165 CAD! To receive this rate, please register by downloading this form. A completed form can be faxed (+1.202.223.4745) or emailed (cgordan@iedconline.org). Additional cost savings are available from partners Alaskan Airlines, with a 15% discount on flights! Read below to learn more! International Dinner An honorary international dinner and networking social hour will occur Sunday, October 4. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet other international members and attendees. Join the event at 6:30 to network at a social hour before the dinner.Click here to register for the dinner and social hour. Workshop: How to be a World Class Economic Developer Join IEDC Sunday, October 4 9:00am-12:30PM for this dynamic workshop! Economic development deals with similar issues, opportunities and challenges no matter which country or context you are operating in - issues including how to manage sustainable growth, the question of workforce development, smart business development and distinguishing your community from the crowd. Recognizing that there are lessons to be learned from abroad, IEDC is drawing on the strength of its international members to discuss what trends, opportunities and challenges they are seeing in the world of economic development. This facilitated discussion will be a frank conversation amongst all attendees about economic development as they see it. Price is free, but please register while sigining-up for the conference!  Moderator:  - Susan Amring, CEcD, EcD, Director, Economic Development, City of Mississauga, Mississauga, ON  Speakers:  - Todd Rohl, Deputy CEO, Logan Office of Economic Development Logan City Council, Australia  - Christian Saublens, Director, European Association of Development Agencies, Brussels, Belgium  - Fábio Veras, Director of Operations for Micro Small Business Support Services, Sebrae Minas, Brazil  - Many additional speakers forthcoming!  Register before August 7 and get an even bigger discount!

Discounted Flights to Anchorage Through Alaska Airlines IEDC is proud to announce our partnership with Alaska Airlines for the 2015 Annual Conference! As Co-Sponsor of the conference, Alaska Airlines is offering a 15% discount on flights to the Annual Conference between September 26 and October 13.Book your flight today! We look forward to seeing you in Anchorage, AK this October and please don’t hesitate to contact us via email sannis@iedconline.org or give us a call at 202.639.9104 with any questions or visa requests.

In just two months EDA's next online course, Business Retention and Expansion, begins. So register now. 

This course equips you with the tools to support and foster the development and growth of the business community. The result of a strong BR&E strategy is a healthy and thriving business community which in turn provides a long term sustainable community foundation. 

Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E)

Sept 8 - Oct 6 (for a total of 15 hours)

Online

Register here

As you know, EDA's Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) helps your competitive advantage by offering a variety of courses designed to deliver information on the best practices and established tools you can use to help your region thrive.

To register for an in-person BR&E course gather your team and simply email: admin@edaalberta.ca

This course is eligible for credit towards the Management Certificate-Economic Developers offered through the University of Calgary in conjunction with EDA. It can also be applied to your Ec.D designation.

#EDAOnline

Summer is just about here and many of you might be making plans for professional development in the weeks ahead. As you know, EDA's Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) helps your competitive advantage by offering a variety of courses designed to deliver information on the best practices and established tools you can use to help your region thrive.

Don't forget EDA members, you are eligible for a 50% rebate on your tuition if you take our Business & Investment Attraction (BIA) course either online or in person.

Registration is open for the next online BIA course 

October 12 - November 10 for total of 15 hours. 

To register for an in-person BIA course gather your team and simply email: admin@edaalberta.ca

This course is eligible for credit towards the Management Certificate-Economic Developers offered through the University of Calgary in conjunction with EDA. It can also be applied to your Ec.D designation.

The availability of quality talent is the #1 obstacle many employers face in their staffing efforts, according to LinkedIn’s 2015 U.S. Staffing Trends report.

Talent Sourcing is the most useful method to overcome this obstacle. It’s no longer effective to wait for replies on job boards. Companies must compete for talent by actively seeking out skilled workers to fill positions and create a pipeline of qualified candidates, and social media provides the platform to source these individuals.

Join EDA for its next webinar in its Marketing Masters series Social Media for Targeted Talent Recruitment.

Social Media for Targeted Talent Recruitment
Thursday, June 25
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm (MST)
Register here

Grab your team and sign up today to learn about talent sourcing and how to use social media to engage with candidates.

A reminder that the Conference Board of Canada is holding a webinar to give their economic outlook for Alberta.

EDA members, you will save 50% off the full registration fee for yourself and your colleagues.

