FAQ
Where will the conference be held?
When is the conference?
Who should attend the conference?
How can I help with conference development or implementation?
How much does the conference cost?
How do I register?
How do I pay for the conference?
How do I get to the conference site?
Are there scholarships available?
Is there a discounted rate for BMRA members?
Is there a student rate?
Are there preferred accommodations for conference participants?
How do I reserve sleeping accommodations?
What is the Deconstruction Training?
When will the Deconstruction Training take place?
Where will the Deconstruction Training take place?
How much does the Deconstruction Training cost?
Who should attend the Deconstruction Training?
How do I register for the training?
What do I do if I have special dietary requirements for meals?
How do I reach conference organizers to ask additional questions?
Who are the featured presenters and speakers?
What will go on during the conference?
Transportation? Car rental? Directions from the airport?
Is parking available near the conference site?
How are the low-budget accommodations at Hostelling International-Buffalo Niagara?
How are the accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Downtown?
What can I do in Buffalo?
What kind of weather should I prepare for?
Where will the conference be held?
The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY USA, 14202. For driving directions to the Hyatt, please click on Directions.
When is the conference?
The conference will take place on Sunday, November 16 through Tuesday, November 18, 2008. The registration desk will be open Sunday, November 16 from 12 pm to 5 pm and November 17 from 7:45 am to 8:45 am.
There will be a hands-on Deconstruction Training on Wednesday, November 19. For more information, please visit www.greatlakesreuse.org/training.
There will be pre- and post-conference tours Sunday at noon and Tuesday at 2:00pm. Visit www.greatlakesreuse.org/tours for more information.
Who should attend the Great Lakes Building ReUse Conference?
This conference is intended to bring together people eager to initiate or expand programs that encourage building reuse and vacant property stabilization in “rust-belt” cities surrounding the Great Lakes. Bring your ideas, energy and enthusiasm! Everyone is encouraged to attend!
Conference topics will be relevant to: architects and engineers; contractors; deconstruction/reuse organizations; developers; local, state and federal government officials; redevelopment officials and staff; government and private funders; non-profit and community-based organizations; and anyone interested in issues related to vacant, abandoned buildings.
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What topics will be discussed during the conference?
Participants are invited to facilitate alternative presentations for design projects, initiatives and exhibitions that highlight best practices as they relate to building reuse, neighborhood regeneration and vacant property stabilization. The goal for the conference is that participants become inspired and engaged to direct social change in their home communities. Propose your vision, share your story, communicate your challenges and highlight opportunities. Possible topics may include:
- Implementing building reuse, deconstruction, and/or rehabilitation efforts as a job training/job creation tool.
- Community involvement in neighborhood planning and decision making
- Creative building designs and features incorporating salvaged/reused materials into rehabilitation/new-build projects
- Developing and implementing a building material reuse store or entrepreneurial venture that encourages ecological sustainability
- Vacant property stabilization, preservation, rehabilitation, and/or weatherization
- Policy and/or planning initiatives to improve the urban environment
- Innovative and cost effective green space development and long term maintenance efforts
How can I help with conference development or implementation?
We’re seeking collaborators and sponsors to help plan, organize and implement this conference. Specifically we need:
- Volunteers to help plan and coordinate the conference
- Volunteers to help implement the conference
- Financial support to promote the event and attract a wide audience
- Recognition for financial supporters
- Marketing, promotion and outreach support to help spread the word and reach a wider audience
If you’d like to participate, please send an email to 2008conference {at} greatlakesreuse(.)org" href="mailto:%32%30%30%38%63%6F%6E%66%65%72%65%6E%63%65%40%67%72%65%61%74%6C%61%6B%65%73%72%65%75%73%65%2E%6F%72%67">2008conference {at} greatlakesreuse(.)org.
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How much does the conference cost?
Regular conference admission is $225. See below for discounted rates for BMRA members, non-profit organizations and students.
Conference admission includes workshops, presentations, key note speech, breakfast and lunch on Monday and Tuesday, and several refreshment breaks.
Pre- and post-conference tours are $6 and include transportation and a guided tour. Visit www.greatlakesreuse.org/tours for descriptions of available tours.
The Deconstruction Training is $125 and includes an in-class seminar, catered lunch, site visit and open forum.
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How do I register?
How do I pay for the conference?
