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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261006
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261008
DTSTAMP:20260916T163115Z
CREATED:20251218T164031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T163115Z
UID:82002-1791244800-1791417599@www.medamd.com
SUMMARY:2026 Main Street Maryland Conference
DESCRIPTION:Where: The Maryland Theatre (21 S Potomac St\, Hagerstown\, MD 21740) and other locations in Downtown Hagerstown\, MD\nMaryland’s many Main Streets are the heart of our vibrant and welcoming communities. The 2026 Main Street Maryland Conference\, organized by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA)\, will bring together community leaders\, economic development professionals\, small business advocates\, and local partners for two days of learning\, collaboration\, and inspiration focused on strengthening Maryland’s downtowns. \nBy registering\, you give MEDA permission to use your photo/video if captured during the conference. \nThe 2026 Main Street Maryland Conference is no longer seeking speakers for this year’s conference. If you’re interested in speaking at a future conference\, please leave your email below. For those who have submitted a proposal\, we will be making decisions by mid-June. \n\n \n\n\nOn The Way Experiences\nOn your way to Hagerstown on Monday\, October 5\, 2026\, from 1 to 4 PM\, explore one of the three optional “On The Way Experiences”. These community tours will highlight successful downtown revitalization efforts in Maryland. Registration will be limited and is on a first come\, first served basis. \nMiddletown \nStop in Middletown to explore a community in the midst of thoughtful transformation. Hear how recent downtown revitalization efforts have balanced new housing and business development with a deliberate commitment to heritage tourism\, historic preservation\, and the National Road story that defines the town’s identity. Join local leaders\, business owners\, and partners as they share how Middletown is leveraging its historic assets while intentionally growing its ecosystem to strengthen long-term economic vitality. \nSykesville \nVisit Sykesville\, recipient of the 2026 Great American Main Street Award\, the highest honor in the Main Street movement. Explore this nationally recognized downtown and hear directly from the local leaders\, volunteers\, business owners\, and community champions whose vision\, partnerships\, and perseverance transformed Sykesville into a model for community-driven economic development and revitalization. \nWestminster \nExplore historic Westminster to explore how arts\, innovation\, and redevelopment are transforming the west end of Main Street. Learn how the Carroll Arts Center helped spark revitalization\, hear about Project Restore 2.0’s impact on vacant properties\, and tour Carroll County’s only makerspace\, Exploration Commons. Gain insight from local leaders\, business owners\, and community partners\, then enjoy light local fare while connecting with fellow attendees. \n\nHotel Choices\nWe’ve done the work for you! Please be certain to book with one of these trustworthy\, vetted hotel partners. Special rates are available for the nights of October 5 to October 8: \n\nHoliday Inn Express & Suites Hagerstown for $149/night. Click here to book online.\nTru by Hilton for $134/night. Click here to book online.\nHomewood Suites by Hilton for $159/night. Click here to book online. – SOLD OUT!\nHome2Suites $159/night. Click here to book online.\nSpringHill Suites by Marriott Hagerstown for $154/night. Click here to book online.\nCourtyard by Marriott Hagerstown for $154/night. Click here to book online.\nHampton Inn Hagerstown I-81 for $164/night. Click here to book online and use code ‘Main Street Maryland’\n\n\nPlan Your Trip to Hagerstown\n \nExplore local attractions\, restaurants\, arts and culture\, outdoor recreation\, shopping\, and more with Visit Hagerstown. Whether you’re looking to discover the area’s history\, enjoy the downtown experience\, or find things to do before and after the conference\, Visit Hagerstown is a great resource for planning your visit. \nPlan Your Trip \n\nSponsor the 2026 Main Street Maryland Conference\n\n \nExplore Sponsorship Opportunities \nMake a Payment
URL:https://www.medamd.com/event/2026-main-street-maryland-conference/
LOCATION:Hagerstown\, MD\, Hagerstown\, MD\, 21740
CATEGORIES:Conference
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261022T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261022T140000
DTSTAMP:20260917T130449Z
CREATED:20251210T194535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T130449Z
UID:81813-1792656000-1792677600@www.medamd.com
SUMMARY:2026 MEDA Fall Conference
