Carlsbad MainStreet Project hosted the New Mexico MainStreet Summer Institute here in Carlsbad NM Sept 13-15, 2023. MainStreet executive directors and board members came from all across New Mexico to attend the quarterly conference.

Conference attendees focused on volunteerism and how to attract and retain volunteers. Volunteers are essential to many organizations and their ability to function, and this conference allowed leaders from around the state to converge together to discuss and create plans that will help them with their current and future needs. Conference attendees were able to share ideas in roundtable sessions and learn from one another about each entity’s best practices for working with volunteers, as well as create temporary pop-up installations within the MainStreet District for the community to enjoy. 

Towards the end of the conference on Friday, September 15, 2023 a special recognition was presented. The Barnhart Community Spirit Award was created in honor of the late Bill Barnhart and his lovely wife Roni Barnhart. The Barnharts have always been community advocates and supporters of keeping Carlsbad beautiful. This award was presented to Mary Garwood, also an advocate for keeping Carlsbad beautiful. Along with the award, a tree was planted in their honor along the banks of the Pecos River near the Rec Center.