Vision City Conference in Franklin Oct. 15-17 to focus on “How History Impacts the Future”
Reinitiating a collaboration started 20 years ago, Franklin Tomorrow and the SEASIDE Institute™ are partnering to present a Vision City Conference in Franklin, Tenn., Oct. 15-17, 2024, with the theme, “How History Impacts the Future.”
SEASIDE Institute™ first visited Franklin 20 years ago, working with the City of Franklin and other organizations to offer a multi-day workshop of case studies and critiques of traditional neighborhood developments, with Southern Land and Westhaven being presented as a case study alongside developments from other parts of the country.
The 2024 Vision City Conference dates are Oct. 15-17 and the program will feature a collaboration between Franklin Tomorrow and SEASIDE Institute™, which as a nonprofit organization itself promotes community building through design, education and the arts.
“The three tenets of SEASIDE Institute™ are Sustainability, Connectivity, and Adaptability, beliefs which we think resonate with residents in Franklin and Middle Tennessee,” said Mindy Tate, CEO of Franklin Tomorrow, a 20-plus-year-old community visioning and engagement nonprofit.
The theme will be a focus on “How History Impacts the Future.” The conference is being planned with a downtown Franklin campus approach for walkability, utilizing The Harpeth Hotel as well as the Franklin Theatre and The Factory at Franklin as meeting sites.
“Joining forces with Franklin Tomorrow aligns well with the mission of the SEASIDE Institute™. We are excited to bring this programming together as we evaluate ‘How History Impacts the Future’ in community development,” said Christy Milliken, Executive Director of SEASIDE Institute™.
The $400 registration fee will cover most meals over the three days, as well as venue costs and speaker travel. To register for the conference, follow this link: https://2024VisionCityConference.eventbrite.com. Those who register through Aug. 15 can save $75 off the $400 fee. Not quite ready to register, but want to stay informed? Follow this link to fill out a Google interest form: https://forms.gle/WAkFhgtzGr3iHGYa6. Hotel blocks have been reserved at The Harpeth Hotel in downtown Franklin and at the Spring Hill Suites Cool Springs off McEwen Drive.
For many years, Franklin Tomorrow has wanted to host a “Vision City Conference” in Franklin in place of visiting another city as part of its Vision City Visit program. In the past, Franklin Tomorrow has organized visits to the following cities: Carmel, Ind.; Greenville, S.C.; Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Alpharetta, Ga.; Serenbe, Ga.; and last year, Huntsville, Ala.
Over the last several years, many communities from across the country have visited Franklin to see its planning & development process, parks and understand the culture. Seaside, Fla., is a charming tourist destination that inspired an urban planning movement now known as New Urbanism and SEASIDE Institute™ continues to explore new ways to build community and connect with each other through its work.
While the agenda for the conference is still under development, here are some highlights of the conference we know, although all speakers and topics are subject to change.
Oct. 15, 12:15-1:45 p.m.: Hear from Dhiru A. Thadani, an architect and urbanist who has been in practice since 1980. He has worked to disseminate principles and techniques of traditional town planning in all five continents. Additionally, he is the author of “Visions of Seaside: Foundations / Evolution / Imagination / Built & Unbuilt Architecture,” published by Rizzoli in June 2013. Since its formation in 1993, Thadani has been a charter member of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU).
Oct. 15, 4 p.m.: What makes a community livable? Livability.com tells the stories of cities, regions and states and will share its expertise on what makes our nation’s small to mid-sized cities great places to live, but also how communities can effectively market themselves to businesses and talent alike.
Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m.: Enjoy a “Breakfast With the Mayors,” past and present, of cities like Franklin, Tenn., Greenville, S.C., and Carmel, Ind., at The Factory at Franklin.
Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-noon: Participate in one of four “Mobile Workshops” that will bring a “boots on the ground” touch to the conference.
Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m.: Experience a “Taste of the Towns” reception while enjoying a Middle Tennessee sunset (weather permitting).
Oct. 17, 8 a.m.: Start the day at the Franklin Theatre, known as the “Home of First Kisses,” and hear from the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County on preservation projects underway in Franklin.
Oct. 17, 9:45 a.m.: Learn the positive impact of tourism in both Franklin and Walton County, Fla., and plan your next visit to either destination.
The conference also will have vendors and displays as well as a “Project Platform” where attendees can interact with individuals and companies creating a sense of community with new projects.
Sponsorship opportunities are important for a successful event. There are several levels and CEO Mindy Tate would love to discuss how we could involve your company as a partner or as a speaker. Contact her at mindy@franklintomorrow.org.
Thank you to our co-presenting partners to date, Atmos Energy; Ragan Smith, a Pape-Dawson Company; Tennessee Valley Authority; and the City of Franklin. Additional support comes from Boyle Investments, The TMA Group, 906 Studio Architects, The Factory at Franklin & Holladay Properties, Studio Tenn Theatre Company, NAI Nashville Stanton Group, and the Franklin Theatre.
