Conferences/Events

Want to find out about other upcoming forums, conferences, seminars and workshops? Go to CEDRIC, the Consumer and Economic Development Research and Information Center, a service of the Chicago Fed.

The St. Louis Fed's Community Development Office sponsors and participates in a variety of public forums that provide information and guidance on CRA-related requirements, community investment and development opportunities, and model programs and resources from around the country.

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

Sept. 9, 2008 | 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

CDFI Fund Workshops

• A CDFI Fund Overview—Expanding Opportunities for Community Economic Development
• Using the CIMS Mapping System to Determine Target Markets

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch
National City Tower
101 S. Fifth St., Suite 1920
Louisville, KY 40202

Representatives of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund will conduct two free workshops. Attendees may select either or both.

Workshop 1: A CDFI Fund Overview—Expanding Opportunities for Community Economic Development
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This workshop will help participants decide whether their organization should become a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Representatives of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund will discuss the fund’s programs, including certification as a CDFI. Speakers will outline the benefits and criteria for each program and will present examples of entities that have successfully accessed and leveraged CDFI Fund programs.

Workshop 2: Using the CIMS Mapping System to Determine Target Markets
3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Learn how to use the CDFI Fund’s Community Impact Mapping System (CIMS) to geocode addresses, map target markets and determine whether target markets are considered distressed under the CDFI Fund’s criteria. This session also will provide guidance on addressing the Target Market and Accountability criteria as they relate to CIMS.

Who should attend: Representatives of current or potential financial institutions, whose primary line of business is to provide financing; representatives of community organizations that intend to partner with financial institutions; and representatives of faith-based organizations.

Register online by Sept. 5.

For information, contact Faith Weekly at 502-568-9216 or faith.e.weekly@stls.frb.org.

Sept. 19, 2008 | 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The Ripple Effect: The Impact of Foreclosures and of the Tightening Credit and Capital Markets on Community Development Finance

University of Central Arkansas
Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center
201 Donaghey Ave.
Conway, Ark.

Foreclosures and the tightening credit and capital markets are having an impact on financing for community and economic development. This conference will feature:

• national experts, who will take an in-depth look at how individuals, neighborhoods and cities are affected;
• tactics and strategies that cities, states and regions can use to address the challenges; and
• a panel of regional leaders who will discuss state-specific responses to finance barriers facing Arkansas communities.

Speakers will include representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, NeighborWorks America, The Council of Development Finance Agencies, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and the Arkansas Municipal League. (See the full agenda.)

The conference is co-sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Little Rock Branch, and the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas.

Register online by Sept. 12. The registration fee is $35, payable by credit card or by a check made out to “Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.”

For information, contact Julie Kerr at 501-324-8296 or julie.a.kerr@stls.frb.org.

Sept. 24-25, 2008

Strengthening Neighborhoods in Weak Markets

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
One Federal Reserve Bank Plaza (Broadway and Locust St.)
St. Louis, Mo. 63102

Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Banks of St. Louis, Chicago and Minneapolis, the meeting is one of a series—titled Recovery, Renewal, Rebuilding—scheduled across the country by the Federal Reserve.

Participants in this symposium will learn specific strategies to offset the negative impact of foreclosures on low-cost real estate markets.

The symposium is appropriate for government officials, state and local policymakers, community development organizations, affordable housing developers, business leaders, trade associations, lenders and servicers.

Learn more | We're sorry; registration is now closed. Because of an overwhelming response, we are at capacity for the number of attendees we can accommodate. After the meeting is over, we will post videos, presentations and other materials online. If you would like to be notified by e-mail when these resources are available, sign up online.

Oct. 3, 2008 | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lunch and Learn: Securing an Earmark

The Urban Child Institute
600 Jefferson Ave.
Memphis, TN 38105

Participants will learn how to secure an earmark from federal or state government. The Lunch and Learn Series is a capacity-building tool for community development corporations sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis and the University of Memphis Center for Community Building and Neighborhood Action.

For information or to register, contact Emily Trenholm at 901-725-3124.

Oct. 16, 2008 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fed Focus: Cornerstone Renter Equity Bus Tour

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch
National City Tower
101 S. Fifth St.
Louisville, KY 40202

This bus tour is sponsored by the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Participants will travel to the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, to visit several rental properties where low-income renters are part of the management and maintenance teams. The Cornerstone Renter Equity program combines renter involvement with a wealth-building tool for severely economically disadvantaged households. The tour will include presentations by Cornerstone's executive director, residents and lenders.

Tour participants will meet in the lobby of National City Tower, 101 S. Fifth St., Louisville, KY 40202 between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. The bus will load at 9 a.m. Parking is available in National City Tower’s garage at participant’s expense. Lunch will be provided.

Register online. There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited. Please register early.

For more information, contact Faith Weekly at 502-568-9216 or faith.e.weekly@stls.frb.org.

Oct. 28, 2008 | 7:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

What Now? Baby Boomers and Communities Face New Realities

Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis
3700 Central Ave.
Memphis, TN 38111

Twenty-five years from now, one in every five Americans will be age 65 or older. This dramatic shift in the population will create both challenges and opportunities for communities. Blame it on the baby boomers, who have had a significant impact on every institution and stage of life they have encountered. Has the economic crisis changed the picture for boomers? What are the implications for community development? This forum will look at the challenges and opportunities.

Register online by Oct. 21.

For information, contact Kathy Moore Cowan at 901-579-4103 or kathy.m.cowan@stls.frb.org.

Oct. 29, 2008 | 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CRA Interagency Training Workshop

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Little Rock Branch
111 Center St., Suite 1000
Little Rock, AR 72201

This workshop is for CRA officers of small or intermediate small banks who are interested in developing a CRA plan; forming meaningful partnerships; determining qualified community development lending, services and investments; assessing community needs; and creating the bank’s personal CRA Performance Context. Regulators also will provide examples of partnerships and initiatives used by other banks to improve their CRA performance.

