AEDCE's mission is to enhance the professional development of our membership and to advocate for community and economic development benefitting the citizens of Arkansas. Membership in AEDCE is available to anyone with an interest in the economic and community development of Arkansas. Our membership covers all parts and aspects of the economic development and chamber industry in Arkansas, from rural to urban areas and everything in between. This allows us to provide a broad array of resources and expertise in the chamber and economic development fields.
Member dues are tiered based on the total revenues of the organization. For this dues payment, all employees listed by the chamber/EDO are covered as a member of AEDCE.
Corporations and other organizations may determine the number of memberships they desire in AEDCE. Discounted rates apply to multiple memberships based on the table below.
This award recognizes the economic development professional who has attained outstanding achievement in the economic development profession as demonstrated by significant achievements in his/her community, region, and state over the course of his/her career to include the number of jobs created, capital investment, professionalism, training and education, service to AEDCE and other professional organizations, service to economic development colleagues, and a desire to advance the economic development profession.
The 2021 Recipient is Katherine Holmstrom, PCED of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
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This award recognizes the chamber of commerce professional who has attained outstanding achievement in the chamber of commerce profession as demonstrated by significant achievements in his/her community, region, and state over the course of his/her career to include professionalism, experience, training and education, service to AEDCE and other professional organizations, service to chamber colleagues, and a desire to advance the chamber of commerce profession.
The 2021 Recipient is Julie Allen, PCED of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.
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The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes those that have played a significant role in the economic development efforts of a community from a volunteer/unpaid standpoint. AEDCE considers anyone who is not employed as a full-time economic developer as an eligible nominee for the Volunteer of the Year award.
The 2021 Recipient is Kimberly B. Dale with the Greene County Future Fund (Paragould).
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This award recognizes a volunteer or paid economic development practitioner that is considered to be a premier leader in the field. Recipients are well-regarded and acknowledged for their long-standing commitment to the economic development profession. The Maria Haley Lifetime Leadership for Economic Development Award is the highest honor one can receive from AEDCE.
The 2019 Recipient is Sue McGowan, IOM, of the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation of Paragould. AEDCE did not present an award in 2020 or 2021.
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The Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) program is the leading economic development industry designation and is accredited through by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Those holding a CEcD designation are key leaders in the field demonstrating a breadth of knowledge to perform at the top level in the profession.
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The Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) program is designed to assess the four core components of the chamber Body of Knowledge: management; planning and development; membership, communications, and revenue; and operations. CCEs exemplify commitment to the chamber of commerce profession, dedication to managerial and leadership excellence, and leadership in state, regional, and national chamber professional associations. The CCE program is administered by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).
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The Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification Program is a rigorous, four-course training series that explores the skills essential for the successful practice of economic development – business credit and real estate finance analysis techniques, loan packaging procedures, negotiating and problem solving skills and deal structuring techniques. The EDFP program is administered through the National Development Council.
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Graduates of the Community Development Institute (CDI), a three-year community and economic development training program with one week of training per year, are eligible to sit for the Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) exam for certification. The PCED is administered through the Community Development Council (CDC).
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The Institute for Organization Management (IOM) is designed to enhance individual performance, elevate professional standards, and recognize association, chamber of commerce, and other nonprofit professionals demonstrating the knowledge essential to the practice of nonprofit management. It is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
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