WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

400+ inspired participants, building a new economy based on shared ownership and real democracy. Dozens even hundreds of worker cooperatives in all stages, from concept, to conversion, to growth. The U.S.'s leading lenders, funders, educators and businesses supporting the cooperative economy. International guests bringing their wisdom and perspectives. And you. Join us for the 10th Anniversary of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives at the National Worker Cooperative Conference, May 30th - June 1st 2014 in Chicago.

As worker ownership breaks into the public consciousness on an unprecedented scale, we will gather in popular education and brainstorm sessions, keynotes and much more to: 1) share best practices, 2) identify (and shape) emerging trends in community economic development, 3) form relationships with allied organizations, businesses, and economic developers; and, 4) have a blast making change!

This conference is THE place to learn more about worker cooperatives, meet worker-owners, and work together to build a supportive ecosystem that helps cooperatives thrive. Worker cooperatives are businesses owned and controlled by the people who work in them, the cooperative members. They are a time-tested way to create quality jobs, and are gaining momentum as a strategy to build and anchor wealth in communities.

WHAT'S A WORKER COOPERATIVE?

WHO WILL BE THERE AND WHY?

The National Worker Cooperative Conference is known and loved for its vibrant mix of attendees. We expect to welcome: - Worker cooperative member-owners old and new, - Small business owners exploring selling to their employees, - Cooperative developers, technical assistance providers and support professionals, - Community organizations doing or exploring cooperative development, - Allies from local sustainable business, racial and economic justice, and community organizing groups, - Policy makers and economic development officials, - Funders and philanthropists, - Academics, researchers and advocates for the cooperative economy; and, - Cooperative lenders and CDFIs Cooperative business ownership transforms people and the communities they live in. And its not easy. We need opportunities to share the ideas, tools and inspirations that will create the new economy. We must create space to envision our future together. This biennial conference energizes our hearts, stimulates our minds and puts tools in our hands. Most important, it brings us together to form relationships that build the power and reach of the worker cooperative sector.

Chicago's proud history of labor and community organizing grounds the conference in people's power to change their own lives. Our co-hosts/conference location, the Voorhees Center at UIC, is engaged in people- and local economy-centered urban planning. Chicago is also home to the Center for Workplace Democracy, Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council, the Chicago Community Loan Fund, and the Latino Union all champions of worker ownership. Local worker cooperatives, from longtime collective Salsedo Press to recent buyout New Era Windows (former Republic Windows and Doors), show us the local workings of a cooperative economy, right here in Chicago. The Illinois Governor's Task Force on Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise just announced its conclusions that worker cooperatives can be a key piece of an effective state-wide community wealth building strategy.

WHY CHICAGO?

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CONFERENCE?

Speakers are coming from near and far, including: - Reps from Legacoop in Emilia Romagna, Italy, the largest region of worker cooperatives in the world, - Cook County and State of Illinois economic development officials (invited), - Organizers from racial and economic justice organizations using cooperatives to build power and community wealth; and, - Worker cooperative members from across Chicago. More than 30 workshops over the course of two days will be presented by US Federation of Worker Cooperatives members and community partners. We'll be getting out into the city through tours of local neighborhoods and workplaces, parties and social events, and a post-conference Work Week to support the launch of Chicago-based cooperatives. Well also have a vendor fair, open space to talk and collaborate, childcare, and Spanish/English interpretation.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

The conference you organized did what conferences must: inform and connect people. But this one exceeded those basic, necessary values for me, and inspired, respired and moved at my foundations. A real gathering. - 2010 conference scholarship recipient This is a special moment. Many people are open to re-designing the economic system to be more fair and inclusive. Now is the time to learn lessons and create worker coop models that are broadly accessible to large numbers of workers, so that worker coops will represent a meaningful and politically significant part of the U.S. economy. Joseph Blasi, author of The Citizen's Share and J. Robert Beyster Professor, Rutgers University The U.S. Federation has now become the primary source of information and analysis for the worker cooperative field leadership that is driven by the worker cooperatives themselves. Steven Dawson, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute

More information at www.conference.coop