MHPN Annual Conference

Each spring, the Network sponsors the state's largest annual statewide preservation conference to provide training and networking opportunities geared to both beginners and seasoned preservationists. In addition to offering sessions crammed with the latest news and information from around the state, the conference is known for its keynote speakers, festive evening activities, and annual auction of Michigan items ranging from overnights at historic bed-and-breakfasts, to antiques, books, and gourmet delights. Among the many features of the gathering is the Vendor’s Showcase, which provides and opportunity for the general public to view the latest products and services in the preservation industry.

2012 Conference:“Model Change-Over: A New Era for Historic Preservation in Michigan”

The Michigan Historic Preservation Network announces that its 32nd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference will take place May 10-12, 2012, in Flint, headquartered at the historic downtown Masonic Temple.

A model change-over, for those of us who have lived in the automobile capitol of the world for any length of time, is a time of expectation. It happens every Fall when the assembly lines are stopped and re-tooled. At the North American International Auto Show in January, you then may find that your long-time favorite has some subtle restyling, or there’s the flashbulb-popping excitement of a completely new model. When the concept of model change-over is applied to historic preservation, however, and is introduced at a time of economic uncertainty and a significant change in our state’s political direction, it is anything but benign. In the work we do – in which an impossibly delicate balance is maintained saving irreplaceable historic buildings while using their preservation as a sturdy tool of economic revitalization – ill-designed adjustments under the hood can cause more harm than good…or inspire fresh, creative thinking.

(photo credit - Ron Campbell, AIA)

So it’s good that we make our way to Flint for the Michigan Historic Preservation Network’s 32nd annual conference. Plenty of Michigan communities are suffering their share of economic blows. As the state works to reclaim its fiscal health, leadership is using new methods and proposing different opportunities. Flint – the home of the nation’s first sit-down strike – is hardly one to sit it out, and preservation is part of its own plan to jumpstart its economic engine. This efficient redevelopment tool that keeps people in their traditional neighborhoods and downtowns, intensifies use of urban infrastructure, and keeps sprawl in check, appeals to a community that’s always done a lot with a little.

This year’s conference is not just for Flint and its large, industrialized peers because we are witness to creative and effective model change-overs everywhere as Michiganians rally their knack for moving on, reinventing themselves with little fanfare or the need for much help. Small and medium communities, rural districts, and large cities alike have been slammed by economic uncertainty, but are finding ways not just to hold their own, but to move forward. Vacant structures are found on streetscapes everywhere, but one community’s success at reusing buildings inspires its neighbors to do the same. Everyone is experiencing leaner budgets, loss of government support, and fewer donations, yet tapping creative ways to start filling the gaps.

But perhaps best of all, Michigan communities, no matter what their size, share opportunities unexplored until faced with crisis. Everyone is open to greater collaboration for increased funding, for example, often among partners that have never been involved in preservation before. Design professionals are more firmly connecting preservation with the Green Movement and LEED rating systems as a means to show their clients that old buildings can be top-notch energy savers. And all of us are experiencing the excitement of discovering an entirely new generation of historic buildings – the Mid-Century Moderns that are bringing Michigan to international attention, and that we can spare from the cycle of public disinterest and loss before we wake up to their importance.

(photo credit - Ron Campbell, AIA)

The conference includes four tracks. Track One explores the conference theme of historic properties and cultural developments influenced by water. Track Two looks at the policies, designations, incentives, and laws you need to protect often-fragile resources. Track Three studies hands-on techniques that make preservation possible. Track Four presents tours of the host communities that will inspire you. Also included is your invitation to the community open house, the vendors’ showcase, Saturday sessions for historic district commissioners, and presentation of MHPN’s annual preservation awards.

Come celebrate with us in Flint in 2012!

2012 MHPN Annual Conference Brochure

2012 MHPN Annual Conference - Schedule at a Glance

2012 Registration Form (print, fill out, and mail)

2012 Call for Volunteers

 

2012 Conference Silent Auction

Our silent auction is an important part of the conference each year, not only because it gets our attendees to mix and network as they place bids throughout the day, but because its earnings help assure that the conference has a solid bottom line. We appreciate the auction items you have donated in the past to help with this success, and we’d like to ask if you would consider making a donation again this year. As you know, we seek donations of all types and we are always looking for creative new ideas for theme packages. Popular ideas from past auctions include: historic tours, overnight stays in historic hotels or B&B’s, entertainment packages, books, works of art, unique antiques and gift certificates of all types!

As a donor, you will receive recognition in signage at the Conference, and your donation may be tax deductible, since the Network is a 501 (c) 3 organization. The deadline for receipt of donations is Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Many thanks for your continued support of our organization and historic preservation in Michigan!

2012 Silent Auction Form

 

Make It A Flint Weekend:

Flint and Genessee County has Amazing Food

Dort Mall - Perani's Hockey World

 

2012 Annual Conference Abstracts:

Keynote: Historic Preservation and Urban Regeneration

Track 1:

Track 2:

Track 3:

Track 4 (Tours):

Saturday: HDC Advanced Training Workshop

 


Previous MHPN Conferences:

MHPN has hosted Michigan's largest educational program, our Annual Conference, for over 30 years. Each year a new conference site is selected, moving around the state to showcase different communities and provide a variety of programming opportunities. Porter One Design, our design firm partner, has created a consistent look to our conference brochure so that no matter where we are, the distinctiveness of each host community is celebrated while the presence of the MHPN is unmistakable. Please check out the past conference programming through the links below.

Mackinac Island, 2007
Dearborn, 2008
Grand Rapids, 2009
Ann Arbor, 2010
Saugatuck-Douglas, 2011