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Thursday, September 24
9 AM – 3:15 PM          Pre-Tour: Waterfront Wonders – A Day of Discovery from National Harbor to Old Town Alexandria (Special Registration Required – $89)
Start your symposium experience with a day that blends learning, beauty, and a bit of adventure! This engaging pre-tour takes you along the Potomac River to explore how two vibrant waterfront communities – National Harbor and Old Town Alexandria – are using art, environmental design, and community spirit to create inspiring public spaces. Enjoy unique experiences along the way, including a ride on the Capital Wheel with sweeping views of the D.C. skyline, lunch on your own at National Harbor’s lively waterfront, a scenic water taxi cruise across the Potomac, and a charming trolley ride through historic Alexandria. It’s the perfect mix of education and enjoyment, and an unforgettable way to kick off your time at the Symposium. The cost is $89. Seating is limited so register early. See the registration form for details.

4 PM                                 Newcomer Connection: Your Adventure Begins
Welcome to all the first-time attendees. We are glad you are here! This informal session will allow you to meet AIB volunteers and staff, learn how to get the most out of the conference, and help get you ready for the learning, inspiration, and fun ahead.

 4:30 PM                            Celebrating Leadership: Invitation-Only Reception
By invitation, this reception recognizes the elected officials, municipal leaders, and supporters whose work has strengthened communities across the country. Guests will celebrate America in Bloom’s 25th anniversary, honor exceptional contributions, and enjoy a time of connection and reflection.

6 PM                                 Opening Night Reception
Catch up with old friends and make new ones during this informal cash bar event.

7 PM                                  Community Connections Dinner Celebration
Now it’s time to celebrate your achievements. This is a time for food, fun, and awards! Each AIB community will be recognized for their efforts. This is where we celebrate YOU and what YOUR community is doing to make America bloom! All Dwight Lund Community Champion nominees will be honored and the winner announced.

Friday, September 25
8 AM                                  Morning Jolt: Cuisine, Caffeine, and Conversation
Cuisine + caffeine + conversation = great start to the day. Grab some breakfast, coffee/tea, and converse with other AIB attendees and the Showcase of Innovation companies. These companies feature innovative products and services relevant to your community.

8:30 AM                            Welcome & Keynote Presentation: Places for Business – Designing Downtowns for Economic Vitality
Erin Barnes, Main Street America
Successful, welcoming places don’t happen by accident. This session explores how intentional investments in public spaces can strengthen communities. Learn how small, visible improvements can build pride, attract visitors, encourage economic development, and create welcoming places where people want to live, work, and spend time (and money). You will leave with ideas and simple actions that can help connect community pride with economic vitality.

9:30 AM                            Powering Progress: Leveraging Grants & Partnerships to Transform Your Community
James Dillon, City of Tavares, Florida
How do communities move from good ideas to measurable impact? The answer often lies in strategic partnerships and smart grant leveraging. In this engaging session, learn how Tavares, Florida has achieved remarkable results by aligning vision with funding and collaboration. From identifying the right grant opportunities to building partnerships that truly matter, James will provide practical insights into how Tavares has maximized resources to drive beautification, economic vitality, and long-term community success. Learn how to position your projects competitively for funding, cultivate meaningful relationships with public and private partners, and create momentum that extends beyond a single grant cycle. Whether your community is just getting started or looking to scale existing initiatives, this session will offer actionable strategies to help you turn partnerships into progress and funding into lasting impact.

10:15 AM                          Showcase of Innovation & Conversation
This networking break allows you to continue sharing ideas and meeting Showcase of Innovation companies.

10:30 AM                          Why Old Places Matter
Leila Hamroun, TetraTech
This session will explore the value of historic buildings, districts, and public spaces in creating vibrant, connected communities. Learn why preserving and celebrating these places strengthens local identity, fosters community pride, and contributes to economic and social vitality. The session will highlight practical strategies for integrating historic preservation into community beautification and planning efforts.

11 AM                               Reimagining Vacant Spaces: Creative Placemaking in Communities
Vacant lots, empty storefronts, and underutilized corridors exist in every community. Each represents untapped potential. This session explores how communities of all sizes can transform overlooked spaces into vibrant, economically productive, and socially connected places through creative placemaking. Learn how beautification, environmental stewardship, and strategic partnerships can convert vacant spaces into opportunity. Get practical, low-cost activation strategies, tools for building cross-sector collaboration, and ideas for temporary-to-permanent initiatives. Leave inspired and equipped to reframe vacant spaces not as liabilities, but as catalysts for resilience, community pride, and sustainable growth.

