Growing Future Economic Development Leaders
The Emerging Leaders Spring Training is a half-day program with topics that focus on the needs of early-career economic developers.
Attendees can learn from experienced leaders as well as build lasting relationships through networking.
To develop the event around the timeliest topics for emerging leaders, MEDA's Emerging Leaders Committee, a volunteer group of members, plans the agenda using survey responses from members that identify as emerging leaders.
Highlights from Previous Spring Training Events
Going into 2024, creating community awareness of economic development projects was a vital topic as there was pushback in communities around the state that was leading to major headlines. "Skipping the Stall" was added to the agenda to share strategies for communicating projects in a way that made community members feel informed.
In 2023, the Committee invited two Emerging Star Award recipients and one Birgit M. Klohs Fellowship recipient to talk about their growth as emerging leaders in economic development. They shared how they broke barriers, overcame challenges, and exceeded expectations.
Site readiness is an ongoing part of the economic development spectrum as site selectors work with companies that want ready places to put the shovel in the ground. In 2022, representatives from the local, regional, and State level shared how emerging leaders can be a vital part of the site readiness process.
Others topics from previous events include Becoming Business Savvy, Harnessing Talent Programs, If You Want It Built, They Will Come … and You Can Help, and Responding to Housing Needs to Attract/Retain an Employer. Since 2012, this half-day event continues to be popular among emerging leaders.
