FAQs

1. Where and when is Lancaster 2020 going to be held?

Tuesday, November 11, 2008
8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lancaster/Lebanon IU-13
Burle Buisness Park
1020 New Holland Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17601

Parking is available outside the Conference Center towards the back of the Burle Business Center.

2. I am having trouble registering. Who can I contact?

Please contact Maureen Ward, Event Coordinator for the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry by phone at 717-397-3531.

3. What is Lancaster 2020?

Lancaster 2020 is an AmericaSpeaks 21st Century Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Lancaster County Community Foundation, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the United Way of Lancaster County and the County of Lancaster. During this event, diverse community leaders will gather to identify action steps to work together with a common vision for the future of our county.

4. Who was involved in planning Lancaster 2020?

The steering committee consisted of:

  • Phillip Wenger, Chair of the Board, Lancaster County Community Foundation
  • Sam Bressi, President of the Lancaster County Community Foundation
  • Dennis Stuckey, County Commissioner
  • Craig Lehman, County Commissioner
  • Scott Martin, County Commissioner
  • Stephen Stockwell, Chair of the Board, United Way of Lancaster County
  • Susan Eckert, President, United Way of Lancaster County
  • Jim Smucker, Chair of the Board, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry
  • Tom Baldridge, President, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry

5. Did the steering committee work with any other partners?

Yes. AmericaSpeaks is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Washington, D.C. Their 21st century town hall format gives citizens an authentic voice in local, regional and national decision-making on the most challenging public issues of the day.

AmericaSpeaks was the program designer for Lancaster 2020 and will be the facilitator for the 21st Century Town Hall meeting.

6. Why is it necessary?

This town hall meeting is the first of its kind to be held in our community. County residents, all leaders in their field, will come together to voice their opinion and vote on their ideas for the future of our county.

From this event, community leaders will share one common vision and set of goals for our county’s future, and will have specific actions that they can take to achieve that vision.

7. Who will attend?

We will gather a diverse audience in age, gender, ethnicity, race, occupation, which will represent all Lancaster County communities. However, each of the individuals in the audience will share one factor – all will be leaders in their field, ranging from CEOs to Board Chairs to Little League coaches.

8. What will the discussion and voting process look like?

The program will be designed and facilitated AmericaSpeaks, and will use state of the art technology to gather opinions on what the future of our county looks like.

Participants in this 21st century town hall meeting will be organized in small groups of 8-10 at a table. Each group will have a table facilitator to guide them through the discussion and report their thoughts via laptop. Participants will also use key pads to vote on the results of the discussion.

9. What is the ultimate goal of Lancaster 2020?

The goal of Lancaster 2020 is for community leaders to decide on action steps to reach a common vision for the future of our county.

10. How will Lancaster 2020 make a difference?

Every individual and organization will be asked for a commitment to action and a plan will be established by each of the partnering organizations to take responsibility for moving the results of this summit forward.

11. What types of results do you hope there will be from Lancaster 2020?

The outcomes for Lancaster 2020 are:

  1. Identify Lancaster County’s core values
  2. Develop a vision of what Lancaster County can be
  3. Identify the greatest opportunities to shape Lancaster County’s future
  4. Work together to develop actions to achieve the priority opportunities
  5. Determine how we can actively engage new leaders
  6. Develop next steps for sustaining the momentum and implementing the priorities