What We Do
OEDA is your partner for success at every step of your career. Our foundational programs and services are designed to support you in your current position as well as preparing you for future career growth. Whether you’re seeking professional development through ongoing education and training courses, opportunities to connect to key influencers, or representation to the legislature, OEDA opens doors and expands opportunities.
INSTITUTE COURSES
Ohio Basic Economic Development Course
April 29 – May 2, 2024
The Ohio Basic Economic Development Course (OHIO BEDC) is an intensive training experience for economic development practitioners, community leaders, local government officials, and others committed to building healthy economies for their communities.
Typically held once per year, the Basic Course is a can’t miss education opportunity for those who are new to the profession, have new economic development responsibilities, or will be an economic development decision maker as an elected or appointed official.
Ohio Economic Development Institute
Core Courses
The Ohio Economic Development Institute (OEDI) is a unique continuing education program designed to meet the specific needs of Ohio’s intermediate and advanced economic development professionals. Developed in partnership with JobsOhio and Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, OEDI offers high quality, state-specific continuing education opportunities.
OEDI will offer five Core Courses that cover the necessary skills for economic development professionals, including Business Retention and Expansion, Finance and Incentives, Real Estate Development, Workforce and Talent, and Site Development and Site Selection. The state-specific curriculum is designed to prepare professionals and the organizations they serve to be successful and win in the highly competitive state and global economic environment. OEDI also serves as the pathway for achieving the Ohio Certified Economic Developer (Ohio CED) credential.
Ohio Certified Economic Developer
The Ohio Certified Economic Developer (Ohio CED) credential is designed to demonstrate the depth and breadth of an individual’s knowledge and their ability to apply that knowledge to the benefit of their community or organization. The Ohio CED designation also represents the economic development practitioner’s commitment to advancing the Ohio economy and elevating the economic development profession.
The Ohio Certified Economic Developer is a voluntary certification for practitioners who choose to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and training. To become a candidate for certification, an economic development professional must have successfully completed the Ohio Basic Economic Development Course or have three years of full time economic development experience.
ASSOCIATION EVENTS & PROGRAMS
OEDA 360°
A STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRIEFING
OEDA 360 is designed to provide attendees with a comprehensive view of the state of economic development in Ohio, identify new resources for successful projects, and interact with peers and thought leaders from around the state. OEDA 360 brings together the top minds in economic development and state leaders for a day of insight, information, resource identification and connections. And, OEDA 360 provides a unique opportunity to interface with agency leadership and program managers and ask questions about critical state economic development issues and key programs. OEDA 360 is a “can’t be missed” event for economic developers, elected officials and policy makers.
OEDA Annual Summit
The 2024 OEDA Annual Summit will take place September 3-6, 2024 at the newly renovated Glass City Center and Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Toledo, Ohio!
We look forward to OEDA members convening in this fresh new venue and connecting with economic development professionals from across the state. Stay tuned for more info as the event approaches.
OEDA’s biggest education and networking event of the year is the Annual Summit. This three-day conference includes educational sessions covering the most important economic development topics and timely issues and offers outstanding networking. Approximately 350 economic and community development professionals attend as well as state and local officials and news media. With plenary and concurrent sessions, special topic roundtables, and networking events, attendees can earn 12-16 credit hours toward the Ohio Certified Economic Developer credential.
Annual Awards
The Ohio Economic Development Association’s annual excellence awards program recognizes the achievements of individuals and organizations in Ohio in the areas of economic and workforce development. Nominations are open to both members and nonmembers.