Conway Data, Inc
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The world’s oldest, most comprehensive economic development consulting firm, providing services related to domestic and cross border corporate investment since 1954
PHOTO: Atlanta, Georgia – Conway Data Headquarters
Our Story

Who we are

Conway Data is a full-service agency in the global corporate investment industry, with a 69-year-old publications division and a 50-year old association management division. Everything we do across our global operations is aimed at helping corporations invest and create jobs. 

For almost 7 decades, Conway Data has been the bridge between government and industry. Through our integrated services and relationships with our global network of corporate decision makers, Conway Data facilitates the attraction of hundreds of billions in foreign direct investment annually, helping create hundreds of thousands of new jobs in the process.

1954

Since

1000s +

Jobs Created

$400 B+

in Corporate Investment
Our Mission

Creating thriving communities

“We are an integral part of a great system that provides a better quality of life for the people of the world. This system develops productive facilities to meet ever-growing needs for food, shelter, clothing and essential services. It provides jobs that sustain families. It pays for medical, education and government services for communities. Without this vital system there would be chaos.

Specifically, we provide an important communications link between productive companies and cities, states, and nations around the world seeking to attract them. We are part of the development process. We play a role in the future. And we help bring a better quality of life to areas today.

Those who lack vision may say that we are merely helping to sell real estate or personal services. It’s only for the money, they may think. They are wrong. Without constructive economic development and the related necessary infrastructure, the world economy would collapse.

Looking at the world landscape, we know that our small company is but a grain of sand. However, joining with many others we know that we are part of a wonderful vista.”

-McKinley Conway
Founder

Our Team

How we can support you

For nearly 70 years we’ve been entirely focused on global corporate investment. There is no firm in the industry with a longer or more respected history than Conway Data. We pride ourselves on being the preeminent experts in foreign direct investment.  

Our History

How we got here

  • 1952

    Conducts the first regional Science-Industry Conference in Winston-Salem, NC.

    1953

    Conducts the Southern Industrial Wastes Conference in New Orleans, LA. This pioneering effort to establish environmental planning standards occurs long before the federal government becomes involved in the issue.

    1954

    Launches Industrial Development, the first publication devoted to Investment geography, corporate facility planning and area development. This magazine would later be renamed Site Selection.

    1956

    Launches the Site Selection Handbook, the first comprehensive compilation of data on development organizations. Purchases Manufacturers Record, a Baltimore-based publication that dates back to the 1880’s. It would later be merged with Industrial Development.

    1958

    Introduces the Community Audit, which is subsequently adopted in communities around the world.

    1959

    Produces Blueprint for Progress motion picture, which wins second prize at the International Film Festival in Puerto Rico.

  • 1960

    Authors the Area Development Guide, a text for community and area economic developers. Conducts Editorial Survey of the United Kingdom, the first of many such studies of nations around the globe.

    1961

    Creates the Industrial Development Research Council and conducts very first IDRC seminar in New York, NY. IDRC would later become CoreNet Global.

    1962

    Publishes Sites for Science, an early study of the potential for research parks.

    1963

    Conway’s Weather Handbook is selected by the New York Public Library as one of the best reference books of the year.

    1965

    Selected to prepare Invest in the USA report for distribution by US Consulates overseas. Conducts the first Inter-American Development Conference for the U.S. State Department in Caracas, Venezuela.

    1968

    Publishes the first annual report on the legislative climates of all 50 states. Publishes the Glossary of Terminology for Facility Planners, IDRC’s first research report.

  • 1970

    Conducts first national Seminar on Fly-In Development at Cape Kennedy, FL. Publishes Corporate Facility Planning Survey report.

    1972

    Establishes annual Conway/IDRC award for outstanding work in environmental planning.

    1974

    Produces first Survey of Salaries and Job Responsibilities for Corporate Facility Planners report.

    1976

    Publishes Industrial Facility Planning book.

    1977

     Publishes The Airport City book.

    1978

    Publishes New Industries of the Seventies book.

  • 1980

    Drafts Code of Ethics for IDRC professionals working in geo-economic field.

    1981

    Publishes industry’s first Survey of Consultants report.

    1982

    Launches The Site Report, a register of new corporate facilities.

    1983

    Launches SiteNet, the first telecommunications system serving the development field. This unique electronic information service would later become a portal on the World Wide Web.

    1985

    Plans and builds a Geo-Economics Research Center in Technology Park/Atlanta, GA.

    1986

    Opens IDRC World Site Scan Laboratory at headquarters building in Atlanta, GA.

    1989

    Publishes the SiteNet World Guide.

  • 1990

    Establishes IDRC Europe chapter.

    Presents the first Conway Safe Skies Award in honor of heroism to protect air travelers from acts of terrorism.

    1991

    Publishes the Site World book of global corporate strategies.

    Leads delegation to Hong Kong and Singapore to lay groundwork for IDRC Asia-Pacific chapter.

    1992

    Conducts the first World Development Council conference in Hawaii.

    1993

    Launches the GeoFax document delivery system.

    1994

    Publishes Geo-Economics: The New Science.

    Holds historic seminars in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

    1995

    SiteNet electronic information service moves to the World Wide Web.

    Conway Data, Inc. moves into new world headquarters facility in Technology Park in Norcross, GA, a Northeast Atlanta suburb in Gwinnett County.

  • 2002

    Establishes the Industrial Asset Management Council, a professional association of senior facility executives at large manufacturing companies. In just 12 months, the organization grows to more than 260 members.

    2003

    In partnership with the U.S.-Cuba Trade Association, hosts the U.S.-Cuba Business Conference in Cancun and Havana.

    2004

    Site Selection publishes its 50th anniversary edition in January.

    2008

    Site Selection magazine launches Global Best to Invest rankings.

  • 2011

    The passing of Founder McKinley “Mac” Conway.

    2012

    Conway Data, Inc. acquires New York-based The Pont Group and creates the Conway PR & Marketing Division.

    Conway Data, Inc. Acquires London-based Red Hot Locations (now Conway Events), a globally respected FDI event management firm which organizes the annual World Forum for Foreign Direct Investment.

    IAMC celebrates 10th Anniversary in Omaha, Neb.

    2013

    Launches the Global FDI Association.

    2013

    Conway Data, Inc. opens up Asian office in Penang, Malaysia. 

    Conway Data acquires Berlin-based Terrain Consulting and creates Conway Advisory Division.

    2014

    Launches Custom Content division.

    Opens offices in Auckland, New Zealand.

    2015

    Relaunches the New Plant Database as the Conway Projects Database, along with a revamped and expanded Conway Analytics Report.

Our Awards

Showcasing our achievements

Thanks to a hardworking and excellent staff, Conway Data has been recognized for its achievements with the following awards:

  • Industry Era Magazine
    10 best ceos of 2019 – Adam Jones Kelley

    2019
  • APEX: Awards for publication excellence
    Award of Excellence – Design and illustration

    2018
  • APEX: Awards for publication excellence
    Award of Excellence – Writing

    2018
  • Atlanta Business Chronicle
    Georgia International Awards – International Company of the Year

    2017

Get In Touch!

  • +1 (77o)-446-6996
  • 6625 The Corners Parkway, Suite 200
    Peachtree Corners
    GA, 30092
    United States

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