——

​

mobile tours

​​​

All tours have been submitted for CM credits. CM details will be provided once approved.

​

Important Mobile Tour Information:

​​

​

• Please note: All mobile tours require an additional ticket and must be purchased with conference registration.

​

• There are a limited number of tickets available for each tour and the number of tickets available for each tour will be indicated when registration opens.

​​

​

• Please note the mode of transportation when booking each mobile tour to consider the best attire, footwear, water, etc. 

​

​​

​

Sunday, July 26

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

CPAP Project: Planning Across Pittsylvania: Revitalization, Growth, and Connectivity

As part of the Community Planning Assistance Program, this mobile tour will focus on planning needs and opportunities in Pittsylvania County. Participants will explore themes including town and countywide revitalization, parks and recreation planning, outdoor public spaces, infrastructure, grant writing, strategic growth, and regional trail connectivity. In addition to visiting key locations and hearing from local leaders, participants will have the opportunity to meet, discuss ideas, and help identify ways to support community-driven priorities across the county.

1:00 PM - 3:45 PM
 

Preserving the Past: Interpretation and Stewardship of Danville’s Historic Cemeteries

25 minute roundtrip travel time included

This mobile tour explores three historic cemeteries in the City of Danville—the Freedmen’s Cemetery, Green Hill Cemetery, and Danville National Cemetery—offering a powerful lens into the community’s layered social and cultural history. Participants will learn how these adjacent landscapes reflect stark contrasts in burial practices and lived experiences, from the largely unmarked graves of Freedmen’s Cemetery—established in the post-Civil War era for African American residents and now the focus of ongoing preservation and ground-penetrating radar efforts—to the ornate monuments of Green Hill Cemetery, historically serving the city’s white and more affluent population. Danville National Cemetery provides additional context as a Civil War–era burial ground established in 1866 for Union soldiers who died while held as prisoners in Danville, many of whom were originally buried in mass graves and later reinterred with individual markers. The tour will highlight current initiatives to preserve, interpret, and more fully tell the stories of these sites while reflecting on broader themes of memory, equity, and historical recognition. Attendees should wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing suitable for walking.

Speakers:

Renee Burton, City of Danville

2:30 - 3:30 PM 

Casino 101: An Introduction to the Gaming Floor at Caesar’s Virginia 

This tour offers an up front look at the gaming floor at Caesar’s Virginia, including Table Games, the Poker Room, and the Sportsbook. Led by a member of the casino’s Table Games management team, participants will walk the floor while learning how these operations function day-to-day, with opportunities to ask questions along the way. New to casinos? This is a great chance to get a comfortable, guided introduction to how table games and other gaming areas work.  Must be 21 or over to participate.

2:00 - 4:30 PM 

Kayaking on the Dan River

Includes 20 minute roundtrip travel time

This mobile tour features a guided kayaking experience on the Dan River, hosted in partnership with Danville Parks and Recreation. Participants will paddle a calm, scenic section of the river while enjoying views of the surrounding landscape and experiencing one of the community’s most popular outdoor recreation offerings. The trip is designed to be accessible for beginners, with stable kayaks and basic instruction provided. All equipment will be included. Participants should be comfortable on the water, wear appropriate clothing, and be prepared to get wet. 

​
 

Monday, July 27

6:00 AM - 7:30 AM

River City Rise & Run 

Start your day with an energizing 5K run led by Adam Jones, owner of The Brick Running Store. This guided run offers a chance to explore Danville’s unique character, from its historic neighborhoods to its scenic green spaces. All paces are welcome for this casual, social run. 

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM 

Casino 101: An Introduction to the Gaming Floor at Caesar’s Virginia 

This tour offers an up front look at the gaming floor at Caesar’s Virginia, including Table Games, the Poker Room, and the Sportsbook. Led by a member of the casino’s Table Games management team, participants will walk the floor while learning how these operations function day-to-day, with opportunities to ask questions along the way. New to casinos? This is a great chance to get a comfortable, guided introduction to how table games and other gaming areas work. Must be 21 or over to participate.

