THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008

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Arredia, Murphy To Vegas For Convention

Four city officials will join thousands of other community leaders from throughout the country in Las Vegas next week to try to attract more stores and corporations to Des Plaines.

Mayor Tony Arredia, Ald. Laura Murphy (3d), chairman of the city's Community Development Committee, Tim Angell and Jennifer Ganzer of the city's Economic Development department will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers convention.

They will arrive in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18 and return Wednesday, May 21.

"Ald. Tom Becker used to attend on behalf of the city to line up business," said Arredia yesterday (Tuesday). "He'd bring in a laundry list and from there we'd set up meetings."

Arredia said arrangements are being made for he and Murphy to meet with representatives of Jewel food stores, Staples, Wal Mart, Target, some small retail outlets and two hotels.

"We've been going for the last five to six years," added Arredia.

"I'll bring back something. They know us there now."