SEDC is excited to introduce a new initiative designed to bring our members’ practical knowledge, experiences, and ideas to the forefront: #AmericanSouth Roundtables.

Across the South, economic developers are tackling many of the same challenges in different communities and finding creative ways to respond. There is an incredible amount of knowledge within our membership about what is working, what is not, and what communities are learning along the way. We want to create more opportunities for our members to share that knowledge directly with one another.

The #AmericanSouth Roundtables will be small-group, virtual discussions focused on issues that matter to economic development organizations and the communities they serve. These family-style conversations are where economic developers can share their experiences, ask questions, compare approaches, and learn from what their colleagues are seeing and doing in their communities. We are now seeking Roundtable facilitators.

Each roundtable will focus on one topic and will be guided by a handful of questions developed in coordination with the member(s) who will help get the conversation started, share their own experience, ask questions of the group, invite others into the conversation, and create space for participants to learn from one another. These family-style conversations are for members only and will not be recorded. So, bring your knowledge, experiences, successes, and challenges, and be prepared to speak!

As we develop this initiative, we are looking for members who would be interested in helping shape and lead these conversations. If you have experience with one of the topics above, have wrestled with a particular challenge, tried an approach that worked (or did not!), or simply have questions you would love to explore with other economic development professionals, we would love to hear from you.

Members who participate as discussion leaders will meet with SEDC staff in advance to develop a few questions and think through how to make the conversation useful and engaging. During the roundtable, you will help guide the discussion and share your own experience. If you are interested in helping lead a conversation, click below to get in touch with SEDC staff. We would love to hear which topics interest you and what experiences or questions you would bring to the table!