The American Dream Coalition presents
the third annual conference on

Preserving the American Dream

Holiday Inn Select
Three Appletree Square
Bloomington, Minnesota
June 24-26, 2005

• Learn the truth about so-called "smart growth" and rail transit
• Hear the latest research from the experts
• Exchange ideas with fellow activists
• Attend workshops on regionalism, eminent domain, and other hot issues

The affordable housing crisis and the growing costs of traffic congestion will be the major themes of the third annual Preserving the American Dream conference. The conference will include a tour of recent transportation and housing projects in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area as well as dozens of speakers and workshops on transportation and land-use issues.

Appropriately, the conference will be held within steps of the Mall of America, an icon of the modern American dream, and a light-rail station, an icon of smart-growth planning. While the Mall of America is a highly successful destination shopping center, the conference tour will show how the Hiawatha light rail has significantly increased congestion in its corridor.

The conference will feature dozens of speakers on a variety of land-use and transportation issues. As shown on the detailed agenda, confirmed speakers to date include:

• David Hunnicutt, Oregonians in Action, will describe the successful ballot challenge against Oregon's restrictive land-use laws;
• Steven Greenhut, author of Abuse of Power, will comment on the courts and eminent domain;
• Stephan Louis, who is on the board of both the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority and the "Crime-Friendly Neighborhoods";
• Francesco Ramella, a transportation engineer from Turin, Italy, will review recent transportation and land-use trends in Europe;
• Ted Balaker, Reason Foundation, will show how telecommuting does more to reduce congestion than rail transit;
• John Charles, Cascade Policy Institite, will talk about the importance of mobility to low-income families;
• Rob Atkinson, Progressive Policy Institute, will talk about the politics of gridlock;
• Kathleen Calongne, Center for the American Dream, will present the latest information on traffic calming;
• Wendell Cox, publicpurpose.com, will compare world-wide housing affordability;
• J. Michael Noonan will talk about the effects of Twin Cities planning on housing affordability;
• Sam Staley, Reason Foundation, will talk about congestion and urban growth;
• Ron Utt, Heritage Foundation, will discuss public/private partnerships as solutions to urban transport problems;
• Peter Samuel, Tollroads News, will describe the status of congestion pricing;
• Tom Rubin, Michael Cunneen, Joel Schwartz, and numerous other experts will make presentations on housing, rail transit, and other important urban issues.

Workshops will cover such topics as:

• The Supreme Court and eminent domain;
• Problems with rail transit;
• Growth-management planning and housing affordability;
• Inclusionary zoning;
• The effects of tax-increment financing on local communities;
• How to reduce traffic congestion;
• Grassroots organizing.

Registration and Fees

The conference will cost $175 ($125 student/low-income), which includes a buffet dinner on Friday and breakfasts and lunches on Saturday and Sunday. The optional tour, which includes a box lunch and transportation, is an additional $25. Fees are refundable if cancellation is received by June 1; after June 1, fees will be refunded on cancellation if someone registers late to fill your space.

Please register by June 2; after that date, the conference fee will increase by $25.

To register by mail, please download a conference flyer and registration form. Or you can register on line.

If you are staying at the Holiday Inn Select on Thursday, Friday, and/or Saturday nights (June 23, 24, or 25), you can make a reservation on Holiday Inn Select's web site and take advantage of the conference rate by using group booking code THO. If you are arriving before Thursday or leaving after Sunday, you can get the group discount by calling the hotel at 1-800-465-4329 and mentioning "Preserving the American Dream." To get the conference rate of $85 per room or $100 per suite per night, you must make your reservations by June 2; after June 2, you may still be able to get that rate but it is not guaranteed.

If you are planning to fly to the Twin Cities (airport code MSP) on Northwest, KLM, or selected Contintental flights, you can get a 5 to 15 percent discount on airfares. Go to the Northwest Airlines event travel reservations page and enter "NM7AF" in the field for "Northwest Meeting Agreement/Worldfile Number."

This conference is co-sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, Taxpayers League of Minnesota, Home Building Association of Central Arizona, Oregonians in Action, Cascade Policy Institute, Reason Foundation, Thoreau Institute, and several other organizations. These co-sponsors are critical to making the conference a success. For more information on becoming a co-sponsor, please contact Randal O'Toole.