ILAPA News BURST! 2006 Upper Midwest Four State Conference

2006 Upper Midwest Four State Conference

	The 2006 Upper Midwest Four State Conference is quickly approaching. This year Illinois hosts the conference which is scheduled for October 4-6, 2006 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, IL. The other states that comprise the “Four State” conference are Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The conference is entitled “Great Planning Begins at Home” and is organized to showcase great planning efforts that are happening in all four states. The conference will have multiple “tracts” with several mobile workshops. A highlight of the conference is a morning training session on the APA Communications Plan teaching planners how to better speak with the media and how to frame issues from the planner’s perspective. Other session highlights include several tracts on social planning issues, planning for renewable energy and food systems planning. Several tracts also focus on downtown revitalization and economic development. You will be motivated with a keynote address from John McCarron from the Chicago Tribute and luncheon speeches from recent APA Press author Roger Waldon, FAICP and APA Board member Bruce Knight, FAICP. As you would expect, the conference is also packed full of opportunities for fun and relaxation including the opening reception at the historic Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles and a Friday afternoon golf outing. Learn at the conference, relax at the resort, network with other planners, and just plan on having a great experience in St. Charles! Registration information is available at http://www.ilapa.org/2006conf_reg.html. If your firm or company is interested in being a sponsor of the conference there are several sponsorship opportunities. Check out the sponsorship website at http://www.ilapa.org/2006conf_sponsor.html or contact Christy Sabdo at 630-208-3320 for sponsor opportunities. See you in October!

	Rob Kowalski, AICP Upper Midwest Four State Conference Co-Chair 102 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820 Phone: 217.403.8800 Rob.Kowalski@ci.champaign.il.us