Economic Developers Alberta

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) is Alberta’s only professional organization for economic development professionals. Through programs, training, and networking opportunities, EDA equips practitioners to build resilient and thriving communities across the province.

As a not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, EDA represents the interests of its members and champions collaboration. Successful economic development is built on coordinated efforts among individuals, communities, and organizations. Access to a strong, connected network is essential to success in this field.

EDA supports the profession through a range of programs.

The Gerry Gabinet Mentorship Program builds strong professional relationships between emerging and seasoned economic developers.

The EDA Annual Awards of Excellence program celebrates Alberta’s economic development professionals and projects.

The Economic Resilience and Recovery Program equips community leaders with practical tools and best practices to prepare for, respond to, and recover from unexpected disruptions, including natural disasters and man-made crises.

EDA hosts several annual events that serve as key opportunities for connection and learning within Alberta’s economic development community.

The EDA Xperience conference is Alberta’s premier economic development event. It brings together leaders, innovators, and community builders to explore the future of Alberta’s economy.

The EDA Ministry Dinner is a unique opportunity for economic development professionals to connect directly with key Ministers and senior officials from both the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada.

The EDA Invitational Golf Tournament offers a relaxed, team-oriented setting that encourages informal relationship-building.

EDA delivers training through the EDA Institute, a comprehensive suite of programs and resources designed to build expertise in community economic development.

The EDA Institute offers 12 structured courses tailored to meet the evolving needs of professionals in the field. EDA members receive exclusive discounts on course fees and gain access to bursaries through the Professional Development Fund.

One of the Institute’s innovative resources is the EDA Community Investment Readiness Tool. It helps communities evaluate their current economic position and make informed, strategic decisions to improve investment readiness.

EDA Institute courses are recognized for credit toward professional certifications, including the Community Economic Developer (CED) credential and EDA’s own Professional Economic Developer (PEcD) designation.

EDA’s extensive partnerships with local, national, and international organizations connect us to a broad range of professional resources and expertise. These relationships strengthen our ability to support our members, communities and stakeholders across Alberta.

Established on February 15, 1974, EDA is a recognized leader in economic development across Alberta. Our broad membership includes municipalities, towns, tourism groups, utilities, financial institutions, businesses, Regional Economic Development Authorities, Community Futures Development Corporations, government agencies at all levels, students, non-profit organizations, and others directly involved in or interested in economic development. This diversity strengthens our collective expertise and enables us to address the evolving challenges and opportunities across Alberta’s economic landscape.

Economic development is a team sport and EDA has the playbook.