Special Presentation
August Special Presentation
Lancaster City Itineraries Workshop
Pictured left to right: Marshall Snively, President, Lancaster City Alliance; Olivia Novak, Lancaster Collective Advisory Board Member and Director of Marketing at Discover Lancaster; Dave Aichele, Executive Director of the Downtown Investment District.
Building on Discover Lancaster’s July presentation about the powerful economic impact of tourism, our August Merchant Meeting brought the conversation closer to home with practical ideas Lancaster City businesses can put to work.
Olivia Novak, a Lancaster Collective Advisory Board member and the Director of Marketing at Discover Lancaster, led attendees through a fast-paced “flash workshop” focused on creating visitor-friendly itineraries that encourage guests to explore more of the city, support local businesses & nonprofit organizations, and find plenty of reasons to return.
Working together, attendees developed their own itineraries, resulting in an imaginative and inspiring collection of Lancaster City experiences. The enthusiastic response made one thing clear: our merchant meeting attendees would love to see more interactive, hands-on sessions at future meetings.
Presentation: Success Is for Everyone
Creating Opportunity, Building Stronger Businesses
Pictured left to right: Marshall Snively, President, Lancaster City Alliance; Nathan Kreider, co-owner Makes Scents/Hempfield Botanicals, with Heather Kreider, ODC Board President; Kristen Ankney, ODC Program Participant; Gregg Richards, Executive Director, Occupational Development Center; Ken Mueller, PR & Development Manager; Dave Aichele, Executive Director of the Downtown Investment District.
At our August Merchant Meeting, the Occupational Development Center (ODC) brought an inspiring and important conversation about the power of inclusive employment to Lancaster City’s business community.
Gregg Richards, Executive Director, and Ken Mueller, PR & Development Manager, shared how ODC connects local businesses with valuable workforce solutions while creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their presentation, “Success Is for Everyone: Creating Opportunity, Building Stronger Businesses,” demonstrated how inclusive hiring can strengthen businesses, build more connected workplaces, and make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
The presentation was brought to life through two powerful, real-world perspectives. Heather Kreider, owner of Makes Scents Natural Spa Line and Hempfield Botanicals, shared her experience as a Lancaster City business owner and ODC board president, partnering with ODC and the positive impact that partnership has had on her business. Kristen Ankney, an ODC program participant, offered a personal perspective on meaningful employment and the opportunities made possible through ODC’s work.
Together, the presenters reminded us that inclusion is more than a workplace initiative – it is an opportunity to recognize talent, create pathways to success, and build stronger businesses and a stronger community where success truly is for everyone.
City Update: Capital Day
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Pictured left to right: Marshall Snively, President, Lancaster City Alliance; Justina Latura, owner of Vine Bar & Keystone Events Project Board Member; Tim Austin, Colab XYZ & Keystone Events Project Board Member; Amy Harcourt, Colab XYZ & Lancaster Capital Day Planning Committee; Dave Aichele, Executive Director of the Downtown Investment District.
History & Culture On Stage
From 1681 to 2026 in 7 Hours!
The vision for Capital Day is to shine a light on Lancaster’s role in American culture, highlighting the individuals and ideas that have led us to where we are today. With a century passing every 2 hours on stage, you will have a chance to experience some of our nation’s key events:
