Why Your Small Town Needs the Strong Towns National Gathering (And Why You’ll Love It)

Fayetteville, Arkansas • May 18–20, 2026

If your community has ever said, “We want to grow, but we want to grow smart,” then the Strong Towns National Gathering is basically your new favorite conference.

This isn’t your typical “sit quietly in a ballroom while someone reads slides” event.

The Strong Towns Gathering is a high‑energy, idea‑packed, people-powered movement where small-town leaders, planners, business owners, and everyday residents come together to rethink what’s possible. And in 2026, it’s happening in Fayetteville, Arkansas — a city that’s been quietly becoming a model for walkability, local investment, and people-first design.

What Makes This Conference Different?

Strong Towns is all about building safe, livable, financially resilient places — not through giant, expensive projects, but through smart, incremental steps that any town can take.

At the Gathering, you’ll:

• Connect with hundreds of people who care about community-building as much as you do.

• Learn from national experts, local innovators, and real towns doing real work.

• Act by bringing home practical tools you can use immediately — not someday.

This is the conference where ideas don’t stay in notebooks. They turn into crosswalks, pop-up markets, downtown rehabs, safer streets, and stronger local economies.

What You’ll Experience

Based on past Gatherings, here’s what attendees rave about:

1. Walking Tours That Change How You See Your Town

Past participants explored downtowns, transit hubs, and neighborhoods — learning how design choices shape community life.

2. Workshops on Small-Scale Development

Sessions have included hands-on training from groups like the Incremental Development Alliance, helping locals understand how to spark small-but-mighty redevelopment.

3. Networking With People Who “Get It”

Attendees meet leaders from towns of all sizes — from Marion, Ohio (a past Strongest Town winner) to communities across California, New England, and the Midwest.

4. Keynotes That Light a Fire Under You

Strong Towns founder Chuck Marohn and other national voices deliver messages that leave people buzzing with ideas and motivation.

Small towns often feel like they’re fighting uphill battles — shrinking budgets, aging infrastructure, limited staff, and big dreams.

The Strong Towns Gathering is built for communities like yours.

You’ll learn how to:

• Make small, affordable changes that create big impact

• Strengthen your downtown without massive debt

• Improve walkability and safety

• Support local businesses through better design

• Build momentum with your residents

• Create a financially resilient future

And you’ll meet other towns doing exactly what you’re trying to do — and succeeding.

“It’s Time to Meet Your Movement.”

That’s the theme for 2026, and it fits. This isn’t just a conference — it’s a movement of people who believe small towns can thrive when they invest in people, place, and practical action.

If your community wants to:

• Revitalize downtown

• Improve traffic flow and safety

• Attract new residents and businesses

• Build pride and momentum

• Make smart financial decisions

…then this Gathering is a must.

Event Details

Strong Towns National Gathering  📍 Fayetteville, Arkansas📅 May 18–20, 2026🎟️ Tickets available at: https://gathering.strongtowns.org/

Ready to Bring Big Ideas Back to Your Small Town?

Send a council member. Send your economic development team. Send your Main Street director. Send your most passionate community volunteer. Or better yet — send all of them.

Your town deserves this kind of inspiration, energy, and practical know‑how.