Tallahassee, FL (December  3, 2010) – The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation announced today that the 33rd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference will take place in Central Florida from May 18 through 21, 2011.  President Nancy Maddox announced, “We are pleased to be showcasing Central Florida and the region’s many successful preservation projects.  We plan to offer a wide range of workshops, tours, and events that illustrate the vital economic role historic preservation plays in Florida.” 

Co-chairs for the conference are:  from Orlando -- The Honorable Glenda Hood, former Secretary of State and Mayor of Orlando, and from Winter Park -- Ms. Jodi Rubin, President of Preservation Concepts and Owner of CCS Restoration.  The Grand Bohemian Hotel in downtown Orlando will serve as the host hotel.  

Designed to appeal to a broad audience including historic homeowners and volunteers as well as preservation, museum real estate, and archaeology professionals, and vendors serving the historic preservation field, themes will include downtown revitalization, neighborhood design, collections conservation, and nonprofit management.  Most conference sessions and tours will be eligible for continuing education credits for professionals in the field. During the conference, the 2011 Florida’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites will be announced. This Florida Trust program increases public awareness of the urgent need to save Florida’s neglected or threatened historic resources. Also presented during the conference will be the 2011 Statewide Preservation Awards recognizing individuals, organizations, businesses and government entities that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of historic preservation.

According to a recent study*, historic preservation activities created 111,509 jobs in Florida and contributed an estimated $1.38 billion in state, local and federal tax collections in Florida in 2007 and 2008. About $13.5 billion was spent on rehabilitation of existing residential and non-residential property in Florida during the same time span. In 2007, heritage tourists to Florida spent an estimated $4.13 billion, and 46.7% of all U.S. visitors to Florida reported visiting an historical site during their stay.

Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation promotes the preservation of the architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida through advocacy, education and stewardship of historic properties.

For information about the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, please visit www.floridatrust.org or call (850) 224-8128.

NOTE TO MEDIA:  Additional information for media representatives is available at www.floridatrust.org/press. Please contact Kimberly Fairall at kimberly@floridatrust.org to request media credentials to the annual conference.

* Study prepared by the Center for Governmental Responsibility, University of Florida Levin C