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MEDA – an
international leader in professional
development. Forty-five people
from around the world are now part
of an elite group recognized internationally
among economic development professionals.
They all have one thing in common:
each attended the fifth annual Chesapeake
Basic Economic Development Course,
a five-day series focusing on the
fundamentals of economic development.
Topics such as marketing and business
retention, entrepreneurship, research
and trends, strategic planning, and
real estate development and reuse
were highlighted. Taught by industry
leaders, each year the course attracts
an international interest. Participants
this year traveled from as far as
China, Johannesburg, South Africa,
and Grand Cayman.
In addition to the classroom setting
and case studies, this course offered
participants the opportunity to tour
area communities and local businesses
to experience firsthand the vital
role economic development plays. Networking
events, lunch at premier restaurants,
and an evening crab feast at Ripken
Stadium were all included on the agenda
as part of this diverse and informative
course.
Accredited by the International Economic
Development Council (IEDC), the Chesapeake
Basic Economic Development Course
meets the professional development
requirements for economic development
certification. Since its inception
in 2004, 250 professionals have graduated
from the course, furthering their
careers by advancing their skills
and knowledge in their field.
A schedule of upcoming courses is
listed below. To view the Basic Course
class participants in actions CLICK
HERE.
 Begin
today on the path to earning your
certification in economic development.
MEDA is offering a number of courses
in Maryland that will help you in
your quest for certification. Our
current CEcD designees
want you to know that they are there
for you as you make class choices
and prepare to sit for the exam. Below
are the classes that will be in Maryland
in 2008. Register today for any of
them and remember to consider the
LOFTON SCHOLARSHIP FUND to assist
with your costs.
For more information
contact one of the CEcD's listed or
contact Pam Ruff at 410-575-6027 or
pamr@medamd.com.
2008 Maryland
course schedule:
Certification Mentoring Team:
MEDA members are encouraged to take
advantage of the Lofton Scholarship
Fund for their professional development
needs. MEDA's board through the Professional
Development Committee will award scholarships
to members in good standing for any
MEDA and IEDC courses.
MEDA members are also encouraged
to bring other courses to the Professional
Development Committee for scholarship
consideration.
Online
Scholarship applications are available
by clicking HERE.
The MEDA Annual
Awards sponsored by Miles &
Stockbridge P.C. recognize organizational
achievement in Economic
Development Project or Program, Economic
Development Redevelopment Project
or Program, and Economic Development
Marketing Campaign. Individual awards
for Life Member, Hall of Fame, and
Volunteer of the Year were
presented to those who have made significant
contributions to the economic development
climate in the State of Maryland.
Winners were announced at the 2008
MEDA Annual Conference on Monday,
June 2 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake
Bay.
Winners of the 2008 MEDA Awards were:
LIFE
MEMBER
John Savich
County Administrator
St. Mary's County
VOLUNTEER
OF THE YEAR
Merle Elliott
Chairman of the Board
CHIEF
HALL
OF FAME
Michael S. Lofton, CEcD
Project
award winners were:
Route
43 @ Crossroads - Baltimore County
Department of Economic Development
The Bethesda Theatre - Montgomery
County Department of Economic Development
Technology Transfer Fund - TEDCO
Frederick Wine Trail - Frederick County
Office of Economic Development
Honorable
Mentions:
Main
Street Maryland - MD Department of
Housing & Community Development
University of Maryland BioPark - City
of Baltimore Development Corp.
Hopewell Express - Hagerstown-Washington
County Economic Development Commission
On Thursday, April 17 2008 attendees
heard an in depth discussion of Green
Buildings for Economic Development
at the Spring Conference of the Maryland
Economic Development Association.
Informative discussions from engineers,
architects, economic development practitioners,
and developers highlighted ideas and
consdierations for the greening of
our building practices. Maryland economic
developers are already embracing green
building techniques in counties where
development policies and local incentives
are stimulating this desirable development
and building technique. Stay tuned
for more discussions in the future.
Bios and power point presentations
will be posted soon. |
