Southern Economic Development Council to Host 2018 Annual Conference in Mobile, Alabama for the First Time

On Monday, July 27, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) announced it will host the 2018 Annual Conference in Mobile, Alabama for the first time ever. Founded in 1946, the SEDC is the oldest and largest regional economic development organization in North America with more than 1000 economic development professionals operating in 17 states.

Troy Wayman, Vice-President of Economic Development for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce states, “It is very exciting that the Southern Economic Development Council has chosen Mobile for the 2018 annual meeting. This gathering of economic development professionals from all over the southern US will not only bring significant room nights to our hotels and tax dollars to the City, but will provide great exposure for the Mobile Bay region and give a glimpse of the hospitality, quality of life and outstanding resources that have garnered our region success in tourism and economic development!”

Led by Coastal Alabama Partnership, a statewide team of economic developers along with local Mobile and Baldwin County and City elected officials worked together to bring this important event to Coastal Alabama. SEDC Alabama State Director and Coastal Alabama Partnership CEO, Wiley Blankenship said, “I am honored that Alabama has been chosen, particularly Mobile, to host the 2018 meeting. This would not have been possible without the teamwork of leadership throughout our two coastal counties and the state.”

Working with the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, the local team welcomed the SEDC Selection Committee who was impressed with all that Downtown Mobile has to offer attendees, including four-star hotels, restaurants and attractions. The conference expects three to four hundred attendees, plus their families, to visit Coastal Alabama in 2018.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Southeastern Economic Development Council to Mobile in 2018”, says Al Hutchinson, President/CEO of the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “Hosting a conference of this caliber will bring increased exposure and awareness. We look forward to having these economic development professionals in town and they will see first-hand the positive growth and opportunities happening in Mobile.”

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