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 these topics and more:
- Strategic planning
- Finance
- Workforce development
- Business retention and expansion
- Small business development and entrepreneurship
- Marketing and attraction
- Ethics
- Community development
Benefits of TBEDC
- Learn 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 nation.
Who should attend?
TBEDC is for community leaders and stakeholders who participate in 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.
May 4–7, 2026
Course Times:
- Day 1: 10:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m. (Onsite check-in begins at 9:00 a.m.)
- Day 2: 8:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m.
- Day 3: 8:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m.
- Day 4: 8:00 a.m. –3:30 p.m.
Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown
300 Korean Veterans Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37201
(Group rate available in Hotel Accomodations below)
2026 Agenda coming soon!
Registration $845 | Early Registration $795 (by April 13, 2026)
The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, IEDC Introduction to Economic Development Manual, Lunch (days 1-4), Breakfast (days 2-4), one evening reception, one offsite session, and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited to 45 participants and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at (615) 253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a course registration form by email.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please remit payment for the course no later than 15 business 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.
Cancellations made 15 business days or more before the course start date are eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 15 business days before the course start date are eligible for course credit only, minus a $200 non-refundable cancellation fee.
Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville: A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a discounted rate of $233. Reserve your room. Make your reservations by April 3, 2026 to receive the group rate.
Reservations can also be made by calling (800) 325-0720 and referring to the group number 10153628. Please book early as the block could fill up.
The group rate is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster.
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 awarded, 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 9, 2026 to be considered.
Read more about Philip, scholarship qualifications and the application.
TBEDC General Scholarship
TBEDC 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 Center for Industrial Services.
Participants are required to be present at all classes 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.
The attire for TBEDC is business casual.
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