Intensive Economic Development Training Course
Week 1: July 10-14, 2023 (Auburn, AL)
Week 2: September 11-14, 2023 (Auburn, AL)

A two-week course introducing participants to all phases of economic development.
The Intensive Economic Development Training Course is an annual two-week course presented by the Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI).
The course is divided into two one-week sessions and introduces participants to all phases of economic development. Program leaders and faculty have proven success in economic development practices and techniques. Instructors represent the field’s most effective practitioners from throughout the state and nation.
The first week of the Intensive Course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and fulfills one of the prerequisites for those who wish to take the exam for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation. It provides an intensive overview of general economic development concepts and principles.

The second week focuses on important issues and resources and is especially valuable to economic developers and community leaders practicing in Alabama.
With 40 years of experience, GEDI is the state’s leading provider of economic development education and training.
The 2023 Intensive Course will be held at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center, located at 241 South College Street in Auburn. The first week of the 2023 Intensive Course will be held July 10-14, 2023 and the second week will be conducted September 11-14, 2023.
Who Should Attend
- Local, Regional, and State-Level Economic Development Professionals
- Economic / Industrial Development Board Members
- Chamber of Commerce Officials
- State / Local Elected Officials
- Community Leaders
- County Commissioners
- Utility Company Representatives
- Community / Regional Planners
Course Curriculum
Session I Topics
- Trends in Economic Development
- Workforce Development and Training
- Community Development Fundamentals and Success Models
- Marketing and Business Attraction
- Business Retention and Expansion
- Web and Social Media Marketing Strategies
- Strategic Planning for Economic Development
- Real Estate Development and Reuse
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development
- Economic Development Finance
- Site Selection Case Study Exercise
- Economic Development Ethics
- Building and Managing Economic Development Organization
Session II Topics
- The History of Economic Development in Alabama
- Alabama Government and Economic Development
- Economic Development from the Company’s Perspective
- Alabama Education and Workforce Development
- Recruiting Hyundai: The Montgomery Experience
- Retail as an Essential Economic Development Strategy
- International Trade and Investment
- Rural Development Strategies
- Alabama Programs and Resources to Support Economic Development
- Alabama Economic Development Roundtable
Agenda - Week 1: July 10-14, 2023
*Click on the date to expand each panel to see the full agenda for that day.
8:00 - 8:30 AM | Welcome and Introductions GEDI Staff and Course Participant Introductions |
8:30 – 10:00 AM | Introduction to Economic Development and Trends |
10:00 – 10:15 | Break – Sponsored by Spire |
10:15 – 11:15 AM | Fundamentals of Business Recruitment |
11:15 – 11:30 AM | Class Photo |
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Welcome Lunch – Sponsored by Spire |
12:30 – 2:30 PM | Community Development Fundamentals |
2:30 – 2:45 PM | Break – Break – Sponsored by Spire |
2:45 – 3:45 PM | Economic Development Marketing |
3:45 – 4:00 PM | Break |
4:00 – 5:00 PM | The Site Selection Process and Role of the Consultant |
5:00 - 6:30 PM | Opening Reception |
7:30 – 8:00 AM | “Grab and Go” Breakfast — Sponsored by Southeast Gas |
8:00 – 10:00 AM | Business Retention and Expansion |
10:00 – 10:15 | Break – Sponsored by Retail Strategies |
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM | The Use of Data in Economic Development and Economic Impact Analysis |
12:15 – 1:30 PM | Lunch On Your Own |
1:30 – 3:30 PM | Ethics in Economic Development |
3:30 – 3:45 PM | Break – Sponsored by PPM |
3:45 – 5:00 PM | Case Study Project Time |
7:30 – 8:00 AM | “Grab and Go” Breakfast — Sponsored by Sain Associates |
8:00 – 10:00 AM | Strategic Planning for Economic Development |
10:00 – 10:15 AM | Break – Sponsored by Lyons HR |
