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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!

WHAT'S A WORKER COOPERATIVE?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.

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 CDFIsCooperative 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.

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WHY CHICAGO?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.

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 SAYINGThe 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