The conference program has over 100 diverse, cutting-edge sessions spanning three full days, plus exciting pre- and post-conference activities, including 12 tours of model projects. The 2011 conference also offers several new and exciting features that make this event one that is not-to-be-missed.

Two day-long, pre-conference workshops: Get started a day early "Achieving Equitable Development" focuses on capacity building by empowering neighborhood and community-based organizations to engage on growth and development issues in their neighborhoods, communities and regions. Key sessions include equitable development policy and trends, issues facing small towns and rural areas, financing equitable development, and how community groups can work with local, state and federal government agencies.

Zoning codes can be smart growth's worst enemy – or its best friend. Fourteen leading smart-growth practitioners, led by renowned urbanist Andrés Duany, explore "How to Achieve your Smart Growth Goals through Zoning Code Reform." Learn about the timely and cost-effective ways cities have to get from sprawl-inducing conventional zoning to comprehensive coding for creating healthy, walkable communities.

Provocative Plenaries: In "Financing Smart Growth: Opportunities and Challenges for Reinvesting in Our Communities," real estate, development and finance experts, including former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, kick off the conference by examining our country's current economic conditions, how the market for smart growth may fare as financial realities change over time, and how financial investment and private-sector leadership can sustain smart-growth successes.

In "Smart Growth and Rural America," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (invited) talks about how smart growth is fostering sustainable communities and economic development opportunities in rural communities nationwide, followed by a distinguished response panel of rural development experts and small town community leaders.

"Smart Growth and the New Green Economy" describes how smart-growth approaches to housing, transportation and energy will help build our green economy, provide green jobs and address local budget problems.

AICP Accreditation: The LGC expects most of the conference sessions to be approved for AICP accreditation. Information as to which sessions will be accredited will be posted online in December.

Conference Registration and Hotel Reservations: Register online now, and before the January 14 deadline. The special $95 room rate at the Westin Charlotte Hotel is only available until January 10.

See the New Partners for Smart Growth conference web site for more information: www.NewPartners.org

For more information contact:
Michele Warren, Local Government Commission

1303 J St., Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95814 US
phone: 916-448-1198 ext. 308; email: [email protected]