10:15 – 11:15 AM | Overview of Workforce Development |
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch On Your Own |
12:30 – 1:30 PM | Panel: Workforce Development and Talent Attraction |
1:30 – 1:45 PM | CEcD Overview |
1:45 – 2:00 PM | Break – Sponsored by PowerSouth |
2:00 – 3:30 PM | Economic Development Finance |
3:30 – 5:00 PM | Case Study Project Time |
7:30 – 8:00 AM | “Grab and Go” Breakfast — Sponsored by Alabama Power |
8:00 – 9:00 AM | Community Geography and Site Analysis |
9:00 – 9:15 AM | Break |
9:15 – 10:45 AM | Real Estate Development and Reuse |
10:45 – 11:15 AM | Case Study Project Time |
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch On Your Own |
12:30 – 1:30 PM | Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development |
1:30 – 2:30 PM | Panel: Entrepreneurship and Small Business |
2:30 – 2:45 PM | Break |
2:45 – 3:45 PM | Managing an Effective Economic Development Organization |
3:45 - 4:00 PM | Break |
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Panel: The Role of Economic Developer |
3:45 - 4:00 PM | Closing Reception – Sponsored by EDAA and Lathan Architects |
7:15 - 8:15 AM | Graduation Breakfast and Ceremony – Sponsored by Spire |
8:15 – 9:15 AM | Case Study Project Time |
9:15 – 9:30 AM | Break |
9:30 – 11:30 AM | Case Presentations and Wrap Up |
Agenda - Week 2: September 11-14, 2023
*Click on the date to expand each panel to see the full agenda for that day.
7:30 – 8:00 AM | Grab and Go Breakfast and Coffee |
8:00 – 8:30 AM | Welcome and Introductions |
8:30 – 9:30 AM | The History of Economic Development in Alabama |
9:30 – 9:45 AM | Break |
9:45 – 11:00 AM | Alabama Government and Economic Development |
11:00 – 11:15 AM | Break |
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | PK-12 Education and Alabama Economic Development |
12:15 – 1:30 PM | Lunch (On Your Own) |
1:30 – 2:30 PM | Alabama Workforce Development: Programs and Planning |
2:30 – 2:45 PM | Break |
2:45 – 3:45 PM | Placemaking as Economic Development |
3:45 – 4:00 PM | Class Photo and Break |
4:00 – 5:00 PM | Placemaking / Community Resources – Moderated Panel |
5:00 – 6:30 PM | Welcome Reception (Legacy Ballroom) |
7:30 – 8:00 AM | Grab and Go Breakfast and Coffee |
8:00 – 9:00 AM | Tourism as an Economic Development StrategyTami Reist, President & CEO |
9:00 – 9:15 AM | Break |
9:15 – 10:15 AM | Role of Local Elected Officials in Economic Development – Moderated Panel |
10:15 – 10:30 AM | Break |
10:30 – 11:15 AM | The Economic Development Impact of Alabama’s Public Institutes of Higher Education |
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Alabama Department of Commerce Overview |
12:00 – 1:15 PM | Lunch (On Your Own) |
1:15 – 2:00 PM | Working with Alabama Department of Commerce |
2:00 – 2:45 PM | Alabama Rural Development Resources |
2:45 – 3:00 PM | Break |
3:00 – 3:45 PM | Alabama Department of Economic and Community AffairsKenneth Boswell |
3:45 – 4:00 PM | Break |
4:00 – 4:30 PM | Economic Development Partnership of AlabamaGreg Barker, President |
4:30 – 5:00 PM | Alabama Innovation |
7:30 – 8:00 AM | Grab and Go Breakfast and Coffee |
8:00 – 8:45 AM | Broadband: Essential Economic Development Infrastructure |
8:45 – 9:45 AM | Alabama’s Infrastructure Report Card and its Importance to Economic Development |
9:45 – 10:00 AM | Break |
10:00 – 11:00 AM | The Role of Utilities in Alabama Economic Development - Panel |
11:00 - 11:15 AM | Break |
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Retail as an Economic Development Tool Lacy Beasley, President Retail Strategies |
12:15 – 1:30 PM | Lunch (On Your Own) |
1:30 – 2:30 PM | International Trade and Economic Development Brian Davis, Director Alabama International Trade Center, The University of Alabama |
2:30 – 2:45 PM | Break |
2:45 – 3:30 PM | Site Selection: A Local Perspective |
3:30 – 3:45 PM | Break |
3:45 – 5:00 PM | State and Federal Incentives |
7:30 – 8:30 AM | Graduation Breakfast (Grand Ballroom I) - Sponsored by Spire |
8:30 – 8:45 AM | Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA) |
8:45 – 9:15 AM | Know Your Community |
9:15 – 9:30 AM | Break |
9:30 – 10:30 AM | The Role of Public Policy in Economic Development – Moderated Panel |
10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break |
10:45 – 11:30 AM | Business Expansion: A Local Perspective |
11:30 AM | Announcements & Adjournment |

