Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) and Business Retention & Expansion International (BREI) are joining forces this summer for a joint conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference, August 14-17, will be at the Sheraton New Orleans, just steps away from the French Quarter. The theme of this year’s event Building the Future: Strategies for Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction, will bring together economic development professionals from around the world.  

The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) is a 850 member association of economic development professionals from 17 southern states.  As its mission, SEDC strives to shape and improve the economic destiny of the American South.  SEDC is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America. www.sedc.org              

BREI (Business Retention & Expansion International) is the leading professional association for business retention and expansion, a fundamental strategy for economic sustainability and growth. BREI's mission is to provide leadership resources, education and networking opportunities in business retention and expansion. www.brei.org

 

The cost for SEDC & BREI Members to register is:
$425 (prior to July 1)
$475 (July 1- August 10)

Join SEDC and register for conference: $600 (prior to July 1), $650 (July 1 - August 10)
Non SEDC or BREI member: $675 (prior to July 1), $725 (July 1- August 10)

Spouse/ Guest Rate: $125

*The registration deadline is August 10, 2010
After this date, please plan to register onsite. In order to obtain a refund, all cancellations must be received in writing at SEDC. Refund policy is as follows: Cancellation notices received by Friday, August 6- amount refunded less an administrative fee of $50. Cancellation notices received after Friday, August 6- amount refunded less an administrative fee of $150. Refunds will not be granted after conference events have begun, August 14. Registrations may substitute attendees without penalty. However, appropriate member, non-member rates will apply to substitute attendees.

CLICK HERE for the most updated registration list as of July 27.

                                                                    
The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel will be host to this year's conference
500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

To reserve your room at the special conference rate of $106 plus applicable taxes
Please contact the hotel directly 1-(504) 525-2500
Or you can visit the special registration Web site

For more information on the Sheraton, please visit their Web site

 CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONSITE AGENDA

 CLICK HERE TO VIEW SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS

Congratulations to the 2010 Winners! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LISTING.

CLICK HERE FOR THE CALL FOR ENTRIES 

2010 COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARDS (CEDA)
In 2006, SEDC started a new program to recognize outstanding communities in our region for their efforts in advancing the economic viability of their community through economic and community development programs.  The awards recognize exceptional projects/programs of communities for efforts in the areas of Business Retention and Expansion, Business Recruitment, Community Development and Community Involvement.
 
The respective state associations in our region have had the opportunity to submit entries either though their own state wide CEDA competition or to submit entries that would qualify based on awards programs they already have in place. 

Entries were judged based on the following criteria:
• INNOVATIVENESS
The program or project demonstrates innovative approaches to institutional, financial, technical or legal aspects of economic and community development.
• TRANSFERABILITY
The program or project shows potential use by other economic and community development agencies or practitioners for similar opportunities or solutions.  The program or project should be readily transferable to comparable situations in other communities.
• COMMUNITY COMMITMENT AND LEVERAGE
The program or project makes it possible for others to achieve a greater impact by joining public/private participation or by intergovernmental or state/local involvement to leverage resources.  Support from volunteers should be demonstrated and not just success of paid staff/consultants. 
• MEASURED OBJECTIVES
Entries gave descriptions of results that demonstrated a specific objective that the program or project was able to achieve. Examples might be jobs created or retained, capital investment, community development issue addressed or additions to the tax base.
• SECONDARY BENEFITS
Project or program also produces demonstrable ancillary benefits to the community or region. 
(example: a new company in town provides jobs but they also support community projects in terms of time and money.  Or, a new park or arts center addresses needs to make the community more attractive for new businesses.)

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2010 WINNERS 

 A Special thanks to our sponsors:

Platinum:
Louisiana Economic Development

Gold:


Silver:
             

Bronze:

Janus Economics

Copper:
            
   


Supporting:
LA Public Facilities Authority 
Port of South Louisiana