The City of Knoxville's Office of Neighborhoods is sponsoring its first-ever Neighborhood Conference for Knoxville and Knox County residents on March 23, 2013, at the Knoxville Convention Center. With the theme of "Connecting Neighborhoods, Building Community," the day-long conference will offer more than 30 workshops on issues including codes enforcement, crime prevention and neighborhood organizing. Registration, admission and parking for the conference are free.

"We have a great slate of panelists to talk about everything from zoning to greenways. This is a real opportunity for people in local neighborhood organizations, or people who would like to start a neighborhood organization, to learn more about how to effectively advocate for the things that matter most to them," said David Massey, Coordinator of the Office of Neighborhoods.

The conference will run from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., including a free continental breakfast and box lunch. There will be three sessions of 75-minute workshops, in 12 different categories. There will also be more than 20 information booths from local governmental agencies and nonprofit groups. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from and meet City and County senior staff as well as members of City Council and County Commission.

For a complete schedule, see the conference web page at http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/neighborhoods/neighborhood_conference