National Preservation Partners Network
2026 Spring Retreat
“America at 250: Forging Connections, Saving Places, Shaping the Future”
Register Today!
April 20-22, 2026
Join us in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for our 2026 Partners Spring Retreat! Members of the National Preservation Partners Network will gather for meetings, tours, and networking April 20-22, 2026. You will leave inspired and energized to save more places in your community. The 2026 Preservation Partners Spring Retreat is presented in partnership with the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Spring Retreat Registration:
Early Bird Rates Available through March 20, 2026
NPPN Members:
$350 / $300 Early Bird
$550 for NPPN Spring Retreat (April 20-22) AND National HPRP Summit (April 22-April 24) / $500 Early Bird
Non-Members:
$400 / $350 Early Bird
$600 for NPPN Spring Retreat (April 20-22) AND National HPRP Summit (April 22-April 24)/ $550 Early Bird
Reception Only: $75
Learn more about the Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs (HPRP) Summit HERE.
Register for the Preservation Partners Spring Retreat Today!
Not a member yet? Learn more about the benefits of NPPN membership and how your organization can become a NPPN member HERE.
Conference Hotel: Kimpton Hotel Palomar
The headquarters hotel for the NPPN Spring Retreat and National HPRP Summit will be the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, located in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Historically known as the Architects Building, the 24-story Art Deco tower was completed in 1931 and was home to the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for many years.
We have reserved a block of rooms for attendees with a rate of $209 per night. Both King and Double Queen bed options are available. If you would like to find a roommate to share a room, please let us know by sending an email to Info@PresPartners.org and we will connect you with other attendees seeking to share a room.
Rooms must be reserved by midnight on March 19th to qualify for this special rate. The hotel does have a 72-hour cancellation policy if your travel plans change prior to check-in.
You can book your room online HERE or by calling 1-800-KIMPTON and referencing our block code, QZB.
NPPN Spring Retreat Schedule*
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will take place at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar.
117 South 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Sunday – April 19
6:00 p.m.
Dinner Meet-Up for Attendees Arriving Sunday
Location TBD, walking distance from hotel.
Monday – April 20
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Check-In and Breakfast
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Overview of Preservation in Philadelphia
Presented by The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
Paul Steinke, Executive Director
Hanna Stark, Director of Policy and Communications
Join Paul Steinke and Hanna Stark of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia for a conversation on the current state of historic preservation in Philadelphia. The discussion will explore recent developments, including the 2019 Mayoral Historic Preservation Task Force, efforts to enhance the Pennsylvania state tax credit, recently proposed legislation that would weaken Philadelphia’s local historic preservation ordinance, key findings from the Preservation Alliance’s recent economic impact report, and more. Together, they will consider what these dynamics mean for preservation policy and advocacy today and what the future may hold for preservation in Philadelphia.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Current Challenges in the Field
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Program with Featured Speaker
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Celebrating America 250 in Philadelphia
Presented by Kathryn Ott Lovell, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Walking Tour and Visits of Iconic Philadelphia Landmarks
Dinner on Your Own
Tuesday – April 21
Saving Sacred Places
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast & Gathering
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Overview and Case Studies in Models for Preserving Sacred Places
Bob Yeager, President, Partners for Sacred Places
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Walking Tour Featuring Historic Sacred Places Exhibiting a Variety of Reuse Models
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch at Tindley Temple
Lunch Speaker: Betsy Ivey, Director of the Philadelphia Fund for Black Sacred Places will share how Partners for Sacred Places and Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia developed this ground-breaking program and the insights gained for future programs with Black churches.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Walking Tour Featuring Historic Sacred Places
Afternoon sessions back at the Hotel Palomar.
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Speaker Session
Preserving and Transitioning Historic Sacred Places: Model Approaches and Programs
Presenters: Dana Dabek, Director of Community Engagement and Transition Services, and Emily Sajdak, Director of Rural Initiatives, Partners for Sacred Places
This session explores innovative regional programs led by Partners for Sacred Places that preserve culturally significant historic houses of worship by utilizing targeted regional support to help them strengthen their roles as economic and cultural anchors in rural communities. This session will also detail how preservationists can support houses of worship who need to transition their historic properties into mission-aligned reuses that continue to serve civic and community benefit.
5:00 p.m. Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday – April 22
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast & Gathering
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Morning Session
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions:
Grassroots Advocacy for Black History
Presented by Christopher Rogers, Co-Coordinator, Friends of the Tanner House
Planning + Preservation
Presented by Eleanor Sharpe, Director of Planning, City Council of Philadelphia
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions:
Board Engagement Strategies
Presenter: Donna Ann Harris, Heritage Consulting, Inc.
Strengthen your board’s effectiveness with this practical session on governance, accountability, and engagement. Participants will walk away with clear guidance on board members’ legal duties, real-world examples of what works (and what doesn’t), and a robust set of ready-to-use tools including sample policies and checklists for board recruitment, onboarding, and engagement. Designed to be interactive, this session will equip organizations with templates and frameworks they can put into action with their boards immediately.
Effective Advocacy Programs and Public Relations
Vince Michael, Executive Director, Villa Finale and NPPN Board Member
Hanna Stark, Director of Policy and Communications, Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wrap Up: Making Connections and Next Steps
1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own and Free Afternoon to Explore Philadelphia
5:30 p.m.
Celebration Reception for NPPN Spring Retreat and HPRP Summit Attendees
Programming continues with the National Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs Summit Thursday and Friday, April 23-24 . Learn more.