Could you use some training on HUD compliance? Do you want to meet community economic development practitioners from other states? How about learning how to support entrepreneurs in your community? You might be in luck – CEDAM staff have key planning roles in three upcoming conferences around the state covering a broad range of training topics.

Even if none of these events is for you, please spread the word to other engaged community members who might be interested. You can also check out CEDAM’s events calendar to see what’s on the horizon from us and our partners.

“Enhancing Community Development By Taking a Bite Out Of Compliance”: 2013 MCDA Annual Conference in Kalamazoo (September 11-13)

The Michigan Community Development Association (MCDA) hosts an annual 3-day conference for HUD and MSHDA funding recipients and their partners. This year’s theme is “Enhancing Community Development by Taking a Bite Out of Compliance;” HUD, MSHDA, for-profit, non-profit and local government speakers will provide training on various aspects of compliance, along with an entire track of sessions on housing rehabilitation best practices.

Along with valuable training, this event provides great networking opportunities including a sit-down dinner at the Rose Street Market, a walking tour of downtown Kalamazoo’s hidden historic properties and a sponsored reception at the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange.

Visit the webpage of the MCDA conference in Kalamazoo or contact Katie Fritz. Early registration deadline: August 19.

“What’s Working”: 7th Annual NACEDA Summit in Detroit (October 2-4)

For the first time in this event’s seven year history, CEDAM’s national partner, the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) will hold their annual summit outside of DC and in Detroit! CEDAM responded to their RFP and is pleased to announce that Michigan was chosen to be the first host. Attendees will hear from experts in financial empowerment, urban agriculture, community benefit agreements, land banks and land trusts. Our keynote will feature Matt Cullen from Rock Ventures, a Quicken Loans subsidiary tasked with redeveloping downtown Detroit. This is our chance to show the rest of the country all of the great things going on in Michigan!

We have an engaging track for staff of community development associations on event planning, technical assistance, and communications; and we are treating attendees to a community tour on the challenging but rewarding work of developing neighborhoods in the Motor City. What’s working in community development? Come to Detroit and find out.

Visit the webpage for the NACEDA summit in Detroit or contact Jamie Schriner-Hooper. Early registration deadline: September 21.

Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities in Marshall (October 3-4)

The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference will be a prime opportunity for communities and local organizations to share successes, invest in new ideas and rekindle their spirit for being active in entrepreneurship their community.

Like the inaugural CEC conference last year in Petoskey, this year’s conference is again co-hosted by MSU Extension and CEDAM’s Microenterprise Network of Michigan (MNM). It runs from noon to noon and costs only $85, which includes meals. With 24 break-out sessions embedded in shops and venues throughout Marshall, the conference offers the unique opportunity to both learn about and experience an entrepreneurial community. The entire focus of the conference will be to teach your community team how to be more entrepreneur-friendly and provide tips and tools you can use to support entrepreneurial growth.

Please help spread the word in your community to get a team of people together to represent your great city at an engaging conference where participants get to live and breathe microbusiness!

Visit the webpage of the CEC conference in Marshall or contact Keith Lambert.