2006 Conference

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Living in Cohousing - A Model for a Sustainable Planet

Participants and presenters are letting us know that the conference was "inspiring," "fabulous, well-attended, informative and very fun." Check back in a few weeks for highlights and first-person reporting.

The premier gathering of everyone interested in cohousing is planned for July 21-23, 2006, at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill.

Sponsored by the Cohousing Association of the United States, the 2006 national conference promises to be an enjoyable, educational and inspiring experience, whether you’re new to cohousing, a long-time resident or professional. Come for networking, learning and inspiration. Celebrate community and a better way of life. Connect with new and old friends, and gain insights from experienced cohousers and top cohousing professionals. Find your future neighbors, share your wisdom or solve a persistent issue in your group or community.

The 2006 conference will be the first national gathering of cohousing enthusiasts since the 2003 national conference in Boulder, CO. The 2003 conference attracted nearly 200 attendees representing 57 cohousing communities or groups in development from 28 states, plus many cohousing architects, developers and contractors.

For pre-conference workshop and conference events descriptions, click here.

Conference events open to the public

Download conference flyer to share with your friends, family, community or group (PDF)

Theme

Living in Cohousing - A Model for a Sustainable Planet

Program

On Friday night we will begin with an all-star panel of authors of recently published cohousing books – Chuck Durrett, Liz Walker and David Wann. Saturday morning we'll hear from Ellie Kinnaird, NC State Senator and former Mayor of Carrboro, NC, who was instrumental in getting the first cohousing community built in Carrboro. Then we’ll launch into a rich variety of concurrent workshops with tracks for those in forming groups and developing communities, those currently living in cohousing, and professionals interested in working with cohousing groups, as well as several sessions of more general interest. Topics range from new trends in cohousing, sustainability, and participatory design to how to get the work done once you've finally moved in. Saturday night we'll enjoy a lively common dinner, auction and local bluegrass band. The conference will conclude on Sunday with an inspiring general session looking to the future of cohousing in the U.S.
Program description >
View by track and schedule >

Pre-conference workshops and tours

You can kick off the weekend early with pre-conference workshops and tours of neighboring cohousing communities during the day on Friday. (For those unable to attend the Friday tours, all four local cohousing communities will welcome conference attendees to visit on Sunday afternoon.)
Tour and workshop descriptions >

2003 conference in Boulder, CO

Exhibits

We will have an area for exhibits and spontaneous discussion, and The Doctor Is In - experts available for impromptu consultations - will be back by popular demand. Exhibits will include a cohousing bookstore, vendors with a diverse range of products and services, and cohousing communities seeking new members.

Registration

Online registration is now closed, but the conference is still open. Register in person beginning 5:30 pm on Friday, July 21 in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union (at the intersection of South Road and Raleigh Street).

Registration is $275 for adults, $150 for full-time students with ID. Pre-conference workshops are $50 each.

Cancellation policy. We will give a full refund to anyone who cancels before July 1, and will refund all but $100 for cancellations after June 30.

Accommodations

You
may stay in an air-conditioned dorm room with two single beds for one or two people for only
$51/room/night. You can come early and stay late for the same great price.
For those who prefer a hotel, the historic Carolina Inn, walking
distance from the conference venue (UNC campus maps), is holding a few rooms at a reduced
daily rate of $129.  Visit their website or call 800-962-8519 for reservations. Conference code: COH.

Online registration is now closed, but there are still rooms available. Check in or register when you arrive in Cobb Hall at 110 Country Club Road, north of the intersection with South Road (Route 54 to/from Raleigh). You can check into the dorm until midnight.

Meals

Your conference registration includes Saturday night dinner. The campus dining facility offers good all-you-can-eat meals at reasonable prices. For those attending pre-conference workshops, a box lunch with meat and vegetarian options will be available on Friday for $10.

Childcare

Free childcare will be available from Friday morning through mid-day Sunday. Reservations for childcare must be made in advance.

Transportation

Transportation is available from the Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU), 18 miles from Chapel Hill, by taxi (about $35), van shuttle ($15 per person with at least two people riding together) or a convenient TTA bus ($2). For shuttle reservations email University Transportation (UTTrans [at] yahoo [dot] com) with your flight number and time of arrival, and tell them you are with the Cohousing Association. For bus information visit www.gotriangle.org/trip/en/. Within the town of Chapel Hill, all the city buses are free. UNC campus maps

Volunteer opportunities

Do you enjoy interacting with other conference attendees? conference [at] cohousing [dot] org to help with registration, exhibits, bookstore, auction, childcare and other fun activities.

When you arrive

Registration & check in

Thursday late afternoon/evening and Friday (7:30 am to 2 pm): Register or check in for the conference, pre-conference workshops and on-campus accomodations in Cobb Hall at 110 Country Club Road, north of the intersection with South Road (Route 54 to/from Raleigh). You can check into the dorm until midnight.

Friday (opens at 5:30 pm):
Register or check in for the conference at the Frank Porter Graham
Student Union at the intersection of South Road and Raleigh Street.

Conference event locations

Pre-conference workshops will be held in Cobb Hall at 110 Country Club Road, north of the intersection with South Road (Route 54 to/from Raleigh).

Opening session begins at Friday at 7:30 pm in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union at the intersection of South Road and Raleigh Street.