Business Retention & Expansion International

Introduction BREI Overview –About Business Retention and Expansion –Education –Certification –Conferences –Awards –BREI Board and Committees BREI Membership Benefits BREI Membership Fees

BREI Overview – The Organization Business Retention & Expansion International – –Non-profit professional association –500 members –Developed traditional BR&E model in 1994 –Advances BR&E as an economic development strategy for communities –BREI Annual Conference, Wichita, Kansas, June 2008

Community Benefits –Retain jobs & tax revenues in the community –Foster growth & development of local firms –Enhance community’s reputation as a good place to do business –Establish early warning systems –Ensure public programs meet local business needs BREI Overview - Why BR&E?

BREI Overview – BRE Education Basic Course –2 day program –Offered at Annual Conference and upon request –Instructors are experienced BRE practitioners selected and approved by BREI –Through partners, University of Minnesota, Government of Ontario. Advanced Courses –Offered through the University of Arkansas Little Rock –Economic Impact Analysis –Community Analysis –Retail Development –Organizing, Planning and Budgeting –Methods of Business Expansion –Other through partners of University of Arkansas Little Rock

BREI Overview – BRE Certification Certification is a recognition of professional competency. It is awarded by a recognized professional organization. Recognizes attainment of knowledge and skills based on completion of coursework, documented experience, and the demonstration of proficiency in a particular field of endeavor. It demonstrates to current and future employers your dedication to be among the best in your field. It may be, and often is, used by employers in making hiring and promotion decisions. Two Levels of Certification: –Business Retention & Expansion Professional (BREP) –Project Coordinator

A meeting of BREI professionals from across North America and around the world A discussion of best practices in BRE Upcoming 2009: Des Moines, Iowa –May 13-15, : Kansas –June 4-6, 2008 Previous 2007: Regina, Saskatchewan 2006: Omaha, Nebraska 2005: Nashville, Tennessee 2004: Halifax, Nova Scotia 2003: Bismarck, North Dakota 2002: Memphis, Tennessee BREI Overview – BREI Annual Conferences

Recognition of Excellence in BRE Awarded yearly at the Annual Conference Categories –Community Awards, under 50,000 and over 50,000 –Multi community Awards, under 200,000 and over 200,000 –State wide or Province Award –George Morse Award, recognition of long term member who has made a major contribution –Distinguished Service Award BREI Overview – BREI Awards

BREI Overview - Board and Committees Board –Leaders in BRE from across North America –Elected to 3 year terms –Directing the development of membership services Committees (opportunities for leadership) –Marketing— Nominations –Membership— Conference –Awards— Site Selection –Education— Resources –Certification

BREI Membership Benefits Learn from others –Find mentors –Share information, don’t hold it –Review best practices –Network with BREI Members –Network at BREI Conferences –Access BREI Surveys & Resources How? –Become a BREI Member

Membership Fees Individual Membership –$100 USD Corporate Memberships –$100 USD first member, $85 USD Second Member, $70 USD Third and each member there after Student Memberships –$35 USD Retired Memberships –$50 USD Affiliate Memberships –$20 USD for members outside of US and Canada Note: Fees Paid in Oct, Nov, Dec, automatically pays for next year.. See Website for further Membership details

Further Information WV State Chairperson Duane B Thomas, MBA Community Resource & Economic Development Specialist West Virginia State University Extension aceop.wvstateu.edu /