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Small Town Conference

Opportunities Small Town Conference

June 10-11, 2024

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210

About  |  Fee Information  |  Location  |  Lodging  |  Agenda

About

The first ever Small Towns Conference will provide an overview of topics related to local government management specifically geared towards small town issues.  Topics include local town governance, placemaking and economic development, strategic planning for small communities, housing development in towns, legal issues in local government, and financial strategy for small towns.  Highlights include a legislative update from the Virginia Municipal League, a case study on small town financial planning and a regional economic activity and analysis.  
 
This conference invites elected officials including council members and mayors, town managers, leadership staff to join the first ever Small Towns Conference.  Ample time for networking and sharing resources and ideas will be planned throughout the conference.

Fee Information

Early Registration Fee: $175.00 
Standard Registration Fee (after 5/21/24): $225.00 

The registration fee includes:

  • Conference materials
  • Continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks on June 10
  • Reception the evening of June 10 at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Arts Center and Marketplace
  • Continental breakfast and morning break on June 11

REGISTER HERE >

Location

  • The conference will be held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center (1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210)
  • The evening reception on June 10 at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Arts Center and Marketplace (One Heartwood Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210)

Lodging

The Martha Washington Inn (150 W Main St A, Abingdon, VA 24210)
Guests are welcome to call the front desk at 276-628-3161 ext. 1 and make reservations under the block rate of $200 per night. Just mention the Small Town Conference to receive the block rate.

Agenda (preliminary)

Monday, June 10, 2024
8:30am - 9:00am Breakfast/Coffee
9:00am - 9:30am Welcome and Introduction
9:30am - 10:30am Keynote Speaker: Placemaking and Economic Development
10:30am - 10:45am Break
10:45am - 12:00pm Session: Governance Issues
12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm - 1:45pm Session: Strategic Planning
1:45pm - 2:30pm Session: Legislative Update / Town Specific Information
2:30pm - 2:45pm Break
2:45pm - 4:00pm Session: Housing in Small Communities
4:00pm - 5:00pm Panel: Leadership / Working with Elected Officials
5:30pm - 7:00pm Reception

Tuesday, June 11, 2024
8:00am - 8:30am Breakfast/Coffee
8:30am - 9:00am Session: Financial Management
9:30am - 10:30am Session: Economic Outlook
10:30am - 10:45am Break
10:45am - 12:00pm Closing Session: Legal Issues in Local Government