Professional Developers of Iowa

What Professional Developers of Iowa does

Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) is a private, non-profit voluntary association founded in 1973 and reincorporated under its current name in 1989, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. It serves nearly 300 economic development professionals across all 99 Iowa counties, spanning county and regional economic developers, utilities (electric, gas, telecommunications), universities and community colleges, legal and financial firms, engineering and construction firms, and rail transportation companies. PDI operates as the unified statewide voice for Iowa's economic development field, delivering advocacy at the Iowa State Capitol through a professional lobbyist, professional development programming, and peer networking.

PDI's core offerings include annual membership tiers (Individual $375, Group, Associate, and Student $50), two annual conferences (Spring and a flagship three-day Fall Conference), the P3 Workshop for new professionals, the one-year PDI ConnectED cohort program, Mentorship and Coaching programs, the IEDC-accredited Heartland Economic Development Course, scholarships for professional certifications, legislative roundtables and a Day on the Hill, and the annual BRE Awards. Its revenue model combines recurring annual membership dues, conference registration fees ($315-$465), multi-tier event and newsletter sponsorships, job posting fees ($125 per 60-day listing), and tax-deductible scholarship donations under its 501(c)(3) status. PDI has no proprietary technology platform; its digital touchpoints are a public website, member portal, newsletters, and standard social media channels.

Go-to-market is relationship-driven: PDI explicitly states that peer-to-peer outreach is its most effective acquisition channel, supplemented by event-driven engagement and direct self-serve registration through its member portal. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from its member organizations, with a small professional staff led by Executive Director Lane Till. PDI maintains deep strategic partnerships with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), Iowa Workforce Development, the Institute for Decision Making (IDM) at the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), and the major Iowa utilities — relationships that anchor its convening role in the state's economic development ecosystem.

Name

Professional Developers of Iowa

Legal name

Professional Developers of Iowa

Website

https://pdiowa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Professional Developers of Iowa is a 1973-founded, Des Moines-headquartered non-profit association serving nearly 300 economic development professionals across all 99 Iowa counties through membership tiers, advocacy at the State Capitol, conferences, and professional development programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF)

Keywords

• Economic development association
• Professional membership services
• Legislative advocacy services
• Professional development training
• Industry networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: PDI's primary revenue stream is annual membership dues. Individual economic developer memberships are $375/year, group memberships charge $375 for the first two members and $275 for each additional member, associate (for-profit) memberships are $475 first two and $375 additional, and student memberships are $50/year. Membership revenue provides the core operational funding for advocacy, events, resources, and professional development programming.
2. Conference & Event Registration Fees: PDI generates revenue through registration fees for its major events including the Spring Conference, Fall Conference (premium three-day event), P3 Workshop, Leadership Lounges, and the annual Golf Outing and Trap Shoot. Conference fees range from $315-$365 for members before/after early-bird deadlines and $415-$465 for non-members.
3. Sponsorships & Advertising: PDI offers annual sponsorship packages covering all PDI events (triple event sponsorship), single event sponsorships, newsletter advertising, and website banner advertising. Sponsors receive year-round recognition through meeting promotions, signage, and the association website. Additional benefits are tiered based on sponsorship level.
4. Job Posting Fees: PDI charges $125 per job posting submitted to the Careers section. Listings run for 60 days on the PDI website and are included in the monthly PDI Post newsletter. Positions must be economic development related roles representing Iowa.
5. Scholarship Donations: PDI accepts donations to its Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for members to attend Heartland Economic Development Course, IEDC courses, Economic Development Institute (EDI), and National Development Council Professional Certification Programs. Donations are tax-deductible as PDI is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) is a private non-profit voluntary association founded in 1973 that provides membership, advocacy, professional development, and networking services to nearly 300 economic development professionals across Iowa's 99 counties. The organization delivers annual conferences, training workshops, certification scholarships, legislative lobbying, and a member portal, representing the unified statewide voice for the economic development profession.