DESCRIPTION:When: October 22\, 2026\, 8 AM to 2 PM\nWhere: Water’s Edge Events Center\nTheme: Economic Development’s Role in Building Maryland’s Future\nHousing has become one of the defining economic development issues of our time. Employers can’t attract talent without attainable housing. Communities can’t grow without strategic planning\, infrastructure\, partnerships\, and local leadership. This conference will explore why housing has become an economic imperative\, what’s preventing new housing from being built\, and the practical solutions Maryland communities are using today. \nClick here to learn about conference sponsorship opportunities \nDraft Agenda\n8:00 – 9:00 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast \n9:00 – 9:15 AM Welcome and MEDA Business Meeting \n\nWelcome: Denise Beaver\, CEcD\, MEDA Board Vice President\nMEDA Business Meeting Minutes: Allison Akers\, MEDA Board Secretary\nMEDA New Members: Ebony Stocks\, CEcD\, and Matt Miller\, MEDA Membership Co-Chairs\n\n9:15 – 10:00 AM Opening Keynote: The Current State of Housing & Why It Matters  \nHousing is no longer just a planning issue. It is a workforce issue\, a business attraction issue\, and a key driver of community competitiveness. This opening keynote will examine the current state of housing\, the economic forces shaping today’s market\, and why economic developers must become active partners in housing conversations to grow jobs\, attract investment\, and strengthen their communities. \n\nYonah Freemark\, Lead for Housing & Transportation Initiatives\, Urban Institute\n\n10:00 – 10:15 AM Break \n10:15 – 11:15 AM: What’s Standing in the Way? Understanding the Barriers to Housing \nEveryone agrees Maryland needs more housing\, but why is it so difficult to build? Developers\, planners\, and community leaders will explore the financial\, regulatory\, political\, and infrastructure challenges slowing housing production. From zoning and permitting to construction costs\, financing\, and community opposition\, this panel will examine the realities behind today’s housing market and identify opportunities for meaningful change. \nWhy do people have a hard time connecting economic growth to housing? \n\nD. Reed\, AICP\, Maryland Policy Director\, Greater Greater Washington\n\nWhy is it so hard to build at the local level?  \n\nCasey Anderson\, Market Leader – Regulation\, Policy\, and Entitlements\, Rodgers Consulting\n\n11:15 AM – 12:15 PM: Leading Change: Local Solutions That Are Making Housing Happen \nAcross Maryland\, local leaders are finding innovative ways to move housing projects from concept to construction. Hear directly from mayors who are implementing creative policies\, building partnerships\, and overcoming community challenges to expand housing opportunities while strengthening their local economies. Panelists will share what has worked\, lessons learned\, and practical ideas that communities of all sizes can adapt. \n\nModerator: Secretary Jake Day\, Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development\nThe Honorable Megan Cook\, Mayor\, Town of Easton\nThe Honorable Michael O’Connor\, Mayor\, City of Frederick\n\n12:15 – 12:45 PM Lunch \n12:45 – 1:30 PM Closing Keynote: From Conversation to Action \nThe conversation does not end when the conference concludes. This closing keynote will challenge attendees to think differently about their role as conveners\, collaborators\, and community leaders while outlining practical actions economic developers can take to advance housing solutions in their own communities. Participants will leave with ideas they can begin implementing immediately through partnerships\, advocacy\, and strategic leadership. \n\nCatherine Buell\, Managing Principal\, Wellness Real Estate Innovations\n\n1:30 – 1:45 PM Closing Remarks \n\nDenise Beaver\, CEcD\, MEDA Board Vice President\n\nHotel\nClick here to book a room at the Hilton Garden Inn Bel Air for the nights of October 21\, 2026 through October 22\, 2026.
URL:https://www.medamd.com/event/2026-meda-fall-conference/
LOCATION:Water’s Edge Events Center\, 4687 Millennium Drive\, Belcamp\, MD\, 21017\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conference
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270114T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270114T140000
DTSTAMP:20260916T160717Z
CREATED:20260916T160623Z
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UID:85503-1799913600-1799935200@www.medamd.com
SUMMARY:2027 MEDA Winter Conference
DESCRIPTION:When: January 14\, 2027\, from 8 AM to 2 PM\nWhere: Governor Calvert House\, Annapolis\, MD\nTheme: 2027 Legislative Outlook For Economic Development\nAt the 2027 MEDA Winter Conference\, public and private sector leaders share their thoughts on economic development-related legislation that the Maryland General Assembly will consider during the 2026 session. \nSponsorship Opportunities \n \n  \n**Please note: MEDA does not sell attendee lists\, offer refunds for this event\, or permit walk-in registrations.