Online registration and payment for the conference is now closed. You may still register at the conference. We’ll be accepting payments in the form of check or cash only.
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How do I pay for the conference?
Online registration and payment for the conference is now closed. You may still register at the conference. We’ll be accepting payments in the form of check or cash only.
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How do I get to the conference site?
The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY USA, 14202. For driving directions to the Hyatt, please click on Directions.
If you are coming from Buffalo Niagara International Airport please click here to view ground transportation options.
For directions from the Amtrak-Buffalo, NY (BFX) station please click here. For directions from the Amtrak-Buffalo - Depew (BUF) station please click here. Please note that the Amtrak-Buffalo, NY (BFX) is only blocks from the conference site, and would be the best option for train transportation to the conference site.
For directions from the Greyhound Bus Station, please click here.
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Are there scholarships available?
Scholarships are no longer available. If you’d like to volunteer to help at the conference. please email to 2008conference {at} greatlakesreuse(.)org. You may also pay for single-day admission or $10 per keynote speaker or workshop session. See www.greatlakesreuse.org/register for more information on pricing.
Scholarship applications will be reviewed in mid-October and applicants will be contacted shortly after.
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Is there a discounted rate for BMRA members?
A discounted admission of $170 is available for Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA) members and non-profit organizations.
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Is there a student rate?
The student rate is $110.
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Are there preferred accommodations for conference participants?
For reservations made before October 24, 2008, the Hyatt Regency Buffalo has a limited number of discounted hotel rooms available for conference attendees. The discounted rate for Hyatt’s on-site hotel rooms is $99 for a single or double room. Please click here to view accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.
Hostelling International-Buffalo Niagara is located within convenient walking distance to the conference site. A limited number of beds in dorm rooms have been set aside for conference attendees. Rates at the hostel are $40 per person. Please click here to view accommodations at Hostelling International-Buffalo Niagara.
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How do I reserve sleeping accommodations?
To make reservations at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, click on Hyatt Regency Buffalo. When making reservations online, you must enter “G-BMRA” in the “Group/Corporate #” field. If you choose to call the Hyatt Regency - at 716.856.1234 - the conference code is “BMRA”. The $99 per day rates only apply to the actual conference dates - November 16 through November 18.
To make reservations at Hostelling International-Buffalo Niagara, please call 716.852.5222 or email stay {at} hostelbuffalo(.)com. To receive the special rate for conference attendees, make sure to specify that you are a participant of the Great Lakes ReUse Conference.
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What is the Deconstruction Training?
The Deconstruction Training is a one-day training offered by RE-USE Consulting, a firm that has been ‘engineering’ projects to help make deconstruction work for fifteen years. The training will focus on the who, what, why, where, and when of the deconstruction process. The goal is to help prepare participants to deal with abandoned and vacant housing stocks, teach what to look for in a building and how to plan and complete a deconstruction project. The day will include a seminar in a classroom setting, catered lunch, a deconstruction site visit and field work, group exchange, and an open forum.
The day will start in the classroom, where discussion topics will be tailored to meet the interests of participants. After a catered lunch, the group will travel to a nearby building and tour an actual deconstruction job site. The larger group will break into smaller groups and lessons learned in the classroom will be put to use on an actual structure. After visiting the site, the group will return to the classroom to share findings and RE-USE Consulting’s Dave Bennink will field questions. Those who would like to stay will then participate in an open forum to share experiences and ask questions.
For more information about the Deconstruction Training, please visit www.greatlakesreuse.org/training.
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When will the Deconstruction Training take place?
The Deconstruction Training will take place Wednesday, November 19, 2008 from 9 am to 4 pm.
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Where will the Deconstruction Training take place?
The Deconstruction Training will take place at 271 Grant Street, Buffalo NY 14213.
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How much does the Deconstruction Training cost?
The cost to participate in the Deconstruction Training is $125 and includes training by RE-USE Consulting (a consulting firm with 15 years experience ‘engineering’ projects to help make deconstruction work), catered lunch, a site visit and open forum.
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Who should attend the Deconstruction Training?
Building owners, architects, government officials, and other groups with an interest in deconstruction should consider attending the training.
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How do I register for the training?
Online registration and payment for the training is now closed. You may still register at the conference. We’ll be accepting payments in the form of check or cash only.
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What do I do if I have special dietary requirements for meals?