Product overview

Professional Developers of Iowa is a state association of economic development professionals offering a unified membership program with individual and organizational tiers. The core offerings include advocacy representation, professional conferences (Spring and Fall), the P3 Workshop for newcomers, and the intensive 1-year PDI ConnectED cohort program. Additional member services encompass the Coaching Program, Mentorship Program, Heartland Economic Development Course, Scholarship Program, Legislative Advocacy Services, Leadership Lounge & Webinars, Legislative Roundtables, BRE Awards, and Job Posting Services. These products collectively provide economic development professionals in Iowa with advocacy, education, networking, and career development resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PDI ConnectED Intensive one-year cohort program combining Iowa-specific technical training with high-level mentorship for mid-career economic development professionals, supported by partners including IEDA, IADG, MidAmerican Energy, ITC Midwest, and Alliant Energy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 people have taken part in EntreFuel programming launched by Grow Clinton, a PDI member organization, with Leadership Unlocked reaching 151 unique participants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEDA is a key strategic partner of PDI, co-presenting at events and serving as the primary state agency partner. IEDA staff present at P3 Workshops and Fall Conferences, providing updates on programs including the BIG (Business Investment) Program. IEDA Executive Director Debi Durham speaks at PDI events. IEDA is also a sponsor of the PDI ConnectED program.
• Iowa Area Development Group (IADG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIADG is listed as a core partner and sponsor of PDI's ConnectED program. IADG staff participate in P3 Workshops and present on utility-related economic development topics. Bruce Hansen, VP Business Development at IADG, serves on PDI's Board of Directors.
• Institute for Decision Making (IDM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDM is a core partner presenting at PDI events including P3 Workshops. Karla Organist from IDM co-presents 'The Profession' sessions. Liesl Seabert, Program Manager at IDM, serves on PDI's Board of Directors.
• MidAmerican EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidAmerican Energy is listed as a core partner and sponsor of the PDI ConnectED program. The company provides representation at P3 Workshops and is a key utility partner in Iowa's economic development ecosystem.
• ITC MidwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITC Midwest is a core partner and sponsor of the PDI ConnectED program. The company participates in P3 Workshops and provides utility infrastructure expertise to PDI's economic development network.
• Alliant EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliant Energy is listed as a partner of PDI, providing economic development support through its Community and Stewardship programs. The company has been a long-standing partner, with former employee Steve Shupp receiving PDI's 2024 Life Member Award.
• Iowa Workforce DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIowa Workforce Development is a key state partner presenting at P3 Workshops, providing updates on workforce programs, Labor Market Information, and job training initiatives including the 260E and 260F programs. Ryan Murphy from IWD presents at PDI events.
• Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIowa DNR participates in P3 Workshops, presenting on environmental considerations and permitting processes relevant to economic development projects. Mel Pins represents DNR at PDI events.
• Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMACC is listed as a partner of PDI, representing the community college system in Iowa's economic development ecosystem.
• Renew Rural IowaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenew Rural Iowa is listed as a partner, supporting entrepreneurship and rural economic development initiatives across Iowa through the Iowa Farm Bureau.
• Black Hills EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack Hills Energy is listed as a partner of PDI, providing utility and energy infrastructure perspective to Iowa economic development discussions.
• America's Iowa SBDC (Small Business Development Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Iowa SBDC, hosted by Iowa State University, participates in P3 Workshops presenting on small business development resources available to Iowa communities. Jenica Johnson represents the SBDC at PDI events.
• Iowa State University Extension and OutreachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISU Extension participates in P3 Workshops, providing educational resources and programming relevant to economic and community development. Mark Reinig represents ISU Extension at PDI events.
• North Iowa Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Iowa Community College participates in P3 Workshops representing the community college system. Amy Lasack presents on workforce development and training programs available through community colleges.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEDC is the primary national professional organization for economic development. PDI supports IEDC certification programs, recognizes IEDC awards, and uses IEDC-accredited courses including the Heartland Economic Development Course as part of its professional development offerings.
• Mid-American Economic Development Council (MAEDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAEDC is a regional economic development organization covering multiple Midwestern states. PDI recognizes MAEDC as an allied development organization and supports cross-state collaboration in economic development.
• National Development Council (NDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDC provides professional certification programs in economic development that PDI supports through its scholarship program. PDI members can receive scholarships to attend NDC certification programs as part of their professional development.
• University of Northern IowaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNI, through its Institute for Decision Making and Business and Community Services, is a core educational and research partner for PDI, hosting the Heartland Economic Development Course.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Development Council (NDC): Provides professional certification programs in economic development finance that PDI members access via PDI scholarships. Directly comparable as a training-and-credentialing peer operating in the same professional development niche, though at national scale rather than state-specific.
• Ohio Economic Development Association: Statewide association serving Ohio's economic development practitioners with legislative representation, conferences, and certification support. Directly comparable in scope, structure, and member segments to PDI.
• Indiana Economic Development Association: Statewide professional association for Indiana economic developers, offering a comparable mix of annual conferences, legislative advocacy, scholarships, and member-only resources directly analogous to PDI's Iowa operations.
• Illinois Economic Development Association: State-level professional association for Illinois economic developers offering comparable advocacy, training conferences, and member services. Operates a near-identical model to PDI in a neighboring state economy.
• Michigan Economic Developers Association: State-level professional association for Michigan economic developers with the same membership, advocacy, conference, and award program structure as PDI. The closest functional analogue outside Iowa.
• Texas Economic Development Council: The state-level professional association for Texas economic developers offering legislative advocacy, conferences, and member education programs. Mirrors PDI's mission at a much larger state scale.
• Georgia Economic Developers Association: State-level membership association for Georgia economic developers offering annual conferences, legislative advocacy, and professional development — the same product mix PDI delivers in Iowa.

Broad incumbents

• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): The national professional association for economic developers that administers the CEcD credential and Heartland Economic Development Course referenced in PDI's scholarship and certification programs. Directly comparable as the umbrella trade body; PDI operates as a state affiliate within IEDC's national framework.

Regional players

• Mid-American Economic Development Council (MAEDC): Regional economic development council covering multiple Midwestern states. Listed as an allied development organization to PDI and serves a directly comparable professional association function, though at a multi-state rather than single-state scale.

Emerging players

• Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA): National association focused on development finance tools (TIF, bonds, tax credits) — the same technical subject matter PDI members navigate and document in its TIF white papers. Comparable as a specialized peer serving an overlapping but distinct niche of the economic development profession.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pdiowa
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProfessionalDevelopersOfIowa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pdiowa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Professional Developers of Iowa