• Draft Agenda (Oct. 10, 2012)
• Join the webinar
• Map and Directions

Sponsored by the Statewide Public Advisory Council for Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern Program

Overview
The workshop will bring together leaders from Michigan’s 14 Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) to discuss opportunities and showcase resources and techniques that can help AOC communities leverage remediation and restoration efforts to accelerate environmental and economic revitalization. This includes sustaining environmental stewardship; integrating watershed restoration with sustainable economic growth; and developing a long-term vision that celebrates freshwater resources and coastal amenities as key ingredients for building a high quality of life for coastal communities.

Agenda
The workshop agenda will include presentations that showcase innovative initiatives to link environmental restoration and economic revitalization. In addition, experts in the field of community “branding” will discuss what it means to “re-brand” a community to celebrate and leverage unique local amenities. Representatives from Michigan’s AOCs will identify opportunities and resources to advance revitalization in their community.

Who Should Attend
The workshop is intended for parties working to clean up Michigan AOCs, as well as partners who can help advance revitalization in AOC communities. This includes members of AOC advisory councils, public agencies, environmental and conservation organizations, foundations, colleges and universities, economic development/tourism officials and other interested parties.

Date and Location
The workshop will be held Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the Four Points Sheraton Kalamazoo, 3600 East Cork Street Court, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 (http://www.fourpointskalamazoo.com).

Registration
The workshop registration fee is $35 and includes lunch, breaks, and all conference materials. Registration for the workshop is closed. Please contact Erika Jensen (734-971-9135, ejensen@glc.org) for more information.

Lodging
A block of overnight rooms for the nights of Wed., Oct. 24 and Thurs., Oct. 25 has been reserved at the Four Points Sheraton Kalamazoo. Rooms are available at a rate of $89.00/night. To make a reservation, please call the Sheraton reservations line at 866-961-3003 and request the "Great Lakes Commission" room block. The room block will be released on October 19, after which rooms will be provided on a space-available basis.

Contact
For more information on the workshop, or to request the agenda and registration materials, contact Matt Doss, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135, mdoss@glc.org.

For background on the Statewide Public Advisory Council and Michigan’s Great Lakes Areas of Concern program, visit the Council website at www.glc.org/spac.