---

Published Works of McKinley Conway, Part 2:
FORUM BUILDING. BIRTH OF THE IDRC

Today, the International Development Research Council (IDRC) is the most prestigious professional organization in the development field. Here is how it got started.

138. "What Industry Seeks When Locating Plants," Georgia State Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta, April 11, 1958.

139. "Seven Hundred Plant Location Factors," Industrial Development, Site Selection Handbook Supplement. Oct. 1958. pp. 17-24.

140. "Plant Location Guide," Industrial Development, Site Selection Handbook (supplement). 1959. pp. 16-32.

141. "Realistic Criteria for Plant and Facilities Location Seminar," American Management Assn., New York, Feb. 18, 1959.

142. "Ideal location, U.S.A." (criteria for a hypothetical community most appealing to industry site seekers), Annual Conference, Mississippi Assn. of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Natchez, Aug. 21, 1959.

143. "Company Organization for Expansion Planning," Industrial Development, May 1959, pp. 6-9.

144. "Site Selection: (10 Key Steps)," Industrial Development, Site Selection Handbook (supplement), Oct. 1961, pp.4-5.

145. "The Industrial Development Research Council Is Launched," Industrial Development, Jan. 1962. pp. 4-11. Outline of objectives of the Industrial Development Research Council, First Annual Conference, New York, Oct. 24, 1961.

146. "What the Manufacturer Expects of the Industrial Development Man," Northeastern Industrial Development Assn., New York. Oct. 4, 1966.

147. "Is Your Company Flying Blind?" It is truly astonishing that only a handful of manufacturing firms have put their growth planning on a professional basis. It is probably safe to say that more than 90 percent of U.S. companies have no professional or systematic approach to planning their future growth. Industrial Development, Feb. 1967. p 4.

148. Corporate Facility Planning Survey. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. 36 pp. April 1970. IDRC #5.

149. IDRC Skill Inventory. A survey for the Industrial Development Research Council. A compilation of member skills. Types of projects handled, geographic areas covered. 81 pp. Nov. 1970. IDRC #6.

150. Surplus Property Index. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Nov. 1971. IDRC #8.

151. Survey of the Availability of Electric and Gas Service for New Development Projects. Response to concerns about an energy shortage. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Nov. 1972. IDRC #9.

152. Code of Ethics for the Industrial Development Research Council. Basic premise: to justify their status as professionals, members must seek to establish and maintain standards of conduct above that required by law. Covers honesty in dealing, integrity of information, confidentiality, environmental sensitivity, social and civic responsibility, freedom of information, support for common programs, avoidance of libel or slander, gifts or bribes, conflict of interest, and personal conduct. Pamphlet. Undated.

153. Survey of Sales and Lease Prices for Industrial Land, Buildings and Office Buildings. Sept. 1973. IDRC #10.

154. Survey of Salaries and Job Responsibilities. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. 1974. IDRC #12.

155. IDRC Skill Inventory. Study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Jan. 1974. IDRC #11.

156. IDRC Skill Inventory. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Jan. 1976. IDRC #14.

157. The IDRC Seminar Series. Establishing a professional Forum for industrial planning objectives. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Not many years ago industry planners worked in secrecy. There was no systematic sharing of information. This report describes the progress which has been made in creating a much-needed forum. Includes program for IDRC's first annual meeting in 1961. May 1977. 151 pp. IDRC #16.

158. The Industrial Facility Planner's View of Special Incentives. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Conducted at a time when there was considerable debate about the propriety of incentives, this survey reveals diversity of thinking among IDRC members. 36 pp. plus Appendix. May 1977. IDRC #17.

159. New Industries of the Seventies. Federal statistics. State summaries. Industrial Development magazine reports. Trends in HQ relocations. Geographic index of new plants. 302 pp. 1978.

160. A Composite Case History of New Facility Location. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Project profile. Financing. Site characteristics. Utility services. Environmental planning. Personnel requirements. Strategies considered. International projects. Techniques used in site decision. Final cost analysis. Lessons applicable to future projects. May 1978. IDRC #19. With Linda L. Liston.

161. New Project File and Site Selection Checklist. Corporate strategy. Company organization for expansion planning. Criteria for site and facility. An index of hundreds of location factors from which the user can prepare a custom checklist for a particular project. 1979. Binder.

162. Corporate Record Systems For Facility Planning and Management. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Includes 160 forms used By companies to assist them in maintaining property records. These include forms related to property acquisition, construction and start-up, inventory, operating expenses, maintenance and surplus property. Jan. 1979. 429 pp. IDRC #20. With Linda L. Liston.

163. Improving Career Skills: Professional Training Programs in the Field of Facility Planning and Real Estate Management. Rankings of subjects of interest. Programs members have attended. Justifying education and training programs. Future personnel requirements. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Nov. 1979. 350 pp. IDRC #21. With Linda L. Liston.

164. Career Paths. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. This is undoubtedly the most detailed study of member interests, expertise and aspirations ever conducted by the Council. It reflects the "state-of-the-art" of corporate growth planning. Sept 1980. 140pp. IDRC #23.

