International Economic Development Council to Host Annual Conference in Atlanta

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) will hold its annual economic conference October 19-22, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia. This premier annual conference for the economic development industry stresses the need for communities of all types to adjust their economic models and leadership to meet the challenges posed by the growing world population. This year theme is The Next Billion: Mobility, Flexibility, Agility, and Livability.

The conference is expected to draw influential business leaders, economic professionals and academics to address current trends and issues in the economic development industry. Scheduled events include engaging seminars, networking opportunities and educational tours. Feature keynote speakers include:
The Honorable Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia
Anna Cablik, President ANATEK, INC.
Dr. Richard Florida, International best-selling author, Who’s Your City?
John Rice, Vice Chairman, General Electric Company
Thomas D. Bell, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Cousins Properties, Inc.

Roel Spee, Associate Partner, IBM Global Business Services, and Global Leader, PLI-Global Location Strategies, will be holding a press conference following his Defining Issues Luncheon on Tuesday, October 21st from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. to answer any media questions.

Participants at the Annual conference will explore the conference theme through the seminars offered in four primary tracks:

· Globility/Mobility: Learn ways a community can integrate into the global economy.
· Flexibility/Agility: Create and retain a talented workforce and entrepreneurial environment in communities of all sizes.
· Livability: How communities can invest in their economic assets to attract and retain citizens and businesses.
· Sustainability: Examine how communities of various sizes can and are building sustainable futures

Atlanta, Georgia has an economic development story to tell. With growing rural, suburban and urban communities, Georgia sets the scene for the conference theme, The Next Billion: Mobility, Flexibility, Agility, Livability. An international urban center, Atlanta provides leading case studies as a city adjusting to meet the needs of a growing population, building green, sustainable and inspiring entrepreneurs. From the Hartsfields-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to vibrant downtown Atlanta and on tours such as Technology Square at Georgia Institute of Technology, conference attendees will learn valuable lessons to take back to their community.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession. When we succeed, our members create more high-quality jobs, develop more vibrant communities, and generally improve the quality of life in their regions. For more information about IEDC visit www.iedconline.org.
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