Event Types: Training

  • 2026 Professional Development Seminar

    Preliminary Agenda Registration

    Invest in Your Growth Join Us in Asheville!

    The Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) invites you to recharge, refocus, and reimagine your impact at the 2026 Professional Development Seminar in beautiful Asheville, NC. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, elevate team performance, or simply grow in your role, this seminar offers hands-on sessions, peer networking, and practical tools tailored to every level, from executive directors and board members to program staff and fiscal officers.

    Ready to grow personally and professionally?
    Make the commitment to yourself and your organization. Join us in Asheville and leave inspired, equipped, and connected.

    Reserve your spot today (your future self will thank you).

    The room block rate is $169 (+tax/fees) and ends on July 7th. Book your hotel room here.

    Member Rate Non-Member Rate
    $225 $420

    For questions please contact Jennifer Gual at jgual@crec.net.

  • DDAA Revolving Loan Fund Peer Meeting

    Tuscaloosa, AL

    December 9-10, 2025
    Registration now closed

    Join fellow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) administrators and practitioners in Tuscaloosa this December for candid conversation, peer exchange, and problem-solving. The RLF Peer Meeting is your chance to connect with colleagues, share challenges, and learn how others are adapting their programs in today’s economic climate.

    This interactive event prioritizes open discussion and real-world examples over formal presentations. Whether you’re new to managing an RLF or leading a long-standing program, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas, proven strategies, and stronger professional connections.

    We’re also inviting a small number of facilitators to share brief case studies, lessons learned, or challenges, and guide conversations with participants. Selected facilitators will receive hotel and airfare support.

    On December 10, participants will be invited to join the DDAA Board Meeting site visit to the Synergic Center in Northport, AL.

    Potential sessions include:

    • Defederalization: How and why have you defederalized RLF funds, and how are you using those funds now?
    • USDA Intermediary Relending Program: How are RLFs using this program? What flexibility does it offer?
    • Recession Readiness: How are you assessing your loan portfolio in light of potential economic downturns? What steps are you taking to identify and support at-risk borrowers?
    • Operations and Compliance: What are current practices around deal origination, loan administration, and reporting? What’s working, and what needs improvement?
    • Managing your Portfolio: What are best practices for managing revolving loan fund portfolios? Includes balancing risk, monitoring performance, and supporting long-term sustainability

    Don’t miss this opportunity to exchange insights and strengthen your work—register today!

    Click Here for Peer Meeting Agenda

  • 2025 Professional Development Seminar

    2025 Professional Development Seminar

    Congratulations! Another successful Professional Development Seminar is in the books. We covered a broad range of topics from project management strategies to AI best practices for public agencies. DDAA so appreciates the continued support of our wonderful network and we look forward to next year’s event!

     

    Click Here for Presentations

  • DDAA GIS Peer Meeting

     

    GIS, Data, and Beyond: A Multipronged Approach to Achieving LDD Success

    When it comes to driving and evaluating successful economic outcomes, LDDs need a comprehensive set of analytical tools at their disposal. One piece of that puzzle is GIS; another is gathering, analyzing, and disseminating reliable data.

    LDDs across Appalachia host a great deal of expertise in solving the same types of problems that you’re encountering at your LDD, and DDAA wants to bring you and your peers together to share that knowledge.

    On December 9, 2024, DDAA will be hosting a free peer meeting in Greenville, SC, featuring DDAA member-facilitated roundtable sessions on a variety of topics related to GIS, leveraging data at local development districts, and much more, all geared toward driving and evaluating regional prosperity.

    Registration and attendance are FREE but seats are limited.

    AGENDA

    Start End Session Title
    9:00 9:45 About the Group / Welcome / Icebreaker
    9:45 10:30 Unique Tools 1: Data as a Service
    11:00 12:00 Working with External Partners, Clients, and Communities
    12:00 1:30 Lunch / Prioritizing Research and Information in the LDD
    1:30 2:00 Break
    2:00 2:45 Unique Tools 2: Expanding Your GIS Assets
    2:45 3:30 Data Storytelling Tips
    3:30 3:45 Break
    3:45 4:30 Staff Skill-building and Training

  • 2024 Professional Development Seminar

    Click Here for the Full Agenda with Presentations

    Click Here to View Photos on the DDAA Website

    Click Here to Download Photos

    The Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) invites you to take time to improve yourself and your organization at the 2024 Professional Development Seminar, in Huntington, WV.

    Whether you want to attain skills and knowledge for personal development or career advancement, join us for real-world executive and employee development sessions, networking and more in Huntington, WV.

