What are Brownfields?

Brownfields are rural or urban industrial commercial sites that are abandoned or underused because of real or perceived contamination.  Communities across the country face the challenge of putting these idle sites back to work, from old industrial cities with thousands of acres of abandoned factories to rural villages built around derelict mines or timber mills.  Brownfields are a valuable community resource that through redevelopment and reuse could easily bring important benefits to many economically depressed communities or serve as the centerpiece in comprehensive redevelopment strategies.

Addressing the Need - What Is the National Brownfields Conference?

The National Brownfields Conference is the largest, most comprehensive conference focused on cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned, underutilized, and potentially contaminated properties in the nation.  There is no better deal in the redevelopment marketplace than Brownfields 2008. Why?  Because registration is free, and by signing up you gain access to more than 130 educational and learning opportunities, outstanding plenary sessions, 200 exhibitors, scores of networking events, special training sessions, film screenings, book signings, and much, much more. 

There are plenty of ways that individuals and organizations can take advantage of all the educational and networking opportunities that Brownfields 2008 will present.  Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of economic and environmental redevelopment, or a seasoned professional looking to make new connections and increase your business Brownfields 2008 offers something for you.

Who should attend? 

• Local, state, and federal government leaders

• Federal and state contractors

• Financial and insurance providers and risk management practitioners

• Economic development officials and community development organizations

• Environmental and civil engineers, planners and public works officials

• Information technology professionals

• Academic institutions & students

• Real estate developers and investors

• Attorneys

What else can attendees expect from the National Brownfields Conference?

An Open Call for Ideas

With nearly 6,000 attendees the U.S. EPA and ICMA co-sponsored National Brownfields Conference is the premier event of its kind. To create an exceptional educational experience, we welcome your perspectives on the most important issues facing brownfields practitioners, policy makers, communities and companies.

Send us your abstracts, proposals for complete sessions, or simply an idea that you think ought to be considered for this year's conference.  The call for ideas will open from April 9 to October 12 so there is plenty of time to submit ideas. 

Excellent Exhibit Hall and Trade Show

The largest annual gathering of redevelopment and revitalization practitioners also features a dynamic exhibit hall and lively trade show.  If your organization is a product or service provider, government agency, or just an organization looking to connect with thousands of decision makers, then the National Brownfields Conference is the premier business development marketplace for you. 

Opportunities to Participate! -- Want to show your support for Brownfields 2008?

Consider becoming an official Endorser of the National Brownfields Conference.  Endorsers are companies, organizations and agencies that officially acknowledge the conference as a premier national brownfields event.

As an endorser, ICMA requests that you assist in marketing the conference. This includes sending out marketing materials electronically and helping us distribute physical copies of our marketing materials. In return for your support as an endorser for Brownfields 2008, ICMA will include the name of your organization in select conference materials. ICMA will also create a hypertext link on the Brownfields 2008 Web site to your organization’s home page!

Buying or Selling Brownfields Properties?

If you answered yes, or even if you’re interested in learning about what it takes to make a deal happen in the brownfield marketplace, then we’ve got events for you, from the Brownfields Transaction Forum, to the Exhibit Hall, to special educational sessions focused exclusively on deal making.  Don’t forget the thousands of transaction support professionals that will be in attendance at this year’s conference, so plan to make good use of the exhibit hall and networking time.

For More Information

Sponsorship—Danielle Miller Wagner (dmwagner@icma.org)

Exhibiting—Nancy Monahan (nancy@tbgevents.com)

Educational Programming—Sean Tolliver (stolliver@icma.org)

Cosponsors & Endorsers – Melissa Koenig (mkoenig@icma.org)