Greg Barker
Executive VP of Customer Services, Alabama Power Company

Phillis Belcher
Executive Director, Greene County IDA

Tedra Cheatam
Director of Business Development, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University

Mo Collins
New Economy Specialist

Sheldon Day
Mayor, City of Thomasville, Alabama

Phillip Dunlap
Economic Development Director, City of Auburn

Haitham Eletrabi
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Tennibot

Jay Garner
President and Founder, Garner Economics, LLC

Randy George
Former President, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce

Waymond Jackson
Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA)

Sandra Koblas
Director of Human Resources, Austal USA in Mobile, AL

David Mixson
Associate Director, Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Auburn University

David Rumbarger
President/CEO, Community Development Foundation

Jennifer Ryan
Communications Manager, Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Auburn University

Jim Searcy
Executive Director, Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA)

Steve Sewell
Executive Vice President, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA)

Deborah McGill Smith
Vice President, Industrial Brokerage & Consulting Cushman & Wakefield/EGS Commercial Real Estate

Amelia Hall Stehouwer
Research Manager, Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Auburn University

Amy Sturdivant
Director of Business Recruitment, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

Joe Sumners
Executive Director, Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Auburn University

Mike Swinson
Director of Economic Development, Spire

Galen Thackston
Regional President, Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood (GMC) South

Laith Wardi
President, ExecutivePulse, Inc.

Jason Wilson
Founder and CEO, Back Forty Beer Company

Tess Winningham
CEO and Co-Founder, Alignment Simple Solutions

Sharon Younger
President and Founder, Younger Associates, LLC
Registration Fees:
- Early Bird Fee: Week 1 or week 2 only $750; Both weeks $950 - If paid on or before June 2, 2023.
- Regular Fee: Week 1 or week 2 only $850; Both Weeks $1150 - If payment received after June 2, 2023.
- NOTE: We MUST RECEIVE payment on or before June 2, 2023 or else you will need to pay the regular, non-discounted price.
Intensive Economic Development Training Course – Week One
- Dates: July 10-14, 2023
- Location: The Hotel at Auburn University, Auburn, AL – Map/Directions
- Hotel Reservations:
- Room Rate: $139
- The room block will fill up quickly, so please reserve early
- Book a Room
Intensive Economic Development Training Course – Week Two
- Dates: September 11-14, 2023
- Location: The Hotel at Auburn University, Auburn, AL – Map/Directions
- Hotel Reservations:
- Room Rate: $139
- The room block will fill up quickly, so please reserve early
- Book a Room
In the event the host hotel is fully booked or if you would like to stay at a different property, Auburn-Opelika Tourism offers a convenient online tool for searching and booking available area hotels. Access it through this link: https://www.aotourism.com/Accommodations/
Attendance and Participation: It is the policy of the Government and Economic Development Institute (GEDI) and IEDC that the entire course must be taken in order to receive full credit and/or qualify to take the exam at the end of the class. All program attendees are encouraged to benefit fully from the course by asking questions, relating experiences and thoughts, and otherwise ensure that they understand and can apply techniques and ideas offered by the instructors.
Registration/Cancellation Rule:
Provided that space is available, receipt of the registration form, email or online enrollment constitutes registration. Written cancellations, received fifteen (15) working days prior to the beginning of the program will be honored with a partial refund of the registration fee, but will be assessed a $50 administrative charge. Due to commitments to instructors and meeting facilities, late cancellations or non-attendance will not be refunded, and full payment is required. Substitutions for registered participants may be made at any time.
If you have questions about enrollment, invoices or payments, or cancellations for the Intensive Course , please email GEDI@auburn.edu, or call 334-844-4782. Thank you.
Certificates and Attendance Policy:
Session I participants will receive a certificate of completion for the IEDC-accredited Auburn University Basic Economic Development Course. Participants who attend both Sessions I and II will receive a certificate of completion for the Intensive Economic Development Training Course. Only illness, a family emergency, or a business emergency constitute an excused absence.
Attendance and Participation: It is the policy of the Government and Economic Development Institute (GEDI) and IEDC that the entire course must be taken in order to receive full credit and/or qualify to take the exam at the end of the class. All program attendees are encouraged to benefit fully from the course by asking questions, relating experiences and thoughts, and otherwise ensure that they understand and can apply techniques and ideas offered by the instructors.
For more information about the course, please contact:
Email: gedi@auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-4782
Fax: 334-844-4709
Last Updated: June 2, 2023