What International Economic Development Council does

International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan membership association headquartered at 1275 K Street NW, Washington, DC. It operates as the world's largest organization serving economic development professionals, with over 4,500 members across the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and additional international geographies. IEDC traces its history to 1926 and adopted its current form through the 2001 merger of the American Economic Development Council (AEDC) and the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED). The organization is governed by a 55-member Board of Directors and operated by a roughly 35-person staff under President & CEO Nathan Ohle (appointed February 7, 2022).

IEDC's core product portfolio spans professional certifications (Certified Economic Developer/CEcD with 1,000+ holders since 1971, and Entrepreneurship Development Professional/EDP), organizational accreditation (Accredited Economic Development Organization/AEDO, held by 89–94 organizations globally), training courses and webinars, the Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) research program, the annual Economic Development Journal, and three annual conferences plus the Economic Recovery Corps program funded by the U.S. EDA. Member engagement is delivered through formal Affinity Groups (Women in ED, Emerging Leaders, Rural ED, CEcDs, Leaders of the Industry), a Mentorship Program, the ED Now newsletter, and the ED Marketplace career center. Distribution is extended through partner institutions (Grow America, University of Oklahoma EDI, Arizona Sustainable ED Learning Lab, ResearchFDI Academy) and a global network of eleven international association partners plus four US regional/state councils.

IEDC generates revenue from annual membership dues across fourteen tiers ranging from $35 (Student) to $2,250+ (Group, 12–14 seats), conference and event registration fees and sponsorships (Chairman's Club sponsors include Amazon, Comcast, DCI, CivicServe, Placer.ai, and Revelio Labs), certification and accreditation fees, training course/webinar attendance, and the Bollinger Foundation scholarship fund (which has distributed over $1.4 million cumulatively, including $100,000+ in 2023). Membership operates on a calendar-year cycle with mid-year pro-rated enrollment, and members receive up to $1,800 in annual savings on professional development versus non-member pricing. Recent additions include an AI Toolkit for Economic Developers, an Investment Accelerator Pilot Program, and a member-exclusive relaunch of the Economic Development Journal.

Name

International Economic Development Council

Legal name

International Economic Development Council

Website

https://iedconline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world's largest membership association for economic development professionals, serving over 4,500 members globally through certifications (CEcD, EDP), organizational accreditation (AEDO), conferences, training, research, and advocacy from its Washington, DC headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from individual and organizational members across multiple tiers (Individual, Emerging Leader, Rural, International, Leader of the Industry, Supplier Partner, Student, Group memberships). Membership provides access to ED Now newsletter, EDRP Reports, member pricing, member directory, affinity groups, mentorship program, and discounted conference registration. Dues range from $35 (Student) to $725 (Supplier Partner), with Group memberships up to $2,250+.
2. Conferences and Events: Annual conferences (three per year) and additional events including the Annual Conference, Federal Economic Development Forum, and Leadership events. Conferences provide connections, access, and insights by bringing together experienced economic developers, community leaders, industry experts, and policymakers. Revenue generated through registration fees and sponsorship.
3. Professional Development Courses and Webinars: Training courses (fundamental and in-depth), certificate programs, CEcD and EDP exam fees, and webinar attendance fees. Courses cover topics such as Economic Development Credit Analysis, Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development, Economic Development Marketing & Attraction, Technology-Led Economic Development, Business Retention & Expansion, and Neighborhood Development Strategies. Attended by thousands of practitioners annually.
4. Certifications and Accreditation: Revenue from CEcD certification exams, EDP certification exams, and AEDO (Accredited Economic Development Organization) accreditation and reaccreditation fees for organizations seeking independent assessment of their operations.
5. Sponsorships: Corporate and organizational sponsors support IEDC events and programs. Chairman's Club Sponsors include Amazon, Comcast, DCI, CivicServe, Placer.ai, ResearchFDI, and Revelio Labs. Additional sponsors support specific events, the Bollinger Golf Open, and publications.
6. Bollinger Foundation Events: The Bollinger Foundation, supported administratively by IEDC, raises funds through its annual golf tournament (Bollinger Golf Open) at Andrews Air Force Base Golf Course. Sponsorship levels range from $600 (Patron) to $30,000 (Premium Sponsor). In 2023, over $100,000 was raised in scholarships from sponsorships alone.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

IEDC is a membership-based professional association that provides economic developers and economic development organizations with tiered annual memberships, premier professional certifications (CEcD and EDP), an organizational accreditation program (AEDO), training courses, webinars, and annual conferences. It also produces practitioner-based research (EDRP), publishes the Economic Development Journal and ED Now newsletter, runs affinity groups and a mentorship program, provides advocacy before Congress and federal agencies, and operates the Economic Recovery Corps for community disaster recovery.

