National
Conference
of Regions

February 6-8, 2022
The Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill Hotel 
Washington, DC

Registration Is Open!

2022 National Conference of Regions
February 6-8, 2022
The Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill Hotel (formerly the Washington Court Hotel)
525 New Jersey Ave NW

Washington, DC

The National Conference of Regions is NARC’s forum to determine key policy issues and a legislative agenda for the year ahead, targeting topics central to our members’ missions and their local elected officials’ focus.

NARC hosts its annual National Conference of Regions in Washington, D.C. for councils of government, metropolitan planning organizations, their leaders and board members, professional staff and local elected officials. The conference draws a national audience consisting of elected city, county and state officials, diverse professionals, academics and private sector representatives.

 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6 
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET

Registration Table Open
All attendees, participants, and speakers please have your mask on, photo identification card, and proof of vaccination when you reach the registration table.

CDC Recommended Masks for in-person events are either certified N95 or KN95 masks: Please note if you do not have these masks NARC will have some available upon request.  

1:00 PM -5:00 PM ET

Major Metros Roundtable Meeting   

Location: NACo Board Room, 660 North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC 20001 

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

 

Walking Tour of Capitol Crossing: DC Economic Development Project  

Optional: Additional Cost of $15 

Join us for a walking tour of the major urban design, infrastructure, and economic development project currently underway at Capitol Crossing. As one of the largest city design efforts in the nation’s capital in decades, this 2.2. million square foot complex will restore three city blocks on land reclaimed by decking over an existing urban Interstate. The development includes office space, housing, and 70,000 sqaure-feet of retail in five new mixed-use buildings; restores street grid connectivity; and improves biking and walking on Massachusetts Avenue.  

Additional Details will be provided closer to the event.  

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM ET

 

Opening Reception 

Kick off the conference by meeting new colleagues and reconnecting with familiar faces.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
8:30 AMBreakfast Opens 
9:00 AM – 10:45 AM ET

Opening Session: Welcome Address  
The Honorable Robert Cannon, Town Supervisor, Clinton Township Michigan, NARC President 

Panel Discussion on What is in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for regions?
Join administration staff and experts as discuss implementation strategies for funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and what is in it for regions. 

Moderator:  The Honorable Christian Dorsey, Board Member, Arlington County, Virginia; Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments; NARC Board Member  

Speakers
Matt Chase, CEO/Executive Director, National Association of Counties (NACo)
Tom Curtin, Program Director for Infrastructure, National Governors Association (NGA)  

Keynote Speaker:  Michelle Perez, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Field Policy and Management, US Department of Housing and Urban Development  

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM ETBreak

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM ET

Expanding Broadband Opportunities 
Join state and local partners as they discuss new opportunities for broadband funding under recent legislation and how regions can get in on the action.   

Moderator: The Honorable Judge Gary Moore, Judge and Executive of Boone County, Kentucky; NARC and NACo Past President and NARC’s current Representative from NACo  

Speakers
Angelina Panettieri, Legislative Director Information Technology and Communications for the National League of Cities (NLC) 

Julia Pulidindi, Broadband Program Specialist at US Department of Commerce, NTIA 

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM ET

Transportation Committee Meeting
Join NARC’s Transportation Committee for a presentation about and discussion of what to expect in 2022 and beyond regarding federal transportation and infrastructure policy.

  • Co-chair: The Honorable Fred Strong, Councilmember, Paso Robles, California; San Luis Obispo Council of Governments 
  • Co-chair: Greg Stuart, Executive Director, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization 
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM ET

Lunch Plenary Session: The Federal Footprint in Your Community
The Public Building Service of the General Services Administration owns, rents and maintains more 370 million square feet of space in more than 9,600 properties across the nation. Hear what they are planning for a changed workforce, revitalizing local economies and sustainable development.

The Honorable Robert Cannon, Town Supervisor, Clinton Township Michigan, NARC President 

Keynote Speaker: Nina M. Albert, Commissioner of the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Public Buildings Service 

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM ETBreak
1:45 PM ET – 2:15 PMImplementation of Federal Funding and Grant Programs  
Join your colleagues in this session discussing what regions need to know about funding for ARPA and/or applying for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs.    
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM ETBreak

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

2:15 PM – 3:45 PM ET

Public Safety Committee Meeting  

Border communities as well as many other communities throughout Texas are being directly impacted by immigration at the southern border.  Cesar Prieto from the Office of Congressman Tony Gonzales, whose district includes a large stretch of the U.S. — Mexico border, will speak about the border and immigration and the impact being felt in Texas and the nation and discuss a bi-partisan and bi-cameral bill that Rep. Gonzales has introduced entitled the “Bipartisan Border Solutions Act.” 

