Plans underway for 43rd NCIP conference in Kearney

LINCOLN, NEB. (September 13, 2006)—“Past Successes, Present Investments…Gateways to the Future,” the 43rd annual conference of the Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) will be held November 3 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney.

Keynote speaker Juli Burney will put the “FUN into Community Development FUNdamentals” during the morning general session. Burney is a nationally known humorist and Nebraska native.

Workshops will include “Funworks” aimed at developing youth entrepreneurs; the role of community assets in planning and implementing community development projects; Dialogues Across Nebraska, intergenerational communications among community groups and volunteer organizations; packaging local amenities and attractions into tourist’s dream vacations; and how-to training for communities and businesses wanting to fully utilize information technology.

This how-to information technology training also will be offered during a conference pre-session, November 2 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Master of Ceremonies Don Gill, will provide the “Voice of Nebraska” for the 2006 NCIP Awards presentation during the November 3 evening banquet. Governor Dave Heineman will present more than 70 awards to individuals and communities, including Youth Leadership for Outstanding Community Service Awards; Special Awards in the categories of Leadership, Economic and Community Development; and Community Notebook Advantage awards based on “scrapbooks” and judges’ visits to communities.

Registration information for the 2006 NCIP Annual Conference will be mailed out in late September. Early registration is due October 13.

NCIP is a partnership between the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the University of Nebraska, and NCIP sponsors—Great Plains Communications, Northern Natural Gas, Glenwood Telephone, Kinder Morgan, Inc., NorthWestern Public Service, and Aquila. Sponsors help support the program year-round and provide plaques and cash prizes to the NCIP award winners.

Information also is available at NCIP’s website: crd.neded.org/ncip

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Helen Hecox at 800-426-6505, 402-471-4168, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ,or Lindsay Papenhausen at 402-471-6587, 800-426-6505, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it