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NADO Annual Training Conference 2022
October 15 – 18
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh
NADO’s 2022 Annual Training Conference Re-cap
Thank you to all NADO members, federal agency staff, and others who convened in Pittsburgh October 15 – 18 for NADOS’s 2022 Annual Training Conference. With over 400 attendees, the conference energy was strong, and the city was abuzz with regional development practitioners and policy makers. Conference attendees represented 160 different organizations, including 128 RDOs, and came from 40 states plus DC, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa.
Learning Lab workshops covered a variety of topics—strategies to share your successes to your various stakeholders; becoming an effective EDD executive director; redeveloping brownfields as part of an economic strategy; equity and inclusion; strengthening partnerships between EDDs and states; and effective EDD leadership. Roundtables and conversation cafés provided opportunities for attendees to share ideas and seek solutions from peers. Best practice sessions covered metrics for success; tapping into BIL funds; CEDS, with a focus on resiliency and recovery; digital inclusion for broadband; riverside development; workforce development; age-friendly communities and regions; main streets and placemaking; RDOs and housing; outdoor recreation and the economy; state association best practices; and much more. Visit the conference program to learn more about the sessions and events.
Plenary sessions throughout the conference covered a host of topics. Philanthropic futurist Trista Harris, President of FutureGood, challenged attendees to predict their region’s futures and be prepared for the coming realities their communities will face. Attendees also learned about strategies that Pittsburgh and the Northwest Commission (Oil City, PA) are employing to evolve from “Rust Belt to Smart Belt” through partnerships with schools, community members, higher education, and industry to re-envision workforce development through STEM education. U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Deputy Assistant Secretary Craig Buerstatte provided insights and updates about EDA’s current programs.
During the conference, many of the 107 2022 Impact Award Winners participated in the Impact Awards Reception where they showcased their projects. This year’s class of awardees included 71 NADO members form 21 states. And all 90 photos submitted during this year’s Photo Contest were shared throughout the conference, recognizing the five winners. Thank you to all NADO members who submitted their projects and photos to these contests. Not only do they share your accomplishments with your peers and a national audience, but they are also useful to NADO staff for advocacy purposes, case studies, and reports.
During NADO’s 2022 Annual Business Meeting, held on the final day of the conference, the Association elected the 2022 – 2023 Executive Committee:
Thank you to Three Rivers PDD (Pontotoc, MS), Pennsylvania Local Development Districts, and MarksNelson (St. Louis, MO) for sponsoring the conference!
Questions
Questions about registration? Contact Krystal DeLeon at [email protected]
Questions about the hotel? Contact Brittany Salazar at [email protected]
Questions about content? Contact Laurie Thompson at [email protected]
To view PDFs, use a viewer such as Adobe Reader.
The early bird registration deadline was September 25, 2022.
| Early Bird | Late Bird | |
|---|---|---|
Associate & General | $700 | $720 |
Partner & Sustaining | $675 | $695 |
Platinum & Platinum Plus | $650 | $670 |
Diamond | $630 | $650 |
Spouse | $300 | $320 |
Student | $150 | $150 |
Non-member | $850 | $870 |
Registrants who cancel their registrations will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee.
To substitute a registrant, please contact NADO’s Operations Manager, Krystal De Leon at [email protected]
Become one today to get the member discounted rate!
600 Commonwealth Place | Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Where Pittsburgh’s famed three rivers meet soaring skyscrapers, Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh awaits to offer you an inspired experience in the heart of downtown. Its located within walking distance of Heinz Field, PPG Paints Arena, PNC Park, the Cultural District, and 80+ restaurants, bars, entertainment venues & shopping.
From Pittsburgh International Airport
Taxi cabs can be found on the lower level of the Landside Terminal (underground access is available from the Airside Terminal). It can take 30 – 45 minutes to get to the hotel, depending on traffic. The average fare is about $50. Valet parking at the hotel is available for $35/day.
