May 2, 2014
For the first time since its inception, the Indiana Byways Conference will be held north of Indianapolis, in Plymouth at the historic crossroads of Indiana. The Indiana Lincoln Highway and the Historic Michigan Road Associations are hosting the conference, held every four years, in on June 5-6. The conference will highlight Indiana’s two newest state scenic byways, the Indiana Lincoln Highway and Historic Michigan Road Byways dedicated in 2011.
The purpose of the conference is to bring representatives from the state’s seven scenic byways together for education, planning, and coordination of programs in anticipation of the state’s bicentennial. The keynote speaker is Sharon Strouse with the National Scenic Byway Foundation, who will lead the discussion on “Turning your byway into cash”. The discussion will target elected officials and directors for economic development offices, tourism bureaus, Main Street organizations, and merchants affected by the byways. Due to the new nature of the byway program in northern Indiana, participation by these organizations is strongly encouraged.
A reception will be held for early arrivers on Thursday evening, June 5th. The balance of the program will be held at the Historic Crossroads Center, Marshall County Museum, on June 6th. More information can be found, and registrations can be made, by going to Bywayconference2014.eventbrite.com. Contact Kurt West Garner, President, Historic Michigan Road Association, at kwgarner@kwgarner.com or 574-936-0613 for more information.