Intensive Economic Development Training Course
Week 1: July 12-16, 2021 (Auburn, AL)
Week 2: September 20-23, 2021 (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 35 years of experience, GEDI is the state’s leading provider of economic development education and training.
The first week of the 2021 Intensive Course will be held on July 12-16, 2021 at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center, located at 241 South College Street in Auburn. The second week will be conducted September 20-23, 2021, also at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center.
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
- Field Trip: Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
Agenda - Week 1: July 12-16, 2021
*Click on the date to expand each panel to see the full agenda for that day.
8:00 - 8:30 AM | Welcome and Introductions |
8:30 - 9:45 AM | Introduction to Economic Development and Trends |
9:45 - 10:00 AM | Break |
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Community Development Fundamentals |
12:00 - 12:15 PM | Class Photo |
12:15 - 1:15 PM | Welcome Lunch |
1:15 - 2:00 PM | Fundamentals of Business Recruitment |
2:00 - 2:15 PM | Break |
2:15 - 3:30 PM | Economic Development Marketing |
3:30 - 3:45 PM | Break |
3:45 - 4:45 PM | Site Selection Process and Role of the Consultant |
4:45 - 5:00 PM | Wrap-up |
5:00 - 6:30 PM | Welcome Reception |
8:00 - 10:00 AM | Business Retention and Expansion |
10:00 - 10:15 AM | Break |
10:15 - 11:15 AM | Workforce Development Trends |
11:15 - 12:30 PM | Lunch (on your own) |
12:30 - 1:45 PM | Panel: Workforce and Talent Attraction |
1:45 - 2:00 PM | Break |
2:00 - 3:00 PM | Case Study Introduction, GEDI Staff |
3:00 - 5:00 PM | Ethics |
8:00 - 10:00 AM | Strategic Planning for Economic Development |
10:00 - 10:15 AM | Break |
10:15 - 11:15 AM | Case Study Project Time |
11:15 – 11:30 AM | IEDC CEcD Overview |
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Lunch (on your own) |
12:45 - 2:45 PM | Economic Development Finance |
2:45 - 3:00 PM | Break |
3:00 - 4:00 PM | Entrepreneurship and Small Business |
4:00 - 5:00 PM | Panel: Entrepreneurship and Small Business |
8:00 - 10:00 AM | The Use of Data in Economic Development and Economic Impact Analysis |
10:00 - 10:15 AM | Break |
10:15 - 11:15 AM | TBD |
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM | Lunch (on your own) |
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Real Estate Development and Reuse |
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 |
8:00 - 9:00 AM | Case Study Project Time |
9:00 - 9:15 AM | Break |
9:15 - 11:00 AM | Case Study Presentations |
11:00 - 11:45 AM | Final Survey, Wrap Up and Certificates |

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 only $650; Both weeks $850 - If paid on or before TBD.
- Regular Fee: Week 1 only $700; Both Weeks $900 - If payment received after TBD.
- NOTE: We MUST RECEIVE payment on or before TBD or else you will need to pay the full price.
- Final deadline to register for Week 1 is TBD.
Intensive Economic Development Training Course – Week One
- Dates: July 12-16, 2021
- Location: The Hotel at Auburn University, Auburn, AL – Map/Directions
- Hotel Reservations: Summer 2021
Intensive Economic Development Training Course – Week Two
- Dates: September 20-23, 2021
- Location: The Hotel at Auburn University, Auburn, AL – Map/Directions
- Hotel Reservations: Fall 2021
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: February 10, 2021