If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that economic development doesn’t happen in a vacuum – it’s built on relationships, policies, and long-term strategies that connect local economies to national and global trends. That was the central theme at this year’s IEDC Leadership 2025 Summit – dubbed Meeting the Moment – where economic developers, policymakers, and industry leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., to talk about what’s next for the field.

And what a fitting location for this theme and these conversations. The conference was held at the Capital Hilton, a hotel with a rich history of hosting significant political and economic discussions. Formerly the Statler Hotel, this venue has been home to Presidential Inauguration Balls and pivotal policy meetings, sitting just a few blocks from the White House. Given the increasing importance of advocacy in economic development, there couldn’t have been a better setting to discuss the field’s future.

I had the pleasure of representing EcoMap Technologies as a sponsor/exhibitor at this year’s event, and it was an energizing few days in the nation’s capital. From high-level policy discussions to on-the-ground strategies for building better local economies, the conversations all pointed to one clear takeaway:

If economic developers aren’t proactive in shaping the future, someone else will do it for them.

Instead of recapping every session, let’s focus on the major themes that emerged from the EcoMap perspective:

• • Economic development as intertwined with entrepreneurial ecosystem building

• • The intersection of economic development and policy – and why it’s more important than ever

• • The linkage between higher ed institutions and local economies

• • How national programs translate into local impact.

• • Why advocacy is no longer optional for EDOs.

Let’s dive in.

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A Grand Welcome (And a Surprise Fire Drill)

The summit kicked off Sunday evening with a beautiful welcome reception at the OAS Hall of the Americas, a stunning venue where conversations about economic development echoed through grand chandeliers and historic murals. The atmosphere was buzzing as attendees reconnected and set the tone for a few days of critical discussions.

Monday morning, however, started with an unexpected jolt – a fire alarm evacuation at the Capital Hilton. While it wasn’t on the agenda, it turned into a networking opportunity like no other. Attendees spilled out onto the sidewalk, remarking on the emergency but continuing discussions about policy priorities and economic development strategies until we were cleared to return. 

It was a small but fitting reminder that adaptability is key in this field.

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IEDC: The Ecosystem Builder for Economic Developers

One of the biggest takeaways from this year’s summit? IEDC isn’t just an organization; it’s an ecosystem builder.

Dell Gines, IEDC’s Chief Innovation Officer, has been instrumental in this shift. With a deep background in entrepreneurial ecosystem building, Dell has brought a fresh perspective to IEDC, emphasizing the need for collaborative, innovation-driven economic development strategies. His leadership is helping position IEDC as a convener and connector – not just between economic developers, but across sectors, industries, and policy spaces.

Another forward-looking conversation came from Philip Gaskin, who used his time on stage as a call to action for economic developers. He urged attendees to get involved in entrepreneurial ecosystem building and invited them to join the U.S. delegation for the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) 2025 in Indiana. GEC 2025 isn’t just another conference – it’s an opportunity to showcase the power of entrepreneurship-driven economic development on a global stage.

The message was clear: economic developers have a critical role to play in fostering entrepreneurship, and they need to be actively engaged in shaping the future of business growth in their regions.

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Policy & Economic Development: The Inseparable Duo

A major theme throughout the summit was that economic development and policy can’t be separate conversations anymore.

The Opening Plenary dove straight into this, with Danielle Casey, IEDC Board Vice-Chair and President & CEO of the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, leading a session that made one thing clear:

If we’re not shaping policy, we’re reacting to it. And that’s not a winning strategy.

One of the most compelling moments came from the state-led policy priorities panel, featuring Quentin Messer, President & CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Jason El Koubi, President & CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Their decades-long professional relationship brought a unique dynamic to the discussion, highlighting how long-term policy strategies at the state level can have national ripple effects.

With federal uncertainty looming over departments, programs, and staffing priorities – the message was clear:

Economic developers need to be proactive in shaping policy, not just reacting to it.

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Higher Ed & Economic Development: Partners in Growth

One of the most insightful sessions came from the Fireside Chat on Higher Ed Ecosystem Building, featuring Jim Clements, President of Clemson University. His perspective on universities as economic development anchors was summed up in one simple but powerful quote:

“We do what you do; we bring people together.”

Clements emphasized that higher education institutions are more than just workforce pipelines – they’re catalysts for research, innovation, and economic connectivity. Whether through university-led startup accelerators, public-private partnerships, or regional economic initiatives, universities play a crucial role in shaping economic ecosystems.

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From National Policy to Local Impact: The CHIPS Act in Action

A lot of discussions centered around how national programs actually translate to local economic impact.

The CHIPS Act panel brought together experts like Mark Muro, Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro, and Bo Machayo, Head of U.S. Government and Public Affairs at Micron Technology. Their message?

Big federal investments don’t automatically lead to local economic success – local implementation is everything.

This session highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of turning large-scale funding into real economic transformation. The biggest barriers? Workforce readiness, supply chain constraints, and infrastructure limitations – all areas where economic developers play a crucial role.

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Advocacy: Not Just for Lobbyists Anymore

A lot of folks in economic development think of themselves as practitioners, not policymakers. But the reality? If we’re not advocating for our programs, no one else will.

One of the fireside chats on this topic came during the Opening Plenary, where Matt Chase, CEO of NACo, and Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of IEDC, broke down the need for coalition-building among economic development associations. The takeaway, according to Chase? 

If you care about something, you’ve got to advocate for it. Nothing is sacred forever. 

If you’re an EDO and you’re not actively engaged in policy discussions at the local, state, and federal levels, you’re missing an opportunity to shape the very environment your work depends on. It’s not enough to just implement programs – you need to be making the case for why they should exist in the first place.

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Final Thoughts: Time to Meet the Moment

So, what’s the biggest takeaway from IEDC Leadership 2025?

• • Economic developers can’t afford to ignore policy – it’s at the heart of what we do.

• • Advocacy is no longer optional – it’s a critical part of securing resources and shaping the future.

• • Entrepreneurial ecosystem building is a key part of economic growth – and GEC 2025 is a chance to lead the charge.

• • Higher ed and economic development go hand in hand – stronger partnerships mean stronger economies.

At EcoMap Technologies, we’re here to help economic developers map out opportunities, track policy impacts, and build stronger economic ecosystems. If this summit made anything clear, it’s that the future of economic development belongs to those who are proactive, strategic, and ready to step up.

See you next year – same time, same place?