DIA Partnership consolidating into the Metro Denver EDC

At the DIA Partnership (DIAP) annual meeting Friday, Sept. 28, members affirmed the consolidation of the organization into the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC). Both of these organizations executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes the terms and conditions of the consolidation.

Representatives of the Metro Denver EDC, including Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver EDC; Joe Blake, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce; Robert Blankenship, COO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Denver EDC; and John Shaw, co-chair of the Metro Denver EDC executive committee, joined DIAP representatives Mary Rose Loney, DIAP president and CEO; Joe Bertsch, principal of EKS&H and chairman of the DIAP board of directors; and Incoming Chair John Beeble, president and CEO of Saunders Construction at the ceremonial signing and convened a joint meeting to discuss next steps.

“I truly believe the consolidation of leadership of these two organizations will strengthen our focus on promoting the significant economic opportunities surrounding DIA,” said Bertsch. “This provides an opportunity to embrace these opportunities and to continue the legacy we’ve established over the past 12 years at the DIAP.”

Members of DIAP and the Metro Denver EDC have begun defining a scope of work for the coming year. DIAP will operate under the Metro Denver EDC as a special purpose entity, to be renamed DIA Leadership, or DIAL. Focus areas for the newly formed DIAL will include airport and aviation-related job growth, sustainability, access and transportation, DIA global visibility, and member recruitment and growth.

Formed in 1995 after the opening of DIA, the organization focused on economic development in the northeast Metro Denver area. In 2007, DIAP shifted its focus to promoting the airport and aviation-related job growth.

“The timing for the consolidation couldn’t be better,” said Clark. “DIA was named the 4th busiest airport in the U. S. during the past six months and we expect the positive momentum to continue. Our region will benefit from this union as it represents a more efficient use of investment resources and increased strategic focus to further the economic potential of DIA.” 

About the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) is Metro Denver’s regional economic development organization. An affiliate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Denver EDC was formed to create 100,000 new jobs in the seven-county metro area over five years. To accomplish this mission, the organization spearheaded a fundraising program, raising $13.3 million. The Metro Denver EDC focuses on six areas: national marketing, existing business, mobility, DIA/international air travel, tax reform, and special opportunities. For more information, visit the Metro Denver EDC Web site at www.metrodenver.org or www.metrodenverGIS.org.