PDC 2026 Erie Conference | Call for Proposals
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The Pennsylvania Downtown Center is seeking session proposals for the Commonwealth's Premier Revitalization Conference | Making Waves on Main Street" Big Bold Ideas That Push the Boundaries. The 2026 conference will be held in Erie, PA from June 28-July 1, 2026.
The Premier Revitalization Conference draws hundreds of community leaders from small towns, midsized cities, and urban neighborhood business districts. Attendees are professionals in preservation-based, economic development and community revitalization, including both experienced and new downtown and neighborhood Main Street directors and Elm Street directors, volunteers, architects, planners, economic development professionals, public officials, volunteers, and consultants.
ABOUT THIS YEAR'S THEME | Making Waves on Main Street" Big Bold Ideas That Push the Boundaries
In communities across Pennsylvania, Main Street is more than a road, it’s a heartbeat. When “Making Waves on Main Street,” we’re embracing bold, boundary-pushing ideas that spark transformation, ignite energy, and celebrate the spirit of innovation. This revitalization movement is about reimagining what’s possible when creativity meets collaboration among the stakeholders that drive big ideas when others want to play it safe. Together, we’re not just revitalizing—we’re revolutionizing. These are Main and Elm Streets like you’ve never seen before: bold, inclusive, and unapologetically visionary.
Our goal is for attendees to apply what they learn from one another and bring back a gameplan to transform their communities. This year’s conference will provide new innovative ideas to empower all attendees to be the movers and shakers and revolutionize community revitalization.
We are looking for 2-hour “How-to” Sessions, 45-minute Crash Course Sessions, and the Traditional 75-minute Classroom Sessions. In addition to proposals that bolster the 2026 theme, we welcome submissions that touch on a variety of other topics. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a first-time presenter, we invite you to share your story.
The following ideas are often in high demand but show them in new bold and inspiring ways!
Advocacy | Community Planning | Public Relations & Marketing Main Street or Elm Street | Social Media | Board Development | Leadership Development | Business Recruitment and Retention Strategies | Business Incubators vs. Accelerators | Community Activities and Events | Clean and Safe Solutions | Community-Based Real Estate Development | Community Greening | Improving Meeting Facilitation and Interpersonal Skills | Downtown Gift Cards | New and Innovative Partnership Ideas | Parking Management | Disaster Preparedness | Placemaking | Public and Farmers Markets | Public Art, Murals, and Arts Development | Retail Support | Small Business Assistance and Development | Smart Growth Issues | Transportation | Planning | Sustaining a Viable Organization and Fundraising | Volunteer Recruitment and Management | Weathering an Economic Downturn
Proposals must be submitted by midnight, January 23, 2026 via the Submittable link.