FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Renee Graham, Public Communications Officer - (573) 874-7316

Vision Showcase to celebrate vision actions and implementation on Sept. 4

COLUMBIA, MO (August 22, 2008) - The public is invited to a Vision Showcase on Thursday,
Sept. 4, from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts at Ninth & Locust in downtown Columbia.

The Vision Showcase will highlight current vision accomplishments, review further implementation actions, connect the people and resources necessary to continue to move visioning forward and lay the foundation for future vision events. Held in conjunction with Twilight Festival, this vision celebration will include live music on stage, “minute at the mic” opportunities, vision topic group reunions, door prizes, refreshments and an information fair that will focus on the Arts, Education, Health and Planning. Future vision events will focus on other key topics outlined in the vision report.

“The Imagine Columbia's Future vision report demonstrated a collective desire for Columbia to be a connected, informed and engaged community. This event provides opportunities for the community to reconnect with the vision, find out what has been happening and engage with the work ahead,” says Sarah J. Read, a local business owner, former vision committee member, and president of the Communications Center Inc. Read is currently under contract with the city to organize the implementation and action plan.

According to City Manager Bill Watkins, “The vision report already guides city  decision-making, but there are complex and long-range issues that will require public-private partnerships and community-wide participation. I encourage everyone in the community to stop by on Sept. 4 to see how they can help turn vision ideas into actions.”

For more information on vision implementation and the opportunity to receive vision updates by email, please visit www.GoColumbiaMo.com, or call (573) 874-7316.

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