Meet the Experts: Downtown Revitalization

Welcome to Meet the Experts: Downtown Revitalization! Join expert panelists to learn about the revitalization plans of our local downtowns. Be in-the-know on upcoming projects in your community & learn best practices for local businesses in downtowns including grants, creative loan options, & other programs that can be available through city, state or downtown organizations.

This in-person event will take place at the Renaissance Allentown Hotel. Don't miss this opportunity to network with experts and gain valuable insights into urban development. Finger foods will be available. Register now to secure your spot! Seats are limited.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for a 6:00 start. At the conclusion of the 1-hour program, guests are invited to continue networking around the corner at the brand-new Moxy hotel lobby bar where tours will be available upon request.

The event will open with a welcome from DR. JAMES "DOC" OGDEN, Council for Retail & Sales' Chairman of the Board and emeritus professor at Kutztown University. DR. KECIA STURDIVANT, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Assistant Professor at Muhlenberg College, will moderate the session.

Meet the Experts: Downtown Revitalization Expert Panel:

SENATOR NICK MILLER represents Pennsylvania’s 14th Senate District, which includes parts of Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Senator Miller is a fifth-generation Allentown resident. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, a master’s in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in law degree from Penn Carey Law School. After completing his education, he started at IBM as a project manager. In 2019, he ran for the Allentown School Board and started a small business, gaining firsthand experience in the opportunities and challenges facing residents in our local communities. In the state Senate he serves in leadership as the Democratic Policy Chair and remains an advocate for students, educators, and policies that support economic growth for families and businesses in the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania.

JILL WHEELER is the VP Lehigh Valley for City Center Group, a world-class real estate and development company that is leading the revitalization of the 3rd largest and fastest growing city in PA. Jill brings more than 20 years of experience to developing and implementing corporate strategy for sales, marketing and communications. She joined City Center Group in 2017 and has since helped lead leasing activity and oversee the expansion of integrated marketing for City Center’s office, retail, hotel and residential properties, as well as the programming of the development’s public spaces.

MANNY RODRIGUEZ is a local entrepreneur and businessman in the Lehigh Valley. Along with his lifelong friend and business partner, Rick Pongracz, Manny owns several premium dessert-focused businesses: Batch Microcreamery (Center Valley and Lower Macungie), Twisted & Dipped (Bethlehem), and Wondaffle Waffles & Ice Cream (Bethlehem). Previously, Manny worked at Lutron Electronics but left to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. He and Pongracz co-founded a handcrafted ice cream company, which has since grown and expanded to multiple locations.

Info: The event will open with a welcome from Dr. James "Doc" Ogden, chairman of the Council for Retail & Sales board and emeritus professor of Marketing at Kutztown University. Expert panelists include: Senator Nick Miller representing the 14th Senatorial District and Democratic Policy Chair; Jill Wheeler - City Center Group's VP-Lehigh Valley; and Manny Rodriguez - local owner of super premium sweet treats businesses. The program will be moderated by Dr. Kecia Sturdivant, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Muhlenberg College.

Host or Publisher The Council for Retail and Sales