2025 CDS Annual Conference

CDS Conference Attendee Check-in Schedule
July 6th: 8:00am to 6:00pm
July 7th: 7:15am to 12:00pm
July 8th: 8:00am to 12:00pm
July 9th: 8:00am to 9:30am

Check-in includes:
- Picking up your name badge
- Receiving your meal tickets, if applicable
- Receiving promo bag

At the CDS Registration Desk you can also:
- Register for the CDS Conference until 5pm ET on July 6
- Register for remaining open spots on Mobile Learning Workshops until 10am ET on July 7
- Bid on the 2025 CDS Silent Auction (Silent Auction Items will be nearby)
- Pay for Silent & Live Auction winning bids
- Visit to ask any questions or resolve any issues

We look forward to meeting you!

This is the final CDS Board Meeting held for the outgoing board

*Please note time change from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
*Registration Requirement: Must be registered to attend the conference to participate in this complimentary workshop.
*Please register for this workshop along with your main conference registration at https://cdsociety.org/conferenceregistration/

While community development needs will vary by situation and location, the core of the definition of community development adopted by CDS, IACD, and NACDEP states that CD happens “Through the organization, education, and empowerment of people within communities.” This workshop will be an exploration of the context and frameworks often used in community capacity building including ways of engaging residents in developing equitable and economically thriving communities.

This workshop is developed and presented by collaborators from across the US working with the Southern Rural Development Center. The workshop presenters invite participants to engage in exploring the nexus of collaborative community development concepts and practice.

*Registration Requirement: Must be registered to attend the conference to participate in this complimentary workshop.
*Please register for this workshop along with your main conference registration at https://cdsociety.org/conferenceregistration/

Journey mapping is both a qualitative research methodology and a community engagement tool. The workshop will feature a case study of how journey mapping contributed to the development of regional food system transformation strategies. By illuminating how support ecosystems operate differently in different geographies with different populations, the mapping process allowed the Heartland Regional Food Business Center to connect TA providers across agencies and develop shared outreach, training, and technical assistance strategies. This hands-on workshop will also engage participants in conducting a journey mapping process with a follow-up discussion on how to use their journey mapping results to help us identify and understand barriers to system change as well as the attributes that can facilitate system change.

OPEN TO PUBLIC
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.

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, 2024 and July, 2025 or if you’ve rejoined us after some time away!
 

Welcome Reception of the 2025 CDS Annual Conference
Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Susan Monagan, Arts and Community Development: Building Creative Corridors
Catherine Price, AI and Tourism Development: Using Placer AI to Map Corridors and Travelers