COLUMBUS — Heritage Ohio and the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office has announced Chief Billy Friend, of the Wyandot Nation, will be the keynote speaker at their annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference in Newark, Oct. 15-17.

Themed “World Heritage in the Heartland,” the conference will feature sessions and tours focused on the Newark Earthworks, Ohio’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. Friend will discuss cultural heritage and tribal nations.

Friend was elected chief in 2013. In his first term, Friend established goals of economic development and self-sufficiency for the Wyandotte Nation and its people. In addition to his role as chief, Friend serves on the board of directors for the Ohio History Connection, serves as vice chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, and is a delegate for the National Indian Gaming Association. Under Friend’s leadership, the Wyandotte Nation has grown economically to over 800 employees, with gross revenues of tribal enterprises producing over $100 million dollars, which helps fund and subsidize all of the tribal social service programs. Many new programs have emerged for the Wyandotte people during Friend’s tenure.

The conference features over 40 educational sessions focused on historic architecture rehabilitation, downtown revitalization through the Main Street approach, architectural review, National Register of Historic Places information, financial incentives for rehabilitation, and many others. Several tours are also available as part of the conference, including a guided tour of the Newark Earthworks (Ohio’s only UNESCO World Heritage site), as well as the Newark Arcade, and the Louis Sullivan designed Home Building Association Bank. Registration and a full conference schedule may be found at heritageohioconference.com.

The conference is sponsored in part by Ohio History Connection/SHPO, Ohio Department of Development, Coon Restoration, Sandvick Architects, GBX Global, Robertson Construction, Park National Bank, Ohio Humanities Council, Marous Brothers, OHM Advisors, and RAM Construction.

Heritage Ohio promotes economic growth through the preservation and revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods across Ohio. Heritage Ohio is the coordinating agency for the Ohio Main Street Program and is the designated statewide Ohio preservation partner with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Through saving the places that matter we can all build a community and live better. Learn more about how to become involved by visiting www.heritageohio.org.