Annual Training Conference Updates

Ready or not, NADO’s 2008 Annual Training Conference begins in just over a week.  Over 600 rural and regional economic develop policy makers and practitioners will convene in Anchorage for five days of exciting mobile workshops, program area networking forums, best practice sessions, learning labs for executive directors and policy officials and general plenary sessions.  There will also be a special reception to recognize the 2008 NADO Innovation Award winners in the hotel’s Top of the World restaurant, a kick-off the conference with a buffet dinner featuring live music and the annual President’s Awards Dinner that will close the conference. 

Visit www.nado.org/conference_files/program08.pdf  for a copy of the program.  A printed version will be available at the conference registration desk, which will be located on the second floor of the Anchorage Hilton, just outside the Alaska Ballroom.

Important Note about Mobile Workshops on Friday and Saturday
Three of the mobile workshops will be day-long adventures out of Anchorage; each one has a tight schedule, therefore, buses will need to leave the hotel lobby at the exact time indicated in the program and on the workshop tickets.  Those registered for the Talkeetna, Kenai Peninsula and Seward Highway workshops must arrive on schedule. 

Conference registration will be open on Thursday, October 2 from 4 – 7 pm.  It is recommended that anyone attending a mobile workshop on Friday, register and collect their conference materials on Thursday if possible.  Registration will also be open on Friday, October 3 from 7 am until 5 pm.

Kenai Peninsula: Microcosm of Alaska’s Economy:  Participants will meet in the Hilton Hotel lobby no later than 7:45 am.  Buses are scheduled to depart at 8 am.  They should bring their tickets (tickets will be in the conference registration envelope) with them.  Please dress comfortably and warmly; be sure to wear closed toe shoes, sneakers or boots.  Attendees will be getting on and off the bus several times, so please dress for comfort!  Lunch will be provided in Kenai and water and snacks will be available on the buses.  The buses will return to the hotel between 5:00 and 5:30 pm.

Talkeetna: Thriving Gateway Community: Participants will meet in the Hilton Hotel lobby no later than 8:45 am. The bus is scheduled to depart at 9 am.  They should bring their ticket (tickets will be in the conference registration envelope) with them.  Please dress comfortably and warmly; be sure to wear closed toe shoes, sneakers or boots.  Attendees will be getting on and off the bus several times, so please dress for comfort!  Lunch will be provided at the beautiful Talkeetna Lodge and water and snacks will be available on the bus.  The bus will return to the hotel between 5:00 and 5:30 pm.

Seward Highway: Merging Scenic Byways with Economic Development: Participants will meet in the Hilton Hotel lobby no later than 8:30 am and the buses are scheduled to depart at 9 am and 9:15 am.  They should bring their ticket (tickets will be in the conference registration envelope) with them.  Please dress comfortably and warmly; be sure to wear closed toe shoes, sneakers or boots.  Attendees will be getting on and off the bus several times, so please dress for comfort!  Lunch will be provided at the Portage Glacier Lodge and water and snacks will be available on the buses.  The buses will return to the hotel between 4:00 and 4:15 pm.

APA has Approved Eight Conference Sessions for AICP Certification Maintenance
Eight sessions, each valued at one credit, have been approved by the American Planning Association for Certification Maintenance (CM) credit.  This is the first time that sessions offered at NADO’s Annual Conference are part of the APA CM program.  Each session is worth one CM credit.  The eight sessions are:

• Power to the People: Developing a Regional Strategic Vision for Renewable and Alternative Energy
• Transportation Opportunities for Joining the Global Economy
• Emergency Preparedness/Homeland Security
• Charting the Course for Regional Water Supply and Quality
• Mapping the Next Wave of GIS Technology
• Sustainability: The Future of Brownfields
• Regional Air Quality Programs: A Breath of Fresh Air
• Coordinating Investments: Transportation and Your CEDS

Roundtable Discussion Groups Open to All Conference Participants
On Saturday, October 4, five policy roundtable discussion groups will meet in Anchorage.  All conference attendees are encouraged to attend.  Full details can be found in the conference program.  In the meantime, here are some highlights:

Community and Economic Development Policy Roundtable (9:00 – 10:20 am, Aleutian Room): Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council Executive Director Jim Mylott will lead this discussion which will include an update on applicable appropriations and authorization activity from Jason Boehlert, NADO Legislative Director. 

NADO Research Foundation (9:00 – 10:20 am, Prince William Room):  Sage Community Resources President Kathleen Simko will lead a discussion about NADO’s educational programming and solicit ideas and suggestions for future events.  NADO Deputy Executive Director Laurie Thompson will provide an update on Research Foundation program activities.

Homeland Security/Emergency Management (9:00 – 10:20 am, Lupine Room): Wendell Lawrence, Executive Director of the Lincoln Trail ADD, will lead this discussion about prevailing legislation as well as regional council and state collaboration on homeland security and emergency management.  John Madden, Director of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, will join the group and share information about the state’s programs.  NADO Legislative Representative Amy Linehan will provide a legislative update.

Transportation (10:30 – 11:45 am, Lupine Room):  Terry Bobrowski, Executive Director of the East Tennessee Development District, will lead a discussion about state transportation.  Legislative Director Jason Boehlert will provide an update on NADO’s transportation policy agenda.

Farm Bill/Rural Development (10:30 – 11:45 am, Aleutian Room):  Southwest RDC Executive Director Jay Trusty and NADO Legislative Representative Amy Linehan will lead this discussion, which will include an update from Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Rural Development Tim McNielly (via phone).

Special Learning Labs on Sunday for Executive Directors and Regional Council Board Members
Don’t forget there are two special sessions on Sunday, October 5, from 9:30 am until 12 noon.  There will be a Policy Officials Learning Lab (meeting in the Denali Room) which will address the fundamental responsibilities of board members; and an Executive Directors Learning Lab (meeting in the Aleutian Room) which will cover “Seven Significant Issues Facing Regional Councils.”  There is no extra charge to attend either session.

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