The conference began on Wednesday evening and finished yesterday afternoon after various talks, workshops, and field trips across the district.
Conference topics, themed around collaboration and inclusiveness, included youth and inspiring leadership, asset-based community development, creative communities, heritage, the environment, health, education, tourism, social media, business and agriculture.
Clutha District Council community support and development adviser Jean Proctor, who organised the event, said the conference had been well-received and was a great opportunity to share ideas with others from small towns.
She was also happy with the range in topics offered by various speakers.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the conference showcased the district.
''The highlight was seeing the delegates see the district as being as special as we do.''
At the ''Taste of Clutha'' dinner on Thursday, delegates enjoyed local products and produce from coffee roasted in Tapanui to freshwater crayfish from the Puerua Valley.
Founder and co-owner of an online food business, Kai, Greig Buckley, of Auckland, spoke on the importance of food tourism, which he said was growing faster than other types of tourism.
A survey of visitors to New Zealand found food to be one of their lower ranking ''experiences''.
''We need to up our game there ... If we can get people really close to the food, I think they respect it more and really enjoy it.''
He advocated offering more opportunities for tourists to play a part of the food process - catching their own fish, picking their own fresh produce - as people had a growing interest in knowing the origin of their food.
''New Zealand has a young food culture ... We're still learning.
''It's a real melting pot; we're still trying to develop an identity.''
He suggested regions should differentiate from each other and offer their own specialties.
The conference is held annually and alternates between the North and South Islands.
