Arizona Association for Economic Development

Arizona Association for Economic Development AAED is successful because of the diversity of its members. There are numerous ways in which to get involved with AAED.

The mission of AAED is to serve as Arizona’s unified voice advocating for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy, and collaboration. AAED is a working organization that utilizes volunteers from its membership to form committees and achieve objectives. It is through this active involvement that the volunteer member recognizes the real benefit of association i

n this important organization. Committees - the heart and soul of volunteer organizations - allow members to demonstrate leadership and management skills. By actively participating in AAED members help the organization remain the top professional economic development association in the State of Arizona.

We’re proud to recognize ASU Corporate and Economic Development as an AAED Annual Sponsor and celebrate the important ro...
09/03/2026

We’re proud to recognize ASU Corporate and Economic Development as an AAED Annual Sponsor and celebrate the important role ASU plays in strengthening Arizona’s economic development ecosystem. 👏

Check out ASU’s new article on the AAED website exploring how accelerators can create pathways into regional economies by connecting companies with the relationships, resources and opportunities they need to grow and succeed in Arizona.

Read the full article 🔗 https://aaed.com/building-connections-that-last-how-accelerators-can-create-pathways-into-regional-economies/

Join us in congratulating AAED board member James Smith, CEcD for his new role as Director of Economic Development with ...
09/02/2026

Join us in congratulating AAED board member James Smith, CEcD for his new role as Director of Economic Development with the City of Goodyear! 🎉

We’re excited to thank the City of Goodyear Economic Development for supporting AAED’s 2026 Fall Forum as a Platinum Spo...
08/31/2026

We’re excited to thank the City of Goodyear Economic Development for supporting AAED’s 2026 Fall Forum as a Platinum Sponsor!

Their partnership helps make Clues to Growth: The Evidence Behind Economic Development possible as we bring Arizona’s economic development community together in Flagstaff to connect, learn and uncover the strategies driving growth across our state.

🕵️‍♀️ The case is almost closed—have you registered? Join us September 23–25 in Flagstaff and be part of the investigation into what’s next for Arizona economic development!

https://members.aaed.com/events/Details/2026-fall-forum-clues-to-growth-the-evidence-behind-economic-development-1585622?sourceTypeId=Website

Yesterday's Marketing & Business Development course brought AAED members together to explore strategies for effectively ...
08/27/2026

Yesterday's Marketing & Business Development course brought AAED members together to explore strategies for effectively marketing their communities, identifying target industries, attracting businesses, and positioning their communities for success.

Thank you to our incredible speakers for sharing their expertise, real-world insights, and practical tools with our members:

Marc Valenzuela, MPA, Salt River Project
Bridgette Blair, AZED Pro, Town of Queen Creek Economic Development Department
Lindsay Hahn, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Aric H. Bopp, CEcD, Discovery Oasis

Many thanks to Maricopa Corporate College for being our Classroom Sponsor!

We’re proud to recognize Pima County Economic Development, an AAED Annual Sponsor, and celebrate the newest additions to...
08/26/2026

We’re proud to recognize Pima County Economic Development, an AAED Annual Sponsor, and celebrate the newest additions to their team!

Please join us in welcoming Amber Folkman, Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Manager, and Nazzer O. Méndez, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Business Attraction Manager, to Pima County Economic Development.

Amber brings more than 20 years of experience in workforce and economic development, while Nazzer brings more than 15 years of experience in international business development, trade promotion and cross-border collaboration.

Congratulations, Amber and Nazzer, and welcome to the team! We’re excited to see the impact you’ll make in your new roles.

Read more here: https://www.pima.gov/1/Home?contentId=0a925f47-fcc3-4405-a7ef-d6f4707f5943

🔎 A key clue to this year’s Fall Forum? Strong community partnerships.We’re proud to recognize The City of Flagstaff as ...
08/25/2026

🔎 A key clue to this year’s Fall Forum? Strong community partnerships.

We’re proud to recognize The City of Flagstaff as a Platinum Sponsor of AAED’s 2026 Fall Forum.

Their support helps bring Arizona’s economic development community together in Flagstaff for three days of learning, connection and uncovering the ideas shaping our state’s future.

But don’t wait for the next clue—early bird registration closes this Friday, August 28! 🕵️‍♀️

Register now and secure your early bird rate before the evidence disappears 🔗 https://members.aaed.com/events/Details/2026-fall-forum-clues-to-growth-the-evidence-behind-economic-development-1585622?sourceTypeId=Website

Last week, AAED’s Emerging Leaders Committee took its learning and networking on the road!The group gathered at Phoenix ...
08/24/2026

Last week, AAED’s Emerging Leaders Committee took its learning and networking on the road!

The group gathered at Phoenix City Hall for a 'Conneducate' session featuring Eric Prochnow and Xandon Keating with the City of Phoenix's Community & Economic Development Department, who shared insights on development agreements and how they fit into the economic development process.

Afterward, the group headed down the street for an Off the Clock mixer with Brian Friedman, Economic Development Program Manager with the City of Phoenix. Brian shared more about his career journey and experience in economic development while members had the opportunity to connect and continue the conversation in a more casual setting.

Thank you to Eric, Xandon, Brian, and the City of Phoenix team for helping make it a great evening of learning, connection, and professional development for AAED’s emerging leaders!

Happy to Sophia Renk, Economic Development Specialist with the Town of Fountain Hills! 🎉
08/24/2026

Happy to Sophia Renk, Economic Development Specialist with the Town of Fountain Hills! 🎉

Earlier this week, AAED had the privilege of moderating a panel at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual Confere...
08/21/2026

Earlier this week, AAED had the privilege of moderating a panel at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual Conference, bringing together economic development practitioners from across the state to talk about the work: what they do day to day, their priorities, their challenges, and what a genuinely productive relationship with elected officials looks like.

Conversations like this are a good reminder of why this profession matters. Economic development professionals care deeply about their work and their communities — and we're grateful to the League for creating space to highlight that.

A big thank you to our panelists for sharing their insights, experiences, and expertise so openly:

Jamie Kerr (Town of Prescott Valley, Arizona)
Jennifer Lindley (Town of Queen Creek Economic Development Department)
Joel Millman (Pinal County Economic and Workforce Development)
Ryan Touhill (City of Phoenix)

Strengthen your BRE toolkit at AAED’s Blue Academy Course: Business Retention & Expansion on September 23 in Flagstaff!T...
08/20/2026

Strengthen your BRE toolkit at AAED’s Blue Academy Course: Business Retention & Expansion on September 23 in Flagstaff!

This hands-on course will cover the fundamentals of BRE and its role in supporting economic development across tribal, rural, and urban communities. Participants will learn how to build effective BRE programs, conduct successful business visits, utilize CRMs, identify red flags, measure program success, and develop practical solutions to common challenges.

Whether you’re building a BRE program from the ground up or looking to strengthen your existing efforts, this course is designed to give you practical strategies you can put to work in your community.

Register today and take your BRE skills to the next level 🔗 https://members.aaed.com/events/Details/blue-academy-course-business-retention-expansion-1558432?sourceTypeId=Website

A special thank you to the City of Tucson for sponsoring this Blue Academy Course!

Address

2828 N Central Avenue, Floor 10, Suite 1016
Phoenix, AZ
85004

Telephone

+16022402233

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