28X Airport Flyer bus service can be found directly outside baggage claim. The closest stop to the Wyndham is Liberty Avenue. It takes approximately 45 minutes from the airport to Liberty Avenue. The cost is $2.75 each way (as of August 24, 2022). Tickets can be purchased at a ticket machine at Lower Level Baggage Claim, Door #2 or you can pay on the bus but note that exact change is required.
Driving (Valet parking at the hotel is available for $35/day)
From the North: Take 79S, merge onto 279 S to Pittsburgh. Exit 1A on left to Ft. Duquesne Boulevard. Turn right at Stanwix Street. Stay right on Penn Avenue. Turn right on Commonwealth Place.
From the South: Travel 79N, merge to 376 E via exit 59A to Pittsburgh. Exit 70A to Liberty Avenue. Turn left on Commonwealth Place.
From the East: Take 376W, exit 70D on left to Stanwix Street. Turn left at Ft. Pitt Boulevard. Turn right on Commonwealth Place.
From the West: Take 376 E, exit 70A to Liberty Avenue. Turn left on Commonwealth Place
From Airport: Go North on Airport Blvd and bear slight left to exit Airport. Take 376E towards Pittsburgh to 279N. Exit at 70A for CONSOL Center and take Blvd of Allies/Liberty Avenue exit. Make left at end of ramp onto Commonwealth Place.
Conference Agenda
NADO’s 2022 ATC will offer over 30 plenary and concurrent sessions, learning labs, conversation cafés, and mobile workshops that fall under three tracks: Organizational Capacity Building, Regional Resilience, and Infrastructure and Regional Development. Sessions have been designed specifically for RDO executive directors, staff, and board members. Click here (PDF) for the latest agenda.
Fun and Interesting Things to Do in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is an exciting city that has much to offer for everyone! Diverse neighborhoods full of amazing restaurants, a broad spectrum of entertainment venues, professional sports teams, hiking and running trails, museums, art galleries, and much more! The downtown area is very walkable, and the city has a robust bike share program and a free fare zone on the light rail in the downtown area. Check out the city’s official tourism site, VisitPITTSBURGH, for all the details! Here is a brief list of some of the many things happening in October.
Know Before You Go
NADO welcomes you to this year’s Annual Training Conference (ATC) in Pittsburgh, PA on October 15-18, 2022. The reference guide found here (PDF) contains general information to help participants prepare to attend the conference.
Three Mobile Workshops have just been added to the agenda. All three require pre-registration and an additional fee. You can register here, even if you have already registered for the conference! See more information for each workshop below.
Brownfields Tour: A Visit to Hazelwood Green and RIDC Mill 19
Saturday, October 15, 2022 | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $40
This tour, hosted by the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) and Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) team, will visit a major redevelopment project that is transforming a former mill and industrial plant into a mixed-use neighborhood. Hazelwood Green is located on 178 acres along the Monongahela River, part of Pittsburgh’s Greater Hazelwood neighborhood and the historic site of Jones & Laughlin Steel Company’s first industrial plant. RIDC Mill 19 is the first development on the Hazelwood Green site. It is the catalytic redevelopment of one of the mills at Hazelwood Green and has been transformed into a green, sustainable advanced manufacturing research center. The mill's steel superstructure supports the largest rooftop solar array in the U.S., generating over two million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, enough electricity to power 380 homes. RIDC Mill 19 is home to advanced manufacturing and autonomous innovation partners including Carnegie Mellon University's Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) and Manufacturing Futures Initiative, Catalyst Connection, and Motional, and its third and final building will be completed in 2022.
