Inter-City Visits give us an opportunity to learn from best-in-class cities. By bringing business and community leaders together to learn from other communities, we adapt those lessons for our own success. The visits offer the opportunity to learn from class-A cities in top metros around the nation.
Past community visits and areas of focus include:
- 2023 – Huntsville, Ala.: Industry & entrepreneurship, talent attraction, and the music economy
- 2021 – Carmel & Fishers, Ind.: Entrepreneurship, startups, and private-public partnerships
- 2019 – Louisville, Ky.: Neighborhood development
- 2018 – Greenville, S.C.: Downtown & riverfront development, entrepreneurship, and arts & culture
- 2017 – Durham, N.C.: Electric Works revitalization
- 2015 – Grand Rapids & Kalamazoo, Mich.: Riverfront development
- 2014 – Des Moines, Iowa: Philanthropic engagement
- 2013 – Reverse City Visit in Fort Wayne: Experience building momentum
- 2012 – Wichita, Kansas: Downtown & riverfront development
- 2011 – Denver, Colo.: Regional economic development
- 2007 – Chattanooga, Tenn.: Riverfront development
- 2006 – Providence, R.I.: Cultural district
- 2005 – Greenville, S.C.: Downtown & riverfront development
Inter-City Visit 2025
Little Rock, Arkansas
Mark your calendar for Monday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 7! You are invited to join Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s 2025 Inter-City Visit, an exclusive opportunity to explore Little Rock and Conway, Arkansas, and learn from their innovative community development strategies.
This year’s visit will focus on three key areas critical to Allen County’s future:
- Innovative Infill Housing – Explore Little Rock’s diverse infill housing projects, ranging from transitional tiny houses to single-family homes, spanning affordable to market-rate developments.
- Education & Workforce Development – Learn how the region—the first in the nation to participate with multiple school districts—connects its business community with K-12 education through Ford NGL (Next Generation Learning).
- Small Community Growth – Visit Conway, a thriving university town, to see innovative small-city development in action. Explore a new urbanist housing development and discover how youth sports are shaping the community.
Much like Fort Wayne, Little Rock is a growing metro area balancing economic development with livability. With a population of 268,373, it shares demographic similarities to Allen County and boasts strong educational institutions, a developing downtown, and nationally recognized accolades, including:
- #10 Metro for Young Professionals – Forbes, 2023
- #12 Move-to City in the U.S. – moveBuddha, 2024
- #25 Best Cities for 2024 – Southern Living
This packed itinerary includes:
- Panel discussions with local leaders on economic development & community progress
- Tours of innovative infill housing projects showcasing diverse approaches to development, including riverfront development
- Exclusive visit to the Clinton Presidential Library, highlighting its impact on tourism and economic development
- Business & education connections through Ford NGL initiatives
- Trip to Conway, AR, a model university town with innovative urban planning
- Dinner at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, an anchor for arts and culture
Monday, May 5, 2025
- 1:00 PM Check-In / Registration – Capital Hotel
- 2:00 PM Welcome to Little Rock, Arkansas – Hosted by Little Rock Regional Chamber
- 2:30 PM Session 1: Housing Panel – Innovative Infill Housing in Little Rock
- 3:30 PM Bus Tour of Little Rock – Housing Projects
- 6:00 PM Dinner – 42Bar and Table at Clinton Presidential Center
- 7:15 PM Walking Tour – Clinton Presidential Library
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
- 8:00 AM Session 2: Education & Workforce Development Panel – Business and Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL)
- 10:00 AM Walking Tour – North Little Rock High School
- 11:30 AM Welcome to Conway, Arkansas – Hosted by Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
- 12:15 PM Lunch – To Be Determined
- 2:15 PM Bus Tour of Conway, Arkansas – Small Community Growth / Youth Sports
- 6:00 PM Dinner & Inter-City Visit Debrief – Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
📅 Dates: Monday, May 5 – Wednesday, May 7 (Wednesday is a travel day; lodging included for May 5-6 only)
💲 Cost: $1,500 per person (includes programming, lodging May 5th & 6th, meals, & transportation within Little Rock and Conway)
💵 Deposit: A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to secure your spot by March 28 / Payment in full due by April 30
✈ Travel: Attendees are responsible for their own travel to and from Little Rock
This trip is exclusively open to:
- Summit & Visionary Investors
- GFW Inc. Board Members
- Elected Officials
- Select Community Leaders
Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join us as we gain insights and bring back ideas to strengthen Fort Wayne’s future!
Questions? Contact Olivia Dickerson at odickerson@gfwinc.com for event or registration details.
Thank You to Our Event Sponsors
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