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IEDC's Annual Conference
September 26-29, 2010
Columbus, OH
http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/index.html

Register before Friday, July 23 to receive our early registration rates!
http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Registration.html

At the International Economic Development Council's 2010 Annual Conference, September 26-29, 2010 in Columbus, OH, will discuss the role economic developers' play in creating place and the built environment.

At this year's conference we will explore the job of reinvesting in aging and deteriorating assets to create place. Due to our current changing and dynamic conditions, marked by disinvestment, decline, economic restructuring, capital constraints, and demographic shifts, economic developers are facing challenges of great magnitude. Learn how to face these challenges and do a lot for your community, even in these constraining times.

SESSIONS OF INTEREST INCLUDE:

Using Green to Turn Brown Around
Monday, September 27
10:00 - 11:30 am
Brownfield redevelopment projects are very valuable to communities as they put unproductive properties back into tax-generating productive use and control environmental risks. However the extra cost to redeveloping a brown field can often be a deal breaker. Attend this session to learn how to bring your local brownfield back to life. This session will also highlight federal incentives to support brownfield redevelopment.

Defining Issues Lunch: The Next American Dream: Revitalization of Our Downtowns ($)
Monday, September 27
11:45 am – 1:15 pm
American downtowns have gone through a remarkable transformation in recent years in response to changing demographic and socioeconomic trends of the last decade. As demographers predicted a steady rise in the percentage of American households without children and a tremendous increase in the demand for walkable urban spaces-what will the next American dream look like? This year's Defining Issues Luncheon will examine how American downtowns have evolved and adapted to the changing culture and what communities should think about today to keep pace with current demographic and socioeconomic trends. Highlights from the recent PBS special The Next American Dream-Revitalization of our Downtowns will be shown at the luncheon. The film blends the story of Kansas City's comeback with interviews from urban planning experts from around the country, archival footage and commentary from the people who are returning to live in our downtowns.

Partnering to Meet University and Community Real Estate Development Needs
Monday, September 27
3:45 – 5:15 pm
Current budget cuts are connecting universities and communities to seek creative ways to work together on real estate projects for the benefits of both groups. These partnerships have the ability to leverage each group's asset for a maximum return on the development. This session will examine how universities and communities can work together on real estate projects that create linkages, provide services and generate revenue for both groups.

New Life to Old Developments
Tuesday, September 28
4:00 - 5:30 pm
As a result of the recent recession, many businesses closed up, leaving behind vacant buildings and store fronts. While not yet blighted, these vacancies can negatively impact the community. By taking a proactive approach, these properties can be revived to build new businesses and jobs. Speakers in this session will discuss methods to revitalize vacant properties for business and job creation.

SUGGESTED TOUR HIGHLIGHT:

Tour: Bringing Life Back to Downtown Columbus (A 2-hour walking tour) ($)
Tuesday, September 28
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Price: $45
In 2001, the City of Columbus embarked on a process to revitalize its downtown in time for the City's Bicentennial in 2012. A private, non-profit development corporation – the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation – was created to implement the plan's five core strategies: 1) Increase downtown living; 2) Stabilize the downtown office market; 3) Concentrate new mixed-use development in key, designated areas; 4) Create a riverfront park and promenade; and 5) Improve parking and the movement of cars, transit and people. Since 2002, 5,000 housing units have been built, are under construction or in the pipeline, office vacancy rates have been reduced to 14.7% from 26% while a million square feet of office space was added.

View the conference program: http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Program.html

Expert speakers: http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Speakers.html

Register today: http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Registration.html