Press Release: Mayor Ashton Hayward today announced that Pensacola will be the site for the 2012 Florida Neighborhoods Conference. This event, held next summer, marks the first time the statewide conference of city and county neighborhood representatives has been hosted in Northwest Florida.
Hayward said he was excited about the opportunity to shine a spotlight on Pensacola’s neighborhoods, as well as the other activities and attractions the city has to offer.
“I’m ecstatic to have Pensacola host the Florida Conference on Neighborhoods next year,” said Hayward. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our City to
shine. I’ve said for years that Pensacola has everything any business, family, or retiree could want to be happy and successful, and this conference
will give us the chance to tell our story to neighborhood leaders from across the State,” Hayward said.
Helen Gibson, Pensacola’s Chief of Neighborhoods, has attended the conference and was instrumental in bringing the conference to Pensacola.
“For the past several years, I’ve attended the Florida Neighborhoods Conference, and it has always been a unique opportunity for community leaders and neighborhood advocates to learn from each other, and exchange ideas about making our neighborhoods more livable,” said Gibson. “I’ve always thought that Pensacola, with our rich history, culture, and growing downtown, would be a perfect venue to host this conference. Mayor Hayward’s support for the effort was key to making it happen,” Gibson said.
The Florida Neighborhoods Conference is held each year and gathers over 200 neighborhood representatives and delegates from cities and counties across
Florida. Conference attendees hold forums, make presentations, and discuss best practices on ways to improve neighborhoods and build communities.
Hayward said his goal was to have the Neighborhoods Conference be the start of a host of other conference and conventions that would choose Pensacola,
creating economic opportunity for local businesses and boosting the City’s profile.
“Two of the most important things we can do for our citizens are creating an environment where businesses can prosper, and giving our citizens the tools
and resources to help their neighborhoods flourish,” said Hayward. “Hosting this conference gets us closer to both of those goals. I appreciate Helen
Gibson’s help bringing this important conference to Pensacola. It should be a great weekend for all of us.”
The conference will be held July 12-14, 2012. More details will follow.