MOBILE – The 2014 Alabama Preservation Conference will be held on Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26 in The Shoals. Join us for Preserving Alabama: Finding Your Historic Rhythm.
“We are so pleased to be bringing the 2014 Alabama Preservation Conference to the historic Shoals area – an area experiencing a successful preservation renaissance,” stated Rhonda Davis, vice president of the Alabama Trust and conference chair. “This year’s conference will focus on historic preservation and its economic effect on our communities. We are presenting relevant preservation topics that include everything from using historic tax credits and economic incentives to leverage restoration projects, to the promotion of the Main Street approach to downtown revitalization. We also have some fun events and tours planned so everyone can explore the historic Shoals area and enjoy the strong music heritage here.”
Among the Friday sessions will be panel discussions, hands-on workshops, presentations and site visits of historic downtown Florence. 
Conference goers will have an opportunity to learn the benefits of Historic Tax Credits and how to prepare applications for preservation projects. Main Street Alabama director Mary Helmer will introduce the four-point Main Street Program to communities interested in the revitalization of their historic downtowns. This track will offer presentations that include establishing small business incubators and the use of social media in marketing plans. Saturday’s schedule will include a tour of area historic house museums and a tour of The Shoals music industry sites. On Friday evening the Alabama Preservation Awards will be presented, followed by a screening of the documentary “Muscle Shoals” on the campus of the University of North Alabama.
The 2014 Alabama Preservation Conference is presented by the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation, Alabama Historical Commission and Black Heritage Council.
To register please visit https://www.alabamatrust.info. Registration opens on February 15.
For hotel reservations with discounted conference rate contact the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa at 1-800-593-6450.
MEDIA RELEASE/Alabama Preservation Conference /Rhonda Davis, Conference Chair
