Registration is now open for the Vision City Conference to be offered by Oct. 15-17, 2024, by Franklin Tomorrow and SEASIDE Institute™ in Franklin, Tenn.
For many years, Franklin Tomorrow has wanted to host a “Vision City Conference” in Franklin in place of visiting another city and 2024 is that year, in partnership with SEASIDE Institute™, which first came to Franklin in 2004 (and again in 2005). The 2004 date was 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 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 in Franklin and Middle Tennessee.
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. Out-of-town attendees are being encouraged to stay at The Harpeth Hotel or the Spring Hill Suites at McEwen.
Here’s some highlights of the conference we know today, although all speakers and topics are subject to change.
Oct. 15: 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: 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: 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: Participate in one of four “Mobile Workshops” that will bring a boots on the ground touch to the conference.
Oct. 16: Experience a “Taste of the Towns” reception while enjoying a Middle Tennessee sunset (weather permitting).
Oct. 17: Start the morning 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, a city balancing progress and preservation.
Oct. 17: Learn the positive impact of tourism in both Franklin and Walton County, Fla., and plan your next visit to either destination.
We 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.
Your $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. 30 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
Here’s some highlights of the conference we know today, although all speakers and topics are subject to change.
Oct. 15: 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: 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: 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: Participate in one of four “Mobile Workshops” that will bring a boots on the ground touch to the conference.
Oct. 16: Experience a “Taste of the Towns” reception while enjoying a Middle Tennessee sunset (weather permitting).
Oct. 17: Start the morning 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, a city balancing progress and preservation.
Oct. 17: Learn the positive impact of tourism in both Franklin and Walton County, Fla., and plan your next visit to either destination.
We 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.
Your $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. 30 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
We have two conference hotel choices for the conference and transportation will ONLY be available from these locations, although attendees are welcome to drive to each day’s location and then use transportation for any tours or events.
It is suggested you book your hotel accommodations through either The Harpeth, Curio Collection by Hilton, or Spring Hill Suites Franklin Cool Springs.
Harpeth Hotel booking link:
It is suggested you book your hotel accommodations through either The Harpeth, Curio Collection by Hilton, or Spring Hill Suites Franklin Cool Springs.
Harpeth Hotel booking link:
Spring Hills Suites Franklin Cool Springs booking link:
As it is based in Franklin, please contact Franklin Tomorrow CEO Mindy Tate at mindy@franklintomorrow.org or by phone at (615) 794-0998 if you need additional information or are interested in sponsorship.
As it is based in Franklin, please contact Franklin Tomorrow CEO Mindy Tate at mindy@franklintomorrow.org or by phone at (615) 794-0998 if you need additional information or are interested in sponsorship.
There are several levels and Franklin Tomorrow CEO Mindy Tate would love to discuss how we could involve your company as a partner or as a speaker.
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 and The TMA Group; 906 Studio Architects, Southern Land & Westhaven, and Oversite Project Management; The Factory at Franklin & Holladay Properties; Studio Tenn Theatre Company, NAI Nashville Stanton Group, and the Franklin Theatre.
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 and The TMA Group; 906 Studio Architects, Southern Land & Westhaven, and Oversite Project Management; The Factory at Franklin & Holladay Properties; Studio Tenn Theatre Company, NAI Nashville Stanton Group, and the Franklin Theatre.
