Getting Ready for November

by Tad McGalliard

February 24, 2009

Organizing a conference, the scope and size of Brownfields 2009, takes a long time and countless hours on the part of staff and numerous volunteers.  Much of the preliminary work is completed, however next week a site visit will put the final touches on the planning phase.  From that point forward, beginning in early March and rolling through the summer,  the various elements of the conference--sessions, workshops, special events and more--will be organized and confirmed.  We will be taking ideas for sessions and other educational offerings through May 1, but much of the planning for things like the transaction forum and mobile workshops are already transitioning to an operational phase.

Some of the new ideas that are being kicked around for Brownfields 2009 include more sessions on the "green collar economy and jobs" including the heightened interest in alternative energy strategies for redevelopment and job training.  Other recommendations that we've heard include creating linkages between the redevelopment of sites to the creation of more sustainable communities as well as cleaning up and reusing brownfields as an economic recovery strategy.  Stay tuned to www.brownfields2009.org as all the things that you've come to appreciate about this conference and the many new things that we are planning to do are posted on the website.

This year's exhibit hall sales are off to a great start and we're ahead of pace from previous years in getting folks signed up.  Recognizing that the trade show is a key element of the conference we're planning even more events in the hall that will enable attendees to network, develop relationships, and engage in the business of brownfields.  Thank you to all of the firms that have already picked a spot in the exhibit hall.  There are still good spaces on the floor and plenty of time left to get signed up for this most important stop on your brownfields business development calendar.

We probably don't say it enough, but on behalf of folks at ICMA a hearty thank you to everyone from New Orleans and throughout the gulf coast that has dedicated many volunteer hours and will contribute many more in the months ahead.  Your support is greatly appreciated and we're confident that even in these strange economic times, this year's National Brownfields Conference is going to be a tremendous success.