100

Over 100 years, IEDC has convened practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to tackle complex challenges — from job creation and workforce transitions to resilience, equity, and sustainable growth. This centennial celebration reflects not only how far the profession has come, but also IEDC’s ongoing role in shaping its future. By honoring the lessons of the past and spotlighting today’s leaders and ideas, the centennial marks a commitment to the next generation of community-centered economic development and the opportunities that lie ahead.

IEDC’s 100th anniversary is being commemorated throughout 2026. We will host a major celebration and other centennial tributes at the Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, October 25-28. IEDC is also launching a Centennial Event Series, partnering with local and regional organizations, jurisdictions, and other institutions serving as host locations for high-impact events.

To help tell the centennial story, we are collecting video testimonials from diverse members and partners, including past Board Chairs, policymakers, and state association leaders. We are also publishing the Centennial Thought Leaders Series with essays by external thought leaders, including high-profile authors, academics, philanthropists, and policy experts.

Additionally, the 100th anniversary will be the focus of this year’s Economic Development Week, May 4-8, including a virtual event highlighting the evolution of the economic development profession, innovative practices today, and the outlook for driving economic prosperity across the globe.

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

As we kick off IEDC’s centennial year, IEDC Board Chair Danielle Casey, CEcD, EDFP, shares what this milestone means for our organization, our members, and the future of economic development. Throughout our anniversary year, you’ll hear stories that celebrate our legacy, elevate member and partner voices, and spotlight the innovation shaping communities worldwide.

Join us as we honor our past, embrace change, and lead the way into the next century of economic development and community prosperity!

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) reflects a century of evolution in the economic development profession, formally coming together in 2001 through the merger of two influential organizations: the American Economic Development Council (AEDC) and the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED). AEDC traces its roots to 1926, when chamber of commerce leaders first convened to professionalize industrial development, ultimately shaping the field through training, research, and the creation of the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential. CUED emerged in the late 1960s amid growing concern over urban decline, focusing on federal policy, urban reinvestment, and later global competitiveness, workforce development, and community resilience. Over decades, both organizations adapted to shifting economic realities — from industrial recruitment to comprehensive, place-based, and international approaches to growth. Their merger formed IEDC, uniting complementary legacies into a single, global organization dedicated to advancing equitable, sustainable economic development and supporting practitioners worldwide.

1926

1926

The first conference of the industrial bureau managers of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is held in Washington, D.C.

Themes: Industrial Surveys, Industrial Prospects, and Community Advertising Campaigns and Their Relation to Industrial Development

1930

1930

The American Industrial Development Council (AIDC) is officially established.

1942

1940-1949

1942: The U.S. War Production Board passes a resolution to employ AIDC in plant location, conversion, and other war program activities.

1943: Plan to issue a bimonthly bulletin to the membership was announced, with the bulletin particularly devoted to the exchange of problems and news items among the members.

1944: The first issue of "Bits and Pieces" was sent to the members, edited by Arthur B. Field and Edward Ellingwood.

1944: The by-laws were amended to permit the Board of Directors to fill vacancies of the Board or among the officers, providing the vacancy shall be filled from the same classification of membership in which the vacancy occurs.

1948: F.B. Ayres, retiring Secretary-Treasurer of the Louisville, Kentucky Foundation, became the Council's first Honorary Life Member.

1966 Murray Elder_AIDC visits Boeing

1950s

1953: Women are first permitted to join AIDC, marking a significant shift in organizational inclusion.

1959: First advertisement appeared in a national publication, showing names and official titles of Council members and their location by states.

1962

1960-1965

1962: The Southern Industrial Development Council founds the Industrial Development Institute (later EDI) at the University of Oklahoma.

1965: AIDC becomes EDI’s professional sponsor.

1965: The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is formed by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965.

1967-1970 Ed deLuca CUED Chair

1966

Ed deLuca, Baltimore’s director of economic development, calls mayors of the largest American cities to meet amidst civil unrest and faltering urban economies; HUB Council formed.

AIDC HLM

1967

DeLuca’s group meets and is formally incorporated as the Helping Urban Business (HUB) Council.

AIDC offers its first accredited Basic Economic Development Course at Texas A&M.

1968

1968

EDA gives the HUB Council its first grant of $151,530 for technical assistance, information, and research in economic development.

1970s

1970s

1971: The Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) program originated as the Certified Industrial Developer program.

1971: HUB Council changes its name to the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED).

1973: CUED holds its first annual conference in Washington, D.C., and provides a forum for key federal economic development policymakers to convene.

1980

1980

AIDC changes its name to American Economic Development Council (AEDC).

1986

1986

Jeffrey A. Finkle became President & CEO of CUED in 1986 and served CUED and IEDC for 35 years.

1990s

1990s

1990: Membership exceeds 2,000 for the first time.

1992: First annual CED Summit is held.

1996: CUED teaches its first economic development course.

1996: AEDC started the Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) program.

1998: CUED certifies its first student.

2001

2001

On April 26, 2001 AEDC and CUED leaders sign a resolution to create the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

2002

2000s

2002: IEDC’s first Annual Conference in Oakland, California. Theme: Innovation, Investment, and Initiatives.

2007: IEDC launches the Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) Program.

2009: In response to the global recession, IEDC launches the “Recovery Zone” blog and expands digital engagement tools to support members navigating federal recovery programs.

2010: IEDC expands web-based professional development, instituting regular monthly webinars to increase access during the economic recovery.

2011

2010s

2011: IEDC’s tenth Annual Conference was held on September 18-21 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Theme: Connect Locally, Succeed Globally.

2011: IEDC celebrates its 10th anniversary following the 2001 merger of AEDC and CUED. The year also marks 85 years since AEDC’s founding and 44 years since CUED’s establishment.

2012: IEDC convenes its first White House Summit, engaging directly with Obama Administration officials on national economic development strategy.

2015: Young Professionals Task Force formalized as a standing advisory committee.

2016: First Economic Development Week held from May 8–14.

2021

2021

IEDC’s twentieth Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Theme: Creative Economic Development, Tourism, Transportation & Technology.

IEDC created the Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) certification program.

2022

2022

Nathan Ohle became President & CEO of IEDC.

2025

2025

With IEDC’s Annual Conference in Detroit, we achieved the highest collective conference attendance in IEDC’s history, with over 1,800 unique attendees throughout the year.

2026

2026

IEDC's 100th anniversary celebrations!

IEDC invites members to register their 2026 events as part of the Centennial Event Series, celebrating 100 years of leadership in economic development and preparing for the next century of community prosperity.

For a fee of $500 per event, IEDC members will receive:

Inclusion in the Centennial Event Series and alignment with IEDC’s trusted brand
A basic event toolkit with centennial branding materials, templates, and sample social media postings, and
Greater visibility with a listing on IEDC’s Centennial Event Series online calendar.