Event Postponed

After much consideration and guidance from the CDC, the State of Michigan and the Kent County Health Department, the FHCWM has begun taking proactive measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 virus in our community and is exploring options to reschedule our annual Fair Housing Luncheon and Workshop Series, originally scheduled for May 7, 2020. The FHCWM is working with all parties and will post updated plans as soon as possible.  We will be in touch with those of you who have registered to attend.  Thank you for your understanding and be well.  

Toward the Goal of Justice Together: Celebrating 40 Years of Fair Housing in West Michigan

DATE/TIME: Will be updated as determined.

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON: This year’s luncheon will feature a keynote address by Bryan Greene, Director of Fair Housing Policy at the National Association of REALTORS®.

SCHEDULE:
8:15 am to 8:45 am – Workshop Check-In & Networking with Continental Breakfast
8:45 to 11: 45 am – Workshops
11:45 am to 12 noon – Luncheon Check-In
12 noon to 1:45 pm – Luncheon program

Please plan to arrive by 8:30 am to receive your registration packet and breakfast.  

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON: This year’s luncheon will feature a keynote address by Bryan Greene, Director of Fair Housing Policy for the National Association of REALTORS® & poetry performances by winners of the 2020 Fair Housing Poetry Contest!  The contest is available to students from local schools Grand Rapids Public Schools who have been participating in our Writing to Right Wrongs program; the students will be mentored by our partners/poets from The Diatribe: Rachel Gleason and Marcel 'Fable' Price. 

WORKSHOPS: This year’s conference will also feature THREE workshop options for attendees to choose from.  Workshops will cover the following topic areas:

1. Am I Welcome to Live Here? Achieving Equitable Access to Homeownership (Continued education credits for Realtors will be sought)
2. Beyond the Basics: Working Together to Ensure Fair Housing Compliance
3. Fifty Years Later: Healing Our Divided Society

Please note that the workshops and/or speakers may be subject to change.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: The FHCWM will be pursuing continuing education credits for real estate professionals.  Previous FHCWM conferences have received this approval but watch this page for updates as credits are confirmed. Or, contact the FHCWM for any updates.  Please bring your License Numbers with you and be sure to sign in once you are in your workshop, otherwise you will not be eligible for credit!

CONFERENCE COST: The registration cost for this event is only $75 for a workshop AND luncheon ticket and $45 for a workshop OR luncheon ticket ONLY.  This registration cost assists the FHCWM with the costs the workshops, keynote, continental breakfast, and lunch. Due to hotel meal count requirements, we are unable to provide refunds after April 29, 2020.

SENIOR DISCOUNT: We have a limited number of FULL scholarships available for Kent County senior citizens (underwritten by the Kent County Senior Millage). If interested, please call us at (616) 451-2980 and do NOT fill out the online registration form.

REGISTRATION: Register and pay for the conference. Registration is required and space is limited! Your registration is not considered complete until payment is received. Online registration is scheduled to close April 29, 2020 unless sessions fill sooner.

• Step-by-step instructions on how to register.
• If you have any problems in completing your registration or need an alternative option, please contact the FHCWM.
• Please be sure to note any reasonable accommodation or dietary needs in the applicable area of your registration or contact the FHCWM.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES: Please contact the FHCWM if any accommodations are needed or note on your registration. Alternate formats of materials will be available upon request for those with disabilities.  Wheelchairs will be available for short-term use at several places; contact the FHCWM for more information.

LOCATION:
The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel & Conference Center is located at 187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

LODGING:
If you are traveling and need lodging for the night prior, downtown Grand Rapids offers several different hotel options: Amway Grand Plaza, J.W. Marriot, Courtyard Marriot, Holiday Inn, City Flats Hotel, Homewood Suites, AC Hotel Grand Rapids.  Call our office if you have questions about hotels outside of the downtown area.

SPONSORS: A BIG thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible and allowing persons across income levels to attend!  Guest registration fees do not cover all the per person meal costs and associated expenses. Without the sponsorship of so many organizations, we would not be able to provide this affordable conference registration rate.