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Contact: Alan Fogg, afogg@fceda.org,
703-790-0600 (office) or 571-213-5065 (mobile)
Is your community cool? Civic leaders to speak at the 2007 National Conference on the Creative Economy
Leaders of Michigan and Massachusetts initiatives join accomplished lineup at October 24-25 forum in Fairfax County, Virginia; “Early bird” registration rates end July 31
Fairfax County, Virginia USA, July 27, 2007—Karen
M. Gagnon, director of Michigan’s “Cool Cities” initiative,
and John Barrett III, mayor of North Adams, Mass., which has
experienced a resurgence thanks to the arts, will speak at
the 2007 National Conference on the Creative Economy, set for
October 24-25, 2007, in Fairfax County.
“Early bird” registration rates for the
conference end July 31. To register, and take advantage of
this reduced rate, please visit: www.creativeeconomies.org.
Gagnon and Barrett will join a panel entitled “How
Creative Communities Can Help Build a Diversified Local Economy.” Gagnon
helped develop the Cool Cities Initiative for the Department
of Labor and Economic Growth in Michigan and established the
multi-state agency Cool Cities Coordinating Team. In 2004
she also helped launch the Cool Cities Pilot program, which
includes 102 state-wide award designations and priority access
to an innovative State Resource Toolbox.
Barrett has been mayor of North Adams since 1984 and
is the longest-serving mayor in Massachusetts. He has
overseen the city’s transformation from a single industry-based
economy to a multi-business model, and has been the driving
force behind artistic space development in the city. An
important factor has been the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary
Art (MassMoCA ), which was built on a reclaimed and beautifully
restored North Adams factory site.
The 2007 National Conference on the Creative Economy will
examine the role that a strong, creative workforce plays in
the growth and success of businesses and communities in an
information-based economy.
The conference also will feature compelling keynote speakers:
Professor Richard Florida, author of “The Rise of the
Creative Class” and “The Flight of the Creative
Class;” Pulitzer Prize winner, New York Times columnist
Thomas L. Friedman, author of “The World is Flat;” and
Alvin Toffler, author of “Future Shock,” “The
Third Wave” and “Revolutionary Wealth.”
Visit www.creativeeconomies.org for
detailed program information.
To date, sponsors of the 2007 National Conference on the
Creative Economy are FORTUNE, the Fairfax County government,
the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, The Push
Group LLC, Siddall and the International City/County Management
Association. Sponsorship information is available at www.creativeeconomies.org.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org)
promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center.
The FCEDA maintains marketing offices in Silicon Valley, Bangalore,
Frankfurt, London, Seoul and Tel Aviv.
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