If you don’t already have these two 2013 conferences on your radar, you will want to make sure to add them now. First off, New Partners for Smart Growth, taking place February 7-9 in Kansas City, Missouri is now open for registration. Known for jazz, barbecue and fountains, Kansas City is a creative community that prides itself on good times and friendly, fun-loving people. The city's central location in the country, as well as nearly 100 dynamic and exciting sessions, plenaries, and local model tours is going to make this year a landmark event! The 12th annual New Partners conference will explore practical strategies for identifying and overcoming barriers to more sustainable development in the Midwest and the rest of the nation. Come join us in this process. Visit www.newpartners.org for more information and to register.

Secondly, the National Bike Summit is the premiere advocacy event of the year taking place March 4-6 in Washington, DC. More than 800 advocates, government staff and cycling enthusiasts of all types come together to tell Congress about the benefits of bicycling. And this year they mean business. In pure economic terms, bicycling pours billions of dollars into the US economy, creating jobs and boosting community development from coast to coast. In political terms, bicyclists mean business, too. The united voice of the bike industry, event directors, local riding clubs and advocacy groups is a powerful constituency. Click here to register.

Both conferences are great opportunities to network with other Safe Routes to School practitioners, learn more to expand your work and, at the National Bike Summit, to advocate for Safe Routes in person! Another must attend conference in 2013 is the Safe Routes to School National Conference in Sacramento, CA, August 13-15. Registration isn’t open yet, but make sure it is on your calendar.