Join the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) for a multitude of sessions focused on regional development, the federal landscape, and the programs and policies that matter most to Regional Development Organizations (RDOs) and their stakeholders.
Conference content will begin on the morning of Sunday, March 9 for NADO Executive Committee members, NADO Board of Directors members, NADO Research Foundation Advisory Committee members, and DDAA Board members.
On the evening of Sunday, March 9, an opening reception will be held for all conference attendees, as well as a dinner for DDAA members.
Conference plenary and breakout sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 10 and continue through 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12.
Conference content will begin on the morning of Sunday, March 9 for NADO Executive Committee members, NADO Board of Directors members, NADO Research Foundation Advisory Committee members, and DDAA Board members.
On the evening of Sunday, March 9, an opening reception will be held for all conference attendees, as well as a dinner for DDAA members.
Conference plenary and breakout sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 10 and continue through 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12.
| Registrant | 2025 Rate |
|---|---|
|
DDAA Member |
$510 |
|
DDAA Spouse/Guest |
$220 |
|
NADO Member (Non-DDAA) [Associate, General] |
$605 |
|
NADO Member (non-DDAA) [All other upgraded levels] |
$535 |
|
NADO Member Spouse/Guest |
$230 |
|
Non-Member |
$755 |
|
Non-Member Spouse/Guest |
$230 |
|
First-time Attendee (NADO or DDAA) |
**Please Contact Karron Grant |
|
**For first-time attendees, a discounted rate is available. Please email Karron Grant ([email protected]) to register as a first-time attendee. |
|
Registrants who cancel their registrations by March 1, 2025 will receive a refund minus a $150 administrative fee.
Effective February 14, please do not cancel any hotel reservations directly with the Marriott. Instead, kindly email Brittany Salazar at [email protected] with your confirmation number, and she will handle the cancellation on your behalf. This process ensures that canceled reservations can be reassigned to individuals on our waitlist who still need accommodations. Once your cancellation is processed, all billing and profile information will be removed, and a confirmation notice will be sent to the email address on file.
The conference room block at the Crystal Gateway Marriott is currently sold out. While there is no official overflow hotel at this time, we are maintaining a waitlist for those still seeking accommodations.
Due to high demand, the group block sold out quickly, as is typical around this time of year. However, a significant number of cancellations are expected between now and the start of the conference. These rooms will be offered to individuals on the waitlist in the order requests are received.
To join the waitlist, please email your following reservation details to [email protected]:
We recommend securing a reservation at a nearby hotel as a backup. If you are later confirmed at the conference hotel, you may cancel your other reservation without penalty, typically up to 72 hours prior to check-in.
The following hotels are within walking distance of the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA:
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Reagan National Airport
Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport
Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City National Airport
If you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact NADO’s Senior Meetings & Membership Manager, Brittany Salazar, at [email protected].
Crystal Gateway Marriott is one mile from Reagan National Airport (DCA), two miles to Washington, DC and directly connected to the Crystal City Metro station providing the perfect home base for your visit to the Washington, D.C. area. Ideally located in Arlington, this Crystal City hotel is steps to the exciting new National Landing development and Pentagon City; as well as a quick and convenient Metro ride to downtown Washington D.C. and Old Town Alexandria.
03/07-03/09 (Weekend Rate/Standard Room): $205.00
When flying to Washington (WAS), there are (3) main airports:
Complimentary Hotel Airport Shuttle: Marriott airport shuttle service runs 5:00 am to midnight every 30 mins. Last hotel departure is at 11:30 pm. Be sure to get off at the Crystal Gateway Marriott stop (conference hotel).
Bus Station
Subway (Metro) Stations
We are seeking potential sponsors and exhibitors to help support and elevate the NADO & DDAA Washington Conference!
Take advantage of this opportunity to get your company’s name and message in front of our conference attendees from organizations across the country that collectively assist thousands of cities and counties with community development, economic development, regional planning, and providing various public services to their communities.
The Washington Conference is NADO’s policy meeting which overlaps with DDAA’s Annual Conference and brings in an expected audience size of roughly 400 attendees, including many federal government officials. These decision makers could be the perfect audience to provide information to and about your company’s products and services.
