This year's engaging pre-conference events, exciting tours of model projects and in-conference networking forums make this "more than a conference." And the conference program itself has over 100 diverse, cutting-edge sessions spanning three full days.

Sign up NOW: Register online before the January 13 deadline. The special $133 room rate at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina is only available until January 11.

Networking forums: The number one reason why participants flock to this event each year is to network with their peers and many others outside their disciplines. This year, the conference organizers are providing several more opportunities within the program for participants to network around timely smart growth issues. These informal gatherings will focus on the unique challenges of smart growth in small towns and rural areas; new federal technical assistance for sustainable communities; an update on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities and future funding opportunities; scenario planning; current economic and growth challenges facing local policymakers; and much more!

Pre-conference workshop on equitable development: Get started a day early "Advancing Equity through Planning: Challenges and Opportunities" - a half-day workshop scheduled for Feb. 1 - This session will draw on the experiences of HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning and Community Challenge grantees to shed light on the barriers and opportunities related to fair and equitable planning. Structured as a working session, the half-day event will highlight and build on the ongoing efforts of 2010 and 2011 grantee teams. Visit the Special Features page of the conference website to get more details on this dynamic workshop. A nominal $18 registration fee applies.

Three-day pre-conference tour: Join walkability expert Dan Burden for an action-packed 3-day tour (Jan. 30-Feb. 1) that will combine travel by walking, trolley and coach bus to explore downtown San Diego, old classic neighborhoods, new neighborhoods, and suburban downtowns. Visit http://www.newpartners.org/features.html to get more details and to register!

Local tours of model projects: Pick from among nine shorter tours on Thursday morning and afternoon, featuring urban infill and community renaissance on Main Street and in Little Italy; exemplary complete streets and road diet successes; a light rail tour of suburban TOD retrofits; smart-growth development for affordable housing; climate change implications for San Diego Bay communities and habitats; innovative efforts focused on public art, parks and access to healthy food; and community-driven revitalization that fosters equitable development and environmental justice (Feb. 2). After the conference, four more tours will walk Downtown streetscapes and public spaces, pedal around public bike options, plug into San Diego's electric vehicle infrastructure, and dig into the benefits of community gardens in underserved communities on Sunday morning (Feb. 5).

Get Lots of Credit: We expect the majority of the 100 conference sessions to be approved for accreditation for several professions: AICP planners, landscape architects, architects and attorneys. Check the website in the coming weeks for details about which sessions have been accredited for which designations.

See the New Partners for Smart Growth conference website. Web link: www.NewPartners.org

For more information contact Michele Warren, Local Government Commission

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