A half day conference titled "INDIANAPOLIS INSIGHT: Comprehensive Planning for the 21st Century" kicked-off the comp plan update on the morning of September 14, 2000. Approximately 220 persons attended the event. The conference was opened by Deputy Mayor William Shrewsberry who asked those in attendance to perform the vital task of dreaming and planning. The keynote speaker was Catherine Ross, Director of GRTA (Georgia Regional Transportation Authority). In describing her work and the mission of her agency, Dr. Ross emphasized the need to think regionally, to plan inclusively, and to think about human costs; not just the economic costs, of sprawl. A panel discussion on the topic of growth in Indianapolis followed Dr. Ross. Panelists included Charles Guyn of Indiana Black Expo Economic Development Corporation, Ruth Hayes, a neighborhood leader; Phil Hinkle, City-County Councilor; Greg Lindsey, IUPUI School of Public and Environmental Affairs; and Randy Snyder, Metropolitan Development Commission. The panel discussion was moderated by Carolyn Coleman, Director of Metropolitan Development. The conference ended with a presentation by Keith Holdsworth, Principal Planner, on how to get involved in the Comprehensive Plan update.