Construction development councils offer an abundance of business opportunities and positive exposure for your business. In addition to the industry members of the construction development groups, you will have opportunities to meet and get to know other members of the construction development professional organization, including business leaders that support the construction development group.

Affiliation with construction development organizations provides lobbying and networking opportunities that can be immensely helpful to your own business interests while you support the industry. Membership in construction development associations often means access to information and contacts that can be important to your own company. Regional construction development groups offer even more chances to network with local business leaders in your community. Approach your membership in a professional organization for construction development from a variety of perspectives.

1. Expand your network through groups for construction development

2. Support the industry by participating in construction development professional organizations

3. Stay informed with construction development association publications

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Develop business contacts in construction development associations

Construction development groups hold regular meetings, seminars and conventions for members and interested parties. At construction development organization events, as well as through various committees in which you can participate, you will have numerous occasions to socialize and network with other business people who support and work within the industry. The business leaders you meet could offer a number of trade opportunities for you and your company.

I recommend: The International Downtown Association brings together builders from all over the country to help with the issues involved in creating sustainable downtown communities. The International Economic Development Council is a non-profit construction development association that brings members together to support the industry in a variety of ways.

Demonstrate your interest by joining construction development councils

If you want to do business with construction development professionals, you will want to show your support while building relationships with national and local leaders in the industry. You often can do this best by participating in construction development professional organizations with both your presence and your financial support.

I recommend: The National Association of Development Organizations provides members with education, lobbying efforts and networking opportunities. The National Congress for Community Economic Development is a construction development council that advocates for low-wealth communities nationwide.

Keep your company in the loop with construction development association publications

While you may not have time to participate in a trade group or volunteer on a committee, you can take advantage of membership in construction development groups through the myriad publications they put out. By keeping up with the reports and news in the industry, you can pick and choose which events will be most beneficial for you to attend while keeping updated on changes or news that affects construction development associations industry-wide.

I recommend: The Council for Community Economic Research is a nonprofit group that supplies the industry with a multitude of statistical and industry publications as well as putting on seminars and conventions. The Design Build Institute is another construction development organization that can provide you with resources in a variety of ways, from publications to seminars.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join a construction development organization fundraising or membership committee to develop closer relationships with others who could provide sources of business for your company.