IAP2 International Annual Conference

Top 10 Reasons to Attend the IAP2 International Annual Conference in San Diego on September 21 – 23, 2009:

1. Opportunity to network with your peers
2. Quality programming, more than 70 presentations
3. State-of-the-industry topics – Keep current on P2 trends
4. Economical – budget-friendly. Take advantage of early bird registration. Airfares are at historic lows, check www.kayak.com or www.wholesaleflights.com and any of the major airlines web sites
5. Pre-conference training available
6. Bring the family and take advantage of low off-season specials on all the attractions
7. Interesting field trips and movies
8. Invest in yourself, your career, your industry and your future
9. Core Values Awards Dinner
10. Variety of convenient sessions (1 and 2-hour)

Making Sustainable Decisions, Theme of 2009
International Association for Public Participation International Conference

How do you make sustainable decisions? The answer to this and other thought provoking questions are part of the 17th Annual International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Conference to be held in San Diego, CA, September 21-23, 2009. During this three-day conference held at the Westin San Diego on Broadway, more than 70 presentations, a keynote luncheon and trade show exhibitors will explore the many facets of sustainable decision-making. Conference sessions are geared for beginner, intermediate, and advanced practitioners in public participation. Here are some highlights of topics and presenters:

• Marine Protection presented by Peter Halmay, co-chair of the Fisherman’s Working Group in San Diego
• Facebook: Fad or Future? presented by Martin J. Cowling, People First – Total Solutions
• Community Forums presented by Janet D. Fiero, Ph.D. & Jesse Sostrin, Ph.D., AmericaSpeaks
• Sustainable Conversations presented by DeAnna Martin, Center for Wise Democracy
• Outreaching Partnering in Africa presented by Claire R. Mendelsohn, US Air Force Western
• Regional Environmental Office
• Dare to Dream! Exploring a New Era of Public Engagement presented by Sandy Heierbacher, National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation, Myriam Laberge and Brenda Chaddock, Masterful Facilitation Institute

Registration is now open for the conference at www.iap2.org. Early bird conference cost for members is $560 and cost for non members $660. “The 2009 IAP2 conference will provide the opportunity to discuss the multiple facets of sustainability. In a kind of double entendre, we want to explore the state of the art both in terms of how to make decisions that reflect sustainability principles, as well as, how to make decisions that are themselves “sustainable,” IAP2 President Anne Pattillo.

For more information about the International Association for Public Participation and the conference, visit www.iap2.org or call 800.644.4273.