165. IDRC Code of Ethics. 1981.

166. Real Estate Profit Centers. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Some manufacturing companies have had real estate profit centers for decades. While the idea, thus, is not new, there has been in recent years a fresh and growing interest in such profit centers, their purpose, their operating principles and their performance. March 1981. 23 pp. plus appendix. With Linda L. Liston and James D. Mathis. IDRC #24.

167. Corporate Facility Planning. A compilation of more than 100 papers of interest to those involved in corporate real estate. Asset management and strategy. Property administration. Location analysis and site selection. Design and construction. 1981.442 pp. Hard cover. With Linda L. Liston.

168. Survey of Consultants. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. Experience of IDRC members in using consultants. Types of consultants used. Evaluation of consultant performance. Roster of consultants. Oct. 1981. 188 pp. IDRC #26.

169. Developing the IDRC Computer Network. New revolution in computer applications. Computer utilization by IDRC members. Launching network services for members. Implications of emerging network system. Index of on-line information sources. Glossary of EDP terminology. May 1982. 90 pp. IDRC #29.

170. Survey of Compensation and Career Paths. A study for the Industrial Development Research Council. It is intended that this report assist members in achieving their own personal goals... and that the report will be useful to companies in making their real estate and facility planning functions more effective. 1983. 76 pp. IDRC #30.

171. Survey of the Industrial Facility Planner's View of Special Incentives: an Update. Study for the Industrial Development Research Council. March 1984. IDRC #32.

172. "IDRC Set to Assume Greater Role in Geo-Economic Research." The executive director of IDRC explores the potential for a massive new geo-economic research program. Industrial Development, Jan.-Feb. 1985. pp. 74-75.

173. "The Megatech Industries: What Determines Their Location?" What are the essential components of a Silicon Valley or a Route 128 complex? Do the location factors for R&D activities cover the production of CPUs, peripherals and software? Is the mix changing? Site Selection, June 1985. pp. 626-635.

174. "Thanks for Helping Us Pick the Superlatives!" Site Selection begins its 31st year. During this action-packed 30-year period corporate executives have planned and built more than 100,000 new plants. Area developers have launched several thousand office and industrial parks. Site Selection, Feb. 1986. p. 4.

175. "Weighing Development Factors for the High-Tech Age."

176. If you are responsible for plotting the development strategy for a major corporation or organization, you will want to study this review of factors which have played a dominant role during the past 30 years. The compilation is based on a scan of our bound volumes, staff research and opinions of several hundred readers working in a wide variety of development positions. Site Selection, April 1986. pp. 280-288. (Summarized in the monograph, "A Technology Review and Forecast for Development Strategists.")

177. "Good Life Index Now It's Here to Stay!" Early checklists of facility location factors listed quality of life items at the bottom, among incidentals. Today, for many facilities, QOL evaluations determine location decisions. Site Selection, Aug. 1986. p.772.

178. "Terrorism: Growing Factor in Location Decisions." Recent events reveal all too starkly the clouds which hang over development programs in many parts of the world. Business travelers, investors and facility planners must be concerned not only with traditional war risk and political risk, but also with the added risk of bombings, assassinations, hijackings and taking of hostages carried out by international terrorist groups. Site Selection, Aug. 1986. pp. 952-956.

179. "Crisis in Corporate Facility Planning!" One of the most critical issues facing corporate management today is the necessity for providing flexibility in future facility plans. Firms which ignore this warning may find themselves unable to compete and survive in the years just ahead. Site Selection, Dec. 1986. p. 1256.

180. Facility Planning Technology. A selection of over 200 articles contributed by what resembles a "who's who" of the corporate real estate and industrial development profession. Corporate asset management and strategy. Property administration. Location analysis and site selection. Design and construction. The automated office. 935 pp. Hard cover. With Linda L. Liston. 1987.

181. Status of the Corporate Facility Planner: a Progress Report. Research study for the Industrial Development Research Council. March 1987. IDRC #36.

182. "New Plant Locations a Review and Forecast." New corporate facilities bring to the chosen area new investment, new jobs and new economic opportunities. While some residents may perceive negative aspects, the area usually enjoys improved community services and other significant benefits. A summary of new plant announcements by state. Monograph. 1988.

183. "Club Med Shifts Strategy." While continuing to develop new sites around the world, the French-based resort chain seeks to broaden its market appeal to "every interest and every age group". Site Selection, Feb. 1988. pp. 18-19.

184. "Why Joe Lost His Job." It's a jungle out there. We all know that. Nothing is absolutely guaranteed. Even the biggest companies fall flat. And a great many are trimming management costs, especially in staff areas. Even so, Joe might have survived the cuts. Site Selection, April 1988. p. 276.

185. "Are You Building Your Own Personal Data Base?" The most important data base you will ever have to consult is the one between your ears. Just about everything to which you aspire depends on it. Are you giving it the attention it deserves? Gwinnett Daily News, Dec. 21, 1988.

