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Strategies for Retail Development is a two-day course presented by the Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) at Auburn University. This course has been offered by ECDI on a biannual basis since 2006. On June 17-18, 2010, ECDI will assemble leading retail, economic and community development experts at The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville to present ideas and success strategies for retail development. In addition, community and economic developers from across Alabama will share best practices based upon proven success in community-based retail development. Course participants will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in constructive dialogue about the challenges, possibilities and potential of retail development as an essential economic development strategy.
ECDI will provide each participant with a CD containing faculty presentations and reference materials.

Economic Developers Community Leaders State and Local Elected Officials Utility Company Representatives Community and Regional Planners Chamber of Commerce Staff and Board Members Economic and Industrial Development Board Members County Extension Coordinators		CLICK HERE for a tentative copy of the course agenda. Thursday, June 17th 9:00 a.m. Course Begins 11:45 a.m. Break for Lunch 4:45 p.m. Adjournment Friday, June 18th 8:00 a.m. Welcome Back 11:15 a.m. Adjournment
"Everyone who is in any part of city / county government leadership / planning should be required to attend this conference, which will help make the state a better / more cohesive place to live. This was one of the best of these types of programs I have attended.” “Well organized and conducted; valuable information; impeccable speakers” “Excellent course content and speakers!” “On target; excellent presenters” “Subjects covered were well selected.” “Great value and very informative” “Very good workshop with a good line up of speakers. All did a good job in their presentations.” “Every session was very good. Good selection of topics - excellent presentations, quality presenters. This has been one of the most enjoyable and beneficial meetings I’ve attended in a long time. Programs such as this must be continued. Very helpful - very educational.” “Very informative course that addresses solutions to small rural communities’ problems with lack of retail outlets. The comments from the people who have ‘Been There, Done That’ were especially enlightening. Every small community should send representatives to a course such as this.” “All speakers were very interesting. Information was presented in a simple, easy-to-understand format. Great conference for people just entering the retail development market. Would recommend the conference to others.” “Great – learned tons to take back to my city!”

With over 25 years of experience in economic development education and training and over 1,000 alumni across Alabama, ECDI is the state’s leading provider of education in economic and community development. Building upon the success of its annual two-week Intensive Economic Development Training Course, ECDI introduced the Alabama Prosperity Forum in 2006. This forum is comprised of a series of short courses focused on areas in which Alabama economic and community developers have expressed a desire for more training. This is the second of three APF courses offered in 2010.

Participants may register by any of the following: Click here to REGISTER ONLINE using a check / credit card. Complete and mail the registration form and payment to the address listed. (Click here for brochure and registration form.) Fax the completed registration form and payment information as indicated on the form. The course registration fee of $225 includes: Course CD Refreshments during the course 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Refund Policy: ECDI will not issue direct cash refunds for this course. Instead, the registration fee may be applied to another APF course.

The course will be held at The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill, located at 2500 Legends Circle in Prattville. Hotel reservations are not included in the course fee. A special rate of $114/night plus tax is available to course participants for Wednesday, June 16th and Thursday, June 17th. Please indicate that you are attending this ECDI course in order to receive this rate. Hotel reservations can be made by calling The Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill at (800) 593-6429. CLICK HERE for a map to the hotel.

For more information about this ECDI course, Strategies for Retail Development, contact Allyson Martin, ECDI Education and Training Specialist, at ahm0007@auburn.edu or (334) 844-3685.