9:30 AM - 12:00 PM 

Riverfront Revitalization Tour

Includes 20 minute roundtrip travel time

​

Explore how the City is transforming its waterfront along the Dan River into vibrant community assets.  This mobile tour will highlight Riverfront Park, the in-development White Water Park, and the Dan River Falls redevelopment project. Led by City staff and the design team, the session will showcase ongoing efforts to reactivate the riverfront through recreation, adaptive reuse, and strategic investment. 

Speakers:

Renee Burton, City of Danville

Graham Smith, Site Collaborative

Energy in Action: Exploring Battery Storage and Siting in Danville

Includes 30 minute roundtrip travel time

​

This tour to an operational Lightshift Energy/Danville Utilities Battery Energy Storage project (BESS) and subsequent group discussion will cover siting and ordinance considerations for BESS projects. BESS  projects are one of the main strategies the Governor wants to see deployed to help solve the state’s electricity supply challenge while stabilizing electricity bills. Permitting of BESS projects by developers is expected to substantially increase in the coming years as developers react to recently approved legislation with significantly higher BESS deployment targets for the State's electric utilities. Recent BESS ordinance development in Fairfax County, additional Danville BESS permitting, and other specific BESS project permitting examples from across the state will be reviewed and discussed.    

Speakers:  

​

Chris Meyer, East Point Energy

Jacqueline Kamp, Fairfax County

Renee Burton, City of Danville

Jason Grey, City of Danville

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

​

From Protest to Progress: A Civil Rights Journey Through Danville

​​

This mobile tour explores key sites connected to African American heritage and the civil rights movement in Danville, offering participants a deeper understanding of the people, places, and events that shaped the community. Danville was the site of one of the most significant—and violent—civil rights struggles in Virginia during the summer of 1963, when local residents organized marches, sit-ins, and protests to challenge segregation and inequality. Participants will visit locations tied to these events and learn about the role of local leaders, faith communities, and national organizations in advancing civil rights, as well as the lasting impacts of efforts such as the demonstrations that culminated in “Bloody Monday.” The tour will also highlight how Danville is working today to preserve, interpret, and share these important stories, creating space for reflection on progress, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equity. 

Speakers:  

Ressie Luck Brimmer

1:30 PM - 5:00 PM

​

Full Throttle Planning: A Tour of Virginia International Raceway

Includes 1 hour roundtrip travel time

​

This mobile tour takes participants to Virginia International Raceway (VIR), a nationally recognized motorsports destination and a major economic driver in Southern Virginia. The visit will explore VIR’s role in regional economic development, including its impact on tourism, hospitality, and job creation, as well as how the facility coordinates with surrounding jurisdictions on infrastructure planning and capital investments. Participants will also learn about the operational and planning challenges associated with managing a large-scale recreational and event venue, and how VIR is positioning itself for future growth.

​

A highlight of the tour includes an opportunity to experience VIR’s kart track, where participants can engage directly with one of the facility’s most accessible racing experiences in a controlled environment. Safety briefing and instructions will be provided on-site. Participants must wear closed-toed shoes, and additional restrictions may apply.

Due to the nature of this experience, the tour is non-refundable. The tour may be cancelled if the minimum number of participants is not met by July 15.

​

Speakers:

Emily Ferk, Virginia International Raceway

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

​

Evening Kayaking on the Dan River

Includes 20 minute roundtrip travel time

1.5-2 hour float (no CMs)

This mobile tour features a guided kayaking experience on the Dan River, hosted in partnership with Danville Parks and Recreation. Participants will paddle a calm, scenic section of the river while enjoying views of the surrounding landscape and experiencing one of the community’s most popular outdoor recreation offerings. The trip is designed to be accessible for beginners, with stable kayaks and basic instruction provided. All equipment will be included. Participants should be comfortable on the water, wear appropriate clothing, and be prepared to get wet. 

Tuesday, July 28

6:00 AM - 7:30 AM

River City Rise & Run 

Start your day with an energizing 5K run led by Adam Jones, owner of The Brick Running Store. This guided run offers a chance to explore Danville’s unique character, from its historic neighborhoods to its scenic green spaces. All paces are welcome for this casual, social run. 

