Advanced Institute for Economic Development

The next Advanced Institute will be held August 10-14, 2026, in-person at Fresno State University.

Registration will open in mid/late Spring 2026.

Note: Applicants must meet the prerequisites at registration. Invoice for payment will be sent after registration is approved. Please email Helen Schaubmayer at helen@caled.org with questions.

The Advanced Institute for Economic Development (Advanced Institute) is the second requirement of the Accredited California Economic Developer (ACE) program and encompasses the program’s advanced coursework. The Advanced Institute is offered in partnership with the Craig School of Business at Fresno State. While reflecting universal best practices in economic development, all Advanced Institute courses emphasize California-specific curriculum and address the unique economic development environment in California.

General Course Information

The Advanced Institute is held in-person at the Fresno State University campus. The five-day Institute offers opportunity for class engagement via breakout activities, discussion, and networking. The Advanced Institute builds on the “Introduction to Economic Development Certificate Program” (Keys Course), also offered by CALED in partnership with Fresno State University.

Each of the five days is a separate course instructed by knowledgeable and experienced professionals in that subject matter. At the end of each course day, an open-book quiz is given to students to assess their understanding of the material presented in the class that day.

Students must receive a passing score on each course exam and be in attendance all week to successfully pass the Advanced Institute and receive their Certificate of Completion.

The five one-day courses offered are (syllabi will be updated in late Spring 2026):

Date	Course
Monday, August 10	Economic Development Strategic Planning
Tuesday, August 11	Business Retention and Expansion
Wednesday, August 12	Real Estate Development and Reuse
Thursday, August 13	Navigating the Regulatory Environment and Entitlement Process in California
Friday, August 14	Economic Development Finance

Each course will be held from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (exact end time depends on the length of the daily course quiz). There will be a continental breakfast and lunch provided each day.

Who Should Attend:

Economic development professionals currently employed (or seeking employment) in California
Professionals in related fields whose job responsibilities include economic development functions
Those who have already attended the Keys Course and want to take the next step towards ACE certification

Prerequisite and Waiver Requests

The 4-day Keys Course is a prerequisite to the Advanced Institute, although a waiver of the Keys Course requirement may be considered for individuals with six or more years of professional experience and/or individuals who have completed a comparable Keys Course in neighboring states. Additionally, individuals who have successfully completed comparable coursework or those with CEcD accreditation may request a waiver of certain Advanced Institute courses.

Waiver requests must be submitted to: Helen Schaubmayer at helen@caled.org by 5pm on June 5, 2026.

Download the Keys Course Waiver Form

Download the Advanced Institute Course Waiver Form

Contact Helen Schaubmayer at helen@caled.org if you have any questions about requesting a waiver.

Advanced Institute Registration Fee

CALED Member: $1,300
CALED Non-member: $1,500

There is a limited-space available, early registration is recommended. (Payment must be received 2 weeks prior to the start of the Advanced Institute to attend.)

Please note that invoice for payment will be emailed after prerequisites are confirmed and registration is approved–please allow a few days after registering to receive your invoice.

Location & Hotels

August 10-14, 2026

The program will be held in-person at the University Business Center (part of the Craig School of Business at Fresno State).

The University Business Center is located at 5245 N. Backer Ave., Fresno, CA 93740-8001 (between Shaw and Barstow taking the Woodrow Avenue entrance).

Special hotel rates have been negotiated for the August training.

Interested in getting ACE Certified?

Click here to learn more about the Pathway to ACE Certification

2025 Class Photo

CALED Event Cancellation Policy

CALED is pleased to incur expenses on your behalf to process your registration. If necessary, you may cancel your registration up to seven days before the day of the event and your registration fee, minus a 15% handling fee, will be credited to a future CALED event of your choice or your CALED membership (to be used within a 12-month period). All cancellations must be sent to CALED in writing in order to be valid. CALED does not provide cash refunds for any reason. Registrants who cancel less than seven days before the day of the event and all no shows are responsible for full payment. You may make a substitution at any time.