Brownfields & Beyond: 2026 Minnesota Redevelopment Conference
Save the Date!
October 22–23, 2026
Mayo Civic Center | Rochester, Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will host Brownfields & Beyond: 2026 Minnesota Redevelopment Conference Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23, 2026, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota.
The conference will convene more than 100 of Minnesota's leading professionals from the private, public and nonprofit sectors engaged in all facets of brownfield and redevelopment work, including economic development, local and state government, environmental science, finance, law, engineering, development, real estate, advocacy and education, planning, and consulting.
Attendees will range from seasoned professionals to those new to the field and will represent communities from across Minnesota, including metropolitan areas, regional centers and rural communities.
This year's conference will feature keynote and plenary sessions, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, the Minnesota Brownfields ReScape Awards and more. Pre-conference activities will begin on Wednesday, October 21, with a Rochester redevelopment bus tour and welcome reception.
Conference Fee: $225
Registration is coming soon. Check back later this month for registration details.
Featured Keynote Speaker
Deb Brown | Co-founder, SaveYour.Town
You Can't Wait for Rescue: Practical Ways to Make Your Community Better
Too many towns and cities are stuck waiting for a grant, a big employer or someone from the outside to swoop in and fix things. Deb Brown will share practical, real-world ways local leaders can use what they already have to create visible, meaningful change. Examples include filling empty buildings and lots, turning small beautification projects into momentum and engaging more people in the work.
Using the Idea Friendly Method, attendees will learn how to move beyond talk and planning to small experiments that can lead to stronger communities. They will leave with practical actions they can begin putting to work right away.
About Deb Brown
Deb Brown is a seasoned rural economic development strategist, speaker, author and co-founder of SaveYour.Town, which helps small towns turn possibility into practical progress. With deep roots in rural life, a strong public voice and a body of work focused on community action, she is known for making big ideas feel usable, human and hopeful. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, facilitation and encouragement for communities determined to shape a stronger future.
Opening Keynote | Thursday, October 22