NLC helps cities maximize theft resources with sustainable practices.

Upcoming NLC conferences--the 2008 Congress of Cities and Exposition and the 2009 Green Cities Conference--will provide cities with distinct, yet complementary opportunities to maximize sustainability concepts to better manage their resources and ensure the ongoing prosperity of their communities.

A poll of attendees taken during the 2007 Congress of Cities found that 83 percent of participating cities were either working on a sustainability plan or considering what they needed to do.

Local governments have always been responsible for managing resources and thinking about the future. Now, there is a new context, new terminology and a new way of thinking about these issues that can help cities do what they need to do.

For cities just getting started, there is a lot of information to assimilate. If a city is already well into sustainability planning, they are finding there is always more to be done and more to learn. NLC distills the available information and helps point cities in the right direction. Through its conferences, the organization is channeling a wealth of knowledge about sustainability and how it can be best utilized by cities.

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The Congress of Cities program will provide both the big picture concept that cities ought to be thinking about as well as specific examples of promising initiatives. At the Green Cities Conference, the goal is not to just share ideas but to solidify plans, share best practices and create a network both of teams within cities and of peers networking across the Country.

Programming at both conferences will be complementary. NLC will not be repeating the content or subjects. NLC has chosen this year to expand its programming around green based sustainability for a variety of reasons.

"NLC has found that the overwhelming majority of cities are thinking about sustainability, and they want to do the right thing," explained Ken Rosenfeld, director of NLC's sustainability efforts.

Additional external factors are also driving the increased acceptance of green cities practices as essential city practices.

There is a confluence of events and circumstances for cities: The national economy is sluggish; energy prices are through the roof. Thinking sustainably provides many solutions for dealing with the effects of these converging forces on cities.

"Being green is not just about the environment; it's about managing resources, being fiscally responsible, looking out for the health and welfare of every citizen," Rosenfeld said. "Thinking sustainably can address a lot of challenges cities experience at the local level."

Cities are being leaders and are getting good results and can now show that there are benefits to be had both environmentally and financially to being green.

2008 Congress of Cities and Exposition

At the 2008 Congress of Cities to be held November 1115 in Orlando, Fla., NLC will offer something for both those who are new to the topic and those who are already engaged and looking for their next step. And like the Green Cities Conference to be held April 19-21, 2009, in Portland, Ore., the conference will draw on examples and expertise from around the world.

Cities that are taking action are filling a sense of responsibility by sharing their experiences with other cities.

At the Congress of Cities, attendees will find ideas that every attendee can bring home to their cities. "Brighten Up Bluffton," for example, is a program implemented by Bluffton, Ind., that placed compact fluorescent light bulbs in every home in the community. The result was heightened energy awareness in the community.

"The program came about through the National League of Cities and its involvement with the Canadian Federation of Municipalities," said Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis. "NLC has helped our community look beyond state or national borders for innovative programs and solutions."

Advance registration rates are available for the 2008 Congress of Cities through September 30. Rates run from $500 for NLC members and associate members, $610 for state municipal league members and $735 for non-members. Register and get more information at www.NLCCongressofCities.org.

2009 Green Cities Conference & Expo

Programming at the 2009 Green Cities Conference and Expo will include information about a wide variety of topics including:

* creating a sustainability plan,

* finding cost-saving measures,

* cutting carbon emissions and

* preparing for climate change.

Registration for the 2009 Green Cities Conference will open in mid-August. The early bird rate through October 30 will be $375 for members, $430 for non-members and $150 student rate. A team rate discount, for groups of three or more from the same organization, is available. Get more information at www.NLCGreenCitiesConferenceandExpo.org.

2008 Congress of Cities Mobile Workshop Schedule, Registration Available

To register for Mobile Workshops to be held during the 2008 Congress of Cities in Orlando, Fla., delegates must first be registered for the conference. The Mobile Workshop registration is then made available on the online registration form.

Registrants can only register for Mobile Workshops online.

For more information, send an e-mail to conference@nlc.org.

Wednesday, November 12

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

* Extreme Makeover Orlando: Downtown Edition

* Home is Where the Heart Is: Housing in Orlando

* Orlando Hidden Treasures: What You Don't See is What You Get

1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

* Green Works Orlando: City and Region Specific Action to Make a Cleaner, Greener Orlando

* A City of Neighborhoods: Engaging Citizens in Revitalization and New Urbanism

* It Takes a Village: Orlando Rises to the Challenge of Outreach to the City's Youth and Future

* Orlando is Booming: Diversifying the Economy Through Strategic Community Partnerships

Thursday, November 13

1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

* It Takes a Village: Orlando Rises to the Challenge of Outreach to the City's Youth and Future

* Extreme Makeover Orlando: Downtown Edition

1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

* Small Towns, Big Future: The Rural Side of Our Thriving Region

* A City of Neighborhoods: Engaging Citizens in Revitalization and New Urbanism

Friday, November 14

1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

* Extreme Makeover Orlando: Downtown Edition

* Green Works Orlando: City and Region Specific Action to Make a Cleaner, Greener Orlando

* The Magic of Orlando Arts

* Orlando Hidden Treasures: What You Don't See is What You Get

1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

* Home is Where the Heart Is: Housing in Orlando

* Orlando is Booming: Diversifying the Economy Through Strategic Community Partnerships

* Small Towns, Big Future: The Rural Side of Our Thriving Region