Washington Economic Development Association

Did you know that Washington State ranks #3 among US states (2013-2022) in crowdfunding? According to Crowdfund Better, there were nearly 8,000 campaigns based in Washington that raised over $180.3M. Crowdfunding can fill an access to capital gap -- women and minority founders received less than 2% of Venture Capital funding in 2023, but they received over 37% of regulated crowdfunding dollars in 2023. Today's Technical Assistance "TA Tuesday" program, featuring Kathleen Minogue, Founder & CEO of Crowdfund Better, focused on the tremendous opportunities, risks and best practices for crowdfunding. Thank you to Lisa Smith, ED of the WA State Microenterprise Association, for making this excellent presentation happen and to all who joined us! If you or your organization serve small businesses and want to join us for TA Tuesdays, please do (WEDA members and non-members are welcomed)! Just send an email to info@wedaonline.org and we'll add you to the list! Here are some resources for small businesses from today's program: Crowdfund Better: www.crowdfundbetter.com Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA): www.wamicrobiz.org Evergreen BizLink: www.evergreenbizlink.com US Small Business Administration - Upcoming Events www.sba.gov/events Washington Small Business Development Center: www.wsbdc.org

Our 2024 Summer Conference, "Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future" proved to be another content-rich, thought-provoking, fun and engaging WEDA adventure! THANK YOU to all who joined us in Spokane, to our incredible speakers, generous sponsors, the WEDA Board, our Conference Planning Committee, Elizabeth Tackett, Holly House, our generous hosts from Greater Spokane, Inc. and to the hospitality workers at the Davenport Grand and everywhere we went for making this a truly successful conference! A few more pics. are linked below, including amongst so much more: a special Tribal Land Acknowledgement by Warren Seyler, former Chairman of the Spokane Indian Tribe; inspiring Juneteenth reflections by Vaughn Taylor, VP of EcDev with the Seattle Metro Chamber; an update from Nathan Ohle, President & CEO with IEDC; an incredible keynote by Andrea Caupain Sanderson, Co-ED of the BIPOC EDs Coalition; an inspiring Fireside Chat featuring Andrea as well as Marvo Reguindin, ED of AHANA, Shirline Wilson, ED of the WA Employers for Racial Equity and Beto Yarce, Region X Administrator of US SBA; plus so many insight-filled panels on broadband, arts & culture, small business, creative partnerships for big projects, workforce housing, workforce development, Spokane's Sports Tourism/EcDev success, and Rural EcDev, a special Networking Reception at The Podium with music from by Soul Musician Jason Garrett Evans & Co., more thought-provoking remarks by WA State Commission on African American Affairs Chair & Pastor Walter J. Kendricks, remarks from EcDev Legislative Champions State Rep. Chris Corry and Senator Noel Frame, a super fun Emerging Leaders Social, an exciting keynote address from Peter Tomozawa, CEO of SeattleFWC26 (FIFA World Cup 26 Local Organizing Committee) and follow up remarks from State Rep. Brandy Donaghy and David Blandford, ED of State of WA Tourism, an Economic Forecast panel with Drs. Vange Ocasio Hochheimer and Anneliese Vance-Sherman, and a final excellent panel featuring Sports & Rec. EcDev superstars Rich Austin, Ashley Blake, Ashley Fosberg, Beth Knox and Jeff Koffel plus some special awards honoring former board leaders. There's just too much to recap, and it all followed a great IEDC conference! Those who registered can view slide decks and keep connecting on Swapcard year-round! We'll post a full album with more professional pics. soon. We appreciated everyone who made the effort to join us and contribute to the conversations. Go Team WEDA! More Pictures here: https://lnkd.in/gj4nqban #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane

So many thought provoking programs and conversations as Washington State hosts the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Economic Future Forum in Spokane! Today we helped facilitate an "Interdisciplinary ThinkTank" on the conference themes, Culture + Commerce, Equity + Economy, Sustianability + Resilience and Tech + Transformation. Thanks to the "Chris Ps," Chris Pengra, ED of S3R3 Solutions and Christopher Pike, ED of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority for joining WEDA ED Suzanne Dale Estey in moderating an engaging session! And thanks to Greater Spokane Inc. and the broader Spokane community for being tremendous hosts! #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane #iedcspokane #IEDC #economicfutureforum

As we countdown to our 2024 Summer Conference next week in Spokane, we are reflecting on our deeply valued WEDA Sponsors, who have made it all possible. We have increased our sponsorships by more than six-fold in the last few years -- this year reaching $126,000 (which is huge for this small nonprofit!), so we want to give them a great big THANK YOU! Our sponsors allow us to put on a strong program for you, and support WEDA’s year-round efforts and impact. By the way, we are close to closing registration but we could still squeeze a few folks in! Join leaders from across WA in Spokane NEXT WEEK, June 18-20 as we explore "Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future" at the 2024 WEDA Summer Conference. Check out the close-to-final agenda, current discounts & REGISTER HERE -- LAST CALL!: https://lnkd.in/gQSc5NT #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane

FRIDAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR WEDA'S 2024 SUMMER CONFERENCE! We have a thought-provoking, content-rich and fun agenda and we are expecting over 210 economic development, ports, local government, tribal, business, education and community leaders from rural and urban communities throughout Washington. Will you be there to learn, engage and weigh in on “Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future”? Join leaders from across WA in Spokane NEXT WEEK, June 18-20 as we explore "Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future" at the 2024 WEDA Summer Conference. Check out the close-to-final agenda, current discounts & REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gQSc5NT #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane

For the FIRST TIME EVER Washington State will welcome an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) conference starting this weekend. We are so excited that our 2024 WEDA Summer Conference is following the IEDC Economic Future Forum, both at the Davenport Grand in Spokane. We are thrilled that IEDC President & CEO Nathan Ohle is extending his stay in Spokane to engage with WEDA attendees and provide an IEDC update at our WEDA Opening Session on June 19. Did you know that WEDA's Summer Conference is on IEDC's official list of Recognized Events for Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs) recertification? This Friday is the LAST CALL for WEDA conference registration! Join leaders from across WA in Spokane NEXT WEEK, June 18-20 as we explore "Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future" at the 2024 WEDA Summer Conference. Check out the close-to-final agenda, current discounts & REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gQSc5NT https://lnkd.in/gH3asvBF #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane #iedcspokane #IEDC #economicfutureforum

We have such a great and diverse line up of speakers at our 2024 WEDA Summer Conference we can't highlight them all! The action starts in ONE WEEK so Friday is the LAST CALL for registration! Join leaders from across WA in Spokane NEXT WEEK, June 18-20 as we explore "Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future" at the 2024 WEDA Summer Conference. Check out the close-to-final agenda, current discounts & REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gQSc5NT #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane

Did you know that Sports Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in tourism, it is estimated to grow globally by 17.5% through 2030 and it is proven to accelerate economic development and more sustainable development in communities? According to UN Tourism, "Mega sport events such as World Cups can be a catalyst for tourism development if successfully leveraged with destination branding, infrastructure development and other economic and social benefits." Sports and recreation tourism provides communities large and small millions of dollars in economic impact each year, including a big boost to local businesses. However, proper planning and partnerships are essential to ensure that the benefits are maximized and that any negative impacts are minimized. What are Washington State's sports economic development leaders doing to capitalize on events such as FIFA26? And what opportunities exist for smaller and rural communities with youth sports tourism, and recreation-centered economic development? What are the best practices in aligning regional partners for successful projects and events? How are communities collaborating and being more inclusive toward more equitable sports-related projects to maximize impact? Our Closing Session Fireside Chat, "Sprinting, Dribbling, Skating, Leaping Forward Together: Impactful Economic Development through Sports & Recreation" during our upcoming Summer Conference will explore these questions and more. Join us to hear from these inspiring top-tier leaders who are leading successful sports and recreation-related organizations and initiatives. Learn, gather ideas and share your own! Join leaders from across WA in Spokane this June 18-20 as we explore "Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future" at the 2024 WEDA Summer Conference. Check out the updated agenda, current discounts & REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gQSc5NT LAST CALL for registration is this week! #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane #sportstourism #StateOfWaTourism #sportseconomics

The lack of affordable and workforce/middle income housing has reached critical levels in communities throughout Washington, according to multiple studies which have concluded that Washington must add over a million new homes within the next 20 years to meet current need and accommodate population growth. What has been done at the state and local levels to address our housing crisis, what is in the works and how can communities leverage funding tools and partner to build high quality and more affordable housing for workers and families, including addressing equity gaps? Our "Sprinting Ahead to Address the Workforce & Attainable Housing Crisis" panel at our upcoming Summer Conference will explore these questions and more. Join us to hear from these experts who are leading on housing policy, developing projects, leveraging resources and partnering to address equity needs and build housing. Please come listen, learn and share your ideas! Join leaders from across WA in Spokane this June 18-20 as we explore "Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future" at the 2024 WEDA Summer Conference. Check out the updated agenda, current discounts & REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gQSc5NT #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane #workforcehousing #affordablehousing #housingcrisis #housingsolutions

How are communities leveraging partnerships to capitalize on the significant funding opportunities available for economic development and infrastructure right now? What are some of the best practices and lessons learned in developing regional, intergovernmental and public-private partnerships, and in working with Tribal governments? How can you even decipher where to find opportunities and meet matching fund requirements? Our "Creative Intergovernmental, Public/Private Partnerships to Foster a More Equitable & Sustainable Future" panel at our upcoming Summer Conference will explore these questions, funding opportunities and more. Join us to hear from these leaders who are making major partnership-driven, catalytic and intergovernmentally-funded economic development projects happen and to share your insights! Join leaders from across WA in Spokane this June 18-20 as we explore "Sprinting Towards a More Equitable Future" at the 2024 WEDA Summer Conference. Check out the updated agenda & REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gQSc5NT #WEDA #EconomicDevelopment #Spokane #MeetInSpokane #greaterSpokane #federalfundingopportunities #intergovernmentalpartnerships