Product overview

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) operates as a membership-based professional association providing a comprehensive suite of products and services for economic developers. The core offerings include professional certifications (CEcD, EDP), organizational accreditation (AEDO), training courses, conferences, and research publications. The portfolio centers on the Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) research program, the Economic Development Journal (recently relaunched for members), and ED Now newsletter content. Professional development extends through webinars, training courses, Basic Economic Development Courses (BEDCs), and a Mentorship Program. Networking opportunities are facilitated through Affinity Groups and the annual Economic Development Week celebration. The organization also offers the Economic Recovery Corps for disaster recovery support and recently launched an AI Toolkit for Economic Developers as a new resource.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) Certification Premier professional certification for economic developers requiring passage of a rigorous exam covering economic development principles, finance, marketing, and strategy; provides peer recognition and career credentialing.
• Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) Certification Credential for professionals supporting entrepreneurship in their communities, demonstrating skills to steer communities through entrepreneurship-led economic development (ELED).
• Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) Accreditation Independent assessment and recognition program for economic development organizations demonstrating excellence, involving comprehensive peer review including documentation review and onsite visits. Approximately 89-94 organizations worldwide hold this accreditation.
• Training Courses and Certificate Programs Fundamental and in-depth training courses providing education for economic development professionals at all levels, including topics such as Economic Development Credit Analysis, Economic Development Marketing & Attraction, Technology-Led Economic Development, Business Retention & Expansion, and Neighborhood Development Strategies.
• Basic Economic Development Courses (BEDCs) Foundational training courses introducing budding economic development professionals to the basic tools of economic development, also serving community leaders, elected officials, and other leaders involved in economic development, delivered through partner institutions including Grow America, University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI), Arizona Sustainable Economic Development Learning Lab, and ResearchFDI Academy.
• Annual and Regional Conferences Three annual conferences (Annual Conference, Federal Economic Development Forum, and Leadership events) bringing together experienced economic developers, community leaders, industry experts, and policymakers for connections, access, and insights; 2026 Annual Conference in New Orleans.
• Webinars Live and archived online educational sessions attended by thousands of practitioners yearly, covering cutting-edge best practices and resources; includes sponsored webinars and a COVID-era archive.
• Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) IEDC's internal think tank producing practitioner-based economic development research, reports, and thought leadership for EDRP members.
• Economic Development Journal Annual member-exclusive publication featuring peer-reviewed research and practitioner-driven insights on issues facing communities today, including workforce transformation, entrepreneurship-led development, foreign direct investment, and regional collaboration.
• ED Now Newsletter Monthly member-exclusive newsletter covering all the latest in the practice and profession of economic development, including policy updates, grant opportunities, research, publications, and practical tools.
• Economic Recovery Corps Program funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) that helps communities restore their economies after disasters by placing volunteer members and fellows in affected host organizations.
• AI Toolkit for Economic Developers Resource toolkit helping economic developers integrate artificial intelligence tools into their practice.
• Mentorship Program One-to-one mentoring relationships connecting members for career growth, knowledge sharing, and professional connection.
• Affinity Groups Professional networking communities including Women in Economic Development, Emerging Leaders, Rural Economic Development, Leaders of the Industry, and Certified Economic Developers.
• ED Marketplace (Career Center) Job board and marketplace connecting employers with economic development candidates; members receive discounts on job postings and recruitment tools, and the marketplace also lists RFPs and a bookstore.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs) globally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Organization of American States (OAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOAS is the premier regional forum for political discussion, policy analysis and decision-making in Western Hemisphere affairs. The partnership allows IEDC members to access OAS resources and facilitates collaboration on economic development across the Americas.
• World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAIPA is an NGO that provides investment promotion agencies (IPAs) with networking and best practice exchange opportunities. The partnership enhances international economic development cooperation.
• European Association of Development Agencies (EURADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEURADA gathers those working on economic development within the European Union and beyond, and encourages exchanges of best practices in local and regional economic development.
• Economic Developers of Australia (EDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDA is a nationally recognized network of economic development professionals fostering prosperity in communities across Australia through building capacity, promoting excellence, and providing leadership.
• Economic Developers New Zealand (EDNZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDNZ provides networking, conferences, joint projects, access to information, and government lobbying for economic developers in New Zealand.
• Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade by organizing international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions, particularly for SMEs.
• Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDAC is Canada's national organization of economic developers, advancing economic development as a profession through professional development, conferences, and scholarship. IEDC bylaws require representation from Canada.
• Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDCO provides leadership to enhance the professional development of its members and support Ontario municipalities in fostering economic prosperity.
• British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCEDA is the leading professional association of economic development practitioners in British Columbia, helping member communities grow and expand businesses and attract new investments.
