Noon – 6:00 p.m.
Planners’ Challenge Golf Tournament
Raven Golf Club at Verrado
4242 North Golf Drive, Buckeye

Kick off the 2007 conference with the annual Planners’ Challenge Golf Tournament. In addition to the good times shared, the golf experience will be fantastic. The Raven Golf Club at Verrado is a new Arizona golf course, quickly gaining a reputation as one of the Phoenix Valley's finest new golf experiences. Voted the #1 public golf course in Phoenix by Sports Illustrated magazine, the Raven is sure to offer a fun, yet challenging day of golf. The tournament this year will be a scramble format, including prizes for longest drive and closest to pin, with an allinclusive fee of $75.

1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Workshop
Planning for a State of Quality Growth

Arizona is now the fastest growing state in the nation and experts agree population rates will continue to soar. The question is how are we going to grow? Are we going to build great, livable communities? Are we going to embrace our natural beauty and the magnificent landscapes that called us here in the first place? Are we going to act for the long term to leave a legacy for the next generations of Arizonans? We will be successful if we work together, as stewards, cultivating new approaches to how we work and grow. In this session, we’ll discuss some of the innovative tools, partnerships and investments that the state is making to promote smarter growth and infrastructure throughout Arizona. Topics will include the Governor’s Growth Cabinet, Arizona’s Smart Growth Implementation Plan, the Arizona Smart Growth Scorecard, and the Growing Smarter Guiding Principles. Moderator: Kristen Keener Busby, AICP, Director, Community Planning Office, Arizona Department of Commerce

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Opening Reception
Dancing Water Fountains, Jobing.com Arena at Westgate City Center

The 2007 Opening Reception will be held at the Dancing Water Fountains in front of the Jobing.com Arena at the Westgate City Center. The Dancing Water Fountains are the project's centerpiece--a 60,000-gallon fountain, modeled after the landmark Bellagio water feature, along the Las Vegas Strip. This will be an excellent opportunity to mingle with your colleagues and enjoy an outdoor event in a beautiful setting. And of course, there will be drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Westgate City Center, anchored by Jobing.com Arena and University of Phoenix Stadium, is bringing 6.5 million square feet of shops, restaurants, offices, theaters and residential units to Glendale in a formerly agricultural area. They have big plans!