The Arizona Preservation Foundation, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, Arizona Department of Commerce’s Main Street Program, and the City of Phoenix invite you to join them at the 7th Annual Historic Preservation Partnership Conference. This year’s conference, ”Arguing For Preservation: Building a Case For Communities,” is being held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix, June 18th-20th, 2009. The goal of the Conference is to bring together preservationists from around the state to exchange ideas and success stories, to share perspectives and solutions to preservation issues and to foster a sense of cooperation between the diverse Arizona preservation communities.

The involvement of communities is a crucial part of preservation. Through community outreach and participation with preservation partners, everyone can have an equal voice in preserving Arizona’s irreplaceable cultural resources. The Preservation Awards Luncheon is the focal event of the Conference. The 27th Annual Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Awards are presented at the luncheon. These awards, presented by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Arizona Preservation Foundation, recognize people, organizations, and projects that represent outstanding achievements in preserving Arizona’s prehistoric and historic resources. The Governor’s Awards in Public Archaeology are also presented at the luncheon. These awards, selected by the Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission, recognize excellence in archaeological awareness, conservation and education. The awards make the conference more than a venue to learn, debate and network, but also a celebration of outstanding historic preservation efforts and achievements.

With the approach of the State’s Centennial in 2012, the need to reflect on our collective past and plan for the future is apparent. I hope that you can join us to address specific historic preservation issues that affect our fragile resources, as well as the future preservation of Arizona’s heritage.