Mobile Workshops

Be sure to reserve your spot for one of the conference’s mobile workshops, which offer unique opportunities to explore Reno and the surrounding region while learning about innovative economic and community development initiatives. Several workshops are already at or reaching capacity, so we encourage attendees to register for their preferred tour as soon as possible. Space on the remaining workshops is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you register for an already full workshop, you will automatically be added to the waitlist for it without being charged. If you’ve already completed your conference registration, but would like to add a mobile workshop, please email [email protected]. 

Monday, October 19

9:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tahoe Prosperity Center: Regional Collaboration in a One‑of‑a‑Kind Economy

Visit the Tahoe Prosperity Center for a mobile workshop exploring how regional collaboration drives economic development in the uniquely complex Lake Tahoe Basin which spans two states, is governed by a bi-state agency, and relies on coordinated, cross‑jurisdictional solutions. The tour will highlight how partnerships across sectors, guided by shared data and community input, are advancing priorities like workforce housing, broadband access, small‑scale biomass innovation, economic resilience, and community vitality. Participants will also learn about Tahoe Prosperity Center’s Business Walks, a hands‑on way to gather insights from local businesses.

Limited to 40 participants. Meet the tour group at 9:45 a.m. for a bus departure at 10 a.m. The group will return to the hotel by 3:00 p.m.  Lunch will be provided.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $65.

9:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
From Wagon Ruts to Main Street Wins: A Visit to Gardnerville

Discover how the organization Mainstreet Gardnerville is breathing new life into a historic downtown on this guided tour of Gardnerville, NV (pop. 5,800). Explore how this former 19th‑century wagon‑train stop has evolved into a vibrant 21st‑century community through a blend of business investment, strategic grant funding, and the dedication of local volunteers. Along the way, you’ll see firsthand the projects and partnerships that are helping preserve the town’s character while supporting its growth.

Limited to 50 participants. Meet the tour group at 9:45 a.m. for a bus departure at 10 a.m. The group will return to the hotel by 2:45 p.m.  Lunch will be provided.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $65.

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Virginia City Bonanza: Bringing the Past to the Future

In 1859, Virginia City, NV was founded to support a community of miners that had come to extract the Comstock Lode, one of the first major silver deposits found in the United States. After the depletion of the Comstock Lode, the town looked to other sources of economic prosperity and found its rich history as a mining town deserved preserving. Since that time Virginia City has been through a variety of economic booms and changes over its history.  On this tour, explore the city’s historic downtown and key landmarks that were integral to its development as a mining hotspot. The tour will offer participants an understanding of how historic preservation can be utilized as a transition strategy toward other drivers of growth and opportunity.

Limited to 40 participants. Meet the tour group at 10 a.m. for a bus departure at 10:15 a.m. The group will return to the hotel by 3:00 p.m.  Lunch will be provided.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $65.

12:15 – 3:00 p.m.
Downtown Reno Revitalization: From Brownfields to Economic Engines

This tour will offer an inside look at how the City of Reno is transforming vacant, underutilized, and legacy sites into drivers of economic growth and community vitality. Participants will explore a variety of sites and projects to learn how targeted investments are reshaping downtown Reno into a more vibrant, walkable, and economically resilient district.  Attendees will gain practical insights on unlocking redevelopment through public realm investment; activating vacant corridors with façade and tenant programs; navigating complex adaptive reuse projects; leveraging partnerships to accelerate revitalization; and utilizing federal (U.S. EPA) and state brownfield grants and technical assistance.

Limited to 50 participants. Meet the tour group at 12:15 p.m. for a bus departure at 12:30 p.m. The group will return to the hotel by 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20

10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Inside Energy: Geothermal Energy at the Peppermill Resort Spa and Casino (Tour I)

As part of its 2007 expansion project, the Peppermill Resort Spa and Casino (the conference venue) invested $9.7 million to install a geothermal energy system that provides the energy that heats the domestic hot water for the Tuscany tower, including the 43,000 square foot Spa Toscana and Fitness Center, as well as two outdoor swimming pools and spas. This tour will show participants the inner workings of geothermal energy at the Peppermill and provide insights on how communities across the country can access this renewable energy source.  Note: The conference includes two geothermal energy tour options; the programming and information will be the same for each tour.

