Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course (TBEDC)

The four-day Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course (TBEDC), accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), focuses on the fundamental concepts, strategies and tools needed to be successful in today's complex economic environment. Topics include a basic overview of strategic planning, finance, workforce development, business retention and expansion, small business development and entrepreneurship, marketing and attraction, ethics and community development, among others.

Participants in TBEDC will:

Learn about best practices in economic and community development
Explore new methods and programs to promote job growth and investment
Discuss emerging trends and factors that shape local and regional economies
Develop a valuable network of fellow economic development professionals and resources
Learn from top economic development experts from across the state and the country

Who should attend?

The Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course (TBEDC) is designed for community leaders and stakeholders who participate in the process of community and economic development at local, regional, state and federal levels. Typical conference attendees include chamber of commerce and economic and community development organization professionals, elected and appointed officials, government agency staff, community planners, utility personnel, bankers, business leaders, real estate brokers and developers, and community volunteers.

Date and Location:

May 5 – 8, 2025
Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown | 300 Korean Veterans Blvd (See booking link under hotel accommodations below)

Course Times:

Onsite Check-in: Begins at 9:00 AM

Day 1: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Day 2: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Day 3: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Day 4: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Course Agenda:

2024 Agenda (2025 Agenda Coming Soon!)

Course Fee:

Registration $845 | Early Registration $795 (by April 14, 2025)

Registration is limited to 45 participants and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The registration fee covers: Course materials, IEDC Introduction to Economic Development Manual, Lunch (days 1-4), Breakfast (days 2-4), one evening reception and one offsite session. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please remit payment for the course no later than 10 days prior to the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the waitlist.

Registration:

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us here. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Cancellations made 7 days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit towards a future TCED Course. Cancellations made less than 7 days will be eligible for credit only minus a $100 cancellation fee.

Hotel Accommodations:

Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville - A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a discounted rate of $233. Make your reservations by April 4, 2025 to receive the group rate. Click here to reserve your room Reservations can also be made by calling 800-325-0720 and referring to the group number 10115134. Please book early as the block could fill up!

This link and rate code is only available for course attendees. If this link and special rate is used by someone outside of the course, the reservation will be cancelled and a fee will be applied to the credit card used to book the reservation.

Scholarships:

A limited number of scholarships are available to TBEDC participants from Tennessee. If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not received, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are limited and non-transferable.

Philip Trauernicht Memorial Scholarship for Rural Leaders:

This scholarship is in memory of Philip Trauernicht, a long-time public servant to economic development, whose commitment to rural communities has made a lasting impact on Tennessee.

This annual scholarship provides full tuition to attend annual Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course and up to four nights’ lodging during the course. The award value is approximately $1,800. The recipient will be required to pay a $100 processing fee upon acceptance of the award. Applications must be received by January 10, 2025 to be considered.

Learn more about Philip, scholarship qualifications and where to download the application HERE.

TBEDC General Scholarship:

The TBEDC General Scholarship covers $595 of the $795 early bird course tuition cost, and does not include hotel, travel or meals. Scholarship recipients will be required to pay $200 of the tuition cost which is non-refundable should the participant withdraw from the course after acceptance of the award.

To qualify for the TBEDC General Scholarship, applications must be submitted by March 21, 2025. Follow the submission instructions on the application found: HERE

Accreditation and Professional Development:

The Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and counts toward the CEcD certification for professional economic developers. Upon satisfactory completion of TBEDC, participants will receive a course certificate and will qualify for admission to other IEDC courses for advanced training.

CEU credits are available through the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service.

TBEDC Testimonials

See our past TBEDC Graduates:

TBEDC Class of 2024
TBEDC Class of 2023
TBEDC Class of 2022
TBEDC Class of 2021
TBEDC Class of 2020
TBEDC Class of 2019
TBEDC Class of 2018
TBEDC Class of 2017
TBEDC Class of 2016
TBEDC Class of 2015
TBEDC Class of 2014
TBEDC Class of 2013
TBEDC Class of 2012
TBEDC Class of 2011
TBEDC Class of 2010
TBEDC Class of 2009
TBEDC Class of 2008
TBEDC Class of 2007

Attendance Policy:

Course Attendance Policy: Participants are required to be present at all classes offered in order to receive credit for the course. No excuses for absence shall be accepted except those of illness, family emergency or business emergency. If illness, immediate family emergency or business emergency forces a student to be absent for more than 10% of the course, it must be repeated for credit to be granted. Travel inconvenience is not considered an emergency.

Dress Code:

The attire for TBEDC is business casual.

Questions or More Information:

Contact Tintin Czach, TCED Director (615) 532-4922 or email at tintin@tennessee.edu

Other TCED Economic Development Courses:

View other TCED economic development courses