UCA will host the 23rd annual Community Development Institute Central (CDI) on Aug. 2-6 at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center. CDI trains community and economic development professionals in Arkansas and surrounding states.
It builds the capacity of individuals and communities to positively impact economic and social development. Professionals from chambers of commerce, private and public sector community and economic development organizations, utility companies, banks, municipal and county offices, faith-based affiliations, community led groups and those interested in community and economic development will attend this year’s institute at UCA.Event speakers include Gary Logan, President and CEO of Synago Consulting, a Missouri-based international consulting firm; Naomi Cottoms and Rev. Dr. Mary Olson of Tri County Rural Health Network and La Casa de Dios; Natalie Ghidotti of Ghidotti Communications; Roby Brock, Executive Producer and Host of Talk Business; Joe Jacobs, Manager of Marketing and Revenue for the Arkansas State Parks; and Jon Love, of the Love Company. They will present on an array of topics from civic responsibility to social media.
UCA is the birthplace of the Community Development Institute Central, which started in 1987 in partnership with Entergy, Southwestern Bell, and ARKLA. CDI has trained over 3,000 people since its creation. Institues have now been established in Texas, West Virginia, Idaho and Illinois. The Community Development Council is the national organization and governing body that oversees the nation’s five CDIs.
For more information about CDI Central, visit uca.edu/cdi or contact Amy Whitehead at (501) 852-2930 or amyw@uca.edu.