Agenda

Led by Jon Shell of Upward Intuition, this session will explore how public space can become a platform for storytelling, identity, and belonging—especially for young people. It all started with a skatepark. What began as an effort to create a safe space for skateboarders has grown into a broader movement around community-led design and public space as a catalyst for connection. Through the lens of unlikely partnerships and grassroots momentum, we’ll look at how places can reflect purpose and possibility beyond their physical form.

Early brain development from birth to age three represents the highest return on investment opportunity. Recognizing that a child's lived environment directly influences their developmental potential, a holistic approach to early investment yields significant community-wide benefits, including reduced social costs, stronger schools, improved health outcomes, and enhanced workforce development.

The panel features Dr. Jason Foland, CEO of Ascension Sacred Heart; Katie Ballard, Executive Director of the Studer Community Institute; Dr. Jessica Tate, Pediatrician at Pensacola Pediatrics; and moderator Dr. Stephanie Montgomery, Partner at Build a Brain, Build a Life, Build a Community. Key topics will include strengthening kindergarten readiness—a critical predictor of school and life outcomes. Utilizing maternal health case managers to support family relationships and assist in removing barriers that directly impact children's early experiences. Additional strategies include addressing post-pandemic challenges, such as increased screen time, leveraging data for targeted community support, and implementing systemic changes that set families up for success.

How does a nationally recognized cultural institution breathe new life into a historic downtown? In this session, Seth Young, CEO of the Augusta Heritage Center and 2023 Aspen Ideas Fellow, shares how an Appalachian music and arts nonprofit sparked the redevelopment of a 20,000 sq. ft. building in the heart of Elkins, West Virginia. Learn how this organization found itself preserving Appalachian traditions while shaping a walkable, inclusive, and economically vibrant future for a small town. We'll explore how multi-sector partnerships, creative placemaking, and community ownership can powerfully change the narrative, not just of a block, but of an entire region.

The urban renaissance has reached Pensacola’s historic downtown, offering opportunities and lessons for a Strong Towns approach to city-building. Join local resident Christian Wagley for a walking tour through the heart of downtown and its mix of old and new.

Along the way we’ll learn about steps taken to revitalize the area, including reduced parking requirements and public space improvements, and discuss the opportunity for further improvement as Pensacola embarks on comprehensive code reform. We’ll also hear some local history from the site of one of the earliest European settlements in North America.

Christian Wagley is executive director of Bike Pensacola, and introduced Quint Studer to Chuck Marohn in 2017 while serving as the lead organizer during the early months of CivicCon. Space for this tour is limited, so RSVP using this link!

When national media descended on Springfield, Ohio during the Haitian migrant arrival, the spotlight brought both scrutiny and opportunity. This breakout session explores how local leaders, organizations, and residents navigated the media firestorm with empathy and resilience—turning tension into transformation. Discover how this moment sparked deeper collaboration, innovative solutions, and a stronger sense of community that continues to shape Springfield’s future.

Details Coming Soon!

Being a civic leader isn’t easy, but help is closer than you think. Discover how to build clusters of committed citizens who will stand with you to create meaningful change and shift the public conversation. Real community resilience is built from the ground up, and it starts with small, strategic actions that anyone can take. In this session, we’ll explore how civic leadership rooted in grassroots engagement can transform not just individual projects, but the way a city grows and thrives. Drawing on the Strong Towns approach and stories from Local Conversations across North America, we’ll uncover how leaders can connect with allies, empower residents, and turn community energy into lasting momentum. You’ll leave with a clear framework for activating your community, ideas for building strong relationships with engaged neighbors, and proof that the best time to start is now.

How can a mid-sized city harness the power of civic dialogue, university partnership, and community data? In this session, leaders from Lafayette, Louisiana, share how a unique collaboration between One Acadiana and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette used a Quality of Life Survey and the CivicCon event platform to elevate student voices and inform community strategies. Attendees will learn how nearly 800 college students were surveyed to assess quality-of-life perceptions—and how those insights are driving tangible strategies to retain talent and strengthen community connection.

