Program	Hotel	Transportation	Registration	Sponsors	2011 Big Discussion Notes

The Alliance for Innovation invites you to attend BIG Ideas: The Future of Local Government in Williamsburg, VA, November 2-4, 2012. This year’s discussions will take the lead from our historical setting. Attendees will have conversations around the theme -- “Big Ideas, Revolutionary Ideas”: A New Founding for Local Government within the American Commonwealth. Big Ideas 2012 will focus on the future of local government as seen through the lens of the ideas which gave birth to the American experiment in republican and democratic self-government; the ideas which continue to inspire and to challenge as “we the people” struggle to achieve a free, just and inclusive society.

Hosted by the Alliance for Innovation, Big Ideas is an invitation-only event that gathers progressive leaders to explore critical issues for the future of local government. The Alliance for Innovation is transforming local government through the power of innovation and collaboration. With Arizona State University and ICMA, we serve as the platform for local governments who are passionate about nurturing an innovative culture and building the future of local government today.

Program

Program information coming soon...

Hotel

Lodging and meetings will be held at the Woodlands Hotel and Suites. The Woodlands Conference facility where sessions will be held, is located a few hundred feet away from the hotel itself.  The hotel is located on the north side of the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center.  Williamsburg’s Historic Area is within in walking distance or accessible by complimentary shuttle bus.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the group rate of $119 a night for a standard room. Complimentary breakfast is included in your hotel stay. 

To make reservations online

Attendees can make reservations through the registration process, or via a customized website created specifically for the event. You will be able to access the website to make, change or modify your reservations at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/17489.

To make reservations over the phone
Attendees may call the hotel’s toll-free number 800-261-9530 to make reservations. Please use the Booking ID 17489 when calling to access the group rate.

Transportation

Air transportation

There are three area airports that serve the immediate Williamsburg area: Newport News, Richmond and Norfolk. They are listed in order of easiest access to Williamsburg:

1. The Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) (http://www.flyphf.com) is just a 20 minute drive from Williamsburg. Airlines serving PHF are: AirTran, Allegiant, Delta, Frontier Airlines, US Airways.
2. The Richmond International Airport (RIC) (www.flyrichmond.com) is an easy 45 minute drive to Williamsburg via Route I-64. Airlines serving RIC are: AirTran, AmericanAirlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, jetBlue, United, US Airways, Air Canada and Vision Airlines.
3. The Norfolk International Airport (ORF) (www.norfolkairport.com) is about an hour’s drive to Williamsburg, but requires going through the Hampton Roads Tunnel, a highly congested route that can easily double your driving time. Airlines serving ORF: AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, Delta, Delta Connection, Southwest, United Express, US Airways and US Airways Express.

Ground Transportation

All of the airports are served by most major car rental companies, as well as local taxi cab companies and several private limousine companies (see airport websites for details).

Colonial Williamsburg Shuttle Bus

Gray and white Colonial Williamsburg buses depart the Visitor Center every 18 minutes. Bus will drop off at the Historic Area “Gateway.” There guests walk into the Historic Area, or transfer to another bus which laps around the entire Historic Area with many stops.

Registration

Registration is $385 for the two and one half day meeting. All meals are provided for the duration of the event. Registration link is coming soon...

Sponsors

BIG Ideas: The Future of Local Government is generously sponsored by the City of Williamsburg, Active Network and CH2M HILL.

2011 BIG Ideas - Fort Collins, CO

The 2011 BIG Ideas Conference was held in Fort Collins, CO. The format was highly interactive, with attendees bridging the roles of provocateurs and being a participant.  Participants left Colorado feeling energized and inspired by the conversation that took place.

Over the course of two and a half days, attendees discussed

1. What will the future of local government look like?
2. Who should work there? 
3. What work will they be doing?
4. How will they do their work? and
5. How will we create a place for community?

You will find below the links to the white papers that were generated to help participants prepare for the conversation:

• How can local government and academic professionals inspire and serve as a catalyst to influence the best and brightest individuals to become future local government leaders? – By Jason Rollins, Alliance for Innovation

• Bridging the Gap of Leadership Challenges from the Midwest – By John Nalbandian, School of Public Affairs, University of Kansas

• What’s the Future of Local Government? – By Frank Benest, Mark Denaj, Debra Figone, and Kim Walsh

• Local Governments in the Wake of the Great Recession: Are Big Changes Ahead? – David Ammons, Karl Smith and Carl Stenberg, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

During these events, sessions are live scribed.  Below is the link to the 2011 BIG Ideas Notes that were taken during the event:

• 2011 BIG Ideas Notes