About NADO

Building on more than four decades of experience, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) serves as the voice for the nation's 520 regional development organizations. The association focuses on federal advocacy, research and analysis, and fostering peer exchanges and professional development.

• Federal Policy:The association promotes federal policies and programs that strengthen local governments, communities and economies through the regional strategies, partnerships and solutions fostered by the nation's regional development organizations.

• Research and Analysis: The association, along with the NADO Research Foundation, produces special reports, issue briefs and research analysis related to emerging practices, trends and innovations in the regional planning and development field. In addition, NADO focused on showcasing cutting-edge partnerships, programs and special projects involving regional development organizations in the broad range of regional development field, including business development finance, community and economic development, environmental and energy stewardship, emergency preparedness and recovery, housing, transportation and workforce development.

Fostering Peer Exchanges and Networks: One of the primary benefits of membership in NADO is access to your peers and colleagues, including policy officials, executive directors and senior program directors. NADO holds a policy conference each year in Washington, DC and an annual training conference with more than 700 participants. In addition, the association hosts a series of national and regional events, including the EDFS business development finance training, RPO America's national rural transportation planning peer learning conference and the new Webinar series.

Inside A Regional Development Organization