FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2002

JENNIFER BOES, 302.672.6811

(Dover, Del.) More than 160 economic developers from Maine to Maryland will travel to Delaware this fall for the 46th Annual Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Conference. The conference will take place in the state's capital city of Dover at the new, four-star Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center from September 28 through October 1, 2002.

The Conference kicks off with the annual NEDA golf tournament and tours of Dover-area attractions. Sites include historic Dover's colonial Green, where Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, and the Dover Airforce Base, which houses the U.S. military's largest aircraft, the C-5 Galaxy. Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to drive a Winston Cup Stock Car around the "Monster Mile," Dover's NASCAR speedway.

Sessions will include presentations from regional experts on economic development trends and issues of interest to the Northeast region. The Annual NEDA Awards Dinner will be held September 30.

The dinner honors regional outstanding business people, economic development volunteers, projects and programs.

Conference registration is $285. The golf tournament and "Monster Mile" drive are not included in the registration fee. Registration materials will be mailed to NEDA members in July 2002. Non-NEDA members may sign up to receive registration information by calling Gary Smith of the Delaware Economic Development Council at 302.739.4271.

To learn more about Delaware as a place to visit and do business, visit the Delaware Economic Development Office web site at www.state.de.us/dedo.