
About The Summit
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Since 2014, Creative Placemaking Leadership Summits have served more than 4,000 people from around the United States and several other countries. Many participants are leaders in the worlds of arts, community economic development, cultural heritage, land use, philanthropy, and of course, placemaking.
The NEMA Summit is more than a conference. It is a pop-up center on innovative and effective approaches to help communities through the lens of arts and cultural ecosystems. It inspires you to create new and valuable connections, opens opportunities for collaboration and broadens your experience.
The NEMA Summit:
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Offers a premier gathering space to learn from your peers and get immersed in topics relating to your profession.
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Is a custom-designed and highly curated experience, developed by a diverse team of creative placemakers.
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Has over 40 sessions online and in-person, where you can explore a wide range of topics: community revitalization, local economic development, equity and inclusion, infrastructure, social practice art, and more.
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Has timely and topical content reflecting what is happening now and in the future of the field.
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Gives you distinct and practical knowledge you can apply in your day-to-day work
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Offers a unique perspective on creative placemaking from the region and influential local organizations
Join 250 other professionals and explore exciting creative placemaking work being done in Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken, Lower Manhattan, and other nearby parts of the New York Metro area.
The NEMA Summit will be held at the Culinary Conference Center of Hudson County Community College.
We're meeting online on May 9. You can participate in sessions live, or watch recordings of any sessions you missed. Visit the exhibit booths at your convenience to learn more about what’s going on in the creative placemaking field.
On May 11 and 12, we’ll be together at the Culinary Conference Center in the Journal Square neighborhood of Jersey City. You can expand your creative placemaking toolbox through workshops, get and share big ideas in Strategic Conversations, sharpen your planning and design skills through Strategy Labs, or go on tours to see interesting things happening in the area. We also plan to livestream and record some sessions.
The 2023 Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit is produced by:
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Creative Placemaking Communities
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Dennison Associates
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Jersey City Theater Center
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Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs
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Jersey City Department of Community Development

"Located in the heart of Hudson County and just minutes from Manhattan, the Culinary Conference Center at Hudson County Community College provides the community with renowned culinary excellence, elegantly appointed facilities, and impeccable, platinum-level services for meetings, receptions and celebrations.
The world-class Culinary Conference Center at Hudson County Community College is operated for the College by nationally acclaimed FLIK Conference Centers. Located just two blocks from the Journal Square PATH Transportation Center, the Conference Center offers more than 12,000 square feet of meeting/gathering space and includes an impressive lobby; pre-function lounge/bar; two banquet rooms; twelve flexible conference/meeting rooms with Wi-Fi and the latest technologies, audio-visual equipment and amenities; business service center with computer work-stations; and professional kitchens for team-building exercises.
The Conference Center at Hudson County Community College also offers the finest gourmet dining options for every occasion,"
About Jersey City
Jersey City is one of the most artful and diverse communities in the United States. It is home to more than 100 murals and the MANA Contemporary Art Center (just a 15-minute walk from the Culinary Conference Center, where the Summit will be held ) Hudson County Community College also has a great collection of artworks.
It’s easy to find a mix of experiences in Jersey City, from the cool vibes of downtown neighborhoods to ethnic enclaves such as Little India (which is right near the Journal Square area where the Summit is located. Jersey City has been experiencing an incredible amount of redevelopment, especially along the Hudson River. But it still has a lot of older buildings and spaces that remind you why the city is called “America’s Golden Door. “ (A nod to the Statue of Liberty, which is closer to Jersey City than it is to New York City. )
If you’re near the Amtrak Northeast Corridor line between Boston and Washington, DC, you’re just a two seat ride from the Culinary Conference Center. (Take the train to Newark Penn Station, then take the PATH train to the Journal Square station. The Conference Center is a short walk from there. )
If you like to eat at different types of restaurants, plan to stay a while in Jersey City. There are so many different types of cuisines here.
There’s so much to do in Jersey City. But if you want to explore, it’s an easy train ride (20 minutes or less) to Downtown and Midtown Manhattan, Hoboken, and downtown Newark. Or take a ride share or drive to cool artsy places in Hudson and Essex counties, like Maplewood, Montclair, South Orange, Valley Arts (Orange/West Orange), and more.

If you like to eat at different types of restaurants, plan to stay a while in Jersey City. There are so many different types of cuisines here.
There’s so much to do in Jersey City. But if you want to explore, it’s an easy train ride (20 minutes or less) to Downtown and Midtown Manhattan, Hoboken, and downtown Newark. Or take a ride share or drive to cool artsy places in Hudson and Essex counties, like Maplewood, Montclair, South Orange, Valley Arts (Orange/West Orange), and more.
Summit Sponsors
The Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit, is, like any creative placemaking project, made possible by many partners. We want to thank everyone who contributed time, funding, services and goods to the Summit.
Presenting Sponsor
Hudson County Community College
Silver Sponsor
The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
Bronze Sponsor
The Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation
Americans for the Arts
Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs
M&T Bank
Event Sponsors
LISC Greater Newark
Silverman
TRIAD Associates
New Jersey Community Capital
Session Sponsors
OceanFirst
Councilman James Soloman
PSEG
Canopy by Hilton