Chamber Recognized as a Top Economic Development Organization by International Economic Development Council

For the second year in a row, the Tulsa Regional Chamber was recognized as a top economic development organization by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) during the organization’s annual conference in Oklahoma City this week.

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. Having been a Bronze Award recipient a year ago, the Chamber was a Silver Award recipient in this year’s Economic Development Organization of the Year category. The Economic Development Organization of the Year Award is presented to organizations that have demonstrated long term strategic planning, organizational development and significant community impact and innovation. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by our economic development professional peers as a best-in-class organization,” says Arthur Jackson, senior vice president of economic development for the Chamber. “We’ve seen a significant increase in economic development activity during the last several years and are excited for what lies ahead for the Tulsa region. We remain deeply committed to bringing transformational investment to northeast Oklahoma.”

In 2021, Tulsa’s Future, the Chamber-led regional economic development partnership, supported the creation of 4,125 jobs and $421 million of capital investment in northeast Oklahoma.

“Collaboration has always moved our region forward, and the success of Tulsa’s Future is possible thanks to our 200 private investors, and numerous regional and tribal partners,” says Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “We are delighted to receive this award and greatly appreciate IEDC’s ongoing support of economic development professionals across the globe.”

IEDC represents 5,000 members and is the largest association for professional economic developers in the world. Thousands of economic development professionals attended IEDC’s Annual Conference in Oklahoma City this week to learn from experts about pressing topics, including economic reinvention, community innovation, and disaster recovery and resiliency.

Several Chamber staff members and community leaders presented during the conference. Mike Neal was part of a keynote panel presentation with Ken Levit, executive director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and others discussing collaboration and public-private partnerships. Additionally, Arthur Jackson joined author and historian Hannibal B. Johnson, Kian Kamas of PartnerTulsa, Ashli Sims of Build In Tulsa, and AJ Johnson of Oasis Fresh Market for an important discussion on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and what our community has learned more than 100 years later. Jonathan Long, senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Tulsa Regional Chamber, was part of a panel on racial inclusion in urban and inner city revitalization and entrepreneurship.

For more information on this year’s conference, visit iedcconferences.org/OKC.