2026 Basic Economic Development Course

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Join us for WEDA 2026 Basic Economic Development Course

June 22 - 25, 2026

Hotel Retlaw, Fond du Lac, WI

View Preliminary Schedule Here!

The Wisconsin Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) is 10-part series of courses that provides professionals with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to build a career in the economic development field and will be taught by many of Wisconsin's top economic development professionals. The Wisconsin BEDC is also part of the required coursework to apply for the International Economic Development Council's (IEDC) Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) Exam. The course will begin mid-afternoon on Monday, June 22, and end at 12:00pm on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

We do not have the itinerary finalized yet, but here is an idea of timeframe -- Check in opens Monday, June 22nd approximately 1pm. We will have a casual welcome reception that evening.

Tues and Wednesday June 23rd and 24th run from 8am to 5pm. Continental breakfast and lunch are served in classroom on both days. There will be a reception hosted by CapCivic one of the days but details are not yet finalized. Additional infromation on evening activities will be shared as it becomes available.

Location: Classes will be held at Hotel Retlaw located in the heart of downtown Fond du Lac. The hotel is located at 1 North Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Parking is complimentary in an attached, covered city parking ramp.

Lodging: A discounted room block has been established at Hotel Retlaw. Call the hotel directly 920-204-0400 for special group rate of $101. Ask for a room in the Wisconsin Economic Development Association room block for June 22nd - 25th Basic Economic Development Course. Lodging must be made by May 30, 2026 to receive the discounted rate.

Who Should Attend? Economic developers, public officials, young professionals in economic development or related industries, ACRE alumni, university students interested in building a career in the economic development field, members of Wisconsin’s EDB Coalition, and others who want an intensive "basic" overview of economic development concepts, methods, strategies, and practices.

What Subject Areas Will Be Covered:

Core competencies in economic development as identified by IEDC.
Information about IEDC membership and the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) exam.
Economic Development Ethics
Strategic planning for economic development
Marketing/Attraction
Business Retention and Expansion
Managing a local economic development organization
Small business & entrepreneurship development
Community & neighborhood development
Workforce development
Economic development finance
Real estate development & reuse

BEDC Registration Fees: The fee for the four-day course is $799 for WEDA members prior to April 18th and $899 as of April 19th and $1149 for non-members.

Scholarships: A limited number of BEDC scholarships may be available for the 2026 course. Discounted registration fees may be requested by individuals or entities with financial need, ACRE students and alumni, university students with financial need who are interested in economic development as a career, members of Wisconsin’s EDB Coalition, non-profits, and individuals serving rural areas or underserved neighborhoods in Wisconsin. Apply for a scholarship here WEDA—Scholarship Application Form For more information about scholarships, please contact WEDA at weda@weda.org. Scholarship Applications due May 1st, 2026.

Hosted by: The BEDC is hosted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Wisconsin Economic Development Association.

NOTE: A 75% withdrawal penalty will be charged for cancelations made after May 25, 2026. Substitutions are accepted WITHOUT penalty.

View Preliminary Conference Schedule Here!

2026 Basic Economic Development Course

June 22 - 25, 2026
Hotel Retlaw
1 N Main St
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
United States
54935