URL:https://www.medamd.com/event/2027-meda-winter-conference/
LOCATION:Governor Calvert House\,  58 State Circle\, Annapolis\, MD\, 21401\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conference
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270726T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270730T160000
DTSTAMP:20260918T195428Z
CREATED:20260918T195023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T195428Z
UID:85522-1816592400-1816963200@www.medamd.com
SUMMARY:2027 MEDA Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course
DESCRIPTION:When: July 26 – 30\, 2027\nWhere: Virtual\nWhether you’re new to the world of economic development or you’d like to get in-depth with a refresher\, the Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course is your ticket to the fundamental concepts\, strategies\, and tools needed to be successful in today’s complex economic environment. This essential course is designed to prepare participants for the challenges they face in the practice of developing communities and assist them in gaining capacity-building skills\, resources\, and networks to accelerate economic development. \nIn previous years\, our week-long Basic Course was held in Baltimore\, which required travel expenses\, time away from home\, and extra planning and organization. With our all-virtual course this year\, you can learn it all from the comfort of your own home\, making it an accessible\, efficient\, and more affordable way to learn the fundamentals of economic development. We have excellent instructors lined up to teach\, and you’ll get to meet and network with other participants… all virtually! \nThis course will be offered online (via Zoom). Please note that the time zone is Eastern Time (EST). \nWhat You’ll Learn:\n\nGrow your skills and understanding of economic development foundational elements\nBest practices in economic and community development\nManaging an economic development program\nFinancing economic development projects and using incentives\nExplore new methods and programs to promote job growth and investment\nBusiness retention and expansion\nMarketing and business attraction\nDiscuss emerging trends and factors that shape local and regional economies\nEthics in economic development\nGain detailed knowledge of successful initiatives\nStrategic planning\nSmall business and entrepreneurship\nTools for planning your economy and how to use them.\nResearching your prospects and building a community data profile.\nReal estate development and reuse \nNeighborhood revitalization\nManaging real estate inventory.\nDevelop a valuable network of fellow economic development professionals and resources\nLearn from outstanding experts and practitioners in the field\n\nWho Should Take the Course?\nThe Basic Economic Development Course 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 attendees include: \n\nEconomic development practitioners\nBusiness leaders\nCommunity volunteers\nPublic utility personnel\nGovernment agency staff\nReal estate professionals\nChambers of commerce members\nBusiness development professionals\nCooperative extension personnel\nPlanning and development agencies\nBankers and financial institution professionals\nCommunity development organization professionals\nMunicipal\, town\, and county government elected and appointed officials\nOthers interested in facilitating job creation and capital investment in their community\, region or state\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYour First Step Toward Certification\nFor those seeking national certification\, the Economic Development Basic Course is the first requirement in the process of becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). This Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course qualifies as a professional development training requirement needed to sit for the CEcD exam. CEcD certification through the IEDC is a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development\, professional attainment\, and a commitment to personal and professional growth. \nLofton Scholarships for MEDA Members\nMembers of MEDA can apply for a Lofton Scholarship to cover the tuition for the Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course in full.  MEDA’s Lofton Scholarship exists to support the growth of professional skills and knowledge by economic development practitioners in Maryland. \nApply for the Lofton Scholarship before you register for the Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course. Upon acceptance\, you will be given a discount code to use with your registration. Apply here! \nDetails\nThe 2027 MEDA Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course will be held virtually from July 26 to July 30\, from approximately 9 AM to 4 PM Eastern Time. \nTuition is: \n\n$690 for MEDA members (Lofton Scholarship available for full tuition to members)\n$890  for non-members (tuition includes MEDA membership for a year)\n\nAccreditation\nThe course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council. This course qualifies as a professional development training requirement needed to sit for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) examination. \nFor more details\, please visit the IEDC website at www.iedconline.org​ or phone 201.223.7800
URL:https://www.medamd.com/event/2027-meda-chesapeake-basic-economic-development-course/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Economic Development,Education,Professional Development
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