The ”Natural Connections Summit,“ co-sponsored by the Grand Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Grand Valley) and the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, will be at the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.

Morning Session 8:00am - 12:00pm

1. Registration & continental breakfast

2. Welcome & Introduction

3. Speaker No.1: Lester Brown, Earth Policy Institute

4. WMRUD Charrette Process

5. Speaker No.2: Alexis Karolides, Rocky Mountain Institute

6. 2005 Charrette Results (Focus: Holland/Holland Township)

Afternoon Session 1:00pm - 4:00pm

1. 2005 Charrette Results (Focus: Muskegon Heights/Norton Shores)

2. Regional Best Practices (Focus: Green Infrastructure)

3. Speaker No.3: Gina Baker, Burt Hill/Noisette

4. RFP Submission Guidelines (How to submit a winning RFP)

5. Closing Comments