Conference registration is now open for the 15th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, which will be held on February 11-13, 2016 in Portland, OR. Early-bird rates are available now through December 4^th.

The multi-disciplinary program will include more than 80 sessions — plenaries, breakouts, focused trainings, experiential learning opportunities, and implementation workshops — and will feature practical tools and innovative strategies for creating great communities.

Tours of Model Projects — The program also includes 14 exciting optional tours featuring smart growth development projects from around the region — by bus, light rail, bike, and foot! These will take place Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Pre- Conference Events Planned — Don’t miss your chance to attend the 3rd installment of the highly successHealthy, Equitable Food Systems preconference workshop held in conjunction with the annual New Partners conference. This dynamic half-day workshop will be held Wednesday (2/10) from 1:30-6:00, and will communities across the country that are recognizing food systems as critical elements of efforts to promote healthy, equitable and resilient places. Pre-registration and a nominal fee are required.

Smart Growth in Nature's Wonderland- The Columbia River Gorge— Add this exciting daylong tour to your conference registration! Participants will head out to the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and hear from Columbia Gorge Commission staff about some of the ongoing challenges they are facing. The tour also features visits to two distinct towns — Hood River and The Dalles — where participants will hear of their downtown revitalization efforts and of recent proposals from development interests to expand their urban growth boundaries. Tribal representatives will talk about the role that Native American tribes play along the river where they have lived for 12,000 years, and we will visit a historic Native fishing site. Preregistration and a nominal fee are required.

Other Special Features — PlaceMatters is once again producing an Interactive Technology Fair during the conference, on Friday, February 12^th. Parklets 4.0, led by the ASLA, will provide an indoor urban greening experience throughout the event for attendees to enjoy. An educational Pub Crawl has also been added to the conference — where participants will hear from local hop farmers and local brewery owners about how the local microbrewery industry in the region has played an important economic development role in community revitalization.

Accreditation — The LGC is pursuing continuing education accreditation for several sessions for AICP planners and landscape architects.

Hotel Reservations — The deadline to receive the group room rate of $151 (single or double occupancy) at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower is January 18, 2016. Make your reservations by calling 1-800-445-8667 and indicate you are attending the New Partners Conference.

Visit www.NewPartners.org for more detailed information on the conference program, tours of model projects, special events, invited speakers, hotel and transportation information, and to REGISTER NOW! 

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