186. "Where Will You Land after the Merger?" The time to make your job secure is before the blood-letting starts. And one of the very best strategies is to develop an automated property inventory with which you are thoroughly familiar. Learn from the sad experience of the veteran real estate manager who was not prepared. Site Selection, Dec. 1988.

187. "Site Planners Take Note!" With the highways and major airports facing gridlock, why not locate your corporate facilities at an uncongested airport with your company plane parked at your door? Site Selection, April 1989. p. 276.

188. "Does Your Real Estate Setup Make Your Company a Takeover Target?" Experts in the takeover game have discovered that the real estate department is the Achilles heel of many large corporations. Unmanaged or under-managed properties have become a major lure. It proves once more that what you don't know can hurt you in a big way. Site Selection, Feb. 1989. p. 4.

189. "This Is a Test!" Show us a copy of your company map! We're not looking for anything in particular we just want to know if you have one. Here's why. Site Selection, Oct. 1990. p. 1040.

190. "Had Your Annual Checkup?" No, not the one at the Mayo Clinic. We're talking about the in-house review of your company's real property assets. Site Selection, Dec. 1990. p. 1288.

191. There's a siren song being wafted on the breezes out there. It is beguiling, and some CEOs are intrigued. The alluring refrain suggests that you can farm out your corporate real estate function to a consultant, eliminate the real estate staff, save a lot of and perform just as well. Site Selection, Aug. 1990. p. 800.

192. "Global Competition for Jobs." Let it be known that your company plans to make an investment in a new manufacturing plant and the world will beat a path to your door. Article for Atlanta Journal.

193. "Are You Preparing Your Asset Managers for Global Operations?" A memo from your real estate department. Site Selection, April 1991. pp. 248.

194. In the process of gathering information for you, we deal with a lot of corporate PR executives. Some of them are great, but some, we regret to say, look like bums to us. Site Selection, June 1991. pp. 564.

195. "Don't Be Misled!" One of the alleged experts in the development field recently made a speech about "the end of the golden age of real estate". The implication was that all of the really exciting projects are behind us and we can look forward only to years of stultifying no-growth. Site Selection, Aug. 1991. pp. 708.

196. "Are You Waging Guerrilla Warfare against the Problems of Planning, Locating and Building a New Plant?" Does each new project provide a lesson in crisis management? Are your staff departments and operating units stepping on each others toes? Have you considered setting up a new project team? Site Selection, Oct. 1991. pp. 924.

197. "Global Corporations and Global Super Projects." Never before have the productive forces of the world faced such great opportunities and enormous responsibilities. We have the awesome task of meeting global needs for food, shelter, clothing and essential services in a time of mushrooming population growth and explosive pressures of rising expectations. Pamphlet for World Development Council. 1991.

198. Here's how you can exert a powerful influence in the congressional Election next November. You can help keep the good guys in while throwing the rascals out! Site Selection, Feb. 1992, pp. 6.

199. "Do the Japanese Really Want You?" Amid the confusion of high-level political blasts and the continuous sniping of opposing business leaders, what is the hard evidence that Japan sincerely wants your new plant? Site Selection, April 1992, pp. 250.

200. If your Company is typical, more than one-fourth of your assets are represented by your real estate. Do you have a strategic plan for these important assets? Do you have a career plan for the executives responsible? Site Selection, June 1992. pp. 510.

201. "Where Do You Fit in the Washington Mess?" The truth is revealed: Congress doesn't really care what the people think. Special interests are running the system. Are you part of the problem? Site Selection, Aug. 1992. pp. 622.

202. "Acres of Diamonds in Our Front Yard?" The death of development pioneer Ted Moscoso reminds us of what can be achieved in Latin America. Now its time for us to implement his vision through the region. Site Selection, Oct. 1992. pp. 854.

203. "It's Eleven A.M. Do You Know How Safe Your Facilities Are?" When was the last time you sat down with your facilities managers and reviewed company thinking regarding disaster risk and recovery? Site Selection, Dec. 1992. pp. 1090.

203. "Airport Cities: They Could Change Your Company's Future." Can you walk out of your office door, jump into the company airplane, and fly direct to any of your plant sites all located on airports with taxiways leading to their main entrances thus completely avoiding the time, expense and frustration of ground transportation? Site Selection, Feb. 1993, pp. 6.

204. A special message for the CEO who now lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Site Selection, April 1993. pp. 242.

205. "CEOs Come in All Shapes, Sizes and Persuasions." Some were born with the proverbial silver spoon, but most come from more humble beginnings they earn their way to the top. Perhaps the common denominator is ability to recognize an opportunity and make the most of it. Site Selection, June 1993

206. "This Is a Test!" What is the name of your company's top expert in managing real property assets? When is the last time you talked to him? Do you know his needs and support him? More important, does he know your needs and support you? Site Selection, Aug. 1993. (Based on presentation made to first IDRC Management Team Seminar, Aug. 16, 1988.)