Overview
U.S. Economic Development Administration | Chicago Regional Office
EDA Chicago Region EDD Peer Learning Conference | September 28 - 30, 2014
The Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel | Chicago, IL
In partnership with the EDA Chicago Regional Office, the NADO Research Foundation is coordinating the EDD Peer Learning Conference for Economic Development Districts in the EDA Chicago Region. The conference will include an array of plenary sessions, breakout sessions that will provide best practice examples and hand’s on training, mobile workshops, and ample networking opportunities.
There is still time to register for the conference!
Registration
Registration for the 2014 EDA Chicago Regional Conference will begin on August 1, 2014
Registration for this event started on August 01, 2014 and is currently Closed.
Registration Rate: $275.00
To register online, click the green button below.
To register by mail, please download and complete this PDF form, print, and mail it with your check payment to: NADO, 400 North Capitol St NW Suite 390, Washington, DC 20001.
The PDF form can be completed electronically by typing information directly into each form field. We recommend filling out the form this way because it makes entering and revising information significantly easier. It is also recommended that you download and open the PDF form before filling it out. This is easier and more reliable than trying to fill it out in your browser window.
Agenda & Presentations
Sunday, September 28, 2014
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Conference Registration
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Opening Plenary: Building Blocks for Regional Development
- Part 1: Coming to Terms with Obstacles to Regional Development
- Part 2: Building Strong Regions
- Melissa Radermacher, Region Five Development Commission
- John Egelhaaf, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
- Sara Wenger, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments
- Part 3: Building Relationships with States
- Dawn Hegland, Upper MN Valley Regional Development Commission
- Theresa Criss-Hartwig, Indiana Association of Regional Councils
- Bret Allphin, Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Networking Reception
Monday, September 29, 2014
7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Conference Registration
8:30 – 9:20 a.m. | Plenary Session: Partnering with EDA
9:20 – 9:30 a.m. | Networking Break
9:30 – 10:40 a.m. | CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Working with University-based EDA Centers: Observations and Experiences
- John Egelhaaf, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
- Kelly O'Brien, Alliance for Regional Development
- Sally Hanley, The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois
- Bo Beaulieu, Purdue Center for Regional Development
- Building a Bi-National CEDS
10:40 – 10:50 a.m. | Networking Break
10:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Helping Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Thrive
- Positioning your EDD for the Future
- Steve Etcher, Community EDGE
12 – 1:30 p.m.
Luncheon Plenary
Speaker: The Honorable Jay Williams, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development
1:45 – 5:00 p.m. | Workshops
- Becoming Your Best: Workshop for New Executive Directors
- Steve Etcher, Community EDGE
- The Elements of a Successful Project and a Successful Grant Application
1:45 – 5:00 p.m. | MOBILE WORKSHOP
From the Drawing Board to the Market Place: Incubators Bring Vitality to Chicago
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
7:15 – 8:30 a.m. | Plenary Breakfast: Federal Updates
- Ted Stiger, NADO
8:45 – 10:00 a.m. | CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- CEDS 101 or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the CEDS
- Resilient Regions Post Economic and Natural Disaster
- Nicole Griensewic Mickelson, Region Nine Development Commission
- Ed White, Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. | Networking Break
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. | CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Designing, Leading, and Implementing Effective EDD Collaboration
- Building a Strong Regional Economy with Existing Assets
- Cary Minnis, Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission
- Lisa Gehlhausen, Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission
- Susan Craig, Southeast Indiana Regional Planning Commission
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Closing Plenary: What’s on the EDA Horizon?
12:30 p.m. | Conference Adjourns
~ Please note this schedule is subject to change ~
Travel & Venue

Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
163 E. Walton Place
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 751-8100
Room Rate: $199
Room block deadline: September 02