For the seventh consecutive year, the annual report of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) was recognized as one of the best in the world.
LVEDC won a Silver Award for the report from the International Economic Development Council, which recognizes organizations that demonstrate consistent, exemplary performance through projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities. 
It was one of four awards won by LVEDC, which competed against economic development organizations in the largest regions (those with at least 500,000 people), many of which have far greater resources.
LVEDC’s Annual Report documents the organization’s activities last year working with our partners to attract new businesses, to help existing businesses expand, to develop a skilled workforce for employers, to support entrepreneurship, and to promote the Lehigh Valley brand.
The annual report explains how the Lehigh Valley has grown its economic output and population, and how its quality of life has improved. The Gross Domestic Product now exceeds $50 billion.
The report is produced by LVEDC staff and designed by Michelle Chrin.
Here is what some of the judges said about why LVEDC’s Annual Report stands out.
“I love the simplicity of design. It's full of information but not full of words. The design uses a healthy mix of photos, text, infographics, charts, change of background colors, and even QR codes. Very very well done.”
“Excellent Annual Report. Quality and diverse images throughout the report incorporating extremely relevant data, maps, video, QR codes, business/industry information, and an abundant number of quality photos and graphics telling the story about Lehigh Valley Economic Development and their location and value proposition.”
“I liked how visual the report is and that there were not many long passages of text. Economic reports can be hard to read through, so it was nice that things were broken up and there were not many long passages of text. I also liked that story-telling components and explaining a bit more why economic development is important and what impact it has on the community. Community members may not always think about businesses that they do not directly interact with, so it is nice to highlight why businesses are important to a community and economy.”
The International Economic Development Council is the largest economic development association in the world, with more than 4,500 members globally. LVEDC is one of only 73 organizations to meet the council’s rigorous accreditation standards.
The Excellence in Economic Development Awards won by LVEDC in this year’s competition were:
Gold Award, Special Event, for the Fall Signature Event last October, “Lehigh Valley’s Technology Sector: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
Silver Award, Economic Development Organization of the Year.
Silver Award, Lehigh Valley Hot Careers Dashboard.
Silver Award, LVEDC Annual Report.