Is regionalism possible, or just a convenient fiction? Are there good examples of where regional collaboration – especially for economic development – has succeeded? This workshop, held during the NCACC's 2012 Annual Conference, provided planning guidance on the broader climate for economic development on the state and national levels. Presenters introduced case studies of communities that have successfully organized around regional economic development goals, including university collaboration, transportation and infrastructure projects, and target industry recruitment. Take-aways included how to avoid pitfalls common to regionalism, discerning strategies that are effective for a region to achieve economic development goals, and understanding how larger trends influence local planning.