Member Services

Members of NADO receive benefits and services essential to operating in today's competitive climate - effective federal advocacy initiatives, timely information and publications, targeted and practical research, discounts on training and professional development events, and access to the association's professional staff.

SPECIAL HOTEL RATE AT THE PHOENIX PARK HOTEL FOR NADO MEMBERS VISITING WASHINGTON, D.C.

SPECIAL HOTEL RATE AT THE WASHINGTON PLAZA HOTEL FOR NADO MEMBERS VISITING WASHINGTON, D.C.

SPECIAL HOTEL RATE AT THE LIAISON HOTEL FOR NADO MEMBERS VISITING WASHINGTON, D.C.

Membership Brochure

Top 8 Reasons To Join or Renew Your Membership Today

8. Renewing Is Easy - Renewing your annual membership in NADO is simple. Just return the enclosed invoice with payment to continue your membership with uninterrupted services and benefits.

7. Peer Exchanges - As the leading national organization for executive directors of regional development organizations, along with policy leaders, professional staff and partnering organizations, NADO offers you unmatched access to your professional peers.

6. Effective Federal Advocacy - Whether fighting for increased federal funding for community, economic and rural development programs, working to enhance the role of regional development organizations in the rural transportation planning arena, promoting regional approaches to homeland security preparedness or simply advancing our membership’s general interests and priorities, NADO’s legislative team works on a daily basis with Congress, the administration, coalition partners and key stakeholders to promote the value, capacity and eff ectiveness of the nation’s regional development organizations.

5. Preserving EDA Funding - NADO remains the most eff ective national voice for planning grantees of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). More specifically, NADO secured a $3 million annual mandatory increase for the Economic Development District planning grant program in the final 2003 reauthorization bill, as well as developed a bipartisan congressional coalition to preserve the funding, core responsibilities and local government control of EDDs under the 2005 rule-making process.

4. Transportation & RPO America - For the past decade, NADO has worked tirelessly to secure enhanced federal guidelines for rural consultation and planning services of regional development organizations and their local governments. In June 2006, the association launched a new member service, RPO America, that serves as the only national professional development network for rural transportation planners, practitioners and partners. In addition, NADO’s Rural Transportation.org Web site has a variety of transportation resources for members.

3. NADO News and NADO.org - Delivered directly to your desktop, NADO News is a “must-read” weekly publication that covers the latest developments on Capitol Hill, in the administration and within the NADO membership. Additional information is also only a click away for members at the NADO Web site, Nado.org.

2. Ideas & Noteworthy Practices - As a member, your organization receives substantial discounts at NADO’s two major events — Annual Training Conference and Washington Policy Conference. These events offer great opportunities to network with your peers and learn about noteworthy practices. In addition, you receive exclusive access to special reports and best practice resources, as well as timely and quality assistance from the NADO staff in Washington.

1. Because You Own the Association and Help Make It Stronger - NADO is a member-owned association focused on improving the funding, program opportunities and professional development of the nation’s regional development organizations, resulting in stronger local economies and communities.

Additional NADO Services and Benefits

Job Listings - Place your job listings on NADO.org and get maximum exposure. The NADO Web site attracts more than 5,000 users each month, with job opportunities as the most frequently viewed section. This service is a free membership benefit for NADO members.

Special Report on the President’s Budget - The NADO Special Report on the President’s Budget provides an in-depth analysis of the White House’s annual budget blueprint for federal community, economic, homeland security, transportation, workforce and other programs of interest to regional development organizations. Th is publication is in high demand across the nation and on Capitol Hill.

Special Reports and Training - Funded exclusively through private foundation and federal agency grants, the NADO Research Foundation is a leader in the field of regional community, economic, transportation and rural development studies. Members receive access to topic specific training, such as brownfields redevelopment, regional transportation planning, environmental stewardship and regional development.

In addition, members receive complimentary copies of special reports and research produced by NADO and the NADO Research Foundation, such as Regional Strategies for Environmental Stewardship, Transportation Planning in Rural America, Regional Development Organizations Project Showcase: EPA FY2004-2007 Brownfields Projects, GIS Technology: Enhancing Regional Planning and Development, State Associations: Insights into Organizational Structures, Governance Models and Strategic Initiatives and 2007 NADO Salary Survey of Regional Development Organizations.

Membership Directory - Gain easy access to your peers around the nation with the NADO Membership Directory, an exclusive benefit for members. An updated electronic copy is available online under the Members Only section of NADO.org.

Innovation Awards - Since 1986, the NADO Annual Innovation Awards program has recognized hundreds of noteworthy programs and practices of association members. Award winners receive a press release for local distribution, a special plaque, a picture with NADO’s President and opportunity to showcase their award-winning initiative at the association’s annual training conference during the Innovation Awards Roundtable Reception.

Excellence in Transportation Awards - NADO’s RPO America and the NADO Research Foundation’s Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development sponsor the NADO Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards, an awards program that recognizes noteworthy projects and practices in regional transportation planning, program delivery and special initiatives. Award winners receive a press release for local distribution, special certificate and opportunity to highlight their award-winning eff orts at the Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards and Exhibitor Showcase during the 2009 National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference, October 28-30 in Savannah, GA. Visit Rural Transportation.org for more details.

EDFS Training and Networking - Th e Economic Development Finance Service (EDFS), a subscription-based service of the NADO Research Foundation, provides information, training, networking and research for business development loan fund professionals, including a comprehensive certification program. EDFS is the only national association with training targeted at EDA Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) and the USDA Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). Members of NADO receive substantial discounts for EDFS membership and training. Visit nado.org/edfs.