Pittsburgh’s Downtown Riverfronts—A Walking Tour of Revitalization in Action
Sunday, October 16, 2022 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $15
Riverlife is a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 to create a plan for the redevelopment of Pittsburgh’s downtown riverfronts. Working from the feedback of the community, Riverlife released a vision plan in 2000 for Pittsburgh’s 15-mile, an 880-acre loop of riverfront parks, trails, and public open spaces. The riverfront park system has been realized piece by piece, with Riverlife working with landowners, developers, neighborhood groups, and elected officials to build and connect Pittsburgh’s downtown riverfront experience. Through Riverlife’s leadership, more than 85% of the 15-mile loop has been established and improved for public use. In 2022 Riverlife released the Completing the Loop plan for how they intend to close the remaining gaps and make major improvements to the loop over the next decade. The organization has led a $132 million investment in Pittsburgh’s downtown riverfront experience over the past 15 years which helped catalyze nearly $4.2 billion in total riverfront and adjacent development in downtown Pittsburgh. The tour will be led by Riverlife staff and will take participants on a walking tour to the West End Bridge to see this development in action. Please note the tour will include stairs and the walk will be about 3 miles.
The Carrie Blast Furnaces: Then & Now
Monday, October 17, 2022 | 1:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $40
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006, Carrie, as it’s affectionately known, entices visitors to marvel at the scale and legacy of its industrial might. A remnant of the legendary U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works, the Carrie Blast Furnaces are a vestige of Pittsburgh’s 20th-century domination of the steel industry. On the tour, you’ll hear stories about the site’s technology (including why it is nationally significant) as well as get to know the culture of its workers. You’ll also learn a bit about the iron-making process, from the movement of the raw materials to the tapping of the furnaces that produced fiery molten iron. The tour will also highlight how creatives, from guerrilla artists and graffiti writers to curators and designers, have been inspired by—and left their mark on—this revered landscape, highlighting contemporary art installations, graffiti murals, the Iron Garden, and the famous Carrie Deer.
Promote your products and services to over 500 community and economic development policymakers and practitioners as a sponsor or exhibitor at NADO’s 2022 Annual Training Conference!
Take advantage of this chance to get your company’s name and message in front of more than 500 regional development policymakers and practitioners from almost 200 organizations from around the nation as a sponsor at NADO’s 2022 Annual Training Conference. Conference sessions will be held in the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown. Conference sponsors and exhibitors can receive special room rates at the Wyndham.
Conference attendees include councils of governments, economic development districts, economic development councils, regional planning commission executive directors and staff, and numerous local policy officials who serve on their boards. These decision makers are the perfect audience to provide information to about your company’s products and services.
Conference sponsors and exhibitors will reach many, many more regional development stakeholders by being recognized as a conference sponsor on all NADO conference marketing materials, including our website (www.nado.org), which receives a significant number of hits. As a sponsor or exhibitor, you will also get a cost-effective opportunity to market products and services to a diverse network of local elected officials, city managers, regional council staff, and development professionals in our conference exhibit area. Sponsors and exhibitors are able to attend conference meals and events, providing maximum opportunities to meet face-to-face with potential clients.
For more information, view our 2022 Sponsor Brochure and our 2022 Exhibitor Brochure, or contact NADO Meetings and Membership Manager Brittany Salazar at [email protected].
Mobile Tour
Learning Labs
NADO 101
Learning Labs
Learning Labs
Conference Welcome and Opening Plenary: The Future Started Yesterday
Concurrent Sessions
Rust Belt to Smart Belt: Autonomy, Economic Development, and STEM Education Models for Inclusion, Change, and Vibrant Communities
Concurrent Sessions
EDD Leadership Lab: Reaching New Heights
Concurrent Sessions
Plenary Breakfast
Concurrent Sessions
Concurrent Sessions
President’s Award Luncheon
To view PDFs, use a viewer such as Adobe Reader. To view Word documents, check out access options here.
© 2022 National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the NADO Research Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
Joe McKinney serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). Headquartered in Washington DC, NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s 500+ regional planning and development organizations.
Joe has thirty-one years of experience having served in city, county, regional, national association, and government management since 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a candidate for a master’s degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
McKinney has provided congressional testimony on numerous occasions regarding the importance of regional development organizations in helping shape the nation’s economic growth. He is nationally recognized for promoting innovative solutions in areas such as planning and economic development, workforce development, transportation and transit, and aging services.