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2026 Annual Forward Together Conference

Presented by the Lake Champlain - Lake George Regional Planning Board

Thank you for joining us at the Forward Together Conference! Please take a few minutes to share your feedback. Your input will help us improve future conferences and identify topics that matter most to you:
Conference Feedback Form
Track A Presentations
Track B Presentations

Registration

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

8:30 Opening Remarks


Michael Morris, Deputy Secretary of State for Local Governments

New York State Department of State

Agenda and Speakers:


Track A - ADIRONDACK PARK: PEAK POTENTIAL

8:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Inspired By Nature, Driven By Ideas

  • Developing a Destination Park Within the Park - Kathryn Reiss, High Falls Gorge; Tim Bresett, Town of Ausable
  • From Forest to Foundation: NBRC's Timber for Transit Program - Chris Saunders, Northern Border Regional Commission & Mary Theresa Julien, NYS Department of State
  • Innovative Food Access: Vermont's Community Supported Enterprises Model - Ben Doyle, Preservation Trust of Vermont


10:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Forward, Together: Can't Stop, Won't Stop

  • Connecting the North Country: A Regional Cellular Deployment Strategy - Colleen Bisceglia, NYS ConnectALL & Brian McCann, GTA Telecom
  • Building Balanced Communities for the North Country: Workforce Housing Zoning Guide - Jamie Konkoski, LaBella Associates
  • Brownfield Redevelopment: Unlocking Opportunity in the North Country - Cailyn Locci, Weston & Sampson





Track B - FUELING RESULTS FROM THE GROUND UP

8:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Outthink the Competition

  • Community Project Roadmap: Planning for Success - Sarah Lang, Northern Border Regional Commission; Beth Gilles, LCLGRPB; & Jackie Hakes, MJ Engineering
  • Data to Dollars: Turning Numbers into Winning Grant Applications Alex Tranmer, Camoin Associates & Christa Franzi, Camoin Associates
  • Stack 'Em Up: Building Better Infrastructure with Layered Funding Beth Gilles, LCLGRPB & Sean Doty, Suozzo, Doty & Associates


10:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Turning State Programs into Grant Dollars

  • Small Steps, Big Impact: Becoming a Climate Smart Community - Elliot Lear, LCLGRPB & Amy Stypa, Village of Lancaster
  • Pro-Housing: Opening Doors to Opportunity - Colleen Nelson, LCLGRPB & Jenn Donovan, Fulton County Center for Regional Growth
  • Protecting What Matters Most: New York's DWSP2 Program - Sam Blake, LCLGRPB

11:45 am - 2:30 pm: Lunch-Hour Conversations with State and Federal Funding Agencies (Optional add-on session; extra cost applies)


An optional add-on to the Forward Together Conference, this lunch session offers attendees the chance to sit down with Program Directors from state and federal funding agencies. Enjoy a catered meal by The Brown Swan while discussing funding opportunities for projects that drive our region Forward, Together.


Attending Agencies include:

  • New York State Empire State Development
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Northern Border Regional Commission
  • New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation
  • National Grid
  • New York State Department of State
  • New York State Department of Transportation

Thank you to our Conference Sponsors:

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