FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2013
Sign up Today for the 14th Illinois River Conference – Working Locally-Reaching Globally
Early-bird registration ends on September 15, 2013 to attend the 14th Illinois River Conference. The conference will be heldOctober 1-3, 2013 at Peoria’s Four Points by Sheraton. Registration materials are available online.
or by calling the University of Illinois Office of Conferences and Institutes at 217-333-2880.
Pre-conference activities on October 1st include a conservation tour, RiverWatch Symposium, Drought Workshop, and the Illinois River Coordinating Council meeting. The all-day bus tour through scenic Central Illinois includes seven stops and will highlight the river front in Havana, Spring Lake in Manito Area, Dickson Mounds, Banner Marsh and Rice Lake. The tour, which includes lunch prepared by local growers, is open to the public; reservations are required and will be taken on a first-come basis.
Later that evening, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will host the Illinois River Coordinating Council meeting, which includes an open forum for public questions and comments. Members of the Mississippi and Wabash-Ohio River Coordinating Councils will also be in attendance.
The conference will host featured keynote speakers including Michael Reuter, The Nature Conservancy; James Baumgartner, Caterpillar, Inc.; Mike Doherty, Illinois Farm Bureau; Wendell Shauman, Shauman Farm; Dave Wethington, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Ryan Burchett, Mississippi River Distilling Company. Speakers will touch on various topics addressing industry and conservation, Illinois in the global economy, the Great Lakes & Mississippi River Interbasin Study, and working locally with river resources.
Concurrent sessions are designed to present advancements in agricultural and environmental technologies; improve understanding of economic and societal benefits of healthy ecosystems; and recognize activities across Illinois through local community actions to restore the health of this globally important watershed.
Wednesday evening, join us on the Spirit of Peoria River Boat Cruise. The cruise will be relaxed and informal to encourage networking. There will also be volunteers located on deck to point out items of interest such as specific conservation and habitat projects or local flora/fauna. Music will be provided by local singer/songwriter Barry Cloyd. Cloyd creates a performance style that weaves the genres of Blues, Folk, Celtic, Original and Roots music into a unique blend all his own.
Exhibits as well as an interactive digital technologies open house will introduce attendees to resources available online or through various agencies. There is the chance to win a techno prize when visiting the open house too!
Early-bird conference fees (ends 9/15/2013) are as follows:
- Full conference registration = $175 (includes River Boat, but does not include Symposium or tour)
- Wednesday w/boat cruise or Thursday = $95
- Symposium = $50
- Conservation Tour = $40
- Boat Cruise = $25
The conference schedule, including pre-conference activities and a registration form, is available online. or by calling Bridgett Haas at 217-244-7657.