How can civic leaders foster a culture that energizes both their teams and their communities? This interactive session, based on the principles outlined in *A Solution Focused Culture* by Jessica Leavins and Tim Bolduc, explores how solution-focused leadership strategies can drive meaningful engagement from the inside out. Participants will learn how to shift organizational conversations from problems to possibilities. Through real-world examples and actionable tools, civic leaders will explore how a culture that values listening, ownership, and celebrating team wins can inspire both staff and residents to become collaborative problem solvers. Whether you're navigating change, rebuilding trust, or seeking to activate community participation, this session will offer a practical roadmap to lead with clarity, curiosity, and courage.

Details Coming soon!

Does your local advocacy group struggle with getting volunteers engaged? Do most people join your meetings and never come back? Do 1 or 2 people do most of the work? These are common challenges in many groups, and many face burnout from working upwind on their own. But this struggle can be overcome! Just like riding a bike, you can learn and improve at better engaging members to get involved. The key is to form a strong culture of relationships and to understand the right ask. Learn how in this workshop, led by Alyssa Lee of Strong SacTown! You are guaranteed to leave with clear next steps on how to take the learnings back to your local group and improve retention.

Details coming soon!

Join Rebekah Kik, Deputy City Manager for the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan, as she explores how pre-approved housing plans can catalyze small-scale, community-led development. With a vision to “see our community building the community,” Kik has been instrumental in spearheading housing reform efforts in Kalamazoo. In partnership with organizations like the Incremental Development Alliance and regional government agencies, she has helped shape a housing strategy that removes barriers for local entrepreneurs. In this session, Kik will walk through the mechanics and benefits of pre-approved housing plans, offering practical guidance for anyone aiming to empower local builders and boost resilient, neighborhood-scale growth. You’ll also hear about Strong Towns’ housing toolkits—a key resource you can use to transform the housing landscape in your city.

Led by Brandi Thompson of Strong Towns Albuquerque, this breakout will talk about how people with zero experience in community organizing can build a successful organization. The breakout will cover things that are critical for success, things that are unnecessary, and who you need to get help from! We will also talk about how to rebound from mistakes and build trust in a community that is suspicious of you. Brandi will share the good, bad, and the ugly of building a successful community organization.

What does it take to turn a bold idea into a community gem? This session brings together leaders from two transformative projects — EB Brooks and JP MacFadyen from Moncus Park in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Jarah Jacquay from Pensacola’s proposed Bluffline trail. Moncus Park began as a grassroots effort and has grown into a thriving public space that draws locals and visitors alike. The Bluffline is still in the planning stages, but its vision promises to connect neighborhoods, celebrate history, and transform underused land into a vibrant community asset. Together, these stories show how passion, persistence, and partnerships can move projects from concept to reality.

The Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) in Pensacola is a vital resource for entrepreneurs, offering expert guidance to foster business innovation. Modeled after MIT’s proven approach, VMS is tailored to support Pensacola’s growing entrepreneurial community. Operated by The Studer Community Institute (SCI), VMS provides free, confidential team mentoring. Each entrepreneur is paired with 3-5 mentors who offer diverse expertise and strategic advice, ensuring well-rounded support to boost success. This session will be led by Chris Heaney, director of building jobs at the Studer Community Institute.

Community leaders and local media have the same end goal – to help their community be the strongest and best it can be. Working together, however, requires a relationship built on trust and accountability. This session explores that journey including best practices to build – or repair – that relationship for the good of your community. Participants will leave with a roadmap toward success with tangible examples from industry veterans.

Details Coming Soon!

Incremental change in development is often the most enduring, and history offers valuable lessons on how to achieve it. This session makes the case for incrementalism, highlighting historic preservation as one of its earliest examples. The panel will explore how small, intentional steps in shaping the built environment can generate meaningful impacts for the future—and how today’s leaders can put these lessons into practice in their own communities.

From bustling cities to small towns, trails and greenways are igniting a movement that’s reshaping communities nationwide. Join us to explore bold ideas, inspiring success stories, and the power of connected spaces to drive economic vitality, improve health, and bring people together. This is where infrastructure meets imagination— join us to learn how trails transform everything they touch.

Details coming soon!

Originally launched as a one-year initiative, CivicCon quickly became a community favorite—so much so that it’s still going strong today. In this session, Lisa Nellessen Savage and William Dunaway will share how CivicCon’s speaker series has brought national experts to Pensacola, sparked conversations about the city’s future, and inspired lasting change.