If you are engaged in (or interested in) applied research or are working with local and/or regional organizations in guiding their economic development efforts, this is the workshop for you. A team from the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) has worked hand-in-hand with the U.S. Economic Development Administration to develop/update the economic clusters for all areas of the United States. However, PCRD has added two new critical data products – skills & knowledge clusters – data resources that can better position communities/regions to be participants in the 21st century economy.
We invite those who have read about Spiraling up, used/adapted it in their work, and/or taught the concept in their classes to join us for a retrospective on the past 20 years: what we’ve learned; what have been challenges; what has changed, and to discuss how we might apply it to the next 20 years, as we face increasingly rapid rates of change in our work. This interactive workshop will focus on emergent work around ‘Spiraling up’ by engaging participants in describing their own work and presenting examples of integrating spiraling up processes such as youth development and placemaking into youth engaged community development approaches, focusing on how spiraling up processes can build on each other in developing community capacity, using spiraling up to identity next stage opportunities as with increasing entrepreneurial activity, and evaluating and reinvigorating spiraling up energies with Ripple Effect Mapping and other reflection activities.
This workshop will address Community Currents: Navigating Change Together by providing a hands-on workshop centered on applied tools for the community development process. The agenda includes the following components: o Overview – framing community development as a process o Asset-Based Community Development—Asset Mapping as an applied tool for community assessment o Data applications: • How to find and build on reliable data • Basics of economic impact analysis and interpreting multipliers • Data for decision-making—facilitating dialogue, using data as a tool • Understanding considerations in data collection and partnerships o Facilitating dialogue for the community development process o Sharing resources to bring folks together and facilitate effective processes The workshop will connect to sub-themes of charting cross-sector pathways, connecting across rural-urban divides, balancing preservation and progress, and navigating generational partnership. The workshop instructors are collaborators across the United States working with the Southern Rural Development Center.
*This is an offsite pre conference workshop* *This Registration Option is Free for Conference Attendees Only* You must pre-register for this workshop on the conference online registration form. Transportation from the conference main location to SCAD facilities will be provided. This workshop is limited to 30 people. You must be registered for the CDS Conference to participate in this workshop. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a major cultural and economic engine in the Savannah region, contributing over $1 billion dollars annually to the local economy. SCAD has led the way in shaping Savannah’s identity as a vibrant cultural hub. At SCAD, community engagement and development goes beyond services, and is undergirded through the thoughtful application of design practice, the arts and creativity applied to real-world industry and community needs. This hands-on workshop and field trip will demonstrate how SCAD fosters community engagement through signature programs, partnerships and public-facing art and design initiatives. Presented through the lens of Design Thinking, the presentation will outline how approaches rooted in empathy, collaboration, creativity and purposeful execution can enhance community affinity dynamics and positive relationships. Attendees will be encouraged to consider how they might adopt or apply community engagement strategies and initiatives similar to the SCAD design-oriented approach.
New to CDS — or just ready to reconnect? This orientation session offers an overview of the organization’s mission, structure, and opportunities for involvement. Open to all members, it’s a chance to learn how CDS can support your work, amplify your voice, and help you grow professionally. Come with your questions, and leave with ideas for how to make the most of your membership! We especially recommend this session if you joined CDS between August, 2025 and July, 2026 or if you’ve rejoined us after some time away!
Looking to build meaningful connections with fellow community development practitioners, scholars, and advocates? Join us for this interactive networking session designed to help members meet, share ideas, and discover common interests. Whether you’re seeking collaborators, mentors, or simply new friends, this is a great opportunity to foster relationships that strengthen both your work and the CDS community.
