Planners for the Third Annual Pottstown Investors Conference on Friday, April 12 (see details below) have confirmed and funded the participation of two notable keynote speakers who were highly recommended by Don Chen, president of the nationally esteemed Surdna Foundation. Based in New York City, Surdna is an organization which, according to its mission, “seeks to foster sustainable communities in the United States – communities guided by principles of social justice and distinguished by healthy environments, strong local economies, and thriving cultures.”

This is an incredible opportunity for conference attendees. Surdna is renowned as a philanthropic organization that strives to meaningfully improve communities’ quality of life. Their willingness to connect us with experts in this field is both inspiring and gratifying, as they have indicated they are excited about what is happening in Pottstown!Twila Fisher, director of community and economic development for The Hill School and Hobart’s Run, co-sponsors of the event.

Presenting their thoughts on sustainable communities – and ongoing efforts to revitalize Pottstown – will be Diana Lind and Alan Berube. Lind is the founding managing director of the Fels Policy Research Initiative. Previously, she was the Director of Digital Audience Development for Philadelphia Media Network, which owns the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and Philly.com. From 2008 to 2014, she served as Editor in Chief and Executive Director of Next City, the country’s leading independent online urban policy website. As a writer and urban policy specialist, Lind is working on a book, Brave New Home: The Smarter, Cheaper, Happier Future of Housing (Nation Books), diagnosing the current crisis in American housing and its detrimental effects on inequality, health, the environment, racial progress, community, and democracy. Lind is a graduate of Cornell University (B.A., English) and Columbia University (M.F.A. in Creative Writing).

Berube is senior fellow and deputy director at the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program. In this role he coordinates and amplifies research from across Brookings Metro on how to strengthen economic opportunity in regions, cities, and communities. Berube has also authored dozens of Brookings publications on economic and demographic trends in metropolitan areas, social policies affecting families and communities, and the role of cities in a globalizing economy. He is the co-author of Confronting Suburban Poverty in America (Brookings Press, 2013). Berube holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Cristina, and daughter Erica.

Hobart’s Run is grateful for its connection to Surdna through Hill School Trustee Peter Benedict II ’88 P’21, chairman of The Surdna Foundation, which was founded in 1917 by John Emory Andrus to pursue a range of philanthropic purposes. 

There is still time for investors, potential investors and/or developers, entrepreneurs, government officials, and other interested parties to register for the Pottstown Investors Conference.  Please see details below and, if interested, email Stephanie Trauner at strauner@thehill.org or call 610-705-1506 or go DIRECTLY TO THE REGISTRATION LINK.  There is no fee but pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

The Third Annual Pottstown Investors Conference will be held Friday, April 12, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in The Hill School’s Center For The Arts, 760 Beech St., Pottstown, Pa.  This conference is geared toward real estate investors, developers, business owners, entrepreneurs, state and federal officials, and Pottstown community leaders.

There is no charge to attend, although participants are asked to pre-register with Stephanie Trauner, administrative manager for Hobart’s Run, at strauner@thehill.org or by calling 610-705-1018.  The program will inform individuals who may be interested in opening a restaurant or entertainment venue, retail shop, or other business, or moving to Pottstown and buying, restoring, marketing, and/or residing in real estate featuring the Borough’s architecturally diverse housing stock.

Building off the previous two well-attended events and participant feedback, conference planners from Hobart’s Run are varying this year’s format so there will be fewer “speeches,” more conversational story-telling by Pottstown stakeholders and entrepreneurs, and further showcasing of intriguing real estate opportunities here in our hometown during a session dedicated to this requested topic.  Participants also will be treated to a guided trolley tour (also a popular feature of the initial conference).  Details are being finalized for a keynote speaker.

The event will again offer a “Taste of Pottstown” lunch featuring fare from local restaurants – and, this year, the delicious food samplings will be paired with a “gallery walk” displaying information and literature about nonprofits and other organizations that support and serve Pottstown in partnership with our business community.

The program will include a panel highlighting women-owned or operated businesses in the Borough, among other stimulating, timely discussions -- including a chance to engage in “Q & A” with elected officials who interact with Pottstown investors. The day will end with a networking happy hour.

The event is hosted as a partnership of the Hobart’s Run neighborhood revitalization initiative and The Hill School.

A 501(c)(3), Hobart's Run works with residents and property owners to revitalize the neighborhood through projects that create a clean, safe, and inclusive community; provide incentives for home ownership and home improvements; and generate positive, sustainable commercial and retail development. While initially addressing an area of approximately 600 parcels in Pottstown (Queen Street in the south,  North Adams on the west, Beech, Grant, and Jackson on the north, and Keim Street on the east), Hobart’s Run strives to use successes in this focus area to spark and support revitalization throughout the Borough.