2009 Michigan Downtown Conference Announces Keynote Speakers Daniel T. Kildee and Tom Izzo

Lansing ? The Michigan Downtown Conference Partners announced today the 2009 Michigan Downtown Conference keynote speakers will be Daniel T. Kildee and Tom Izzo. Kildee is President of the Genesee Institute, a research and training institute focusing on smart growth, urban land reform and land banking. Izzo is the head coach for the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team. This year's conference is being held September 15-16, 2009 at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing, Michigan.

Dan Kildee will be opening the conference the morning of September 15, while Tom Izzo will close the conference the afternoon of September 16.The conference is being held in an effort to help community leaders revitalize their downtowns and is titled "The Three C's to Prosperity: Creativity, Collaboration and Competition." Online registration is available at: www.michigandowntownconference.org

 Kildee initiated the use of Michigan's new tax foreclosure law as a tool for community development and neighborhood stabilization. He founded the Genesee Land Bank ? Michigan's first land bank ? and serves as its chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  "Neighborhood stabilization is a key component to the success of our downtowns" Kildee said "this can be accomplished by centering on smart growth, urban land reform and land banking"

Having recently completed his 13th year directing the Mens Spartan Basketball program, head coach Tom Izzo has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments, including one NCAA National Championship, four regular-season Big Ten Championships, two Big Ten Tournament titles, four Final Four appearances, four National Coach of the Year awards and a Big Ten-best 11 straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Izzo will be speaking on the importance of Michigan as a whole, and the roles that downtowns play in Michigan's revitalization. Izzo is originally from Iron Mountain, where his family has had small businesses.

"The trying times Michigan is facing right now, it is important to realize the impact our downtowns can play in Michigan's recovery" said Izzo "that is why gatherings such as this conference are central in revitalizing our downtowns."

The Michigan Downtown Conference Partners include the Michigan Downtown Association (MDA), the Michigan Municipal League (MML), the Michigan State Housing Development Authority's Michigan Main Street Center (MMSC@MSHDA), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, Main Street Oakland County, and the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO). 

This conference is for staff, directors and members of downtown development boards, key community leaders and planners, business owners, economic development professionals, members or retail trade and promotion associations. Member of convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce and others interested in promoting tourism and business development should also attend.

The Michigan Downtown Conference is an annual conference to help community leaders create successful strategies and case studies for revitalizing their downtowns. www.michigandowntownconference.org