Why You Should Attend the NLBN Summit—Even if You Don’t Work at a Land Bank

The National Land Bank Network (NLBN) Summit is coming up this September 8-9 in Detroit, Michigan—and it’s not just for land banks. 

Yes, land bank leaders and staff from across the country will be there. But so will housing experts, local government staff, community developers, nonprofit leaders, and others who care about revitalizing neighborhoods and transforming vacant properties into community assets.   

If you’re on the fence about registering, here are four reasons why you should join us in Detroit—even if you don’t work at a land bank: 

1. Land banks are underutilized, and even community development experts don’t fully understand their potential. Many communities are stumped by the challenge of reclaiming vacant residential and commercial properties. Land banks can help, but are often misunderstood, underfunded, or left out of broader revitalization strategies. 
    
   The NLBN Summit is your chance to better understand how land banks work and how they can support your goals around developing housing, reusing vacant land, and helping neighborhoods bounce back from economic decline. Whether you’re a government official, community development corporation leader, or local advocate, the Summit will help you learn to: 
   • Partner more effectively with your local land bank
   • Advocate for land bank funding and stronger policies 
   • Mobilize support to create a land bank if your community has been working towards one 

2. It is the only national event focused on land banking as a solution to blight. Held every two years, the NLBN Summit is, in some ways, a smaller, more intimate version of our 1,000-attendee Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference. You will connect with 300 practitioners facing similar community challenges, get ideas for what could work in your local context, and be a part of the growing national land banking movement. 

3. The sessions go beyond land banking. This is more than a conference about how land banks operate—it is about using all the available tools to build stronger, more just communities. Summit sessions will cover topics including:
   • Affordable housing and strategic land reuse 
   • Property rehab, home repair, and vacant land stewardship
   • Community engagement and planning that’s driven by neighborhood needs
   • Intergovernmental coordination and coalition-building for systems changes  

View the full agenda here. 

4. Detroit is a living case study in neighborhood revitalization. Detroit offers powerful examples of community-led revitalization, creative land reuse, and bold public-private partnerships. The NLBN Summit will offer mobile workshops and tours so you can see firsthand how local partners are transforming vacant properties into housing, green space, community hubs, and more. Plus, the city’s food, art, and cultural scenes are worth exploring while you’re in town.   

Do not miss your chance to be a part of this intimate event! Register by July 16 to lock in Early Bird pricing and join us in Detroit.