Alberta Business Outlook Webinar: Uncharted Territory

Tuesday, June 9
1:00 - 2:00pm (MST) (3:00 - 4:00pm EST)

Information and Registration: EDA members to redeem your savings simply contact Joel Elliott at elliott@conferenceboard.ca and quote rebate code EXEDA1 to pay only $149 to attend!

Conference Board’s Deputy Chief Economist Pedro Antunes and Senior Economist, Provincial Forecast Prince Owusu will also discuss: 

• Highlights from the Conference Board’s most recent provincial economic outlook
  
• Expert interpretation of the provincial outlook for 2015 and 2016, including all the key economic indicators
  
• How low oil prices will affect the economic and fiscal position in Alberta
  

The Conference Board was the first major forecaster in Canada to call a recession in Alberta. Join them to get the insights you need from some of the top economic minds in the country.

A reminder next week is a FREE training webinar in our AlbertaBusinessCounts program. Learn how to get specific information about companies, contacts and groups using digital portfolios. The instruction will also cover cover histories, analytics, grid viewing and editing functions. 

Getting In-Depth with Digital Portfolios
Friday, June 12
12:00- 1:00 pm
Register here

 FREE

If a more efficient business retention and expansion strategy part of your economic development plan then we recommend you sign up for AlbertaBusinessCounts.  It is designed to give your community a consistent method for gathering data needed to identify and analyze business needs at the local, regional and provincial level.

EDA holds the provincial master license for Executive Pulse, a software designed to collect and analyze data on existing industries in Alberta. A special licensing agreement enables EDA to make this software available to economic development organizations at a reduced price. We have partnered with Executive Pulse for a series of webinars in 2015. 

A reminder that June 4, there is a free webinar designed to deliver information on the Alberta-Canada Job Grant program. This program aims to address the challenges in finding skilled workers. 

Thursday, June 4
12:00 - 1:00 pm

Register here

Tell your community's business owners as this employer-driven program lets employers make the decisions on the training that is required. Don't miss out.

In 2017, Canadians across the country will celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation (Canada 150), a key milestone in the life of our country. The overarching theme to celebrating  Canada 150 is “Strong. Proud. Free”, which includes a vision to Give Back to Canada, through lasting legacies that extend beyond 2017.

As part of the government-wide Canada 150 celebrations, the Government of Canada has launched the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, which will invest $150 million over two years to rehabilitate and improve existing community infrastructure across Canada.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), on behalf of the Government of Canada, will deliver the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program in Western Canada and will invest $43.2 million in projects aiming to rehabilitate existing cultural and community infrastructure. These projects will reflect our shared history and optimism for the future while leaving a lasting legacy in celebration of Canada 150.

Detailed information on the delivery of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program in Western Canada,  including important details on eligibility, application requirements and program priorities, are available on the WD website http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/18872.asp.

Applications in Western Canada will be accepted from Tuesday, May 19^th, 2015

 until Wednesday, June 17th, 2015 @

1:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

2:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.

If you are aware of other organizations that may be interested in the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, we invite you to share this information within your network.

Every day in the news we hear about the impact of the collapse in oil prices on Alberta’s economy. Capital investment in the energy sector is declining and many companies are announcing layoffs.

So what will the coming year look like for Alberta businesses? Join the Conference Board of Canada for an upcoming webinar to hear their economic outlook is for Alberta, and how it will affect your business plans and strategies:

Join the Conference Board of Canada for an upcoming webinar to hear what the economic outlook is for Alberta, and how it will affect your business plans and strategies:

Alberta Business Outlook Webinar: Uncharted Territory

Tuesday, June 9
1:00 - 2:00pm (MST)

Information and Registration: EDA members can Save 50% off of the full registration fee for yourself and your colleagues! Simply contact Joel Elliott at elliott@conferenceboard.ca and quote rebate code EXEDA1 to pay only $149 to attend!

Conference Board’s Deputy Chief Economist Pedro Antunes and Senior Economist, Provincial Forecast Prince Owusu will also discuss: 

• Highlights from the Conference Board’s most recent provincial economic outlook
  
• Expert interpretation of the provincial outlook for 2015 and 2016, including all the key economic indicators
  
• How low oil prices will affect the economic and fiscal position in Alberta
  

The Conference Board was the first major forecaster in Canada to call a recession in Alberta. Join us to get the insights you need from some of the top economic minds in the country.