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Association Partnerships

The BC Economic Development Association has a number of partners that we work with to provide member services.  We recommend that in addition to joining BCEDA that you consider supporting these associations.  BCEDA and the organizations profiled below are dedicated to promoting a national and international exchange of information, experience, and best practice among economic development practitioners and organizations. These efforts include partnering on initiatives, sharing of information, and participating in each other's events in order to improve the integration of economic, social, and environmental agendas.  Entities that are membership organizations assist members of their respective organizations to develop bilateral contacts and/or common projects. The main goal of this collaboration is to facilitate learning and the development of networks for information sharing between organizations and members in order to help achieve economic development success.  If your organization is interested in a relationship please contact Dale Wheeldon at dwheeldon @ bceda.ca


Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC)


EDAC is Canadas national organization of economic developers pursuing excellence in the field since 1968. The association offers its members professional development, networking opportunities and a comprehensive offering of resources, both on and offline.  

What does EDAC offer?

  • Professional Development
  • Professional Accreditation Ec.D. designation
  • Educational Seminars and Courses
  • Annual National Conference
  • Awards and Scholarships
  • Federal/Provincial/Municipal/International liaison


International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession. When we succeed, our members create more high-quality jobs, develop more vibrant communities, and generally improve the quality of life in their regions.  IEDC is the world's largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development experience.


Community Futures BC


Community Futures is the only organization throughout rural BC with a mandate for small business and community economic development.  Our experts offer local assistance from 34 offices throughout rural BC. Community Futures offers a variety of services and tools to help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals, including business support services, business planning advice, loans and self employment assistance.

Community Futures provides financing alternatives to small and medium enterprises when access to credit is a challenge to starting or growing their business.  Different than a bank, Community Futures uses different lending criteria, focusing on rural development and providing business financing to small local businesses.  We also work in partnership with other business lenders, educational institutions, not-for-profits and community governments to grow and diversify the local economy. 



Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) is a unique non-profit organization dedicated to helping manufacturers GROW and become MORE COMPETITIVE, at home and around the world.

EMC has grown to become Canada's largest manufacturing consortium and with over one thousand industry events annually, is one of the most active manufacturing organizations in North America!

For more than a quarter century EMC has been responsible for contributing significant knowledge, expertise and resources towards the success of over 13,000 consortium and online member manufacturers, representing every province across Canada. EMC's total manufacturing audience includes 40,000+ employers and 600,000 manufacturing employees.

Founded in the mid-1980's and incorporated in 1997, EMC facilitates events in more than 60 consortium regions, across more than 450 communities. Offering a broad range of hands-on programs and services, EMC is helping manufacturers to lower costs, access greater opportunities to compete for business and improve efficiencies in dealing with the day-to-day complexities of running a manufacturing operation.



Technology Professionals BC (TPBC) is a professional association representing applied science technologists and technicians, supporting high standards in engineering and technology professions. In partnership with BCEDA, TPBC collaborates on workforce development, career awareness, and professional training initiatives, helping to align technical expertise with economic development priorities and strengthen the province’s innovation and skills ecosystem.




TThe Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando) is a national, Indigenous-controlled organization focused on education, professional development, and capacity building for economic development officers working in Indigenous communities. Through its partnership with BCEDA, Cando helps strengthen relationships between Indigenous communities and local governments, supporting shared learning, collaboration, and long-term economic reconciliation across British Columbia and beyond.


Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)

CAPP's vision is to enhance Canada's prosperity by enabling responsible growth of Canada's upstream oil and gas industry.  CAPP's mission, on behalf of the Canadian upstream oil and gas industry, is to advocate for and enable economic competitiveness and safe, environmentally and socially responsible performance.  CAPP represents companies, large and small, that explore for, develop and produce natural gas and crude oil throughout Canada. CAPP's member companies produce about 90 per cent of Canada's natural gas and crude oil. CAPP's associate members provide a wide range of services that support the upstream crude oil and natural gas industry. Together CAPP's members and associate members are an important part of a national industry with revenues from oil and natural gas production of about $120 billion a year. CAPP's mission, on behalf of the Canadian upstream oil and gas industry, is to advocate for and enable economic competitiveness and safe, environmentally and socially responsible performance.



Co-operatives First is a business development organization funded in full by the Co-operative Retailing System and Federated Co-operatives Limited. Every day, we focus on promoting and supporting business development based on the co-operative business model. Our priority overall is increasing rural and Indigenous economic development across western Canada.



Hydrogen BC (H2BC), the British Columbia arm of the Canadian Hydrogen Association, is dedicated to advancing the development and adoption of hydrogen and low-carbon fuel technologies across the province. Through its partnership with BCEDA, Hydrogen BC supports knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaboration between industry and communities, helping position British Columbia as a leader in clean energy innovation and sustainable economic growth.