The Kickoff to the Vibrant Communities initiative is less than three days away. On Tuesday, January 26 more than 400 participants have signed up to take part in the two-hour event in the Crystal Ballroom of the iconic Lerner Theatre. Attendees will hear a number of presentations on the process along with a keynote address from Peter Kageyama. Peter is best-known for his books “For the Love of Cities” and “Love Where You Live”.
The event will begin with a welcome from the process sponsors, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and the Elkhart County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Following this, the Planning Team, led by consultant planning NEXT, will provide an overview of the Vibrant Communities process and the goals for the evening.
Steering Committee co-chairs, Gina Leichty and Dallas Bergl, will welcome Peter and highlight examples of successful community collaboration. Peter’s presentation, entitled “Love Where You Live”, will challenge attendees to look around their own communities and identify what makes them special places to live, work and raise a family. His most recent book highlights the characteristics that make places lovable, and helps readers consider what projects would strengthen and enliven their own communities.
Following Peter’s presentation, attendees will discuss the most resonant comments with their table. A table leader will help record and guide the conversation. A final “thank you” from local High School Student José Chiquito will close the assembly period and release attendees to a social hour and continued discussion.
During the social period, participants will be encouraged to tour the Community Stations set up around the ballroom and highlighting some recent quality-of-place actions taken in each of county’s communities.
The Steering Committee and sponsors are excited by the interest in the Kickoff event and encourage anyone who cares about the future of Elkhart County to make attendance a priority.
