Appleton – Community and rural development leaders from across the world will gather in Appleton from June 17-20, 2007 for “Discover the Magic of Community: History, Change and Regional Development,” a highly interactive conference hosted by the international Community Development Society, the National Rural Development Partnership, and Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc., Wisconsin’s state rural development council.
A unique feature of the conference is the “mobile learning workshops” segment, where participant groups travel to communities throughout the region to learn first-hand about successful community projects. Regional initiatives that will be featured include the Fox River impacts on Appleton, Neenah and Menasha; Menominee Tribal Enterprises; Door County economic revitalization, Buy Local, Farm-Direct Local Sustainable Foods, and several others.
Headquartered at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton, the three-day conference agenda is packed with stimulating keynote presentations by David Dodson, Irma Tyler-Wood, Michael Perry and Kelly Hawke Baxter, as well as dozens of on-site workshops on the latest research, policy and practices in community development. The agenda also features Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiatives awards program, and several Wisconsin hospitality events including a Wisconsin Tailgate party at the Paper Discovery Center. Participants will be welcomed by Appleton mayor Tim Hanna at the conference opening Monday morning.
“This is an exciting, affordable opportunity for community leaders in Wisconsin to experience a high caliber conference,” according to Wisconsin Rural Partners executive director Kelly Haverkampf. “We are proud to be showcasing Wisconsin’s New North region to the nation and the world. Wisconsin residents have a rare opportunity to meet, network, and gain ideas from others who work in communities from around the world. Elected officials, business leaders, educators and community volunteers will find great value in the conference. We hope Fox Valley and Wisconsin residents will take advantage of the affordable conference rates and join us in Appleton.”
Complete conference information and online registration is available at www.comm-dev.org. Complete conference registration including all events and meals is $350 for Wisconsin Rural Partners and Community Development Society Members, or $400 for non-members. Single day registrations are available for $150.
