Defining Us: A Regional Identity Workshop

Join us for an immersive, interactive workshop that flips traditional destination branding on its head—centering our shared human need for connection and belonging. During the 90 minutes, you’ll dive deep into what truly makes Charlottesville-Albemarle County feel like home for residents and a meaningful place for visitors.

What to expect

You’ll move through four fast-paced activities that guide you from sharing your stories to uncovering the core values that bind us, then explore how our community “shows up” through playful role exercises, and finally craft genuine messages that welcome everyone—whether long-time locals or first-time visitors—into Charlottesville-Albemarle County.

Why attend

You’ll leave knowing your voice has shaped our shared story, feeling recognized as an essential part of this community, equipped with a common language forged from your own experiences, and ready with authentic messages and personal commitments to keep our sense of belonging thriving.

Whether you’re a passionate resident, community leader, or small-business owner, this workshop will equip you to become a co-creator of our region’s story—and turn brand strategy into lived, welcoming experiences. We’ll see you at the workshop!