Spotlight PA's Community Festival: Ideas that Move Berks Forward
About this Event
Register for FREE to get updates and more information. See below for the full agenda.
This free registration does not include admission to the Community Spotlight Breakfast. See the session description for tickets.
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM - 02:00 PM
Doors Open & Check In
Info: Check in, grab coffee, and explore.
🕑: 09:00 AM
Community Spotlight Breakfast (TICKETED)
Info: ***NOTE: This is the only ticketed event of the festival. *** Over the past year, Spotlight PA's Community Spotlight series has introduced more than two dozen neighbors quietly making Berks County stronger. Join us at this kick-off to celebrate the honorees over breakfast, before the Spotlight free Ideas Festival events. Purchase a table or individual ticket here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/united-way-community-spotlight-breakfast
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Data Centers: What’s Coming, What’s at Stake (FREE)
Info: Join experts for a live edition of Spotlight PA’s popular “Community Forum” series where we’ll discuss the data center boom, its potential benefits and consequences, and the role residents and local governments can play in determining what happens next.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Family fun & children's activities (FREE)
Info: Family activities — community painting, characters, and more.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Latino Berks: Voice, Participation & Representation (FREE)
Info: Latinos make up a significant and growing share of the population in Berks County and Pennsylvania. This panel will explore how Latino residents are engaging in elections, local government, schools, and other institutions that shape life in Berks County and Pennsylvania. We’ll discuss barriers to participation and pathways to greater civic engagement. The conversation will also examine what Berks residents can do to ensure the Latino community has a meaningful voice in decisions that affect its future.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Community Cats: Who’s Responsible — and What Actually Works (FREE)
Info: This expert panel will explore approaches to managing community cat populations, from adoption and trap-neuter-vaccinate-release programs to rabies prevention and other public health measures. We’ll discuss the role of local governments and animal welfare organizations, challenges and potential solutions, and how residents can take action. This panel is sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
The Future of Youth Sports in Pennsylvania and Beyond (FREE)
Info: This expert panel will explore how factors such as rising costs, increased competition, injuries, and mental health are shaping youth sports today, and what parents, coaches, schools, and communities can do to help kids participate, succeed, and thrive.
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:15 PM
Green Space for All (FREE)
Info: Urban gardens and other green spaces can make Pennsylvania’s cities healthier, cooler, and more resilient—while improving access to fresh food and strengthening communities. But creating and sustaining these spaces can raise difficult questions about land use, housing, equity, funding, and public policy. This expert panel will bring together leaders from Reading, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia to explore what’s working, what stands in the way, and how residents can help expand access to green space and gardens. This panel is sponsored by Capital Blue Cross.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
From Scroll to Follow: How to Build an Audience on Social Media (FREE)
Info: How do you cut through the noise and build an audience on social media? Local content creators share how they got started, what they’ve learned along the way, and what actually works when it comes to reaching and engaging more people. We’ll cover the dos and don’ts of content creation, how to measure success, common mistakes to avoid, and practical lessons for individuals and local businesses looking to grow their reach and make an impact in Berks County and beyond. Bring your questions—this will be an interactive conversation with plenty of time for Q&A.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
