State of the Association

By WEDA President and CEO Melissa Hunt

From the classroom to communities across Wisconsin, WEDA has had an exciting and productive start to the summer. One of my favorite things about WEDA is seeing our members come together to learn from one another, share ideas, and make a difference in their communities. Together, we’re expanding knowledge, building partnerships, and creating new opportunities to advance economic development across our state.

Our Basic Economic Development Course was a tremendous success! Thank you to our outstanding instructors, sponsors, host community, and participants for making the week such a rewarding experience. Investing in the next generation of economic development professionals remains one of WEDA’s highest priorities, and this year’s class was another reminder of the incredible talent across Wisconsin.

Another highlight was partnering with WDAC for the WEDA Academy in downtown Fond du Lac, where attendees explored the important role downtowns play in building vibrant, thriving communities.

This summer also marked the launch of our new Demystifying Development webinar series, helping members and community leaders better understand the development process and the tools that support strong, thriving communities. The response has been fantastic, and we’re looking forward to continuing the series throughout the summer.

Across Wisconsin, WEDA has partnered with organizations to offer Economic Development 101 sessions. These workshops introduce local elected officials, community leaders, board members, and emerging professionals to the fundamentals of economic development and the important role it plays in creating vibrant communities.

Don’t forget to join us on July 30 for our WEDA Young Professionals Engagement Network (YPEN) event in West Allis. This unique annual event features an afternoon of networking, community exploration, and fun while providing a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from across Wisconsin. While designed to support emerging professionals, everyone is welcome, whether you’re just getting started in economic development or have years of experience to share.

Looking ahead, excitement is building for the 2026 Fall Best Practices Conference in Kenosha this September. Join colleagues from across Wisconsin for timely educational sessions, engaging tours, valuable networking opportunities, and the chance to experience one of Wisconsin’s vibrant communities. We hope you’ll make plans to join us!

WEDA continues to build momentum through education, collaboration, and partnerships that strengthen economic development across Wisconsin. As always, thank you for your continued support of WEDA and for the work you do every day to strengthen Wisconsin’s economy and communities. None of this would be possible without the dedication, passion, and engagement of our members. I look forward to connecting with many of you throughout the summer and in Kenosha this September!