About the PA Route 6 Educational Summit & Annual Meeting

2022 PA Route 6 Annual Meeting & Educational Workshop in Mansfield, PA.

Bringing Communities Together to Strengthen and Celebrate Pennsylvania’s Scenic Route 6 Corridor!

(Photo: Amy Camp of Cycle Forward presents at the 2022 Educational Workshop at Mill Cove in Mansfield)

Each year the PA Route 6 Alliance brings community leaders and tourism professionals from across the 11-county PA Route 6 Heritage Region together in its “Heritage Community of the Year” for two full days of learning, networking, and celebrating Pennsylvania’s scenic Route 6.

Highlights from the 2022 Annual Meeting & Educational Workshop

The 2022 Annual Meeting & Educational Workshop was September 21-22 in the Heritage Community of Mansfield, PA, where we had two action-packed days of fun and learning. The theme was “Growing Together through Outdoor Recreation” and featured a variety of talented guest speakers, networking opportunities and, of course, outdoor recreation!

The Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 22nd

Thursday’s Annual Meeting was held at Corey Creek Golf Club in Mansfield where we conducted a s board meeting, presented an update on all of the great things that PA Route 6 Alliance is doing across the Route 6 Corridor, and enjoyed a Keynote from Amy Camp of Cycle Forward.

During the board meeting, we bid happy retirement to long-time Board President Kevin Abrams. We also re-elected four current board members: John Phillips, Christine Tocki-Mulvey, Linda Devlin, and Dan Glotz who will now serve as Board President of PA Route 6 Alliance. We also voted in two new board members, Will Hunt and Christine Temple, and Kevin Abrams has been added as an Honorary Director.

(Photo: PA Route 6 Alliance Executive Committee, from left to right: Jason Krise, Kevin Abrams, Dan Glotz, and Randy Heller.)

The Route 6 presentation was delivered by Executive Director Candace Hillyard and included updates from Artisan Trail Coordinator Erin Morey and Façade Program Coordinator Vanessa Billings-Seiler.

(Photos left to right: Artisan Trail Coordinator Erin Morey, Facade Program Coordinator Vanessa Billings-Seiler, and Executive Director Candace Hillyard.)

Bike tourism was a major topic of this year’s Annual Meeting & Educational Workshop, particularly the local economic impact of bike tourism. We presented information about the PA Route 6 Bike Friendly Business Program, including the video that can also be viewed on our Bike Friendly Business Page.

Attendees of the Annual Meeting were also treated to presentations by four of the communities along PA Route 6 who are currently participating in the Community Heart & Soul Program: Tidioute, Youngsville, Carbondale, and Wyoming County. Each presentation featured insights into the impact this program has had in their respective communities. The PA Heart & Soul Program began in 2015, when PA Humanities Council partnered with Community Heart & Soul (formerly the Orton Family Foundation) to bring their field-tested model to Pennsylvania communities. This proven process empowers people to shape the future of their communities by creating a shared sense of belonging and ultimately strengthening social, cultural, and economic vibrancy.

(Photo, left to right: Wendy Wilcox and Barbara Young from Youngsville; Lucinda Leonard from Tidioute; Candace Hillyard and Ken Dinitz of PA Humanities Council with Deb Shurtleff of Wyoming County; and Hillyard and Dinitz with Todd Pousley of Carbondale. )

(Photo: Amy Camp gave a keynote on the social and economic impacts of outdoor recreation on local communities.)

Following the Keynote was the presentation of the annual “Do 6” Awards to honor individuals, businesses, and organizations across Route 6 who have contributed to their communities and local areas in meaningful and exceptional ways.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL LIST OF 2022 AWARD WINNERS.

2022 Educational Workshop

At the Educational Workshop, attendees were treated to several guest speakers, including Amy Camp of Cycle Forward, Julie Fitzpatrick from PA Downtown Center, and Brett Hollern from Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

The weather cooperated for what turned out to be a beautiful day at Mill Cove Environmental Area.

(Photo: Candace Hillyard discussed bike tourism, including the creation of “6 Signature Loops”, the TransPennsylvania Cycle Tour, and the PA Route 6 Bike Friendly Business Program. Cain Chamberlin, right, discussed the Endless Mountain Heritage Region’s new Bikepacking Loop.)

(Photo: Julie Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania Downtown Center talked about what’s next in community revitalization.)