Development Counsellors International

We really said 🤳.

Measuring ROI in economic development marketing can seem like catching fog in a net. That's why we partnered with our friends at C Studios on this new whitepaper, "ROI in FDI: Measuring Place Marketing Success in Investment Promotion." Equally as relevant for domestic marketing efforts, the report reveals top metrics and frameworks for measuring image enhancement alongside traditional KPIs. Don't let your marketing efforts go unmeasured. Download for details: https://lnkd.in/egkvF_Yt

We’re just a few days away from the International Economic Development Council Annual Conference in Denver! This year’s theme? Championing economic development superheroes. 🦸  Stop by booth 201-202 to say hi to DCI’s team of heroes, gather exclusive insights on DCI research and get your caricature drawn. #IEDCDenver

When the tourism and economic development industries collide, good things happen. Don’t believe us? The World Travel and Tourism Council projects that the travel and tourism sector will support nearly 348 million jobs worldwide in 2024, a 13% increase since 2019. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gKjN5V3h

It’s National Read a Book Day and our team of bookworms is celebrating! Swipe through to see a few of our favorites. 📚  

The International Economic Development Council Annual Conference is headed to DCI’s neck of the woods: Denver! Join us September 15-18 to champion economic development superheroes.   We’ll be collecting #EconDev40Under40 nominations at booth 201-202, so swing by to help us recognize the unsung heroes in our industry and receive a special superhero-themed surprise. See below for where we’ll be at #IEDCDenver: 🎤 DCI President Julie Curtin will emcee at IEDC and kicks off the conference with SeonAh K. on Sunday, September 15, from 4 - 5:30 PM for the Opening Plenary Session. 👟 DCI hosts its annual Fun Run at IEDC from 6:30 - 7:30 AM on Tuesday, September 17. 🤝 DCI VP of Talent Attraction Patience Fairbrother will discuss collaboration between EDOs and DMOs in a session on Tuesday, September 17 from 9:45 - 10:45 am. 🦸♀️ Julie Curtin will join five other panelists for a “Women in Economic Development: Everyday Superheroes” session on Tuesday, September 17, from 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. 🔮 DCI Partner Susan Brake and Sarah Reinecke join C Studios’s Steve Duncan for a session on Harnessing the Superpower of Future Marketing Trends and Predictions Tuesday, September 15 at 3:45 PM. ⭐ DCI SVP of Research Robyn Domber closes out IEDC moderating a panel on The State of Site Selection: The Top Issues Facing Site Selectors Today and Closing Town Hall Wednesday, September 18 at 11:00 AM.

Mad Men’s Don Draper once said: “If you don’t like what’s being said — change the conversation.” That’s exactly what Buffalo, New York did to take its infamous weather “from punchline to lifeline” by positioning itself as a climate refuge. On this episode of Talent Wars, Invest Buffalo Niagara’s Greg Pokriki shares how research, an offensive approach and a strong public relations strategy are a winning combination for flipping the script on how people view your community. Tune in for actionable insights on: -Embracing Offense Over Defense: Buffalo’s strategy shifted from defending its weather to proactively highlighting the benefits of a more moderate climate in the face of climate change, turning a perceived weakness into a strength.  -Reframing the Narrative: Drawing from classic marketing wisdom, Buffalo didn’t like what was being said about their city, so they changed the conversation through a smart PR and marketing strategy.  -Success Through Bold Action: By diving headfirst into this new narrative, Buffalo successfully reshaped perceptions, demonstrating how bold, offensive strategies can lead to impactful outcomes.  Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/g43DinfY  

Building more inclusive travel PR efforts means connecting in more languages. These five tips will help your destination marketing efforts connect more efficiently with Spanish-speaking media and the millions of travelers they speak to ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month. https://lnkd.in/gzjvPJca

Students are headed back to the classroom, but for the economic development industry, school is in session year-round. Julie Curtin did her homework this month and shares a few blogs, articles and news stories that she thinks deserve an A+. https://lnkd.in/gBbXqCW5

When TCEB Singapore (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau) decided to reinvigorate the MICE industry’s most transformative event — the Thailand Innovative Meeting Exchange (TIME) — DCI stepped in to bolster the meticulously designed meeting and position it as a showcase of innovation. From promoting the event among meeting planners and recruiting 3 qualified North American buyers to attend, to giving remarks at the event on the North American state of the industry to suppliers and partners in Thailand, DCI made sure to go above and beyond.