Plain Talk Conference April 28th: Early Registration Extended!

Register HereRegistration has been extended for the third “Plain Talk” Conference, focusing on important issues in the 16-county region. Featured speakers and panelists will explore best practices and practical case studies for place-making, broadband expansion, community sustainability, utilizing green spaces and roads.

In past decades, the ‘road’ to economic prosperity for any community – rural to urban – centered on just that… the development of physically constructed multi-lane roadways. Today, maintaining traditional infrastructure remains critical, but we can also focus on digital connectivity and a wider view of what sustainable infrastructure entails for communities that will competitively thrive 20, 30 and 50 years or more into the future.

Speakers will include:
• Whitney Kimball Coe of the Center for Rural Strategies, who will speak to the lack of broadband, a key barrier for most rural communities
• Robert Gibbs of Gibbs Planning Group, who will present new trends and research in creating economic growth and how communities can compete for both employment centers and major population groups as well as integrate better walkability and transportation planning
• Billy Hattaway of the Florida Department of Transportation, who will present the case for the new transportation paradigm, inclusive of bike/pedestrian safety and “complete streets”
• Gary Toth of Transportation Initiatives, who will uncover ways to turn transportation planning upside-down, including guidance for how communities can build excitement and public support for projects.

Also speaking, TN Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner/ Chief of Environment and Planning “Toks” Omishakin, and Assistant Commissioner of Rural Development Amy New. A local panel will also discuss success stories in our East Tennessee region.

Registration has been extended. The registration is $60. (elected officials and planning commissioners pay only $50). Go online at tinyurl.com/PlainTalk2016. Elected and appointed local government officials, including planners and planning commission members, are eligible for 4 hours of continuing education credits.

The East TN Quality Growth Program Committee would like to thank our sponsors including Alcoa Inc., City of Alcoa, City of Knoxville, City of Maryville, City of Oak Ridge, Clayton Homes, DENSO, East Tennessee Foundation, Gresham Smith & Partners, Knoxville TPO, Barge Waggener, Mary Beth West Communications, S&ME and Tennova.

Please join us on April 28th. Together, we can build healthy and livable communities by coordinating infrastructure, land-use and transportation projects and by connecting our region through modern communication technologies.