Your WEDA Membership

Become a member or renew membership

 

Lobbying and issue advocacy

WEDA provides a voice through an organized lobbying effort at the State Legislature. WEDA's lobbyist, the WEDA Board of Directors, WEDA members, and the Legislative Committee all play in monitoring and supporting legislation as an effect on economic development in the state. WEDA publishes its annual Legislative Issues, develops white papers for priorities, and tracks Interim Committee topics. During legislative sessions, WEDA sends updates on issues being monitored and provides an end-of-session report. WEDA hosts an Annual Legislative lunch each winter in Cheyenne.


Networking

Connecting leaders in the industry and stakeholders in Wyoming through conferences, teleconferences, and referrals. WEDA also helps to promote job openings and helps recruit candidates.


Conferences and professional training 

WEDA holds two conferences each year for educational purposes. Attending these conferences is key to staying in touch with a constantly changing economic development landscape and building networks within the state. Our winter conference is always held in Cheyenne in conjunction with the Wyoming legislative session. The other conference location, which is also our annual WEDA membership meeting, will vary each year around the state.


WEDA professional development scholarships

To assist our members with the ever-changing face of economic development, WEDA offers scholarships annually for economic development continuing education scholarships. This funding is available to all current WEDA members in good standing for further professional development.


Linda Hewitt Memorial Community Development Scholarship

Each year any Wyoming recipient, or group, with an impressive track record of community development in their area can be nominated by the membership to receive the Linda Hewitt Memorial Community Development Scholarship of $750. This award can be used to further professional economic development training.


Members mailing lists

WEDA members have access to other WEDA professionals through a database of information available as a mailing list or e-mail list.


Website directory listings

WEDA members are published on the WEDA website in a membership directory.


Member communications

WEDA communicates regularly to its members through many avenues: regular email newsletters, website information, e-mails, list-serve requests, press release distribution, and more. 


Economic development surveys

WEDA regularly conducts surveys of local economic development groups to gather statewide information on topics such as budgets, salaries, programs and sources of income for local Wyoming economic development groups.


Connection to the Wyoming Business Council 

WEDA members are informed of programs created, or supported by, the Wyoming Business Council


Voting privileges in WEDA elections

Each WEDA member in good standing, and as their membership level allows, is eligible to vote in person at any annual membership meeting election.


Opportunity to serve on the WEDA Board and committees

Members can choose to serve on various WEDA committees and the WEDA Board. Only WEDA members in good standing can serve terms as WEDA Board Members.


Letters of support

WEDA members may request a WEDA letter of reference for a grant application, other recommendations, award recognitions, etc.


Reference materials

The WEDA office has a library of educational information for members on a wide list of topics from: How to Set Up an Economic Development Organization, By-Laws, Revolving Loan Fund Information, Leadership Programs, and Economic Development Organization Hiring Practices, etc.