Oct 16, 2026
St. Louis Development Corporation presents
ConnectSTL Community, Culture & Innovation Celebration
Let Our Voice Inspire
Technology. Talent. Faith. Community Impact.
Date
Friday, October 16, 2026
Time
5:00 – 9:00 PM
Venue
1518 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
Event Purpose
A four-hour gathering that connects the people building St. Louis.
Faith leaders, educators, students, community organizations, employers, civic leaders, creatives, technology partners, and residents — together in one room.
The evening will connect technology with culture, creativity, faith, digital inclusion, economic opportunity, and community well-being through an interactive digital gallery, live cultural programming, community-impact stories, leadership conversation, community recognition, local film screenings, dinner, and relationship-building.
Parking
Street parking and the City Museum lot, approximately a two-minute walk from the venue.
Agenda
Timeline of the evening
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Reception
Welcome Reception, Light Bites & Gallery Experience
- Registration and guest arrival
- Light bites and grazing
- Light live music
- More Than Meets the Eye: Interactive Digital Culture Gallery
- Podcast studio opens
- Partner and community introductions
5:30 – 7:00 PM · Main Celebration Program
5:30 – 5:40 PM
Welcome & ConnectSTL Vision
- Opening remarks
- ConnectSTL mission, community impact, partnerships, and vision
5:40 – 6:00 PM
Featured Leadership Conversation
- Community-centered innovation
- Regional collaboration
- Technology, culture, and economic opportunity
6:00 – 6:15 PM
Faith, Culture & Innovation
- Featured cultural, musical, spoken-word, faith-centered, or creative performance
6:15 – 6:30 PM
Innovation & Community Stories
- Short community-impact videos
- Digital inclusion and student stories
6:30 – 6:50 PM
Community Recognition & Commitment
- Recognition of community, faith, education, creative, and partner leaders
- Impact video
6:50 – 7:00 PM
ConnectSTL Announcement & Call to Action
- ConnectSTL announcement or next initiative
- Sponsor and partner recognition
- Closing message
- Group photo immediately following the program
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Dinner & Films
Grazing Dinner, Films & Relationship Building
- Full grazing dinner and dessert
- Live music
- Interactive Digital Culture Gallery remains open
- Podcast interviews
- Curated partner experiences
- Sponsor and partner introductions
- Photos and deeper networking
Film Theater
7:05 PM
Film Screening #1
7:40 PM
Film Screening #2
8:15 PM
Film Screening #3
Guests may choose a film while dinner, gallery exploration, podcast recording, and networking continue throughout the venue.
Signature Experience
More Than Meets the Eye
An interactive digital culture gallery — unveiled the night of the event.
There is more here than meets the eye. The full experience will be revealed in the room on October 16.
Voices of ConnectSTL
Podcast Studio
A dedicated studio will capture short conversations throughout the evening.
- Artists and filmmakers
- Faith leaders
- Educators
- Community leaders
- Corporate and civic partners
- Sponsors
These conversations can become future ConnectSTL digital content, community stories, and promotional material.
Partner Experiences
Partner Experiences
- Technology demonstrations
- Creative technology
- Digital inclusion resources
- Community innovation
- Interactive service or resource experiences
Recognition
Other ways partners are seen
- Signage
- Stage recognition
- Digital displays
- Event materials
- Sponsor acknowledgments
Community Impact
Issues the evening supports
- Social connection and community belonging
- Digital inclusion
- Economic stability and opportunity
- Education and workforce pathways
- Community resilience
- Stronger trusted relationships among residents, institutions, and community partners
The event strengthens social connection, community belonging, access to information, and economic opportunity. It connects residents with trusted institutions, education and employment pathways, digital resources, community leaders, and service organizations.
These relationships can reduce isolation, expand access to opportunity, strengthen community trust, and support long-term personal and economic resilience.
Organization Mission
St. Louis Development Corporation
SLDC advances equitable economic development by creating opportunities for residents, businesses, neighborhoods, and investors throughout the City of St. Louis.
Through ConnectSTL, SLDC expands access to technology, talent development, small business growth, digital inclusion, and community-centered innovation.
Brief description of services
SLDC provides economic-development services, business assistance, neighborhood investment, workforce and talent initiatives, development financing, and small business support.
ConnectSTL convenes employers, educators, community organizations, faith leaders, youth, and residents around technology access, digital skills, creative innovation, and pathways to economic opportunity.
Project Information
At a glance
Project title
ConnectSTL Community, Culture & Innovation Celebration
Event date
October 16, 2026
Location
1518 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
Geographic area served
City of St. Louis and the Greater St. Louis region, where applicable.
Geography and population served
SLDC, through ConnectSTL, serves residents, businesses, neighborhoods, and community organizations throughout the City of St. Louis, with particular emphasis on communities that have experienced barriers to technology, capital, professional networks, and economic opportunity.
Especially relevant to populations affected by the digital divide
- Low-income households
- Older adults
- Veterans
- Individuals with disabilities
- Individuals with language or literacy barriers
- Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals
- Racial and ethnic minority communities
- Other underserved populations reached through applicable regional partnerships
Organizations Expected to Participate
Based on existing partnerships
- St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC)
- Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
- Saint Louis University
- Harris-Stowe State University
- St. Louis Community College
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
Additional community, faith, education, business, creative, and nonprofit partners are being confirmed.
RSVP
Reserve your place
Seating is limited. Share your details and we will send confirmation and event updates.