11:45 AM                          Showcase of Innovation & Conversation
This networking break allows you to continue sharing ideas and meeting Showcase of Innovation companies.

12 PM                               Lunch & Learn: Meet Our Hosts from Prince George’s County
Enjoy your lunch while getting to know our host communities from Prince George’s County. Each will share a brief introduction to their town, highlighting the people, partnerships, and projects that are helping make their communities more beautiful, vibrant, and welcoming. Hear the unique stories behind the places we’ll visit later in the day.

1 PM                                 Buses Depart for Prince George’s County Adventure
Spend the afternoon exploring five nearby vibrant Prince George’s County, Maryland communities participating in America in Bloom – Edmonston, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Bladensburg, and Hyattsville. Each stop offers a unique window into how local leaders, volunteers, and residents are bringing the AIB principles to life. See how communities of different sizes and character approach beautification, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality. From creative small-space plantings and revitalized public spaces to partnerships that bring residents together, the tour provides a wide range of practical ideas and inspiration that you can take home and adapt to your own community.

This time of discovery concludes with an evening of celebration along the scenic banks of the Anacostia River. Attendees will gather for a lively reception, followed by dinner with colleagues and new friends from across the country. As the sun sets, the evening culminates with fireworks lighting up the sky – an unforgettable moment that captures the spirit of America in Bloom communities.

8 PM                                 Buses Depart for Return to Hotel

Saturday, September 26
8 AM                                  Morning Jolt: Cuisine, Caffeine, and Conversation
Cuisine + caffeine + conversation = great start to the day. Grab some breakfast, coffee/tea, and converse with other AIB attendees and the Showcase of Innovation companies. These companies feature innovative products and services relevant to your community.

8 AM                                  Youth Program: Growing the Next Generation of Community Leaders (Special Registration Required – $60)
Communities thrive when young people are engaged and empowered to help shape the places they call home. This special half-day youth program will introduce students to the ideas behind the America in Bloom program while giving them opportunities to explore how plants, environmental stewardship, and community pride can make a real difference. They will also learn what it means to be a leader in building a welcoming, vibrant community. The cost is $60. Seating is the registration form to sign up for this half-day program.

8:30 AM                            State of the Organization
Mason Day, AIB President
Learn about the organization’s current status and how AIB is striving to make even more of an impact in communities.

9 AM                                  The Great Idea Swap
Get ready to share, learn, and leave with a notebook full of new ideas. You will gather in small groups for a lively exchange of practical tips and creative approaches for building beautiful and vibrant communities. Table leaders will guide the conversation around five different topics, with a new one introduced every eight minutes to keep the energy high and the ideas flowing. It’s a fun, fast-paced way to hear what’s working in other communities, share your own successes, and discover new ideas you can use.

10:15 AM                          Showcase of Innovation & Conversation
This networking break allows you to continue sharing ideas and meeting Showcase of Innovation companies.

10:30 AM                          Quick Takes: Insights from AIB Communities
Speakers from three AIB towns and cities will each share ideas drawn from their experience working to strengthen and beautify their communities. Expect practical ideas, fresh thinking, and inspiration you can take back home.

11:15 AM                          Meet with the Advisors
This time is set aside so community members can meet with Advisors and delegates from other AIB communities. Get excellent insight into the ordinary and extraordinary things towns and cities are doing across America. AIB Advisors will share what they saw during their visits to communities and how to enhance your town’s participation in AIB.

Afternoon                        Lunch and Free Time on Your Own
The afternoon is yours to explore. Take the free nearby trolley to explore Old Town Alexandria or hop on the nearby public metro to head to Washington, DC. Whatever you are looking for you will find – lunch options to fit any palate and budget, cool entertainment options, and historical sites to visit.

5:30 PM                            Closing Night Reception
This final night cash bar reception allows you to mingle with old and new friends, swap contact information, and make plans to stay in touch.

6:30 PM                            Evening in Bloom Banquet
The anticipation goes into high gear with dinner, fun, and awards. This final-night event shines the spotlight on the transformative efforts by AIB communities.