Limited to 20 participants. Meet the tour group at 10:15 a.m. for departure at 10:30 a.m.  The group will return by 12:30 p.m.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $20.

10:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Engines of Change: Reno’s National Automobile Museum

Roll over to the National Automobile Museum, located in downtown Reno, which celebrates the past, present, and future of the automobile. Built on the legacy of William F. “Bill” Harrah and supported by a global community of enthusiasts, the museum has inspired visitors since 1989 through engaging exhibits and programs.  Participants will enjoy a special presentation from the museum’s president covering its history, governance, fundraising efforts, and impact on downtown Reno’s economic development. Afterward, attendees can explore exhibits featuring more than 200 vehicles from the late 1800s to today, including cars once owned by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and President John F. Kennedy.

Limited to 50 participants.  Meet group at 10:15 am for a bus departure at 10:30 a.m.  The group will return to the hotel by 12:45 p.m., though participants are welcome to stay longer at the museum and return on their own.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $40.

10:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
From Waste to Worth: Inside Wastewater Reuse at Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility

The City of Reno’s Utilities Services Department owns and operates the Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility which processes 2 million gallons of wastewater per day.  Join a tour of this award-winning facility to learn more about responsible use and reuse of valuable water resources in the Reno area. The visit will include a presentation on the site’s growth plan and approach to interagency cooperation followed by a walking tour of the facility.  Participants will learn how resilient approaches to resource management can expand opportunities for long-term economic competitiveness.

Limited to 20 participants. Meet the tour group at 10:15 a.m. for a bus departure at 10:30 a.m. The group will return to the hotel by 1:00 p.m.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $45.

1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MidTown Reno on Foot: Placemaking, Small Business, and the Creative Economy – WORKSHOP FULL

This guided walking tour of MidTown Reno will explore how placemaking, locally owned businesses, and creative entrepreneurs have helped transform the district into a vibrant economic and cultural hub. Participants will learn how public art, adaptive reuse, and community driven development support small business growth and foster a resilient creative economy. The tour will highlight real world examples of how place-based strategies can shape dynamic neighborhoods.

Limited to 30 participants. Meet the tour group at 1 p.m. for a hotel departure at 1:15 p.m. The group will return to the hotel by 4:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $40. 

2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center:  A Visit to the World’s Largest Industrial Park – WORKSHOP FULL

The Tahoe Reno Industrial Center is a 107,000-acre park that encompasses a developable 30,000 acre industrial complex and is the largest industrial park in the world. It hosts Tesla Gigafactory 1 and data centers for Blockchains, Google, Jet.com, and Switch. The industrial center is poised to expand in the age of AI with a 1100-Megawatt powerplant and water rights to provide for cooling needs.  Participants will discover how this unique development stays ahead in a constantly shifting landscape, as well as practical lessons that can inform regional planning elsewhere

Limited to 30 participants. Meet the tour group at 2:30 p.m. for a bus departure at 2:45 p.m. The group will return to the hotel by 5:30 p.m.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $45.

Wednesday, October 21

8:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Truckee River Walking Tour – WORKSHOP FULL

The Reno Department of Wildlife will host a guided walking tour at the Oxbow Nature Study Center focused on connections between outdoor recreation, tourism, and local economic development. Participants will explore local trails while learning how natural amenities create opportunities to promote recreational access and sustainable development. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and come prepared with sunscreen and water.

Limited to 25 participants.  Meet in the lobby at 8:30 a.m. for a bus departure at 8:45 a.m.  The group will return to the hotel by 11:45 a.m.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $35.

10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Inside Energy: Geothermal Energy at the Peppermill Resort Spa and Casino (Tour II)

As part of its 2007 expansion project, the Peppermill Resort Spa and Casino (the conference venue) invested $9.7 million to install a geothermal energy system that provides the energy that heats the domestic hot water for the Tuscany tower, including the 43,000 square foot Spa Toscana and Fitness Center, as well as two outdoor swimming pools and spas. This tour will show participants the inner workings of geothermal energy at the Peppermill and provide insights on how communities across the country can access this renewable energy source.  Note: The conference includes two geothermal energy tour options; the programming and information will be the same for each tour.  

Limited to 20 participants. Meet the tour group at 10 a.m. for a 10:15 a.m. departure.  The group will return by 12:15 p.m.  Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $20.