BALLE Conference to Focus on Economic Models Built on Local Ownership

The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) will hold its seventh annual conference, Rising to the Challenge: Entrepreneurs Building Living Economies, from Thursday, May 21, through Saturday, May 23, in Denver, Colorado. As in years past, the event is expected to draw hundreds of entrepreneurs, business owners, community investors, economic development experts, and sustainability leaders, who will share best practices, discover new connections, and set the course for building local living economies.

"The current economic and environmental climate makes this year's conference the essential event for business, civic, and community leaders," said Doug Hammond, BALLE's executive director, in a statement. "Key strategies for the new economy will be woven throughout every session."

The conference will highlight a broad range of practical tools and inspirational voices, as well as showcase the impact that BALLE's 65 networks, and their member entrepreneurs, are having on local communities. In addition to three full days of educational sessions, leading experts will provide one-on-one consultation sessions throughout the conference.

Among those on a long roster of keynote speakers are Melissa Bradley-Burns, senior strategist, Green for All; Melissa Hardy, worker-owner, BioFuel Oasis; Elliot Hoffman, co-founder and CEO, New Voice of Business; June Holley, co-founder, Network Weaving, and co-founder, ACEnet; David Korten, Yes! Magazine; Michael Shuman, research and policy director, BALLE; and more.

Three pre-conference seminars will begin events on May 21: the 4th Annual Local First Conference, the Third Annual Manufacturers Summit, and the Third Annual Economic Development Pre-Conference.

Full programming details and a registration form for Rising to the Challenge: Entrepreneurs Building Living Economies are available at www.livingeconomies.org/conference.