14 Annual “Power of the Partnership” Celebration Event
Dates:
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Post Event Highlights
Thank you to those who joined us at our 14th Annual “Power of the Partnership” Celebration! We had over 80 attendees from across the region who joined us to celebrate, connect, and learn.
- While weather forced our networking hour inside, attendees connected over regional theme tables displaying our partner’s work, local businesses, and make-and-take crafts. Thank you to our Program Committee and Mainstreet Waynesboro for making this possible!
- Host Franklin County Planning Department shared Franklin County’s vision for land use and conservation through the Comprehensive Comprehensive Plan’s Focus Areas. Presentation available here.
- Keynote Panel Discussion: Authentic Communities at the Intersection of Recreation and History featured the following speakers who reminded us that joy, passion, and community engagement have spurred their success at various scales in economic development and conservation missions.
- Bill Kohler | Mainstreet Waynesboro
- Katie Allen | Appalachian Trail Conservancy
- Janet Pollard | Franklin County Visitors Bureau
- Tracy Holliday | Buttonwood Nature Center
- Mini-Grant and Flex Grant Programs awarded over $60,000 of investment in 11 deserving projects. We will be sharing more about these grantees in the coming weeks.
- We were proud to award our Spirit of South Mountain to Melodie Anderson-Smith. Learn more about her impact in this press release!
About the Event
Celebrating Resilient Communities & the Outdoors
About: The South Mountain Partnership hosts the Annual “Power of the Partnership” Celebration each year. With more than 100 people in attendance the event celebrates the people and groups protecting and promoting this wonderful place that we all call home – the farms and farmland, historic places, vibrant communities and downtowns, water and air quality, wildlife and habitat, and parks, trails, and open spaces. We take pride in making this event a fun, tasty, and meaningful program you won’t want to miss.
This year: Visit interesting and beautiful downtown Waynesboro. Waynesboro has been experiencing a renaissance thanks to local support and the Mainstreet Waynesboro program. Registration includes networking, full local lunch produced by the Chef at Summer Creek Catering, and entrance to the celebration program: inspirational panel discussion and presenters, grant awards, and an opportunity to connect and celebrate with friends and colleagues new and old.
Waynesboro is a “learning lab” for fostering a unique sense of place by leveraging and marketing the local outdoor recreation (A.T. Trail Town and local train connectors), natural and historic assets, and so much more!
The event will also feature the awarding of the 2024 South Mountain Grant Program and the Spirit of South Mountain!
Come celebrate with us!
New this year: We are offering a limited number of complimentary tickets in exchange for volunteering at the event. If you are interested, please FILL OUT THIS FORM.
Event Details
| Date: | Friday, September 27, 2024 |
| Time: | 11 am – 3:00 pm EDT |
| Location: | 10 W Main St, Waynesboro, PA 17268 |
| Costs: | $25 per person, registration required |
| Registration Deadline: | Sept 16, 2024 or until the registration cap of 120 has been reached |
AGENDA
11:00AM-11:45PM | Networking @ Mainstreet Park
Enter the “learning lab” of downtown Waynesboro to experience unique networking with Waynesboro businesses and SMP partners in a downtown pocket park. (in the event of inclement weather this event will also occur at the Counting House)
12:00-12:30 PM | Lunch Served @ The Counting House
Locally sourced and seasonal lunch spread from Summer Creek Catering.
12:30-1:00 PM | Welcome
Local leaders and generous sponsors
Invited: Franklin County Commissioners
1:10-1:20 PM | Imagine Franklin 2035
Franklin County’s new comprehensive plan will shape land use, growth management, preservation topics, and more for the next decade. This important update will also include special initiatives like the expansion of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail.
Franklin County Planning Office
1:20-2:10 PM | Keynote Panel Discussion: Authentic Communities at the Intersection of Recreation and History
Hear how panelists are supporting initiatives that build community and local economy by expanding connections between downtowns and outdoor recreation – and how it connects to the State of the Region project. This lively conversation will be moderated by Katie Hess.
Speakers: Mainstreet Waynesboro, Appalachian Trail Communities and Landscape Conservation, Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Buttonwood Nature Center
2:20-2:45 PM | South Mountain Grant Awards
Over $50,000 of grant funds will be awarded to exciting 2025 projects.
2:45- 3:00 PM | Spirit of South Mountain award
Who will be awarded this distinction that recognizes individuals, projects, or organizations that have gone above and beyond to advance a positive future for the South Mountain landscape? Join us to see!