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM 

Stories in the Streets: A Tour Through Danville’s Historic Districts

Travel time included in tour

The tour highlights three of Danville’s historic districts, each reflecting a different layer of the city’s history and development. The Old West End’s Millionaire’s Row showcases grand Victorian architecture and nationally significant civic and religious sites, with a rare peek inside one of Danville’s most historic private homes. Holbrook Street reflects the history of Danville’s African American community, including its professional, cultural, and Civil Rights-era heritage. The Tobacco Warehouse District highlights the city’s industrial past and ongoing adaptive reuse of historic buildings. Along the way, participants will also see key riverfront assets that illustrate Danville’s continued evolution and revitalization. 

Speaker:  

Joyce Wilburn

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Henry County Sports and Entertainment Tour

Includes 1 hr 10 minute roundtrip travel time

2 hours Content (2 CMs)

Explore how Henry County has leveraged sports and outdoor recreation as a catalyst for economic development and community vitality. This mobile tour will feature the Smith River Sports Complex, a premier multi-use facility that draws regional and national tournaments; the Dick and Willie Passage Rail Trail, a scenic multi-use trail connecting communities and promoting active lifestyles; and the iconic Martinsville Speedway, a cornerstone of the region’s tourism economy and racing heritage. Led by local staff and partners, the tour will highlight how strategic investments in recreation and entertainment infrastructure are driving visitation, supporting local businesses, and enhancing quality of life across the county. 

Speakers: 

Micah Montgomery, Henry County

Blake Collins, Martinsville Speedway

​

8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Agriculture in Action: A Tour of the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex

Includes 45 minute roundtrip travel time

1.5 hours content (1.5 CM)

This mobile tour visits the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham, Virginia, a regional hub for agriculture, agribusiness, and rural innovation. Participants will learn about the facility’s role in supporting the local and regional agricultural economy, including its function as a venue for livestock shows, agricultural education, and community events. The tour will highlight how the complex helps connect producers, youth programs, and industry partners, while also serving as an important asset for economic development and tourism in Pittsylvania County and the surrounding region. Discussion will focus on the intersection of agriculture, land use, and rural planning, and how facilities like this support the long-term vitality of Virginia’s working lands. 

Speakers: More information coming soon!

1:45 PM - 4:30 PM

Innovation in Action: A Tour of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Includes 30 minute roundtrip travel time

​

This mobile tour offers an inside look at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. IALR brings together advanced learning, applied research, workforce training, and economic development under one campus, working closely with industry, education partners, and government to drive innovation and regional growth.

Participants will receive an overview of the organization’s mission and programming, followed by a guided tour of key facilities that support this work. Stops include the Conference Center, Teacher Training Center, additive manufacturing and 3D printing lab, Applied Research labs (including the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center), and the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) and advanced manufacturing training spaces. Together, these spaces demonstrate how IALR connects education, research, and industry to meet workforce needs and support emerging sectors.

​

The tour highlights how IALR serves as a hub for innovation, workforce development, and industry partnerships that are shaping the future of the region’s economy.

​

Speakers: More information coming soon!

From Challenges to Opportunity: Inside Averett University

Includes 10 minute roundtrip travel time​

​

Explore Averett University through this guided walking tour of both its Main and North Campuses. Participants will gain an honest look at the realities of operating a private institution in today’s evolving higher education landscape.  The tour will also highlight how strategic partnerships between the university and the City of Danville are helping to align campus needs with broader community goals.

Along the route, attendees will learn about collaborative efforts to activate campus spaces during the summer months, expand community access, and strengthen the connection between “town and gown.” University leaders will share lessons learned, ongoing challenges, and creative approaches to sustaining campus vitality while supporting Danville’s continued revitalization.

Along the Dan: Trails, Transformation, and Discovery

Includes 20 minute roundtrip travel time

​

Explore how the Danville Riverwalk Trail has transformed a former industrial corridor into a connected recreational and economic asset along the Dan River. This guided walking tour highlights how the trail links parks, downtown, and key destinations while supporting tourism, events, and private investment. The experience include a visit to the Danville Science Center, showcasing how education and attraction-based development complement the Riverwalk to drive revitalization and strengthen Danville’s identity.

Speakers:

Renee Burton, City of Danville

___

2026 Receptions