FAQ

Who should attend?
What are the hotel accommodations?
What is the course fee?
What is the dress code?
Are there refunds?
When is On-Site Course Check-In?
When do classes begin?
When do classes end?
Is there transportation from the Kansas City Airport?
How do I get there?
Do I need a car?
What should I bring?
What is the Federal Tax ID for University of Northern Iowa?
Do I receive a certificate of course completion?
When is hotel check-in?
When is hotel check-out?

Who should attend?

The Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) is designed to serve the needs of both full-time practitioners and people in ancillary positions, i.e., representatives of public, civic, and private sectors. Participation in the course offers a rare opportunity to exchange ideas and become familiar with economic development programs and activities. Participants have included representatives from federal, state, regional and local planning and development agencies, financial institutions, public utilities, chambers of commerce, and local, state, regional economic development organizations and volunteers.

The course uses a variety of training methods and formats that revolve around the exercises in which participants, working in groups, present various case studies. Also featured is the Heartland One to One Professional Consultation Program. Participants can pre-schedule a one to one meeting with our faculty or "seasoned" Board members throughout the course and find answers to specific challenges.

Because of space limitations for the group exercises, the class will be limited to 85. Prospective participants should register as early as possible. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, participants receive a course certificate and continue their training with the International Economic Development Council's professional development series, or University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.

What are the hotel accommodations?

Heartland Economic Development Course will be held at the Adams Pointe in Blue Springs, Missouri. Adams Pointe is a unique, resort-like setting including the Courtyard Hotel, Adams Pointe Conference Center and Adams Pointe Golf Club. It’s just 40 minutes from Kansas City International Airport and close to downtown Kansas City attractions. For more general information regarding the conference center, click here.

Reserve your Courtyard room by April 4, 2018. Please contact the hotel directly. Special room rates will be $99.00 plus tax per room/per night for Heartland participants. Call 1-816-228-8100 (ask for in-house reservations) or fax 816-228-4606.

What is the course fee?

Early registration for the 2018 Course is $885 for members of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance, Professional Developers of Iowa, Missouri Economic Development Council, Nebraska Economic Developers Association, Oklahoma Economic Development Association and professional developers in South Dakota, and $985 for non-members.

HEDC: April 22-26, 2018 Early Registration Due: March 16, 2018

All fees for attendance of the course must be paid prior to the beginning of the course.
Course attendees with a balance due will be required to remit payment before being admitted to the course or provide written confirmation that their fee is being paid by a government agency or scholarship.

Meals Provided

The Heartland Economic Development Course includes breakfast (Monday-Thursday), lunch (Monday-Thursday), break service (Monday-Thursday), and dinner on Tuesday. This cost has been added to your registration.

Registration Fee

Partner Association Member $885* ($930 after 3/16/18)
Non-Partner Association Member $985 ($1,030 after 3/16/18)

Registration fee is payable to the University of Northern Iowa by March 16, 2018, for early registration. Purchase orders or letters of authorization for billing purposes are also due at that time. (UNI Federal I.D. #42-6004333)

*(if member of State Industrial/Economic Dev. Association of Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota or Nebraska)

Cost of hotel rooms are not included in registration fee. Room rates are $99.00 plus tax per room/per night.

What is the dress code?

Recommended attire for the week is casual. Temperatures fluxuate throughout the facility - layers are encouraged!

Are there refunds?

Registration may be cancelled by March 16, 2018 for a full refund. Cancellations received by April 2, 2018 will be refunded at only 50% of the course fee. After April 2, 2018, no refunds will be issued.
Any registered attendee who does not submit a cancellation and does not attend the course is required to pay their balance in full.
Substitutions are welcome with prior notification.

When is On-Site Course Check-In?

On-Site course registration is Sunday, April 22, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. OR Monday, April 23, from 7:00 to 7:45 a.m.

When do classes begin?

The course starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. Monday, April 23, 2018.

Note: An informal Welcome Reception (Optional) will be held Sunday evening 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Conference Center's courtyard. All are invited but attendance is not required.

When do classes end?

Thursday, April 26, 2018, around 2:00 p.m. Please do not make travel arrangements that require you leave HEDC before then.

Is there transportation from the Kansas City Airport?

Yes, please contact the Heartland EDC office for additional information prior to the Friday before the course begins: 1-800-782-9520.

How do I get there?

Directions from Kansas City - KCI

Hotel Direction: 44 mi SE
Driving Directions: Take Airport Dr. East to I-435 East and South to I-70 East. Take I-70 East 8 miles to Adams Dairy Parkway. Take a right to first light and make a left. Hotel is 500 yards on right.

Do I need a car?

No; however, most participants drive.

What should I bring?

Participants will be provided with information approximately one week after registering. You will be provided with a registration confirmation and frequently asked questions. Attendees may wish to bring laptop computers/tablets.

What is the Federal Tax ID for University of Northern Iowa?

ID # 42-6004333

Do I receive a certificate of course completion?

Yes, upon satisfactory completion of the course, participants receive a course certificate and most participants move on to additional training from the International Economic Development Council, or the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. The Heartland Course fulfills a prerequisite to sit for the CEcD exam.

When is hotel check-in?

The Courtyard by Marriott is available for check-in 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 22. Individuals who arrive prior to 3:00 p.m. Sunday will be accommodated as rooms become available.

When is hotel check-out?

Check-out time at the Courtyard by Marriott is noon.

Heartland Economic Development Course | University of Northern Iowa
113 Business and Community Services Bldg. | Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0186
PH: (800) 782-9520 | FAX: (319) 273-2787