We will do our best to accommodate dietary requirements for conference meals. If you have special needs, please contact us.
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How do I reach conference organizers to ask additional questions?
To contact conference organizers, email 2008conference {at} greatlakesreuse(.)org" href="mailto:%32%30%30%38%63%6F%6E%66%65%72%65%6E%63%65%40%67%72%65%61%74%6C%61%6B%65%73%72%65%75%73%65%2E%6F%72%67">2008conference {at} greatlakesreuse(.)org or call the Buffalo ReUse office at 716.885.4131. You can send postal mail to Conference, PO Box 1132, Buffalo NY 14213.
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Who are the featured presenters and speakers?
Tyree Guyton, Founder and Jenenne Whitfield, Executive Director of the Heidelberg Project in Detroit, Michigan. For more information about the Heidelberg Project, visit www.heidelberg.org.
Jay Williams, Mayor of the City of Youngstown, Ohio. To learn about Mayor Jay Williams or the City of Youngstown, visit www.cityofyoungstownoh.org.
Rick Lowe, Founder of Project Row Houses in Houston, Texas. For more information about Project Row Houses, visit www.projectrowhouses.org.
Michael W. Groman, Senior Director of Philadelphia Green Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information about Philadelphia Green Program, visit www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/phlgreen/index.html.
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What will go on during the conference?
To explore the conference schedule, please visit www.greatlakesreuse.org/schedule. The conference will include workshops, a keynote speaker, as well as time for networking and idea exchanges.
Participants are invited to facilitate alternative presentations for design projects, initiatives, and exhibitions that highlight best practices as they relate to building reuse, neighborhood regeneration and vacant property stabilization. The goal for the conference is that participants become inspired and engaged to direct social change in their home communities.
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Transportation? Car rental? Directions from the airport?
If you are coming from Buffalo Niagara International Airport please click here to view ground transportation options. There is car rental, local transit and other options from the airport to the conference site.
If you are arriving in Buffalo via Amtrak train or Greyhound bus, NFTA Metro Rail offers free fare above ground transportation in downtown Buffalo. The NFTA Metro Rail will take you directly from Greyhound or Amtrak-Buffalo stations to the conference site. Get off at the Fountain Plaza station and walk south to get to the Hyatt.
If you are traveling by Amtrak, the Amtrak-Buffalo (BFX) station is in downtown Buffalo, only minutes from the conference site. To get to the NFTA Metro Rail, leave the Amtrak station and turn left on to Exchange Street. Walk up Exchange Street to Main Street and turn right. The Erie Canal Harbor station will be the first NFTA Metro Rail station you come to. The NFTA Metro Rail is free fare above ground. Board the next train, get off at Fountain Plaza and walk south to the Hyatt.
To catch the NFTA Metro Rail from the Greyhound station, exit the Greyhound Station on to North Division Street, turn right outside of the bus station and walk west towards Main Street. Turn right on Main Street, the next NFTA Metro Rail is Church Street station. The NFTA Metro Rail is free above ground. Board the next train, get off at Fountain Plaza and walk south to the Hyatt.
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Is parking available near the conference site?
The conference site does not have its own parking facility, however off site parking is available across the street. The cost is $6 per day with no in/out privileges. If in/out privileges are requested and available, parking is $14 per day. Simply see the Front Desk for details.
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How are the low-budget accommodations at Hostelling International-Buffalo Niagara?
Please click here to view accommodations at Hostelling International-Buffalo Niagara.
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How are the accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Downtown?
Please click here to view accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.
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What can I do in Buffalo?
We will be offering two pre- and post-conference tours to introduce conference participants to our city. Please visit www.greatlakesreuse.org/tours for more information. If you wish to take part in additional tours, please visit the website for Buffalo Tours at www.buffalotours.org.
Niagara Falls is a world-renowned attraction just twenty miles from downtown Buffalo. To explore Buffalo or Niagara Falls as a visitor, go to the Buffalo Niagara Visitors Bureau website at www.visitbuffaloniagara.com.
There are also several local publications that highlight things to do in Buffalo. Visit www.buffalorising.com or artvoice.com for details about event and things to do in Buffalo during your stay.
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What kind of weather should I prepare for?
Buffalo can be cold and snowy in mid-November. While this is not common, it’s good to be prepared for winter weather. Here’s a link to the Buffalo weather forecast.
