Highlights:

Keynote "Economy, Ecology, and Energy: Enabling Quality Growth" presented by Daniel Williams, FAIA, APA, Fellow of the American Institue of Architecture (AIA)

"The Critical Role of Local Government in Promoting Quality Growth," presented by Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr., with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters and invited guest Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior for Policy and International Affairs Christopher Kearney.

Regional Dialog: The conference participants work in facilitated groups to identify the region's key development issues and what solutions are right for East Tennessee.

Plain Talk on Quality Growth 137 S. Gay Street Knoxville, TN 37902 telephone: (865) 524-0270, ext. 12 fax: (865) 524-0930 email: info@etqg.org Early bird registration ($45) ends Thursday. (There are also free pre-conference activities on March 29.)

Concurrent Panel Sessions

1. Markets, Economy and Development How development decisions affect local government costs for services and tax burdens.

2. Community, Environment and Health How stakeholders can collaborate to reverse negative trends affecting the environment and public health; innovative solutions for dealing systemically with air and water quality, sprawl, brownfields, grayfields, and preservation.

3. Transportation and Land Use Broadening transportation options, making better land use choices, impact of growth on rural infrastructure, non-motorized transportation, mass transit, rural and urban perspectives.

4. Sustainable and Healthy Buildings Innovations in design using affordable, proven technologies to minimize environmental impacts, reduce utility bills and local infrastructure costs, create healthier places to live.