Our team at Violet PR recently joined more than 450 industry experts at the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) 2025 Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. The event is designed to provide industry leaders with actionable insights and strategies for a rapidly evolving landscape. 

I was joined by Violet PR President and Founder April Mason, and we were able to hear from – and connect with – a variety of leaders from economic development (ED) organizations. Topics of conversation ranged from changing foreign direct investment (FDI) trends and workforce development patterns, to broader strategies around economic growth and communicating business wins. 

Here are some of our event takeaways: 

Navigating FDI Within the Current Landscape 

As Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco ED Council, noted while speaking on current tariff policies, “Change is risk but also opportunity; so, how do we leverage that opportunity?” 

An example of this, he noted, is through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Cronin said that almost all M&As by foreign companies entering the U.S. are driven by expansion goals. Through M&A activity, foreign companies can select established or emerging U.S. markets and acquire both existing facilities and a sizable workforce, increasing their chances of long-term success. 

Also, as Jessica Reynolds, senior director for the Office of International Investment and Trade at the Maryland Department of Commerce noted, ED organizations can consider leveraging Foreign Trade Centers – which provide businesses with unique resources and counsel, along with training – to aid their navigation of the U.S. market. 

Workforce Success Starts With ED, Higher-Ed Collaboration 

As industries like semiconductor manufacturing and energy continue to flourish, we’ll need a robust workforce to maintain that success, several local leaders noted. Communication between ED leaders and higher education professionals is essential in pinpointing workforce gaps. 

On the ED side, a direct – and two-way – path to local employers is highly beneficial when identifying workforce needs. When those needs are, in turn, communicated to local educational institutions, these partners can develop tailored curriculum, or even lead specialized training programs. 

Additionally, as ED leaders engage regularly with their local companies, they too can direct employers to an array of helpful resources – including a network of local contacts who can answer tailored questions or discuss available talent. 

Ultimately, today’s ED leaders are facilitators. 

A Comms Plan Is Key for Community News 

Whether it is a groundbreaking or a major company expansion, reporters often lean on ED officials to help tell their local stories. As Mike Allen, co-founder at Axios, shared during his talk, “The people in this room are great storytellers… You are the best sources.” He emphasized that ED professionals have access to breaking news before anyone else, making them invaluable sources for journalists looking to stay ahead of the curve. 

By intentionally building and nurturing reporter networks, ED professionals may ultimately be given a platform to showcase their city or region’s unique resources and perhaps discuss a range of recent wins. Suffice to say there is incredible upside to engaging with these reporters. 

We had a great time on the ground in D.C. this year. So, when your organization is ready to share its unique stories, Violet PR can help! Begin by reviewing some of our recent case studies, and reach out to our team today! 

Image courtesy of the International Economic Development Council