Ignite MEDA: Learn about the Maryland Economic Development Association
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Presented by Pam Ruff, Executive Director of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA)
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Ignite MEDA: Learn about the Maryland Economic Development Association
- 3. • Chick Hamm
- 5. • Basic
- 6. • Awards
- 9. • EDW or Fall Conf
- 14. • Member ribbon cutting
- 16. • Awards
- 18. • 2 pics of communities
- 19. • Domino Sugar tour
- 20. • Governor with MEDA team
Editor's Notes
- MEDA is a statewide member association and our mission focuses on partnerships, professional development, networking, and promoting economic development throughout the state.
- Our members represent every region in this state. Today you will hear from our members who represent various industries in both the public and private sectors. Their job will be to provide you with information that will better help you understand the complex subject that is known as economic development.
- Partnership is one of the key functions of any economic developer and you will hear from our speakers today in the public and the private sectors how this economic development puzzle only comes together when the right pieces are connected.
- Working with our partners at IEDC, the courses are designed to lead you through a stronger understanding of a specific subject or even certification the field. We host 4 training courses here in Baltimore - making this as affordable as possible for our members. Our mentorship program focuses on those new to the industry as well as those ready to sit for the exam.
- But there will be more questions and that’s why, true to our mission, MEDA provides professional development courses throughout the year to assist our members with obtaining a deeper understanding of the economic development process.
- Many of those speaking today are certified in economic development. MEDA also maintains a scholarship program that our members can take advantage once a year. The scholarship is replenished through a silent auction which is held at our annual conference each year which takes me to our Programs
- MEDA delivers 4 quarterly conferences each year, members only business visits, on location learning experiences. And our Fall Conference is held during Economic Development Week in October.
- Those programs I mentioned are offered in various locations throughout the state with our January conference in Annapolis focusing on legislative issues.
- And our Fall Conference is held during Economic Development Week in Maryland. This week emphasizes the breadth of the work that is done by our members every day. Our elected officials proclaim Economic Development Week in each jurisdiction as does the Governor of Maryland.
- And although MEDA does not take a position on legislation, we do provide - through our public policy awareness committee - a day in Annapolis for independent meetings and presentations by legislators who highlight legislation that is most important to our members.
- As I mentioned earlier, we have 450 members each of which works to create opportunities in their communities. Making Development possible is crucial to job creation and our members work closely with the businesses that will hire our citizens.
- And MEDA members are in the business of understanding the needs of existing business because business retention is a major function of economic development.
- Our members inspire innovation by connecting start up business with the help they need...sometimes that’s finding the right workforce, sometimes that’s a loan.
- Enriching their community is a key effort of an economic developer. Every time a business opens or expands you can bet a MEDA member was involved in some way.
- MEDA provides our members an opportunity to take advantage of a free consulting service that is offered by our Council of Past Presidents, seen here after during an annual meeting.
- And we don’t want to overlook our Annual Awards program. Each year MEDA members submit entries for consideration for the coveted MEDA Award. Here you’ll see Darrell Brown and his team from Charles County happily hoisting up the trophy for the Marketing Award last year.
- Economic Development is a complex issue that requires communicating your message to various stakeholders. How do you break through the noise to effectively target your message for different audiences? We will address that question at our Annual Conference April 30 – May 1 will focus on Telling Your Story.
- Members representing the cities and towns of Maryland have hosted us on walking tours of lovely off the beaten path communities like Berlin on the Eastern Shore. MEDA plays a very important role for our members by connecting colleagues from similar industries in interesting ways. And along the way, we visit interesting places like Smith Island.
- And you can see MEDA members enjoying a very rare view of the famous Domino Sugars sign. This is truly one of my favorite images of a place I’ve never been. The tour was limited and I couldn’t go but the members who were able to attend really loved it.
- Finally, I encourage to join MEDA if you haven’t and to participate in the organization if you are a member. Our dedication to the economic development profession is what
- Hello again, Economic Developers love their acronyms so back in the 1960’s when they formed their state wide association, they created MEDA – The Maryland Economic Development Association.