Wayne State's College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA) is joining forces with CreateDetroit, a grass roots effort to tap the area's creative thinkers, to host a presentation and brainstorming session with Richard Florida, Heinz professor of Economic Development at Carnegie Mellon University and author of The Rise of the Creative Class, on March 3 and 4 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.

CreateDetroit is a natural fit for CULMA and its Richard C. Van Dusen Forum on Urban Issues to develop the notion of building a cool city right here in Detroit. Florida is also a welcomed authority offering ideas to help CreateDetroit address Detroit's future in a creative and constructive manner.

Florida's groundbreaking book helped spark the movement across the country and internationally, to improve cities by rebuilding around creativity, the arts and diversity. Cities and regions across the United States and the world have embarked on new creativity strategies based on the thinking in the book.

"Clearly there is no city with more potential in the nation than the greater Detroit area," said Florida. The event will focus on what Florida has dubbed "the Creative Class," comprised of artists, musicians, highly skilled technical workers, scientists, entrepreneurs and knowledge workers. The attraction and retention of this group is critical to the growth and vitality of large cities like Detroit.

The CreateDetroit movement hopes to build on Detroit's already huge creative potential to keep those people here instead of losing them to Austin, New York, Chicago or San Francisco. This event is just a first step toward developing a hit list of actions to create a vibrant and creative city.

Following a presentation and reception on March 3, Florida and his team will present the Regional Transformation Process (RTP) that he has used in other cities, such as Albuquerque, N.M., Green Bay, Wis. and Greensboro, N.C., and has been a catalyst for change in those areas.

CreateDetroit is drawing on the talents of professionals representing creative fields, all of whom have volunteered their time. This movement uses a street-level marketing campaign that distributes edgy materials to clubs, coffeehouses and restaurants. Event details include:

Wednesday, March 3, Presentation and reception by Richard Florida, Orchestra Hall at The Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 or $40 for a group of five people.

Thursday, March 4, Brainstorming and Regional Transformation Process with Richard Florida, The Music Box at The Max M. Fisher Music Center 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $60. Cost includes a continental breakfast, working lunch and a copy of The Rise of the Creative Class.

CreateDetroit is made possible by its sponsors and in-kind contributors including: Wayne State University, the College of Urban, Labor & Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA) with Richard C. Van Dusen Forum on Urban Issues; the Detroit Regional Chamber; the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC); the State of Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Growth; Public I; Hubbell Group; Juergensen & Associates; Design Council; Brogan & Partners; lovio|george|inc marketing and communications; Jacokes Communications; Max M. Fisher Music Center; Compuware; Strategic Staffing Solutions; The Heidelberg Project; WWJ - Infinity Broadcasting; Detroit Renaissance; Treeflow Technologies; Comerica and SBC.

The Van Dusen Forum is named after the late Richard C. Van Dusen, a prominent attorney from Detroit who made a lifetime commitment to improving urban communities. Among his many accomplishments, Van Dusen served as undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, and chaired the Detroit Regional Chamber. He was also a distinguished governor of Wayne State University.

Contact: Heather Shimkos George
Voice: (313) 832-2210
E-mail: hjg@loviogeorgeinc.com