Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Institute for Urban Research (IUR) will co-sponsor the 19th annual Regional Neighborhood Conference. The St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) hosts the event Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Harris-Stowe State University Givens Campus. Creating resilient neighborhoods and a thriving region will be the conference’s focus.
This year’s theme, “Strong Neighborhoods: Regional Prosperity,” emphasizes the potential for assuring a thriving future for the region through creating resilient neighborhoods. The event offers practical information about implementing programs and projects designed to renew neighborhoods and build critical partnerships among community, civic, political and business leaders.
A special feature of the conference will honor St. Louis’ 250th birthday. Community members are invited to enter the “250 Ways to Improve Your Neighborhood” contest on SLACO’s website. Conference attendees will choose the grand prizewinner.
Nominations for the inaugural year of the Neighborhood Heroes awards also are open on the website.
The event will take place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sign-in and networking begins at 8 a.m. with the opening session starting at 8:45 a.m.
Conference attendees will choose three breakout sessions from among the following overall categories:
- Health and safety
- Building place
- Building capacity among neighborhood leaders and organizations
- Revitalization tools
- The neighborhoods-regional prosperity linkage
- Collective impact, collaboration and partnerships
Participants will share informal lunch conversation with an outstanding regional leader of their choice. Exhibitors will include organizations that work to promote urban revitalization, neighborhood stabilization and alleviation of poverty.
The full program also is available on the website and will be continuously updated as speakers are confirmed.
The $25 registration fee covers the cost of a continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Registration is open at slaconeighborhoods.eventbrite.com, or by calling 314-361-9406. Participants should register by Tuesday, October 28.
About St. Louis Association of Community Organizations(SLACO):
St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) is a 35-year-old coalition of the neighborhood associations in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Its signature event is the annual neighborhoods conference. Other programs include the monthly neighborhood roundtable for member organizations and All-Neighborhood Forums open to the public, occurring when issues of interest to many neighborhoods arise in the community. In addition, SLACO has partnered with CF. Vatterott and others to develop nearly 500 units of housing in the City of St. Louis. As a demonstration of commitment to its own vicinity, SLACO manages programs for West End residents in the Etzel Community Center. For more Information, contact Nancy Thompson 314-361-9406, 314-335-7152 or nthompson@slaco-mo.org.