  • Co-Chair: Diane Rath, Executive Director, Alamo Area Council of Governments, San Antonio, Texas @AACOGCEO @AlamoAreaCOG 
  • Co-Chair: The Honorable Byron Ryder, Judge, Leon County, Texas 

Speaker: Cesar Prieto, Office of Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Washington, DC 

2:15 PM – 3:45 PM ETEnergy and Environment Committee Meeting 
Join this meeting of NARC’s Environment & Energy Committee for an update on potential environmental policy and regulatory changes under new legislation. 
  • Co-Chair: The Honorable Lee Constantine, Commissioner, Seminole County, Florida; East Central Florida 
  • Co-Chair: Kristina Egan, Executive Director, Greater Portland Council of Governments

Speakers: 
Carolyn Berndt, Legislative Director of Sustainability at the National League of Cities (NLC) 

Josh Murphy, Office of Coastal Management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

Wendi Wilkes, Senior Advisor for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water 

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET

Executive Directors Council Meeting 

(All conference attendees are welcome to join) 

6:30 PM ETBoard Dinner
Tuesday, February 8
8:30 AM ETBreakfast Opens
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM ET

Opening Session 
Welcome the Economic Development Administration to learn more about the work they are doing to support regions and promote sustainable local economies. 

Keynote Speaker: Alejandra Y. Castillo, Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Economic Development 

 

Think Regionally! 
Our host COG shares their “Think Regionally” approach to the connected challenges of housing, transit, equity and climate. 

Speaker: Chuck Bean, Executive Director, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments 

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM ETBreak

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM ET

Economic and Community Development Committee Meeting
Join NARC’s Economic and Community Development Committee for a look at what support they need from the federal government to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to secure their region’s long-term economic recovery.  
  • Co-chair: Jennifer Robinson, Council Member, Town of Cary, North Carolina; Triangle J Council of Governments; NARC Senior Vice President 
  • Co-chair: Betty Voights, Executive Director, Capital Area Council of Governments 

Speakers
Mike Wallace, Program Director for Community and Economic Development at the National League of Cities  

Michele Chang, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Economic Development Administration (EDA) 

Eryn Hurly, Deputy Director of Government Affairs at the National Association of Counties 

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM ET

Technology for Mobility 
Hear from industry leaders on new funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the deployment of intelligent transportation technologies that promote sustainability, increases efficiency and productivity, and learn about what lies ahead for improvements in intelligent mobility 

Speaker: Nicole DuPuis, PhD Vice President, Innovative Mobility and Emerging Technology ITS America  

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM ET

Lunch General Session: Workforce Development — Past, Present, and Future
Workforce development programs have a long history of helping workers gain necessary skills and employers find the workers they need.  COVID-19, infrastructure spending, and other recent events have highlighted the need for skilled workers.  Workforce development programs are well positioned to meet this challenge.  Learn from two of Washington’s experts on workforce development as they discuss the past, present, and future of workforce development programs and how regions can benefit from becoming involved in their local workforce development programs even if they do not administer the program.  

Moderator:  Stephanie Martinez-Ruckman, Legislative Director of Human Development for the National League of Cities

Speakers
Mary Gardner Clagett, Senior Director, Jobs for the Future, Washington, D.C. 

Katie Striker, Managing Director, Government Affairs, National Skills Coalition, Washington, D.C. 

1:15 PM – 1:30 PM ETBreak
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM ETBipartisan Transporation Law Workshop 
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) contains dozens of new programs and policy changes that are relevant to metropolitan and regional planning organizations. This session is your opportunity to discuss the BIL and help formulate a set of recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the modal agencies about how the law can be implemented to best help regions meet their long-term goals. 
2:45 PM – 2:50 PM ETBreak
2:50 PM – 3:15 PM ET

Conference Closure: Final Remarks and Takeaways/Whats Next 

 

2022 Annual Conference in Columbus
NARC’s 56th Annual Conference & Exhibition will be in Columbus, OH from June 12 through the 15. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission will be hosting the conference.  

Speakers  
William Murdock, Executive Director at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission   

The Honorable Richard “Ike” Stage, Board Member at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission 

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET

Board of Directors Meeting

Location: NACo Board Conference Room, 660 North Capitol Street

Future Dates

National Conference of Regions dates for 2023 and 2024 coming soon.