Marina
Casey Woods, Executive Director of Emporia Main Street, recently returned from a historic trip to Osaka, Japan, where he spoke on rural development at the World Expo 2025.
His visit marked a proud moment for Emporia, Kansas, as Woods highlighted the city’s achievements and shared innovative approaches to community revitalization.
Representing both Emporia and Lyon County on a global platform, Woods demonstrated how small towns can inspire change on an international scale.
Emporia and Main Street Leadership
Woods has long been recognized for his leadership in economic development, community engagement, and downtown revitalization.
Emporia Main Street serves as a driving force behind the city’s success, supporting hundreds of local businesses, coordinating thousands of volunteer hours, and generating millions in annual economic impact.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Role | Executive Director, Emporia Main Street |
| Location Represented | Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas |
| Focus Areas | Economic vitality, business development, historic preservation, community promotion |
| Annual Impact | Millions in reinvestment, hundreds of jobs supported, thousands of volunteer hours contributed |
Through his work, Woods has consistently emphasized the importance of innovation and community involvement in building sustainable rural economies.
Why Japan? The Road to the Invitation
The opportunity for Woods to speak in Japan came after global interest in the Main Street model of revitalization. A Japanese delegation, impressed by Woods’s previous presentations, invited him and other Main Street leaders to Osaka.
This invitation was a recognition not only of Woods’s expertise but also of Emporia’s role as a model for rural success.
At Expo 2025, the overarching theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” aligned perfectly with Woods’s mission: helping rural towns adapt, grow, and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Key Takeaways from the Presentation
During his presentation, Woods shared several strategies that have worked in Emporia and other American communities:
- Building industry partnerships to strengthen local economies.
- Encouraging entrepreneurship among youth and small business owners.
- Leveraging community engagement to preserve history while promoting innovation.
- Developing infrastructure to sustain long-term growth.
Woods admitted that presenting on a global stage was initially nerve-wracking, but he quickly embraced the moment. He stressed that the lessons learned in Emporia could apply to rural communities worldwide.
Global Networking and Shared Challenges
While in Japan, Woods met with Japanese business leaders, U.S. ambassadors, and international representatives to discuss global economic challenges. His key realization was that rural communities across the world share many of the same obstacles:
- Limited infrastructure investment.
- Brain-drain as younger generations move to urban areas.
- Difficulty sustaining local industries.
- The need for innovation to remain competitive.
By sharing solutions and challenges, Woods believes rural towns can learn from each other, avoiding common mistakes and leaning into strategies that work.
Cultural Highlights of the Trip
Beyond professional meetings, Woods immersed himself in Japanese culture. One highlight was a bullet train ride to a village outside Mitoyo, where he met with young entrepreneurs.
He described the experience as both eye-opening and inspiring, offering new ideas for how Emporia might attract and support innovative minds.
He also visited a serene beachfront area, where a sandbar connected the mainland to a small island temple. Woods recalled the scenery as “stunning” and reflective of the peaceful beauty of rural Japan.
As a personal memento, he brought home a Maneki-neko (beckoning cat), which now sits on his desk as a reminder to stay positive and persistent in his work.
Key Highlights of Woods’s Trip
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | World Expo 2025, Osaka, Japan |
| Focus | Rural development, community engagement, innovation |
| Key Activity | Delivered presentation on rural revitalization |
| Meetings | Japanese business leaders, U.S. representatives, ambassadors |
| Lessons Learned | Rural challenges are universal; collaboration is key |
| Cultural Highlights | Bullet train ride, meeting young entrepreneurs, visiting a temple by the sea |
| Souvenir | Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) for his office desk |
Casey Woods’s journey to Japan is a powerful reminder that even small towns can play a big role on the global stage.
By sharing Emporia’s successes and learning from others, Woods not only brought international recognition to his community but also returned with insights that can shape the city’s future.
His story demonstrates that rural communities are stronger when they connect, innovate, and embrace collaboration. Emporia’s voice has now been heard worldwide—and this is only the beginning of its global journey