AAED Spring Conference to Focus on Economic Challenges

(PHOENIX – March 11, 2016) The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) will host its annual Spring Conference, May 4 – 6, at the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson.  The conference focus will be:  “Economic Challenges… Taking on the Tough Issues.”

Highlighting the conference will be a debate featuring Grady Gammage of Gammage Burnam, representing the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, and Junior Mitchell Hunter, vice president for state and fiscal affairs for the Goldwater Group.

Gammage and Hunter will present opposing positions on how to fund infrastructure, education and other needed resources to support economic development in Arizona.

The conference will also feature a legislative panel, including Arizona House Speaker David M. Gowan, Sr., of Sierra Vista, Sen. Steve Farley of Tucson and Rep. Bruce Wheeler of Tucson.

They will discuss trends and upcoming regulations that may impact the economy, as well as what legislative activities are likely to come forward that could affect economic development efforts in Arizona.

There will also be sessions on “Tribal Economic Development,”  “K-12 Education” and “Site Selectors’ Perceptions of Arizona.”

In addition to educational programming, the conference features AAED’s annual EDDE Awards banquet recognizing Arizona’s top economic developers.

Early registration cost for the conference is: $345 for AAED member-practitioners, $395 for AAED member-providers and $495 for non-members.  The registration fee does not include accommodations.

Additional details and registration are available at www.aaed.com/event/spring2016 or by calling (602) 240-2233.

AAED, founded in 1974, has a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice advocating for responsible economic development through an effective program of professional education, public policy, and collaboration.

For more information on AAED, visit www.aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.