Intensive Economic Development Training Course

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. It provides an intensive overview of general economic development concepts and principles. In 2024, week one will be held July 8-12.

International Economic Development Council

The second week will be held September 16-19, 2024 and will focus on important issues and resources in our state. It 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.



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

Intensive Economic Development Training Course Week 1
Date: July 8-12, 2024
Location: The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center 241 S. College St, Auburn, AL 36830
Registration Fee:
July Week ONLY $ 850.00
July & Sept Weeks $1,150.00
EARLY BIRD July & Sept Weeks $ 950.00
Early Bird Registration Deadline: June 3, 2024
Registration Deadline: June 7, 2024

Course Registration Hotel Reservation Course Agenda


Intensive Economic Development Training Course Week 2
Date: September 16-19, 2024
Location: The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center 241 S. College St, Auburn, AL 36830
Registration Fee:
July Week ONLY $ 850.00
July & Sept Weeks $1,150.00
EARLY BIRD July & Sept Weeks $ 950.00
Early Bird Registration Deadline: June 3, 2024
Registration Deadline: June 7, 2024

Course Registration Hotel Reservation


Greg Barker
Greg Barker
Executive VP of Customer Services, Alabama Power Company
Phillis Belcher
Phillis Belcher
Executive Director, Greene County IDA
Tedra Cheatam
Tedra Cheatam
Director of Business Development, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
Mo Collins
Mo Collins
New Economy Specialist
Sheldon Day
Sheldon Day
Mayor, City of Thomasville, Alabama
Phillip Dunlap
Phillip Dunlap
Economic Development Director, City of Auburn
Haitham Eletrabi
Haitham Eletrabi
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Tennibot
Jay Garner
Jay Garner
President and Founder, Garner Economics, LLC
Randy George
Randy George
Former President, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
Waymond Jackson
Waymond Jackson
Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA)
Sandra Koblas
Sandra Koblas
Director of Human Resources, Austal USA in Mobile, AL
David Mixson
David Mixson
Associate Director, Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Auburn University
David Rumbarger
David Rumbarger
President/CEO, Community Development Foundation
Jennifer Ryan
Jennifer Ryan
Communications Manager, Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Auburn University
Jim Searcy
Jim Searcy
Executive Director, Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA)
Steve Sewell
Steve Sewell
Executive Vice President, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA)
Deborah McGill Smith
Deborah McGill Smith
Vice President, Industrial Brokerage & Consulting Cushman & Wakefield/EGS Commercial Real Estate
Amelia Hall Stehouwer
Amelia Hall Stehouwer
Research Manager, Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Auburn University
Amy Sturdivant
Amy Sturdivant
Director of Business Recruitment, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Joe Sumners
Joe Sumners
Executive Director, Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Auburn University
Mike Swinson
Mike Swinson
Director of Economic Development, Spire
Galen Thackston
Galen Thackston
Regional President, Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood (GMC) South
Laith Wardi
Laith Wardi
President, ExecutivePulse, Inc.
Jason Wilson
Jason Wilson
Founder and CEO, Back Forty Beer Company
Tess Winningham
Tess Winningham
CEO and Co-Founder, Alignment Simple Solutions
Sharon Younger
Sharon Younger
President and Founder, Younger Associates, LLC
Intensive Economic Development Training Course:
Week 1: July 8-12, 2024
Week 2: September 16-19, 2024

Both weeks will be held at:

The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center 241 S College St, Auburn, AL 36830

Program fees:

Week 1 only:
Early bird - $750 - if registration and fee are received by June 3, 2024
Regular - $850

Weeks 1 & 2:
Early bird - $950 - if registration and fee are received by June 3, 2024
Regular - $1,150

Week 1 is accredited by IEDC. Week 2 is not offered as a stand alone course.

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.

Presenting Partner:

Spire Gas logo

Various level of sponsorships are currently available including speaker, break and reception sponsors. For more information, contact us at gedi@auburn.edu or 334-844-4782.

For more information about the course, please contact:

Email: gedi@auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-4782
Fax: 334-844-4709

Last Updated: March 14, 2024