IEDC Recognizes Economic Development Organizations for Excellence in the Field

WASHINGTON - Sept. 29, 2020 - PRLog -- The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest nonprofit professional association for professional economic developers in the world, has this month announced the recipients of its 2020 Excellence Awards. Announced each year during the IEDC Annual Conference, the awards honor organizations for exemplary economic development marketing campaigns, projects, and programs.

IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. 35 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

"The recipients of IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day," said 2020 IEDC Board Chair and One Columbus CEO Kenny McDonald. "We're especially honored to recognize the outstanding organizations who received this year's Excellence Awards Awards. This year, more than ever, the value of a career dedicated to improving the quality of life for our friends and neighbors cannot be overstated. Each of this year's recipients sets a precedent for fellow economic developers to aspire to in the years to come."

Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world, following a nomination process held earlier this year.  In 2020, IEDC received over 500 submissions from 4 countries.

Excellence Award winners are recognized across several categories, including:

Promotional Awards, recognizing effective marketing materials used for attracting, retaining, and fostering business.  Recipients included:

• Invest Buffalo Niagara (Buffalo, NY) - Industry Collateral Series and "Be in Buffalo" video campaign.
• City of Mount Pearl (NL, CA) - Welcome to Mount Pearl Video Campaign
• Cibolo Economic Development Corporation (Cibolo, TX) -   2020 Economic Development Week Campaign

Internet & New Media Awards, recognizing outstanding use of the Internet, new media, extranets, and intranets for economic development.  Recipients included:

• New Orleans Business Alliance (New Orleans, LA) - NOLABA.org & Gig Economy Relief Fund Dashboard
• Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (Fairfax, VA) - Operation Retain Gen Z - Recent-Grad Virtual Career Fair
• GO Topeka (Topeka, KS) - Choose Topeka website

Program Awards, recognizing successful programs in economic and business development that retain and/or generate jobs and investment. Recipients included:

• Port of Everett,  (Everett, WA) - Port of Everett Riverside Business Park
• Uptown Consortium, Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) -  Uptown Economic Inclusion Initiative
• Arlington Economic Development (Arlington, VA) - Gazelle Grant Program

Partnership Awards, recognizing public-private partnerships, partnerships with educational institutions, and regionalism and cross-border collaboration. Recipients included:

• Claremore Industrial & Economic Development Authority (Claremore, OK) - Project Boomerang  
• City of Surprise Economic Development  (Surprise, AZ) - City of Surprise & Ottawa University Collaboration
• Arlington Economic Development (Arlington, VA) - Amazon HQ2

To watch IEDC's awards ceremonies and connect with representatives from these and many more Economic Development organizations, register for the 2020 Virtual Annual Conference at iedconline.org/virtualdallas.