Economic Developers Association of Canada

1. Economic Developers Association of Canada 2009 Foundations Economic Conference Professional Development Conference

2. What is EDAC? • The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) is Canada's national organization of Economic Developers pursuing excellence in the field since 1968. The Association's mission is to enhance the professional competence of Economic Development officers and ensure placement of qualified people in the field of Economic Development; to advance Economic Development as a distinct, recognized, and self-governing profession; and to contribute to Canada's economic well-being.

3. Who is EDAC? • EDAC board is made up of representatives from each of the provincial/territorial economic developers associations • Directors at large elected from the general membership • 850 members currently from across Canada, large and small communities, government, students, retirees, consultants and others interested/working in the field of community economic development

4. Economic Development is a complex, multi dimensional process. There are a number of definitions of economic development but no one definition encompasses all of the various aspects of the profession. Basically, there is no single policy, program, strategy or template for achieving economic success in a community or region because each has different strengths and weaknesses and will therefore have various challenges. • Economic Development is a process that influences the growth and well being of a community through such means as job creation, job retention, improved tax base and a reasonable life quality. Economic Development in Canada offers a wide array of strategies to secure a healthy economy in communities, helping small business grow, leading major development projects, securing outside investments through business attraction, retaining existing opportunities, securing access to capital, marketing and communication are just a few of the facets to further the goals of a community. • The Association has developed a Guide for the purpose of assisting the practitioners understanding of the core competencies and their relationship in the process of economic development.

5. Certificate in Economic Development • Completing requirements of a two part program, referred to as Year 1 and Year 2, lead to a Certificate in Economic Development awarded jointly by the Economic Development Program, University of Waterloo, and the Economic Developers Association of Canada. • Year 1 and Year 2 are each week long courses comprising lectures, workshops, role playing and small group projects led by experts in their fields.

6. Key Course Components Year 1 & 2 • the job of the EDO; the Canadian economy: • the context for economic development; • economic issues facing local economic development; • global local paradox of economic development; • models of economic development; • economic development marketing; • status of internet technology in economic development and evaluating website effectiveness; • labour and skills development in community economic development; • analytic techniques for local economic development: • economic base analysis; • planning techniques, tasks and concepts in local economic development; • business development projects; • media and public relations in local economic development; • interpersonal communication skills; • communication pitfalls and getting others to solve their own problems; • conflict resolution; • financial analysis for small business; • realtors and land redevelopment issues; • business retention strategies; • entrepreneurship in community economic development; • Venture capital for community development; • tourism in local economic development projects; • the economic development professional – performance evaluation and ethics: • issues and trends.

7. Program • Participants work together in teams on field projects and case studies in both Year 1 and Year 2. • The integrating principle for the Year 1 and Year 2 course content is strategic economic planning. • The courses are sequential, and incremental in terms of material, concepts and professional skills • development, therefore, Year 2 cannot be taken before Year 1. • To fulfil the requirements for each of Year 1 and Year 2, participants are required to write a research paper on an approved topic within one year of attendance. • Assistance with topic formulation and the evaluation of the Year 1 and Year 2 research papers are responsibilities assumed by the University of Waterloo faculty involved in the Economic Development Program. This service is provided at no additional cost to the candidate for the Certificate in Economic Development. • Most Year 1 and Year 2 research papers are in the order of ten to fifteen pages in length and advice on format and topic selection is given during the course, and during the year upon request.

8. Economic Development Program Seminars • A variety of Seminars are offered by the University of Waterloo and EDAC each year • Topics are pertinent to the issues of economic developers today including tourism, Business Retention & Expansion, financial analysis, community analysis, planning, land and real estate, workforce development and marketing • Seminars are offered in a number of cities across Canada, often at the request of a regional Ec Dev association

9. Diploma in Economic Development • The Diploma in Economic Development is awarded by the Senate of the University of Waterloo. • The Diploma Program is open to those who have obtained the Economic Development Certificate. • Additional requirements for the diploma are: • Successful completion of two three day seminars organized and delivered by the Economic Development Program is a prerequisite to the initiation of the research and writing of the major research paper • A major research paper • Topics for the major research paper must be approved in advance by the Program Director. Research papers are normally 40-50 pages in length. Advice on topic, research procedures, research paper format and the reading and evaluation of the research paper are also responsibilities assumed by the Program Director. • The research paper normally must be completed within five years of receiving the Certificate in Economic Development. If more time has elapsed than five years, please contact the Director regarding possible additional requirements.

