Annual Conference and Awards - Institute of Economic Development

Annual Conference and Awards

Early Bird registrations are now open for the 2025 Institute of Economic Development (iED) Annual Conference and Awards Dinner themed Good Growth: Driving the UK economy with investment in our regions and communities.

The Annual Conference, which will be held at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester on 25th November, is open to both iED members and non-members. With iED Chair Tom Stannard and Patron Stephanie Flanders already confirmed to present and set to build on discussion at the recent House of Lords reception, other conference speakers, breakout sessions, and panel discussions will be announced in the coming weeks.

A range of new sponsorship packages have also been launched for the conference, which offers direct access to over 200 economic development and regeneration decision-makers from private and public sectors across the UK. Tailored options include Knowledge Partner and Engagement Partner, as well as Awards Event Partner and Awards Category Partner for the Annual Awards which take place at The Lowry Hotel following on from conference.

Head to our conference booking page for all the info you need – but hurry – the Early Bird rates are only on offer until the end of June 2025.

Feedback from last year's conference

“I’m a regular attender of the iED Annual Conference. I think it is very valuable, bringing an opportunity to hear from others about the national economic development landscape and the ever-changing policies. It offers a platform to listen to keynote speakers and network with colleagues about how we deliver at a local level.”

“The iED Annual Conference is a really useful way to keep up with what is going on. It has been interesting watching the change in economic development into more social value and people, away from big, hard infrastructure projects. I also attend to see people who I may not meet at other points in the year, and in 2024 I brought a gang of my team from relatively new starters to quite experienced head of services, and we use this as a CPD opportunity.”

“I come to the iED Annual Conference because we get so little time out of our day-to-day business to network, listen, and digest some really rigorous presentations that are contemporary in terms of the problems we face, and the challenges we have. That really helps me get back into our local organisation and plan for the future, working with colleagues and collaborating across local authorities.”

“I’ve attended the iED Annual Conference every year, for a really long time. I always really enjoy it and get something out of the day. I never go away without learning something new and interesting, and meet people I haven’t seen for years.”

“I come to the iED Annual Conference every year. I find it a great benefit to me personally and professionally, and have attended for over 20 years now. It is a great opportunity to network, hear new speakers, and make new contacts.”

“I really enjoy the iED Annual Conference. I’ve been to the last few, and always look to network with other organisations and individuals who attend, and have the opportunity to put forward the voice of the university sector as well.”

“The reason I come to the iED Annual Conference is because I’m really interested in hearing about the current trends within economic development. 2024 was my second time at the conference, and it has been a learning journey across a range of topics as well as meeting lots of new people, which I really enjoy.”

Award Categories

Following the one-day conference, the iED Awards Dinner will take place in the Lowry Hotel – our venue for the conference as well. The awards will once again recognise achievers in the public and private sector through a series of individual, team, and organisation categories. Eight categories will soon be open for entry and a ninth, Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development, will be selected by the iED Board and expert judging panel. Self-nominations, and nominations of others, are welcome.

To enter the awards, individuals/teams should develop a 500-word entry on ‘why they should win’ and a 50-word summary for promotion in the awards programme, together with an optional one page of additional evidence, and submit to admin@ied.co.uk by 1st August.

Leader of the Year

Economic development professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and management in their role, and who motivate and inspire their team to achieve success through effective leadership.

Team of the Year

Exceptional economic development teams who have gone above and beyond in ensuring the smooth running and effective delivery of economic development functions in their organisations.

Rising Star of the Year

Younger economic development team members aged 30 or under (as of 1^st June 2025) who have demonstrated excellence, commitment, and gone above and beyond in their early career.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year

Individuals, teams or projects who/which have strived to actively promote, celebrate and raise awareness of EDI, improving under-represented involvement in economic development in their organisation or externally.

Social Value Initiative of the Year

Individuals, teams or projects who/which have championed and made a significant contribution to social value creation, developing best practice in their field and making positive impacts in their communities.

Most Innovative Project of the Year

Innovative economic development projects which have pushed the boundaries beyond traditional approaches and delivered additional beneficial outcomes as a result of the innovation.

Collaborative Initiative of the Year

Outstanding cross-sector economic development collaboration between two or more partners drawn from local authorities, private sector, third sector, business and academia.

Outstanding Impact

For projects delivered and concluded in the last five years, which demonstrate benchmarked evidence against other similar initiatives. Impacts could include environmental, social, business support (from start-up to growth and scale), rural development and regeneration.

Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development

Individuals who have made a sustained outstanding contribution to any field of economic development over a minimum of 20 years.

2024 Awards and Conference Highlights

Take a browse through our gallery and watch our short highlights video of our sold out 2024 Conference and Awards Dinner, held at BMA House, London.

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