The Arizona Association for Economic Development

In 1974, a group of leaders and experts in business and financial development gathered to deliberate on how to improve Arizona’s economic situation. The group was initially known as the Arizona Association for Industrial Development(AAID). They supported members by providing educational resources and opportunities to aid their professional advancement and worked with other associations with similar aims to impact the state’s economic development laws.

In 1991, the AAID became the AEDD, the Arizona Association for Economic Development, a non-profit that strives to develop and improve economic growth in Arizona. The association’s values include innovation, a diverse membership, ethical conduct, and continued learning. The headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona.

In the association’s bid to facilitate growth, the AEDD relies on three main pillars or avenues to achieve its goal, education, advocacy, and collaboration. Education involves building capacity in its members, the professionals in the economic and business sectors. This pillar equips them with up-to-date knowledge and engages young professionals in AAED activities. Programs like the AAED Spring Conference, the AEDD Academy, and the partnership with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) ensure that members constantly improve. The pillar also covers educating state leaders and the general public about economic issues.

Advocacy involves supporting laws that facilitate an environment conducive and hospitable to businesses, fighting against those that aren’t, and encouraging elected leaders to develop responsible economic policies. The Arizona Association for Economic Development has supported policies like SB1403, the Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Program, and HB2001.

Collaboration allows members to network and share ideas. There are many meetings and events where members can connect with each other and other professionals from similar organizations in the state. Through these collaborations, they can develop innovative ideas and identify the best methods and practices to foster the state’s economic growth.

Several committees exist to facilitate the smooth running of the association and work towards achieving its mission. Under the pillar of education, the Professional Education Committee makes recommendations to other committees on content and works with the IEDD to provide professional education programs. The Fall Forum and Spring Conference committees plan the respective programs where there will be opportunities to network and accomplished speakers.

Under the advocacy pillar, there is the Government Affairs committee. This committee delivers updates on economic development issues and communicates with state legislators, and writes policy statements, among other responsibilities. The Awards Banquet, Awards, and Event committees are under the collaboration pillar.

The Awards Banquet Committee plans the yearly banquet held at the Spring Conference. The Awards Committee handles all aspects of the awards for the annual Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) held at the Spring Conference and Golden Prospector Awards held at the Fall Forum each year. The Events Committee creates programs that provide value to members.

The public relations/communication committee is in charge of marketing. The committee ensures that the Arizona Association for Economic Development’s image and communication aligns with the brand of economic development and works to improve its external relevance.

The Membership Committee works with other committees to devise initiatives to improve the value of the association’s membership, ensure the AEDD has a diverse membership, attract new members and increase membership retention.

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