10. What is an EcD? • A Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) is recognized to have the knowledge and disciplines required to perform economic development functions in both the private and public sectors that are required of an Economic Development Professional. The Ec.D. designation is an invaluable source to the Economic Development Professional, recognizing their knowledge, skills and abilities. • The program is based on a description of the professional, identifying competency, both in academic background and practical experience. The professional so qualifying will be granted the professional designation, Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) that will signify his/her credentials. This designation along with a requirement of re-certification every three years will establish and maintain a uniform and professional basis for all Canadians employed in this field and will generate support from industry and governments. • The curriculum in economic development followed by the candidate shall be founded in economics, statistical and financial analysis, public and government administration, marketing, commerce and retailing. All of these will enable the individual to use his educational qualifications as tools in the analysis of regional problems, provision of advisory or consulting services to the public and private sectors, and in the planning of development strategies. The curricula will also focus on issues of planning, financial administration and law as they apply to the municipal, regional, provincial, federal and international scenes and as they are necessary in the development of sound economic development strategies. The theoretical portions of the curriculum will be suitably reinforced by practical exercises in typical settings. • The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) and the University of Waterloo developed courses containing content from both academic and practical viewpoints. Care is taken to engage lecturers who are familiar with all regions of the country. The diversity of economic development situations is therefore presented both by the nature of examples used in lectures and because of the variation in the background of the students themselves. A Course Committee consisting of EDAC members and University of Waterloo faculty are constantly developing, evaluating and upgrading course content to ensure that relevant and current content is offered. • The description of the economic developer that is ready to take the EDAC certification exam is a typical graduate of an accredited curriculum in Economic Development (or equivalent), with either a post-secondary diploma or degree, and who has demonstrated three years of relevant practical experience. Upon completion of EDAC's written & verbal exam (75% passing mark) and EDAC's Board of Directors approval the candidate will be awarded the designation of Ec.D. • Other conditions for eligibility to write the certification exam are the compilation of a minimum of 45 points earned through attendance at and/or completion of the following:

11. Eligibility to write the exam – the points system • Points are assigned by EDAC based on the length and complexity of courses and seminars • Points are assigned to national and regional Ec Dev conferences • Points are assigned for Ec Dev education attained • Points are assigned for years of employment in Ec Dev • An accumulation of 45 points is the eligibility target to write the exam

12. Certified Economic Developer - Fellowship • The Fellowship Program is offered on a biannual basis and is open to members of the profession who have earned their Ec.D. designation and other members of the economic development profession with considerable experience in the field. • To obtain the Certified Economic Developer – Fellowship Ec.D. (F) designation participants will be required to: • pre course readings • obtain policy oriented research paper topic approval in advance • prepare a draft of the research paper with faculty input before attending the course session • participate in the Fellowship seminar program • present the preliminary findings of the research for the paper as part of the Fellowship seminar program • complete all revisions of the research paper for inclusion in the, Papers in Canadian Economic Development • Assistance with the topic and the evaluation of the policy oriented research paper are responsibilities assumed by the University of Waterloo faculty involved in the Economic Development Program. This service is provided at no additional cost to the candidate for the Certified Economic Developer – Fellowship designation.

13. Member Benefits • EDAC offers a wide range of benefits to the membership in addition to the professional development offerings • Scholarships to attend training/education • Travel discounts • Insurance discounts • Peer member support • Lots more…..

14. PRT is an initiative that will make available, senior members of the association to advise and assist communities and economic development corporations with specific development issues, strategic plans, analysis of delivery models and other economic development related matters. • The Peer Review Team (PRT) program is not intended to compete or replace consultants. Rather the purpose is to provide municipalities and economic development agencies access to senior practitioners in the profession. • Whether it is the review of a strategy/planning document, a specific economic development project in the community, input on a new or existing program, etc. — the senior practitioners (PRT) will provide a report with comments and recommendations on the issue.

15. The Annual General Meeting and Conference • Held in cities across Canada the annual conference provides opportunities for Economic Developers from across the country to network with peers and participate in professional development sessions with experts in a variety of fields • The Conference is often held in conjunction with a regional economic developers association • The annual general meeting session affords the membership an opportunity to give direction to the board and staff on needs, issues and wishes for the organization

16. EDAC Contact • Penny A. Gardiner, Ec.D.Executive Director • 7 Innovation DriveFlamborough, ONL9H 7H9 • Telephone: 905.689.8771Fax: 905.689.5925 web address: www.edac.ca • e-mail: admin@edac.ca

17. Thank you Cheri Kemp-Long, EcD Regional Economic Development Advisor CanNor Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0 PH 867 975 4582 FX 867 975 4736 E-mail cheri.kemplong@cannor.gc.ca