As part of the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP), the NADO Research Foundation will host An Afternoon with the Districts, a free half-day, interactive training and networking event for EDD staff on March 12, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Held at the conference hotel immediately after NADO’s Washington Conference, this year’s gathering will focus on housing and economic development and will include presentations and small group conversations. Contact Brett Schwartz with any questions.
Read more about last year’s event here.
On behalf of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA), we look forward to welcoming you to the 2025 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference in Arlington, Virginia, from March 9-12, 2025. Below is your reference guide with important event information to help you prepare.
Conference Mobile App – Whova
We are using the Whova mobile app again this year! Download the Whova app if you haven’t already (App Store/Google Play), sign up with your conference registration email, and enter the code that will be emailed to you in the What to Know Before You Go email.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Get our official event app,
Get the most out of the app and have a more productive experience!
1
NAVIGATE the event agenda and logistics, even without Wi-Fi or data. Access useful information like ridesharing and local attractions through the Community Board
2
NETWORK effectively. Plan whom to meet by exploring attendee profiles and sending out messages
3
PARTICIPATE in event activities through session likes, comments, ratings, live polling, tweeting, and more
Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (703) 920-3230
Check-in: 4:00 PM | Check-out: 12:00 PM
For hotel reservation assistance, contact Brittany Salazar at [email protected].
Free Airport (DCA) Shuttle:
Parking:
Hotel Cancellation Policy:
Cancel by 6 PM on the day of arrival to avoid a one-night charge. No penalty for early departures.
FedEx Business Center:
Airports:
Metro Stations:
Train & Bus Stations:
Registration Desk – Arlington Foyer (1st Floor):
Registration questions? Email Kar’ron Grant at [email protected].
Exclusive DDAA-Member Meals:
Shared NADO & DDAA Meals:
NADO On the Hill:
Visiting members of Congress on Tuesday? Complete the form linked here (or scan the code above) detailing which congressional offices you are meeting with during the 2025 NADO Washington Conference and we will send you an Uber voucher for a free ride to the Hill.
Wi-Fi in Meeting Rooms:
Network: MarriottBonvoy_Conference
Password: washcon
Dress Code: Business professional attire
Social Media: Follow and tag us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Federal Stakeholders Networking Reception:
Code of Conduct Policy:
All participants are expected to maintain professionalism. Discrimination, harassment, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. View NADO’s Code of Conduct Policy here.
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Weather:
Nearby Restaurants: (Distances from hotel)
For more restaurant recommendations, visit Arlington’s dining guide.
7:45-9:00 a.m.
DDAA Breakfast and Annual Business Meeting
9:05-10:30 a.m.
Opening Plenary Session
Daniel Lippman, POLITICO Reporter on the White House and Washington; Former Co-Author of POLITICO Playbook
Erich Zimmerman, Executive Director, National Association of Regional Councils
Matt Chase, CEO/Executive Director, National Association of Counties
Nathan Ohle, President and CEO, International Economic Development Council
Joe McKinney, Executive Director, National Association of Development Organizations
10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Innovative Readiness Training: A Model for Defense Communities
Blake Edge, Director of Community & Economic Development, Green River Area Development District
Christina Wooden, Health Programs Manager, Delta Regional Authority
Andrew Coker, Program Manager, National Association of Development Organizations
Regional Organizations and Population Aging: What’s Changing and What’s Ahead
Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive Officer, USAging
Annette Gutierrez, Executive Director, Rio Grande Council of Governments
Brendan Flinn, Director of Long-Term Services and Supports, AARP Public Policy Institute
Jarrett Haley, Executive Director, Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency
Enhancing Board Member Engagement with Local Development Districts
Leveraging Wealth Creation Strategies through the CEDS: Building Resilient Economies for the Future
John Dean, Senior Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Team Lead in AMS Local and Regional Foods Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sean Hegyi, Community Development Manager, South Eastern Council of Governments
Sam Miller, Development Director, Buckeye Hills Regional Council
Melissa Levy, Regional Development Researcher, National Association of Development Organizations
12:00-1:45 p.m.
