Business Retention & Expansion International

1. Business Retention & Expansion International

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

3. BREI Overview – The Organization • Business Retention & Expansion International • www.brei.org • 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

4. BREI Overview - Why BR&E? • 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. BREI Overview – BREI Annual Conferences • 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, 2009 • 2008: 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

8. BREI Overview – BREI Awards • 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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