Early Bird registrations are now open for the 2025 Institute of Economic Development (iED) Annual Conference and Awards Dinner themed 'Good Growth: Driving the UK economy with investment in our regions and communities'.

The Annual Conference, which will be held at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester on 25th November, is open to both iED members and non-members. With iED Chair Tom Stannard (and Chief Executive of Manchester City Council) and Patron Stephanie Flanders already confirmed to present and set to build on discussion at the recent House of Lords reception, other conference speakers, breakout sessions, and panel discussions will be announced in the coming weeks.

A range of new sponsorship packages have also been launched for the conference, which offers direct access to over 200 economic development and regeneration decision-makers from private and public sectors across the UK. Tailored options include Knowledge Partner and Engagement Partner, as well as Awards Event Partner and Awards Category Partner for the Annual Awards which take place at The Lowry Hotel following on from conference.

Launched in 2023 to celebrate the Institute’s 40th anniversary, the iED Awards return once again to recognise achievers in the public and private sector through a series of individual, team, and organisational categories. Eight categories are now open for entry and a ninth, Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development, will be selected by the iED Board. Self-nominations, and nominations of others, are welcome.

Leader of the Year

Economic development professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and management in their role, and who motivate and inspire their team to achieve success through effective leadership.

2024 winner: “Transformational leadership”: Claire Pearce wins iED Leader of the Year award

Team of the Year

Delegates at last year's iED Annual Conference in London.

Exceptional economic development teams who have gone above and beyond in ensuring the smooth running and effective delivery of economic development functions in their organisations.

2024 winner: Basildon Council Economic Development Team scoops iED Team of the Year award

Rising Star of the Year

Younger economic development team members aged 30 or under (as of 1st June 2025) who have demonstrated excellence, commitment and gone above and beyond in their early career.

Tom Stannard, Chair of the iED Chair, and Chief Executive of Manchester City Council.

2024 winner: National Highways’ James Corden named IED Rising Star of the Year

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year

Projects, teams or individuals which have strived to actively promote, celebrate and raise awareness of EDI, improving under-represented involvement in economic development in their organisation or externally.

2024 winner: Leeds City Council’s Sophie Hewitson wins EDI Champion of the Year accolade at IED Annual Awards

Social Value Initiative of the Year

Projects, teams or individuals which have championed and made a significant contribution to social value creation, developing best practice in their field and making positive impacts in their communities.

2024 winner: Tendring District Council named iED Social Value Champion of the Year for The Sunspot

Most Innovative Project of the Year

Innovative economic development projects which have pushed the boundaries beyond traditional approaches and delivered additional beneficial outcomes as a result of the innovation.

2024 winner: Cheshire West and Chester Council picks up iED Most Innovative Project of the Year award for Business Tapas

Collaborative Initiative of the Year

Outstanding cross-sector economic development collaboration between two or more partners drawn from local authorities, private sector, third sector, business and academia.

2024 winner: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Right to Succeed celebrate iED Collaborative Initiative of the Year award

Outstanding Impact

For projects delivered and concluded in the last five years, which demonstrate benchmarked evidence against other similar initiatives. Impacts could include environmental, social, business support (from start-up to growth and scale), rural development and regeneration.

2024 winner: Regeneration of Salford Central wins IED Outstanding Impact award

To enter the awards, individuals/teams should develop a 500-word entry on ‘why they should win’ and a 50-word summary for promotion in the awards programme, together with an optional one page of additional evidence, and submit to [email protected] by 1st August.

Executive Director Nigel Wilcock said: “The iED Annual Conference and Awards Dinner is, without doubt, the UK’s premier in-person event for economic development and regeneration professionals working for local and regional communities. Last year was a sold-out event, and with discounted tickets available until 30th June, we encourage members and non-members to book their places early. We are also excited to launch our new event partner opportunities, which are a fantastic opportunity for organisations to demonstrate their knowledge and skill-set to delegates, and showcase their brand and expertise.”

Watch last year’s iED Annual Conference and Awards Highlights, and view photos, here.

The Institute of Economic Developmentis the UK’s leading independent professional body representing economic development and regeneration practitioners. Established over 40 years ago, the iED's key objective is to represent the interests of economic development practitioners and ensure their views are widely expressed and noted. The iED is committed to demonstrating the value of economic development work for local and regional communities; the pursuit of best practice in economic development and the attainment of the highest standards of professional conduct and competence.

Institute of Economic Development Annual Conference comes to Manchester