Southern Economic Developers Council Holds its 75th Annual Meeting and Conference in Florida

The 17-state Southern Economic Developers Council (SEDC) is the oldest economic development organization in the United States and held its celebratory 75^th Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida.  Keith Norden was Co-Chair of the conference and serves as the SEDC Florida Board Director.  Duties included planning the three-day event, fundraising, and serving as a primary host for the 350 attendees.  The theme of the conference was Resiliency reflecting upon the unusual events caused by the pandemic and the successful ways communities and economic development organizations responded.  The important focus on workforce included a Talent Pipeline segment with Denise Mott of JM Mullis.  Closing the three-day conference was a panel of some of the top site selectors in the country including Amy Gerber with Cushman Wakefield, Mike Mullis with J.M. Mullis, Gray Swoope with VisionFirst Advisors and Mark Williams with Strategic Development Group.  The panel was moderated by Heather Shubirg, Team Volusia EDC Executive Vice President.  A 75^th Anniversary Closing Reception was held at the Tampa Bay History Center which highlighted the organization’s long history which complimented the museum’s theme.