Navigating the Future of North American Economic Development: A Fireside Chat with IEDC and EDAC Leadership
Join us for an engaging fireside chat featuring Bryan Daniels, Chair of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and John Regan, President of the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC). This dynamic conversation will offer a high-level overview of IEDC’s mission and impact, followed by a candid discussion on the current state of economic development across North America.
As communities navigate shifting economic landscapes, Bryan and John will share insights on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the field today. The session will also explore the growing importance of regional and cross-border collaboration, highlighting how economic developers are working together to foster innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth across jurisdictions.
Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the profession, this session will provide valuable perspectives on the future of economic development and the power of partnership.
About the Speakers
John Regan, Ec.D. (F)
John Regan, Ec.D. (F)
John Regan is the Director of Strategic Innovation and Economic Development for Norfolk County. John joined Norfolk in June of 2023.
John has been in several CAO roles with small rural communities in Northern and Eastern Ontario.
John currently serves on the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Board as the President and served 9 years on the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) board where he was the President in 2017.
John has been very successful in collaborating with Community, Council, Provincial and Federal Governments to significantly move the business of Municipal government, specifically Economic Development and Tourism forward in a timely fashion (yes, it is possible!).
John has a very diverse well-rounded background that involves over 35 years’ experience that includes a 4-year term as a Municipal Councillor, extensive private sector and not-for-profit experience combined with a broad and vast senior municipal management career. Not to mention the 7 years as a medical / forensic Photographer for Londo Health Science Centre…
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John is dedicated to finding solutions for chronic homelessness and wellbeing in our communities and the profound impacts on quality of place and life for all. John believes that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are fundamental elements within Municipal Government, especially economic development and tourism.
John is a very proud Grandfather to Cooper and Apollo and Maeve.
John’s best buddy is his Catahoula Leopard K-9 and his hobbies are woodworking, hiking and camping.
Bryan Daniels, CEcD, CCE, IOM
Bryan Daniels, CEcD, CCE, IOM
Mr. Daniels was born and raised in Greeneville, Tennessee which is adjacent to Cherokee National Forest. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications & Computer Science and a Master of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from East Tennessee State University.
Mr. Daniels began his career with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development based in Nashville, Tennessee. During his time with the State of Tennessee he was involved in reform of the Appalachian Regional Commission Grant Program and the Industrial Training Service program. Mr. Daniels left the State of Tennessee in 1997 and begun work as an Economic Development Planner for the firm of Barge Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon based in Nashville, Tennessee. During this time Bryan worked with several communities within East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. His clients were municipalities trying to develop their local economies and seeking state and federal support for their goals.
From 2001 thru 2010, Mr. Daniels accepted the role of Executive Vice President under the Blount Partnership. Bryan managed Blount County, the cities of Maryville, and Alcoa’s Economic Development efforts. Mr. Daniels was directly responsible for the Economic Development offices and staff located in Maryville, Tennessee; Munich, Germany; and Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Daniels managed the operations of the community’s four industrial parks, two science/technology parks, and the Economic Development Programs for Blount County, City of Maryville, and City of Alcoa, Tennessee. The Economic Development Board is one of the four partner agencies of the Blount Partnership (Chamber, Foundation, Tourism Bureau, and Economic Development Board) with an annual $4.75 million dollar partnership operational budget.
In 2010, Mr. Daniels was named President and CEO of the Blount Partnership. The Partnership is comprised of The Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Blount County Economic Development Board, the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, and the Blount Chamber Foundation. The 24-person staff is responsible for all economic development activities within the jurisdictional boarders of Blount County and the cities of Alcoa, Maryville, Townsend, Rockford, Friendsville, and Louisville.
During Mr. Daniels tenure, Blount County has recruited over 75 new and expanding companies in the areas of research & development, corporate headquarters, manufacturing, and back office support centers. The total capital investment of these companies has exceeded $4 billion dollars and created more than 12,000 direct new jobs with average wages above Tennessee’s average. The Blount County local governments adopted the new tourism authority structure which was written by Bryan and former Senator Doug Overbey. The authority was unanimously adopted by the 107th Tennessee general assembly as a new local/state entity and has been championed by the Department of Tourism as a best practice for local governments to adopt. Blount County has now been a destination for large recreational organizations such as (HOG Rally, Destination Vacations, etc.). Construction is underway for a new venue that will provide meeting and convention space which will attract more opportunities for the Blount County region.
Mr. Daniels has continued his professional education by graduating from the Economic Development Institute located at the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council. Bryan is also a graduate from the US Chamber’s Institute of Non Profit Management and attained the designation of IOM. Mr. Daniels has attained the status of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Daniels served as chairman for the U.S. Chamber’s Southeast Board of Regents (4-year professional development program based at the University of Georgia), President of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives, and vice chairman of ((POM) Program Oversight and Management) committee with the International Economic Development Council based in Washington D.C. Bryan is currently President for the state wide professional economic development association, the Tennessee Economic Development Council and is a member of the US Chamber’s Committee of 100 (which guides the policies of the US Chamber of Commerce). Bryan currently teaches economic development principals & planning for the U.S. Chamber nationwide, teaches chamber operations for the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce’s non-profit management school (2-year program based at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)), and is a guest instructor at East Tennessee State University. Mr. Daniels is very active with his alma mater and is President-Elect of the ETSU National Alumni Association.
The Blount Partnership is a five-star accredited Chamber of Commerce by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the only Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) by the International Economic Development Council in the state of Tennessee (#58 worldwide).