• Economic Developers Alberta (EDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDA provides expertise integral to fostering an economically prosperous, diverse, sustainable Alberta by providing leadership and professional development.
• Saskatchewan Economic Developers Association (SEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEDA has operated for over 25 years as the provincial association for those engaged in community economic development throughout Saskatchewan, from social enterprise to international trade and investment.
• Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAEDC members are dedicated economic development professionals sharing best practices, making contact with site selectors, and advancing regional economic development programs.
• National Rural Economic Development Association (NREDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNREDA is a member organization dedicated to the advancement of rural economic development through providing education and networking opportunities.
• Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEDA's mission is to advance the practice of economic development professionals to improve economic prosperity of communities in the northeast United States.
• Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEDC advances economic development through educational and professional efforts across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and D.C.
• Grow AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrow America is a partner in IEDC's Basic Economic Development Courses (BEDCs) program, providing foundational training content for emerging economic development professionals.
• University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOU EDI is a partner institution for IEDC's Basic Economic Development Courses, providing accredited foundational training for economic development professionals.
• Arizona Sustainable Economic Development Learning LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collaborative learning initiative providing sustainable economic development training, with award-winning capstone projects such as the utility-led model for revitalizing coal-impacted communities.
• ResearchFDIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearchFDI provides FDI training through ResearchFDI Academy and is a Chairman's Club sponsor of IEDC, offering training services for foreign direct investment professionals.
• Chmura Economics & AnalyticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChmura Economics & Analytics serves as a thought partner on IEDC's Economic Development Journal. Specializes in advanced economic analysis and data-driven tools such as JobsEQ software.
• Amazon (Chairman's Club Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon serves as a Chairman's Club sponsor of IEDC, supporting the organization's conferences and events.
• Comcast (Chairman's Club Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerComcast serves as a Chairman's Club sponsor of IEDC, investing in economic development through the organization's events and programs.
• DCI (Chairman's Club Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDCI (Development Counsellors International) serves as a Chairman's Club sponsor of IEDC, providing economic development marketing expertise.
• CivicServe (Chairman's Club Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCivicServe serves as a Chairman's Club sponsor of IEDC, supporting the organization's mission.
• Placer.ai (Chairman's Club Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlacer.ai serves as a Chairman's Club sponsor of IEDC, providing location analytics for economic development.
• Revelio Labs (Chairman's Club Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRevelio Labs serves as a Chairman's Club sponsor of IEDC, providing workforce and labor market analytics.
• Nevada Economic Developers Association (NEDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched by EDAWN and LVGEA as a professional group dedicated to supporting economic development professionals across Nevada, with aims including training and statewide collaboration. IEDC's AEDO accreditation program underlies this initiative.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Urban Land Institute (ULI): Global research and education organization focused on land use and real estate development, including economic and community development. Comparable to IEDC in offering paid membership, training, certifications, and research to professionals working at the intersection of real estate and economic development.
• National Association of Counties (NACo): Membership organization serving U.S. county governments, including economic development policy and advocacy. Serves a broader constituency but overlaps with IEDC on county-level economic development training and federal advocacy.
• International City/County Management Association (ICMA): Professional association for local government leaders and managers, many of whom oversee economic development functions. Overlaps with IEDC's senior-level economic development training and serves an adjacent buyer of economic development professional development.
• American Planning Association (APA): National membership organization for urban planners that touches on economic development planning. Competitor for state/local government professional development budgets and member mindshare on community economic planning.

Direct peers

• Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC): Canada's national organization of economic developers, providing professional development, conferences, and scholarship. Direct peer as IEDC's principal international partner and a parallel national economic development association serving the same profession.
• Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO): Ontario's leading economic development association providing professional development, recognition, and member support. Comparable as a regional economic development membership association with overlapping member value proposition (training, networking, advocacy).
• Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA): National association dedicated to development finance agencies and economic development finance professionals. Competes with IEDC in the economic development professional training and certification space, particularly around project finance and incentive policy.

Emerging players

• Society for International Development (SID): International membership organization focused on sustainable development and economic policy. Adjacent to IEDC's international scope and a potential peer for members working at the intersection of international and economic development.

Regional players

• Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC): Mid-America regional economic development association offering networking, education, and site selector connections. Competes with IEDC for member dues and conference participation within the Mid-American geography.
• Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC): Regional economic development association serving 18 states plus DC. Direct competitor within the U.S. Southeast for member dues, conference attendance, and professional development spend.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iedctweets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Economic Development Council