The City of Knoxville is billing it as "the neighborhood event of the year" - a gathering of hundreds of citizens and public officials focused on the quality of life in the residential neighborhoods of Knoxville and Knox County.

It, of course, is The Neighborhood Conference, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Knoxville Convention Center. Designed for both city and county residents, this free event is a unique opportunity to connect with other neighborhoods and neighborhood leaders as well as meet elected officials and department heads.

The conference includes 32 workshops on a wide range of topics that include fighting crime, saving on energy costs, helping neighbors in need, understanding the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, and grappling with legal issues faced by homeowner associations.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will welcome attendees at the first session of the day, and Mayor Rogero will present the Diana Conn Good Neighbor of the Year Award to one of 14 nominees at the conference luncheon.

Also featured are 80 information booths, a free continental breakfast, free box lunch, door prizes, and a neighborhood T-shirt contest.

"Ties that Bind Youth and Neighborhoods" - the portion of the conference devoted to youth and youth issues - will offer a youth talent showcase and a panel of youth leaders discussing issues faced in their neighborhoods and the larger community.

Another workshop will focus on community schools, and most of the members of the Knox County Board of Education will be available for a meet-and-greet session. Similar sessions will be held so that citizens can meet their City Council and County Commission representatives.

"This conference is designed especially for all types of neighborhood organizations in the city and the county," said David Massey, the City's Neighborhood Coordinator, "but the truth is, any area resident will find plenty of useful information and networking opportunities at this event."

Detailed information can be found atwww.knoxvilletn.gov/neighborhoods, where citizens can register online. Register by the early bird deadline (noon Tuesday, March 3) to receive the free box lunch. Call 865-215-2113 to have a hard copy of the registration materials mailed to you.

The conference is made possible by taxpayer funds and by donations of the following sponsors:

Waste Connections of Tennessee
Home Federal Bank
Tennova Healthcare
Cannon & Cannon
Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace
Knoxville Area Association of Realtors
Knoxville News Sentinel
Prestige Cleaners
UT Federal Credit Union
Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers
First Tennessee Bank
Knox REIA
Smart Home Technologies
Weigel's