Register online by Oct. 15 or send a fax of the registration form to 501-324-8202. We will contact you to confirm your registration.

There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited; so, please register early.

For more information, contact Julie Kerr at 501-324-8296 or Julie.A.Kerr@stls.frb.org.

Oct. 29, 2008 | 8 a.m. to noon

Local Crime and Local Business Cycles

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
One Federal Reserve Bank Plaza
(Broadway and Locust Street)
St. Louis, MO 63102

A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis looks at local business cycles in 23 major cities and how they influence crime rates. The report, written by Fed economist Thomas A. Garrett and senior research associate Lesli S. Ott, includes data for four cities in the Bank’s district: St. Louis, Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis. The authors will present their findings in each of these cities. (See Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis)

The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon, with registration and continental breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Register online by Oct. 22.

For more information, contact Cynthia Davis at 314-444-8761 or cynthia.a.davis@stls.frb.org.

Nov. 6-7, 2008

Entrepreneurship: Where Practice and Theory Meet

Sheraton City Center Hotel and Suites
400 S. 14th St.
St. Louis, MO 63103

This conference will focus on current research and best practices for creating successful ventures and vibrant economies, with a special emphasis on rural entrepreneurship. The conference will highlight the recently completed evaluations of two major initiatives: The Appalachian Regional Commission's 10-year Entrepreneurship Initiative and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Entrepreneurship Development Systems in Rural America program. Keynote speakers include Elaine Edgcomb of The Aspen Institute, Deb Markley of RUPRI and John Potter of the OECD, Paris.

Sponsors: McQuinn Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, University of Missouri; ExCEED, University of Missouri Extension; Rural Policy Research Institute; and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Learn more or register online.

Nov. 7, 2008 | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lunch and Learn: Introduction to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)

The Urban Child Institute
600 Jefferson Ave.
Memphis, TN 38105

This workshop covers basic information about CDFIs. The Lunch and Learn Series is a capacity-building tool for community development corporations sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis and the University of Memphis Center for Community Building and Neighborhood Action.

For information or to register, contact Emily Trenholm at 901-725-3124.

Nov. 13-14, 2008 | 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. **Note new date.**

Building the Capacity To Serve

Executive Inn Hotel & Convention Center
1 Executive Blvd.
Paducah, KY 42001

This two-day seminar will help participants:

• identify what is meant by capacity-building,
• understand each agency’s capacity,
• appreciate and identify potential opportunities to build capacity through collaboration,
• understand the principles of collaboration, and
• establish a dialogue and plan for potential collaborations.

Participants will take an online survey regarding capacity prior to attending the seminar. Survey results will be distributed and analyzed at the seminar. Through group discussions and interactive learning, we will identify opportunities for collaboration and encourage further development of these discovered opportunities.

Eric Schmall, director of consultation for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, will be the instructor.

Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Community Development Office, Louisville Branch, in cooperation with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hampton Inn for those requiring overnight accommodations. You may reserve a room at the special rate of $79 plus tax by calling 270-442-0200. Ask for the Federal Reserve Bank rate or go to the hotel’s web site, using Group Code FRB.

Fee: $25

Register online with a credit card by Oct. 29, 2008. For more information, contact Faith Weekly at 502-568-9216 or faith.e.weekly@stls.frb.org.

Nov. 13-14, 2008

Child Development Accounts: A Research and Policy Symposium

Chase Park Plaza
212 N. Kingshighway
St. Louis, MO 63108

Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Banks of St. Louis, New York and San Francisco; the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis; and the New America Foundation.

Registration is by invitation only. For more information, contact Gena Gunn, 314-935-9651.

Nov. 20, 2008

Local Crime and Local Business Cycles

Little Rock, Ark.

A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis looks at local business cycles in 23 major cities and how they influence crime rates. The report, written by Fed economist Thomas A. Garrett and senior research associate Lesli S. Ott, includes data for four cities in the Bank’s district: St. Louis, Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis. The authors will present their findings in each of these cities. (See St. Louis, Louisville, Memphis)

Online registration coming soon.

For more information, contact Julie Kerr at 501-324-8296 or julie.a.kerr@stls.frb.org.

Dec. 3, 2008

Local Crime and Local Business Cycles

Louisville, Ky.

A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis looks at local business cycles in 23 major cities and how they influence crime rates. The report, written by Fed economist Thomas A. Garrett and senior research associate Lesli S. Ott, includes data for four cities in the Bank’s district: St. Louis, Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis. The authors will present their findings in each of these cities. (See St. Louis, Little Rock, Memphis)

Online registration is coming soon.

For more information, contact Lisa Locke at 502-568-9292 or lisa.locke@stls.frb.org.

Dec. 5, 2008 | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lunch and Learn: Housing and Transportation

The Urban Child Institute
600 Jefferson Ave.
Memphis, TN 38105

This workshop explores the effect of transportation on housing affordability. The Lunch and Learn Series is a capacity building tool for community development corporations sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis and the University of Memphis Center for Community Building and Neighborhood Action.

For information or to register, contact Emily Trenholm at 901-725-3124.

Dec. 9, 2008

Local Crime and Local Business Cycles

Memphis, Tenn.

A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis looks at local business cycles in 23 major cities and how they influence crime rates. The report, written by Fed economist Thomas A. Garrett and senior research associate Lesli S. Ott, includes data for four cities in the Bank’s district: St. Louis, Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis. The authors will present their findings in each of these cities. (See St. Louis, Little Rock, Louisville)

Online registration is coming soon.

For more information, contact Teresa Cheeks at 901-579-4101 or teresa.cheeks@stls.frb.org.