Vermont Business Magazine The Preservation Trust of Vermont, the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, the Vermont Creative Network, and the Vermont Arts Council are hosting two powerful conferences in one remarkable town: The 2026 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference on Thursday, June 4, and the 2026 Creative Sector Convening on Friday, June 5, both in St. Albans.
At the Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference, participants will learn proven strategies for community revitalization. Sessions will explore how intentional, community-driven efforts lead to transformative results.
Public investment in our historic downtowns and village centers helps to attract small businesses and private investment, improving quality of life for Vermonters and experiences for tourists. St. Albans is a powerful example of what a community can achieve through vision, foresight, and collaboration.
The 2026 Creative Sector Convening brings together Vermont’s creative sector for learning and connecting through workshops, panels, performances, and networking. The day is an opportunity for Vermonters to use their creative skills in unpacking, defining, and addressing the challenges facing our state.
According to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis study, arts and culture contributed more than $1.2 billion to the local economy in 2023, ranking Vermont as one of the most highly creative states in the country. Vermont’s historic downtowns are a critical component of the economic engine that drives the state’s creative sector.
For more information, please see details below:
Thursday, June 4
What: 2026 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
When: 8:45 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Opening plenary at St. Albans City Hall, 100 N. Main St. Other sessions in downtown locations
Who: Ben Doyle, President, Preservation Trust of Vermont and Gary Holloway, Downtown Program Manager, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development
Friday, June 5
What: 2026 Creative Sector Convening
When: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Starting at St. Albans City Hall, 100 N. Main St. Other sessions in downtown locations
Who: Susan Evans McClure, Executive Director, Vermont Arts Council; Coordinator, Vermont Creative Network
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Vermont Business Magazine