The City of Reading will welcome environmental leaders, municipal officials, volunteers, and community advocates from across Pennsylvania for the 2026 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Annual Conference, scheduled for October 14–15 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading.
The two-day conference, organized by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful in partnership with the City of Reading, will focus on strategies to create cleaner, greener, and more resilient communities. This year’s theme, “Connecting Nature, Community, and Equity,” emphasizes the relationship between environmental stewardship, neighborhood revitalization, and equitable access to green spaces.
Participants will explore a variety of topics, including litter prevention, urban greening, environmental justice, sustainable community design, and local resilience planning. The event will also provide opportunities for municipalities, environmental organizations, youth groups, and community advocates to exchange ideas and discuss approaches to improving communities throughout the Commonwealth.
Conference activities will include keynote presentations on environmental equity and community revitalization, along with workshops addressing urban forestry, youth engagement, litter prevention, and sustainable development.
The event will also feature a Downtown Reading Art Walk highlighting local artists and public art, as well as a welcome reception titled “Roots & Rivers: A Reading Welcome.” The reception will celebrate the Schuylkill River, Reading’s cultural diversity, and the city’s environmental initiatives.
“We are thrilled to bring the 2026 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Annual Conference to the City of Reading. This year’s theme, Connecting Nature, Community, and Equity, reflects the important work happening in communities across Pennsylvania to create cleaner, greener, and more resilient places to live, work, and play,” said Shannon Reiter, executive director of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
“Reading’s commitment to neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, and community engagement makes it an ideal host city. We look forward to welcoming leaders, volunteers, educators, businesses, and community advocates from across the Commonwealth for two days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.”
City officials highlighted Reading’s ongoing environmental efforts, including neighborhood cleanups, community gardens, stormwater improvements, and initiatives to expand access to green spaces.
Hosting the statewide conference will provide an opportunity to highlight those efforts while connecting local organizations with environmental advocates and community leaders from other parts of Pennsylvania.
Additional conference information and registration details are available at keeppabeautiful.org.