Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) to Host National Conference

“Building Local Living Economies: Economic, Community & Environmental Prosperity”

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) will host its national conference from May 30 to June 1, 2003 (in conjunction with the Oregon Sustainability Conference May 29-31) at Portland State University – Portland, Oregon

Family farms, independent businesses, community newspapers, artists, and eco-systems that once flourished in many communities are now disappearing. However, local residents and business owners have the power to revitalize the unique character of our communities. Join local business alliances from across the country that are working together to equitably increase prosperity, strengthen community, and ensure a healthy environment. Conference participants will include visionary authors, independent business owners, community and economic development professionals, government officials, and community citizens. Participants will be instrumental in shaping tangible ideas and actions for building local living economies.

FOR CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED INFORMATION: View the Events Section at www.LivingEconomies.org

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Michael Shuman, Author of Going Local

Judy Wicks, Owner White Dog Caf and Co-chair, BALLE

Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance & author of The Home Town Advantage: How to Defend Your Main Street Against Chain Stores and Why It Matters

Laury Hammel, Owner, Longfellow Clubs and Co-chair, BALLE

David Korten, Author of When Corporations Rule the World …AND MANY MORE!

REGISTER TODAY

Early bird registration before May 1 – $125

Registration after May 1 – $150

Register Online or Download Registration Form

Register for the Oregon Sustainability Forum (As a BALLE Conference participant, you can attend Saturday morning presentations at the Oregon Sustainability Conference for no additional fee. There is a separate registration fee for attending the conference on Thursday or Friday.)

CONFERENCE SPONSORS:

Rudloph Steiner Foundation

White Dog Cafe’ Foundation

Sponsorship opportunities still available

ABOUT BALLE: BALLE supports

Local ownership of businesses

Creating a sense of community and place

Structuring business ownership for community accountability

Regional and renewable production of food, energy and housing

Changing consumers to customers through education

Appropriately scaled industry

Community investment and financing socially & ecologically responsible businesses

Local sourcing and retention of capital within a community

Public policies that support independent, local businesses

Reusing ‘waste’ — waste as opportunity

Selling your business without selling your values

Independent business alliances, networking & peer mentoring

Independent media and bookstores

Environmentally sound buildings and well-planned, livable communities

Local arts and culture, and neighborhood tourism

Economic democracy

Learn more about BALLE or join a local network: www.livingeconomies.org