MEMBERSHIP
Join PDI Today
Career and technical education have never been more important to building the economies of the 21st century. As a professional economic developer, you need to stay on top of your game and get support from peers who have been in the trenches. Professional Developers of Iowa provides members the latest in best practices, economic development trends and planning strategies.
Who Should Join PDI
If any part of your role is to help grow and develop Iowa's economic base, then a PDI membership is right for you! Our membership is comprised of professionals from a variety of disciplines: county and regional developers, community developers, marketing and communications, utilities, legal and financial firms, universities, community colleges, engineering and construction firms, and rail transportation companies.
**Regular PDI memberships are paid for and owned by the organization. If your organization has a change in staffing, please contact us to see if we can transfer the membership. Email director@pdiowa.com, call (515) 452-0211 or complete and return the member change form.
“My membership in the Professional Developers of Iowa is critical to the success of myself and my team. Timely updates on critical subject matters along with meaningful educational opportunities make PDI members a must for anyone charged with making their community or region better.”
~ Dan Culhane, CEcD, CCE, President & CEO, Ames Chamber of Commerce, Ames, Iowa
Which type of membership is right for you?
PDI’s more than 300 members come from a variety of disciplines: community, county and regional economic developers, community developers, utilities, legal and financial firms, universities, community colleges and representatives, engineering and construction firms, and rail transportation companies.
Regular Member (Owned and paid for by Organization)
An individual professionally employed in an economic development related position, either full time or part time, in the State of Iowa. Membership dues are paid by the employer or organization they represent. If an employee leaves the organization, the membership stays with the organization and can be transferred to a different employee.
A Regular Member who is employed in a county with less than 9,000 population can receive a rate of $100 less then the Regular Member rate. This rate does not apply to regional or multi-county organizations. A census report must be provided with the Membership Application. The county population is based on either the Census Bureaus' Decennial Census count for the county or the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimate for the county, whichever is the newest release.
Individual Regular Member (Owned and paid for by an individual)
An individual professionally employed in an economic development related position, either full-time or part-time in the State of Iowa. Membership dues are personally paid by the member. In the case of transfer of membership, the membership goes with the individual.
Associate Member
An individual interested in economic development, or part of a volunteer economic development organization, but not professionally employed in economic development activity in Iowa.
Student
An undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an economic development related field of study and interested in pursuing economic development as a profession.
Fee Structure
Regular Member , Individual Regular Member , Associate Member
- $365 - (memberships renewal annually and will be prorated based on the month you join.)
A Regular Member who is employed in a county with less than 9,000 population can receive a rate of $100 less than the Regular Member rate. Please contact PDI at
director@pdiowa.com to take advantage of this discount.
Student
- $50 annual fee; no pro-rated fees
Member Benefits
PDI strives to be your voice because we know—together—we are stronger in building Iowa’s economy.
Advocacy
PDI advocates for economic development on the local, state and national levels. Our members are represented at the State Capitol by professional lobbyists on issues important to our members. Gain insider information during the session through the bi-monthly Policy Perspectives newsletter and Monday morning legislative calls with PDI’s lobbyists.
Education
Education programs prepare you with the tools you need to do your job. Annually, PDI holds a one-day spring conference in conjunction with the SMART Conference and a three-day fall conference where members learn about trends and enhance their skills.
Additionally, membership allows your decision makers on your city councils and economic development board to attend educational events at member rates.
Scholarships
PDI offers a limited number of scholarships to members to provide educational opportunities to continue their expertise in the field each year. Priority is given to the following courses: Heartland Economic Development Course; International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Economic Development Courses; University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute (OU/EDI); and the National Development Council's Professional Certification Programs.
Industry Data
Member Survey PDI conducts a member survey which helps members compare what their organization is providing to peers in the state. The survey addresses salary and benefits, legislative issue and economic impact issues.
Networking
Connect with other economic development professionals to discuss issues, collaborate, and learn what is happening from the state association.
Communications
Stay tuned into the profession through the PDI Post , a monthly member newsletter, Policy Perspectives , the bi-monthly newsletter during session, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
COVID-19 Resources and Help
Members gain access to robust information on the impact of COVID-19
Knowledge Experts
PDI established an information mentoring program designed to help members no matter their experience in the profession. PDI offers seasoned members with expertise in many areas.
Resources
Do you need to understand TIF? Are you looking for tips for developing an industrial park or how to do a housing assessment? These are some of the resources members have access to within the PDI member portal.
