Is Jacksonville Ready? Host the 2014 Vanguard Conference?

[thelakelander]

Next City is actively soliciting proposals for cities across the country to host the 2014 Vanguard Conference:


Next City's 2013 Vanguard Conference was hosted in Cleveland, OH.

The Vanguard conference is held in a different city each year. Next City has begun the search for the 2014 Vanguard host city. Does your city have lessons to share and insights to offer? Is there a team of engaged local representatives who would be interested in working with Next City to plan and coordinate? Next City invites your city to apply.

Serving as the Vanguard Conference host is a great opportunity for a city to show off and share its urban renewal projects with Next City's national readership, learn from the country's smartest emerging leaders, and get feedback from bright young thinkers. If your city is a fit, check out the RFP here.

Read more about Vanguard alumni here. For a recap of the 2013 Vanguard in Cleveland, click here.

http://nextcity.org/events/detail/search-for-the-2014-vanguard-host-city

Host City RFP Here: http://nextcity.org/images/uploads/2014_Vanguard_RFP.pdf


2013 Vanguarders in downtown Cleveland.

My question to Metro Jacksonville readers is do you think Jacksonville is a suitable location for a Vanguard Conference? Is our urban core to the point of where we're ready to show it off to some of the brightest young minds from across the country or do you think we should wait a few years?

If you believe Jacksonville is ready, what would you show off to a group of "under 40" urbanist from across the country?

[tufsu1]

I think we could host, but would rather wait until 2015.  I would love to help put it together, but my conference organizing plate is pretty full for 2014 already.

[edjax]

I would vote to wait a few years.  Just do not believe our urban core is to that point we want to be highlighting our many flaws that exist yet.  At very least you want the Trio developed I would think.  I could not imagine wanting to host a group of urban enthusiasts with the primary part of your core in the current state as the Trio.

[JayBird]

Agree with all above, 2015 would be better suited. I too throw my hat in the ring to volunteer for helping out with this or arranging for corporate sponsorships.

[thelakelander]

A few things to know about this conference:

1. Most Vanguard members use mass transit to get around the city.  In Cleveland, the RTA issued free passes for conference guests.  All conference event locations were within walking distance of Cleveland's Red Line trains (which connect DT to their airport) or the Health Line BRT.

2. The rest of the time, Vanguards are exploring the city on bike or foot. A preferable host hotel would need to be in areas that don't close up at night.

3. Since it's an urban conference, the areas covered would be larger than downtown.  Surrounding neighborhoods like Riverside/Avondale, San Marco, Springfield, Durkeeville, Brooklyn, etc. should also be considered.

4. While mass transit connectivity between the beach and urban core would be a challenge, something including the beaches could be a draw.

5. There's also an environmental component to this as well.  In Cleveland, one tour focused on the health and redevelopment of the industrial dominated river snaking through the city. Another focused on urban farming.

Just food for thought.

[thelakelander]

Chattanooga wins!

Next City's Vanguard Conference Heads to Chattanooga in 2014

Next City will host its fifth annual Vanguard conference in Chattanooga, Tenn. next year from April 24-26 inviting 40 young leaders from around the country for a three-day series of presentations, workshops, tours and other activities. We will accept applications for the 2014 Vanguard Conference until February 14, 2014.

The only requirement? Applicants must be under the age of 40.

Vanguard is an annual urban leadership forum that gathers of the best and brightest young leaders working to improve cities across sectors, including urban planning, community development, entrepreneurship, government, transportation, sustainability, design, art and media. Past Vanguards have gone on to work for the Obama administration, hold municipal office, start their own businesses, and climb the ranks of think tanks such as The Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, and philanthropies such as ArtPlace and the Surdna Foundation. Many come back to participate in subsequent conferences.

for more information: http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/next-citys-vanguard-conference-to-hit-up-chattanooga-in-2014

[tufsu1]

so they'll be ready for another trip to the southeast in about 4 years....that works for me!