College towns are changing.  We all know the type—the classic college town—places that abound in the Midwest, often at large state universities like the University of Iowa but also at private colleges.  College downtowns are becoming centers for coworking space in which business entrepreneurs develop their ideas and network with other small business startups. The result is new businesses that can make college towns centers of economic innovation. Similarly, in college towns non-profit and for-profit cultural startups foster cultural placemaking in which college towns become centers for the creation and enjoyment of the arts. 

For more information and to register, go to http://urban.uiowa.edu/midwest-creative-college-town-conference#. The conference is free and open to the public, but attendees must register.

The Conference will feature 18 university, business, and cultural leaders from the Midwest who will discuss ideas to advance economic and cultural transformation for college towns and universities. The benefits of economic growth resulting from new businesses, technology startups, art galleries, musical venues, and design centers will also be examined. Come join us to find out how this is now happening in Midwestern college towns and how it could happen in your community.

Certification Maintenance (CM ) credits for those with AICP status are available for this conference. There will be four 90 minute sessions for a total of 6 hours of CM credits.