It's another 500th special edition show! Dennis is joined by Develop This! contributing correspondents Joi Cuartero Austin and Sean Maguire. Dennis, Joi, and Sean pull out their crystal balls and discuss what the future holds for working economic development professionals. 

Join Dennis and Develop This! cofounder Jason Hutcheson as they reminisce about the podcast's early days and wax poetic about their personal journeys and what the future holds.

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Mike Neal - President and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. Mike presents a master class on how to build and lead a dynamic team of professionals and how to utilize strategic partnerships to build a world-class organization.  Mike Neal is in his 18th year as president and chief executive officer of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. In 2018, the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE) inducted Mike into their Hall of Fame in recognition of his 30 years...

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Suzanne Dale Estey, Executive Director of the Washington Economic Development Association. Dennis and Suzanne preview the 2024 IEDC Future Forum and talk all things Washington State. The 2024 Economic Future Forum will be held in Spokane, Washington, on June 16-18 The 2024 Future Forum will explore 'Transformational Economic Development' and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Expo '74, Spokane's community-changing World Fair mega-event. Discover how...

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Mark Perna, who discusses leadership and how to develop your leadership style.  Leadership - the action of leading a group of people or an organization            Leadership is only evident when it’s poor Leadership is not one-size-fits-all There are many styles of leadership…Example servant leaders A servant leader shares power, puts the needs of the employees and organization first, and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. Instead...

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Kevin Dick, President and Chief Executive Officer Carolina Small Business Development Fund in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area. They discuss the importance of small businesses as part of the ecosystem of a community, region, and state.  The Carolina Small Business Development Fund is a not-for-profit organization of over 30 dedicated professionals with three focus areas - small business financial capital, small business technical assistance and...

Denisse Carter - Economic Development Administrator Doña Ana County Dennis is joined by Denisse Carter - Economic Development Administrator Doña Ana County, a newly minted Certified Economic Developer. Dennis and Denisse discuss the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Certified Economic Developer.  T The coursework for the CEcD certification program is divided into 2 categories: Core Competency and Elective Competency You must attend all 4 Core Competency training courses...

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Trish Heidenreich, Founder/CEO of EDI Group -Economic Development Initiatives Group. Trish recently underwent a career change. Previously, she was the Director of Economic Development for the Town of Bel Air, MD. and now is a self-employed consultant and founder of the EDI Group. Trish and Dennis discuss career paths in economic development and finding your road to success. They also dive into Trish's time working in the world of Rock and Roll.   

Dennis is joined by Mignonne Hollis, the executive director of the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation and founder of Aerospace Arizona Dennis and Mignonne discuss the opportunities and challenges of economic development work in rural America and rural Arizona. Just because you live in a rural area does not mean you can't do cool things. Mignonne discusses her work helping create Aerospace Arizona.  Mignonne Hollis Sierra Vista, Arizona  Arizona Regional Economic Development...

Dennis is joined by generational expert Mark C. Perna. Dennis and Mark discuss the inherent bias older generations have against younger generations. Mark Perna is the author of Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations

In this episode, Dennis is joined by Henry Silentman, the program manager at the Shiprock Regional Business Development office in Northwest New Mexico. Dennis and Henry discuss the opportunities and challenges of working in economic development in the Navajo Nation

Finding Your Path in Economic Development  Dennis is joined by Develop This! contributing correspondents Joi Cuartero Austin CEcd, Senior Program Officer, Economic Vitality with Main Street America, and Sean M. Maguire, AICP CEcD Economic Development and Planning Executive. Together, they discuss finding Your Path in Economic Development. Economic development is a broad career track. How do you find your niche? A career in economic development can take you in so many different...

Dennis is joined by Eloisa Klementich, CEcd, PhD, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta and IEDC board chair. They discuss Eloisa's career path in economic development and her plans and goals for IEDC. 

What does it take to become an Accredited Economic Development Organization? The St. Tammany Corp in Mandeville, LA, recently completed the process. There are over 5,000 economic development organizations, and fewer than 80 have achieved this prestigious designation.  In this episode, Dennis is joined by Chris Masingill, CEO, and Ashley Llewellyn, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives with the St. Tammany Corp. They discuss the AEDO process from the organizations perspective. 

Dennis is joined by Jonas Peterson, the CEO of Southwest Michigan First and IEDC's Immediate Past Chair. Jonas also talks about his economic development career journey and his current role as the CEO of Southwest Michigan First, his time as the chair of IEDC, and the growth and future of IEDC. 

Dennis is joined by Mark Perna, who discusses ten habits that can keep us from reaching our full potential.  Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey Be Proactive Begin With the End in Mind Put First Things First Think Win-Win Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Synergize Sharpen the Saw What are the habits that keep us from success and achieving our full potential? 1.      Procrastination a.      Set goals b.      Prioritize tasks c.      Start...

In this episode, Dennis offers up some common sense strategies to help deal with tough budget times. Do great work Communicate Measure Build coalitions Measure your organization against your peers Build relationships Be transparent Engage your board

Dennis's organization, Lee County Economic Development Group, recently became an AEDO - Accredited Economic Development Organization through IEDC. Dennis is joined by Bill Murphy - President & CEO of Ardmore Development Authority in Ardmore, OK, and Jim Fram - Consultant and Economic Development Leader - of Community Growth Strategies, and they discuss the process of becoming an Accredited Economic Development Organization.  What is AEDO, and why is it important? How many AEDOs are...

Working on the Other Side: From Elected Official to Economic Development  In this episode, contributing correspondent Joi Cuartero Austin is joined by Kyle Moore, President of the Great River Economic Development Foundation in Quincy and Adams County, Illinois. Kyle discusses his journey from elected official to economic development professional.  Going from the private sector, to elected official, to economic development. Stakeholders working together in a big, small town on a community...

In this episode, Dennis opens up about what he believes are the three biggest mistakes he has made in workforce programming. Dennis and Mark discuss the realities and difficulties of developing workforce programming. 

In this short episode, Dennis reflects on his day and how assembling a like-minded group of people can make or break a project. 

Dennis is joined by IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle, and they discuss the growth and changes at IEDC over the past year. They also discuss the future of IEDC and the economic development profession.  New IEDC Strategic Plan Economic Recovery Corps Fellowship $1 million research initiative Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Dennis and Mark Perna make bold predictions on the future of our workforce and what lies ahead for our employers.  Mark's book - Answering Why

Dennis is joined by generational expert Mark Perna, and together they discuss the current state of workforce efforts in America and boldly predict the future of workforce programs.  Mark's book - Answering Why?