About 80 mayors, vice mayors and others from across the state are expected to participate in the Oklahoma Conference of Mayors 2009 summer retreat in Norman Thursday through Saturday.

The annual event allows mayors to discuss common local challenges as well as state policy issues that are important to Oklahoma communities.

"Norman has never hosted this event, and I am excited that the City of Norman and our community will be able to roll out the Norman welcome mat and celebrate our city," said Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal.

While emphasizing the theme of "building partnerships," the mayors will tour the CART Alternative Fuel Center, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the National Weather Center (NWC).

The tours will emphasize examples of local government partnerships that benefit the citizens of Norman. The alternative fuels center illustrates the CART partnership and efforts to join forces with the University of Oklahoma to modernize the fleet's use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and alternative fuels vehicles. The visit to the stadium will focus on the challenges of providing for public safety and coordination of multiple jurisdictions for game day security. A visit to the NWC will emphasize the building of economic development partnerships and the growing of the weather industry in Norman.

Another part of the program will emphasize local tribal relations and feature presentations from leaders of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Cheyenne Arapahoe and Citizen-Pottawatomie nations.

While in Norman the mayors will be treated to entertainment including Sooner Theatre kids, Mariachi Orgullo de America, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and Jazz in June. A number of the mayors are staying over for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir event at the Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday.

"The business community in Norman has really stepped up to the plate to welcome Oklahoma's mayors," Rosenthal said. "This annual summer retreat is an opportunity to show off great things happening in Norman and to give mayors a chance to exchange ideas on the common problems and challenges which we all face."