2026 CDS Annual Conference

The Call for Proposals is closed for 2026. If you completed a submission, due to the extended deadline, decisions will be emailed on or before February 5, 2026.

Community Currents: Navigating Change Together

Like rivers meeting the sea, community development happens where different forces converge. Communities must navigate powerful changes while charting their own course toward a thriving future.  Building on the foundation laid by the revised Community Development Principles of Good Practice, the  2026 Annual Conference of the Community Development Society explores how communities harness collaborative energy to navigate challenges and opportunities together.

This theme reflects the understanding that sustainable community development requires understanding the flow of change and working with – rather than against – the natural energy of community assets and partnerships. Sometimes the most effective approaches are the unexpected ones. Set in historic Savannah, Georgia – a coastal city where rivers meet the Atlantic and where streams of history, culture, and innovation come together in surprising ways – the conference focuses on how community development practitioners help communities:

Navigate Generational Partnerships – Explore how communities harness the energy of youth leadership while drawing wisdom from established traditions, creating intergenerational collaborations that drive positive change.

Chart Cross-Sector Pathways – Examine how communities navigate partnerships between nonprofits, government, business, educational institutions, and community organizations to reach shared destinations.

Harness Cultural Energy – Highlight how arts, storytelling, and cultural traditions become powerful forces that propel communities forward. From unconventional partnerships to creative problem-solving, explore how communities find momentum in unexpected places.

Connect Across Rural-Urban Divides – Investigate how communities across different geographic contexts can share knowledge and collaborate on common challenges.

Balance Preservation and Progress – Learn from communities that successfully navigate between honoring their heritage and adapting to forces of growth and change.

Concurrent sessions include paper presentations, program and project showcases, interactive workshops, and roundtable discussions. We welcome contributions from practitioners, scholars, activists, and community leaders that address the conference theme or explore other topics.

Join us for our signature CDS conference activities:

• Mobile Learning Workshops
• Off-Site and On-Site Networking Receptions
• Awards Banquet
• Annual Business Meeting
• Informal Outings into the Region

2026 CDS Annual Conference Timeline (Revised):

October 15, 2025: Call for Proposals Opens

November 19, 2025: Early Acceptance Deadline to be considered for Best Paper Award (This award includes a monetary prize; 2026 Best Paper Award Terms and Conditions can be accessed HERE) The Early Acceptance Deadline has passed.

January 14, 2025: Extended Proposal Acceptance until 6 pm Eastern Time (USA)

February 5, 2026: Notice of Proposal Acceptance will be sent on or before this date

April 1, 2026: Deadline for Commitment to Attend

April 15, 2026: Draft Schedule Released

June 12, 2026: Conference Registration Deadline for Presenters (11:59pm US Eastern Time)

July 19, 2026: Conference Registration Final Deadline (5pm US Eastern Time)

July 19-22, 2026: Conference

All deadlines are listed in Eastern Time (US) of the date specified in the 2026 CDS Annual Conference Timeline, unless otherwise specified.