As part of his work as a member of the Advisory Board of the Smart Growth America Local Leaders Council, Mayor Scott Avedisian will attend the 12th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Kansas City, Mo. Avedisian is expected to offer opening remarks during Friday evening’s Smart Growth America's 2013 Leadership Awards reception.

The conference, which begins with a half-day forum today and runs through Saturday, will focus on how smart growth, environmental justice and equitable development supporters can work together to create vibrant communities that offer residents improved opportunities and choice. Over 300 speakers are expected to present at nearly 100 sessions, which include “The Arrival of the 21st-Century American City,” “Rethinking Public Bus Service to Promote Smart Growth Lifestyles,” “Complete Streets, Cultural Change” and “Sustainable Neighborhoods, Thriving Residents: Strategies for Building Equitable Communities.”

More than 1,000 people from throughout the United States are expected to attend. The audience will include elected officials, government agency leaders, developers, builders, bankers, Realtors and representatives from a number of professions, including planning, transportation, health, architecture, public works, education and crime prevention.

Avedisian was named to The Local Leaders Council in September. The council is a new national network of local elected leaders, representing a diverse array of communities that are committed to using “smart growth” techniques within their communities to help them compete and thrive in the current economy, create vibrant spaces in which to live and work and provide good transportation and housing choices for their citizens.

Responsibilities of the council’s Advisory Board’s members include traveling regionally and nationally to share their communities’ stories, helping shape activities and direction of the new Local Leaders Council, convening for the annual strategy summit and advising and assisting communities that want to emulate successful policies and share policy. Members also gain access to policy development and implementation assistance, along with other benefits. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory are board co-chairmen.