Preservation Alliance of West Virginia accepting proposals

Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) is currently accepting proposals for its conference scheduled for 27-29 September 2012 in Jefferson County, located in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. This year's conference theme intends to identify historic preservation truths and debunk historic preservation myths. Proposal topics should relate to this theme and/or to one of the three conference tracks (preservation policy, heritage development, and preservation skills). Applicants' fields can involve aspects of historic preservation, historic architecture, planning, hands-on preservation skills, public history, historic archaeology, heritage tourism or a related field. Please see the below guidelines for supplementary information to be submitted with proposals, which will be accepted until 15 March 2012. Later submissions may be considered until all conference programming has been selected . PAWV is the statewide grassroots organization committed to historic preservation in West Virginia. PAWV works to bring attention to the plight of at-risk historic properties and provide assistance to the organizations involved in their preservation. As part of our services, PAWV offers a three-day biennial historic preservation educational conference where attendees are offered: Plenary speakers, Half- and full-day workshops, Short educational sessions, Round-table discussions, Panel presentations, Educational walking or driving tours, and a Student poster session.
There are three conference tracks:Preservation planning and policy: This track aims to educate about best planning practices, capacity building, and incentives for historic preservation projects at the local and state level by working with/as government entities and non-profit organizations. Proposals about overcoming obstacles in preservation planning are highly sought. However, proposals discussing state and federal legislation and preservation will also be considered. Heritage development and tourism: Emphasizing economic development through historic preservation, this track's themes include heritage and cultural tourism and the process of developing an economically beneficial basis for such. Proposals discussing historical interpretation of sites and landscapes will also be considered. Preservation trade skills and methodology: Focused on the reasons for proceeding with historic preservation and the tools/skills needed to do so, this track will emphasize the best steps in initiating, performing, and completing historic preservation projects, which also includes historic archaeology and landscapes. Hands-on workshops and how-to sessions will be considered for this track. Submissions that focus on preservation trades businesses will also be accepted.