Neighborhood Summit

This annual event is for anyone interested in learning how to improve their community and includes speakers, workshops, and takeaways for residents to use in their neighborhood. This year’s theme is The Heart of a Neighborhood.

2023 Neighborhood Summit

Attend this year's Neighborhood Summit to discover why enduring relationships are the foundation for vibrant communities. Neighbors from Garland, Plano, Rowlett, and surrounding communities will gather in Garland, TX to learn about making connections by harnessing neighborhood creativity for vibrant and unique neighborhoods. Discover a network of community talent that can energize your block and strengthen your neighborhood through fun and creative engagement.  

Why Attend?

• An educational event.
• An informative networking opportunity.
• Hosting experienced subject matter experts.
• A gathering addressing issues important neighborhood revitalization and stability.
• Providing best practices in planning, community building, and collaboration with appropriate examples of implementation.

Save the Date

This year Garland will be hosting the 2023 Neighborhood Summit on Saturday, November 11 at the Garland Fire Admin Building,1500 Highway 66, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

When registering, please let us know whether you will be attending either of the Pre-Mixers in your city (Plano or Garland).

• Garland Pre-Summit Mixer: Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Intrinsic Smokehouse located at 509 W State St, Garland, TX 75040.
• Plano Pre-Summit Mixer: Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Pie Tap located at 1900 Preston Road, Suite 329, Plano, TX 75093.

The Neighborhood Summit is a free event and open to everyone! Breakfast will be served. Register early to receive a free t-shirt. 

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Nicole Foster is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Community Development at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin.  Nicole began her career in New York as a Managing Director for an off-Broadway theater company and a teaching artist in NYC public schools. Nicole completed her PhD in Urban Planning and Public Policy at the University of Texas at Arlington where she focused on arts-led revitalization. Nicole is a founding member of Fort Worth’s Riverside Arts District, and a current board member for Create Wisconsin and the Chequamegon Theater Association.

Breakout Speakers

Andrieka Lockett, MSW, is the Program Manager of Community Engagement for North Texas Healthy Communities (NTHC), the well-being arm of Texas Health. NTHC has been implementing Blue Zones Project and Blue Zones principles in Tarrant County since 2015 and supports a wide variety of well-being initiatives across North Texas, including its Good For You fresh produce pantry program, and a multiple wellness initiatives and programs where people live, work, and play. 

Rev. Dr. Lynn Osgood is an urban planner and researcher, and the Founder/Executive Director of Civic Arts. Trained in landscape architecture and urban planning at the University of Virginia, Lynn moved to Austin in 2003, and became Adjunct Faculty at the University of Texas in the School of Architecture, where she served for 20 years teaching design, policy, qualitative research and community engagement.  In 2011 she founded Civic Arts and now leads the development of creative placemaking projects for organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtPlace America, and delivers technical assistance services for municipal partners across the United States.