Plenary Luncheon
Chris Chiles, Executive Director, Kyova Interstate Planning Commission; President, DDAA
Shane Whitehair, Executive Director, Region VII Planning and Development Council
Charlie Baker, Executive Director, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission; Second Vice President, NADO
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Former Senator Thomas R. Carper
Policy and Practice: Supporting and Investing in Rural Regions
Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow, Center for Sustainable Development, The Brookings Institution
Farah Ahmad, President, Partners for Rural Transformation
2:00-3:15 p.m.
Regional and Rural Transportation
Jim Kolb, Partner, Summit Strategies
Kevin Adam, Legislative Liaison, Rural Transportation Advocacy Council
Carrie Kissel, Associate Director, National Association of Development Organizations
Comparative Approaches to Regionalism: International Perspectives
Gianina Panatau, General Director, Bucharest Metropolitan Area (Romania); Vice President, METREX
Jakub Mazur, Deputy Mayor, Wroclaw Municipality (Poland); President, METREX
Rafael Amorim, First Executive Secretary, CIM Cavado (Portugal); Member, METREX
Chuck Bean, former Executive Director, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
John Austin Stokes, Executive Director, Concho Valley Council of Governments
Chris Brown, Immediate Past President, NADO; Board Director, Ark-Tex Council of Governments
No Stupid Questions: Addressing Common Questions About LDD Operations
Chelsea Robertson, Executive Director, Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board
Danna Stansbury, Executive Director, Foothills Regional Commission
Heather Feldman, Executive Director, Georgia Mountains Regional Commission
Michelle G. Jordan, Executive Director, Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments
Karen Fabiano, Program Manager, Appalachian Regional Commission
Workforce Solutions for Resilient Regions: Funding and the Future of Workforce Development Programs
Gail Ravnitzky Sillberglied, Senior Director, Government Relations & Advocacy, National Association of Workforce Boards
Michael Matthews, Legislative Director for Community, Economic, and Workforce Development, National Association of Counties
Roberta Lovett, Deputy Executive Director, Southern Georgia Regional Commission
Joe D’Antonio, Program Manager, National Association of Development Organizations
3:30-4:30 p.m.
NADO Regional Chapter Meetings
8:00-9:00 a.m.
DDAA Breakfast
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Plenary Session: Collaborating with the Current Administration
Michelle Amante, Senior Vice President of Government Programs, Partnership for Public Service
Matthew Dolge, First Vice President, NADO; Executive Director, Piedmont Triad Regional Council
10:30-11:45 a.m.
ARC Pathways: A Comprehensive Grant Management Platform for Success
Elijah Biggs, Business Analyst, Information Technology Division, Appalachian Regional Commission
Krystal Rodney, Instructional Designer & Trainer, Information Technology Division, Appalachian Regional Commission
Karen Fabiano, Program Manager, Appalachian Regional Commission
The Role of LDDs in Strengthening Childcare Support Systems
Elli Travis, Sr. Economic Development Specialist, Virginia Tech
Mereb Hagos, Project Manager, The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Leveraging GIS and Technology Services for Regional Development and Organizational Revenue
Brooke Ferguson, Economic Development Director, Appalachian Council of Governments
Marty Little, Senior Planner, Catawba Regional Council of Governments
Faith Bryan, Information Services Director, Georgia Mountains Regional Commission
Leif Olson, Senior Research Analyst, Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness
1:30-2:45 p.m.
Cultivating Leadership: Engaging Appalachia’s Emerging Leaders
Jen Gregory, Executive Director, Southern Tier 8
Patrick Larson, Director of Economic Development, Georgia Mountains Regional Commission
Kennedy Webb, Public Information Officer, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association
8:00-9:45 a.m.
Plenary Breakfast – Disaster Preparation, Mitigation, and Recovery
Justin Hembree, Executive Director, Mid-Carolina Regional Council
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Closing Plenary Session – Aligning Outdoor Recreation Amenities with Economic Development Strategies
Jessica Wahl Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Ta Enos, Founder & CEO, PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship
Ryan Chao, President, Rails to Trails Conservancy
Sean Byrne, ACG Advocacy
Ryan Richardson, Executive Director, Superior California Economic Development
11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
An Afternoon with the Districts – Post-conference workshop