    The seminar provides timely and relevant training for ANY individual who desires to improve their work skills and enhance their performance. The topics to be discussed are relevant to all levels of employees within an organization, from executive directors, managers, and board members to fiscal officers and program staff.

    The room block ended on June 25th. We do have a very small number of rooms on hold. If you need a hotel room at the room block rate, ($165+tax/fees), please contact Jennifer Gual at jgual@crec.net.

    Member Pricing Non-Member Pricing
    $225 $420

  • INSPIRE Grant Writing Training

    The Investments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative provides funding to address the substance use disorder crisis across Appalachia by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem that will lead to workforce entry or re-entry. If your organization is new to federal grant writing, or you are writing an INSPIRE grant for the first time, this virtual workshop will prepare you to respond confidently to key components of the INSPIRE RFP.

    The workshop will address the following topics:

    1. Understanding how applications are reviewed and scored and tips on formatting your application to maximize your score.
    2. Gathering data to support your statement of need and using this data to your advantage.
    3. Using partnerships to strengthen your application.
    4. Common errors with the budget and budget description.
    5. Connecting the statement of need to the project description and the budget.
    6. Completing the SF424 and writing winning letters of support.

    You are encouraged to attend the full workshop, but you can drop in for the sections that align with your needs. Register today to secure your place!

    About the Trainer

    The workshop will be led by Tara Kunkel, a grant-writing expert with years of experience as a federal funder, a peer reviewer, and a grant writer.

    Session Recording

    PowerPoint Presentation

  • Rural Workforce Development Systems and Practices

    Rural Workforce Development Systems and Practices
    December 1, December 6, December 8, 2022
    3:30 – 5:00 PM ET
    Hosted on Zoom

    Agenda

    You are warmly invited to a series of virtual trainings that will help your community learn from and implement best practices in rural workforce development. The training will be especially useful for workforce development program managers and associated staff at local development districts. Goals of the training include:

    Provide a systematic overview/approach to workforce development— geared to both experienced workforce development professionals and LDD staff that are just entering the space.

    Provide attendees an understanding of core workforce system components like WIOA, funding opportunities, and key institutional partners.

    Provide overview of key strategies for preparing and connecting rural workers to employers paying living wages in their communities.

    Understand global, national, and industry-specific trends affecting businesses and the workforce — with a special focus on technology change and emerging skill requirements.

    Training pre-requisites:

    Skills: No prerequisite experience is needed

    Tools: N/A

    Target Audience: DDAA Mid-Level Staff

    For more information on course content, please contact Brendan Buff. For questions on registrations and/or logistics please contact Spencer Abrams.

    Trainers:

    Allan Freyer, PhD, Principal, Peregrine Strategies

    Elizabeth Standafer, PhD, Work-based Learning and Career Development Consultant, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

    Allison Forbes, PhD, Vice President of Research, Center of Regional Economic Competitiveness

  • Human Resource Strategies for LDD Directors

    Human Resource Strategies for LDD Directors
    December 13, 2022
    9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET
    Georgia Mountains Regional Commission Office
    1310 W Ridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30503

    Agenda

    Are you passionate about your team’s growth and professional development? DDAA executives are warmly invited to attend an in-person human resources workshop December 13th. At this workshop you will: 

    • Receive a toolkit to help you better communicate with your team 
    • Walk away with actionable intel and ideas to help meet your HR executive goals

    Training pre-requisites:

    Skills: No prerequisite experience is needed

    Tools: N/A 

    Target Audience: DDAA Executive Directors 

    For more information on course content, please contact Brendan Buff. For questions on registrations and/or logistics please contact Spencer Abrams. 

    Trainer:

    Matt Vaadi, CEO, guHRoo

  • New Executive Director Training

    New Executive Director Training
    December 12, 2022
    9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET
    Georgia Mountains Regional Commission Office
    1310 W Ridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30503

    Agenda

    New executive directors (less than 3 years in role) are warmly invited to attend a training summit to hone your organizational skills and managerial vision.  You’ll network with other new executives while learning the ropes from seasoned DDAA leadership!   

    Agenda topics include: 

    • Relationship Building: Board & legislator relations 
    • Financial Management: Budgeting, indirect costs, understanding audits 
    • Organizational Leadership: Bylaws, organizational charts, staffing plans 
    • Executive Strategy: Vision setting, ethics, marketing—“telling your story and building reputation” 

    Training pre-requisites:

    Skills: No prerequisite experience is needed.

    Tools: N/A 

    Target Audience: DDAA New Executive Directors 

    For more information on course content, please contact Brendan Buff. For questions on registrations and/or logistics please contact Spencer Abrams.