Registration Now Open for 12th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference

Online, January 23, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Registration is now open for the 12th Annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference which will take place at the Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico, June 11-13, 2014, emphasizing the theme "Economic Engines of Preservation." Registrations are accepted on-line at www.azpreservation.com.

This annual conference will draw hundreds from around the country and abroad to explore various aspects of historic preservation that include archaeology, architecture, city planning, rural economic development, sustainability, sense of place, cultural resource management, commercial and residential structure preservation and rehabilitation, archival research, historic photography, cultural tourism, project management, funding sources, and legislation updates. The speaker line-up consists of scholars, consultants, architects, archaeologists, city planners, authors, government officials, legislators, and historians.

This year the preservation community will analyze not only how historic preservation and sustainability function jointly as an economic engine, but also how they benefit as a result of other economic catalysts. Through case studies, white papers, and project management examples from businesses, communities, and government agencies, presenters will demonstrate how preservation efforts affect the economy through cultural tourism, economic development, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, revitalization, job creation and much more, emphasizing the fundamental business case for historic preservation.

Keynote presenters and session leaders from Europe, Great Britain, North America and the Caribbean will be among those contributing to the training and development of historic preservationists attending the conference. Arizona elected officials, candidates, non-profit leaders, business owners, and other government officials will also offer sessions and presentations. Arizona's Secretary of State Ken Bennett will present a keynote review of the new World War II Memorial that opened recently in Phoenix. Former City of Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman will present his methodologies for successful historic preservation project fundraising and project management in Tempe. Harvard professor and Cuban urban planning expert Julio Cesar Perez-Hernandez will discuss the economic benefits of historic preservation in Old Havana. Daniel Bluestone, renowned author, architect, and professor at the University of Virginia will present his perspectives on historic preservation and urbanism. Grant-writing expert Dr. Beverly Browning will conduct a half-day workshop on successful grant seeking and writing. Representatives from Memoires du Patrimoine, a French historic preservation organization based in Paris, will present their latest advances in cultural heritage applications for smart-phone technology. Tribal Historic Preservation Officers will also gather to discuss cultural resource management issues in the Southwest.

The Preservation Awards will be the focal event of the conference. The 32nd Annual Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Awards, presented by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Arizona Preservation Foundation, recognize people, organizations, and projects that represent outstanding achievements in preserving Arizona's prehistoric and historic resources. The 28th Annual Governor's Awards in Public Archaeology are also presented at the event. These awards, selected by the Governor's Archaeology Advisory Commission, recognize excellence in archaeological awareness, conservation and education. The awards make the conference more than a venue to learn, debate and network, but also a celebration of outstanding historic preservation efforts and achievements.

The annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference is developed and orchestrated jointly by Arizona State Parks, the (AZ) State Historic Preservation Office, the National Park Service, the Arizona Preservation Foundation, the Arizona Historical Society, and the Arizona Archaeological Council. The host city partner for 2014 is Rio Rico / Nogales, Arizona. The conference is underwritten in part by Arizona State Parks, the State Historic Preservation Office, the National Park Service, the City of Nogales, Nogales Community Development Corporation, the Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico, Arizona Lottery, Logan Simpson Design, HistoricStreetscapes, Local First Arizona, Concord General Contracting, Florence Preservation Foundation, City of Tempe, Statistical Research Inc., BWS Architects, Rio Salado Foundation, Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, and Spectra Company.

The conference actively seeks sponsors and financial partners who have a vested interest in the historic preservation movement and industry. For sponsorship and partnership information, please contact [email protected].