Enjoy continental breakfast and networking with colleagues and exhibitors.

Welcome Remarks (8:30am-8:45am)

Vanessa Quijano, President of Downtown New Jersey, will open the conference with a year in review for the organization and downtown revitalization.

Keynote Address – David Dixon (8:45am – 9:30am)

David Dixon, FAIA leads planning and urban design for Stantec’s Urban Places, an interdisciplinary team that helps communities harness the growing demand for vibrant, people-centered urban life. With decades of experience shaping the future of downtowns, David’s work has won national recognition from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), the International Downtown Association (IDA), and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). His expertise centers on reimagining downtowns as places where design, innovation, and community engagement intersect to spark economic vitality and human connection—making him the perfect voice for this year’s DNJ Conference theme, “Street-Level Magic: Building Experiential Downtowns.”

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Keynote Sponsor

Economic Vitality & Placemaking: Creating Year-Round Destination Programming
How do you keep your downtown buzzing beyond the holiday shopping season or the height of summer? This session explores strategies to maintain consistent activity throughout the year by layering seasonal events, collaborating with cultural and business partners, and creating signature experiences that foster repeat visits. Attendees will learn practical approaches to diversifying programming, engaging local businesses in destination development, and ensuring downtown vibrancy in every season.

Panelists: 

Mairin Bennett
Executive Director, Red Bank RiverCenter

Robin Lapidus
Executive Director, Flemington Community Partnership

Dawn Mackey
Executive Director, Metuchen Downtown Alliance

Liz Pacelli
President, Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce

Moderated by:

Bob Zuckerman
Board Member, Downtown New Jersey

Session Sponsor

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Walking Tour A – Redevelopment & Historic Preservation: Curating a Walkable Downtown
Take a guided tour through Flemington to see firsthand how redevelopment and preservation intersect to create a cohesive, walkable experience. Participants will explore adaptive reuse projects that breathe new life into historic properties, streetscape improvements that elevate pedestrian comfort, and mixed-use development that blends old and new. Along the way, speakers will highlight lessons learned and transferable strategies for communities across New Jersey

Pre-register HERE! 

Session Sponsor

Community Engagement & Partnerships: Engaging Local Voices in Downtown Experience Design
Downtown success is strongest when it is shaped by the people who live, work, and invest there. This session highlights proven strategies for engaging residents, small business owners, cultural leaders, and civic partners in experience design. Attendees will discover inclusive engagement practices that build local ownership, foster equity, and ensure downtowns reflect the values and voices of their communities.

Panelists: 

Erin Bush
Director of Marketng and Communications, Hoboken Business Alliance

Nathaniel Diskint
Founder & Executive Director, COHOME, INC

Citi Medina
Founder & CEO, EqualSpace & MedinaCiti

Courtenay Mercer, PP, AICP
Founding Principal, Mercer Planning Associates

Moderated By: 

Janet Ristuccia
Project Director | Senior Associate, Gensler

Session Sponsor

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Walking Tour B – Arts & Culture in Flemington
Discover how arts and culture are driving Flemington’s renaissance. This walking tour showcases public art installations, galleries, creative spaces, and performance venues that form the heart of the Cultural Arts District. Participants will learn how investing in cultural infrastructure fosters identity, builds community pride, and drives economic vibrancy while experiencing Flemington’s thriving arts scene up close.

Pre-Register HERE! 

Session Sponsor

Enjoy lunch and networking with colleagues and exhibitors. 

Hospitality & Retail Experience: The Hybrid Consumer – Blending In-Person and Digital Shopping/Dining
Today’s consumers expect more than just convenience—they want experiences. This session dives into how downtowns can meet the needs of the hybrid consumer, who moves seamlessly between digital and physical touchpoints. From integrating e-commerce with the tactile in-person shopping experience, to leveraging digital tools that enhance dining and hospitality, panelists will share insights on how to deliver personalization, engagement, and value in ways that keep downtown businesses competitive and compelling

Panelists:

Stefanie Mandelberg & Kelsey DiMeglio
Co-Founders, Charmed and Bound Bookstore, Flemington, NJ

Jaime Izurieta
Founder, Storefront Mastery

Gabriella Truppi
Proprietor, Humdoo Ice Cream, Flemington, NJ

Maria Vraniak
Proprietor, Osprey Lane and Osprey Nest, Somerville, NJ

Moderated by: 

Natalie Pineiro
Executive Director, Downtown New Jersey

Session Sponsor

“The Future of Experiential Downtowns”
As the day comes to a close, join us for a reflective conversation tying together the insights, ideas, and inspiration shared throughout the conference. This is an opportunity to synthesize the day’s learning and leave with actionable strategies to bring back to your community. Attendees will be challenged to think boldly about how to create downtowns that are not just functional, but truly experiential — places that spark connection, creativity, and economic vitality.

After a full day of learning and exploration, unwind with colleagues, peers, and new connections at Lone Eagle Brewing, one of Flemington’s celebrated local breweries. Enjoy craft beer, light bites, and casual networking in a relaxed atmosphere that reflects the vibrancy and creativity of experiential downtowns. This is your chance to continue the conversation, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the collective work of building thriving downtowns across New Jersey.

Sponsored by: