SEA
A ShARed Future:
THE COMMUNITY WE MAKE
Grand Prairie Conference Center
2807 US-165, Stuttgart, Arkansas
April 30, 2026
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Time Left To Conference:
The SEA Change: A ShARed Future Conference
This one-day, workshop-style conference delivers practical, interactive guidance on strengthening civic pride, hospitality and community connection.
Jeff Siegler, known for tackling community decline through pride, beauty and civic health, and Christopher Gilbert, founder of Municipal Hospitality, who teaches a people-centered approach to government service that builds trust and belonging, will both be keynote speakers at the event.
featured speakers
Jeff Siegler
Siegler has assisted hundreds of communities with their revitalization, economic sustainability, and community development over the course of his career. Utilizing a background in urban planning, downtown district management, revitalization, real estate, economics and organizational development, his diverse background and expertise lend a unique vantage point for addressing community concerns.
What Jeff lacks in patience and eloquence, he makes up for in passion and honesty. He believes revitalizing communities is the most important work we can do. Revitalization has the power to transform people’s lives by fostering a stronger sense of community. Revitalization enhances quality of life, it provides people with more enriching experiences, and Jeff has dedicated himself to killing apathy- one town at a time.
In 2023, he published his first book, Your City is Sick. When Jeff is not agitating benevolent community volunteers, he dedicates his agitation efforts to his son and daughter, who all call Pittsburgh home.
Christopher Gilbert
Gilbert is the founder of Municipal Hospitality Advisors, an organization dedicated to transforming the relationship between local governments and their communities. With over 25 years of experience in local government, Christopher has become a recognized leader in building trust through a people-centered approach to public service. His philosophy centers on the belief that every interaction between government and residents is an opportunity to create moments that matter, where individuals feel seen, valued, and genuinely cared for.
Christopher’s journey in public service began with a commitment to efficiency but evolved into a passion for empathy and human connection. He currently serves as the Township Administrator and CEO of Springfield Township in Hamilton County, Ohio. Under his leadership, Springfield Township has earned national recognition for pioneering the concept of Municipal Hospitality—integrating hospitality principles into every facet of local government, from zoning and public works to finance, police, and parks. This approach not only enhances the resident experience but also helps employees find deeper meaning and purpose in their work.
Christopher’s hands-on leadership demonstrates that efficiency and empathy are not mutually exclusive. He has shown that the way local governments make people feel is as important as the services they provide. Through Municipal Hospitality Advisors, Christopher now partners with local governments across the nation, helping teams serve with care, lead with purpose, and rediscover pride and joy in their work. He believes that when government feels more human, communities become stronger, and those who serve them grow as well.
SEA 2026
Brougt To You By
In Partnership With
Lead Sponsors
RITTER ARNOLD
Event Sponsors