2024 NYSEDC Economic Development Conference
2024 NYSEDC Economic Development Conference
February 13-14, 2024
Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle Street, Albany
Registration
Full Conference Registration
Member Rate: $295.00
Future Member Rate: $395.00
NYSEDC will issue a full refund for cancelations received prior to February 7, 2024. After February 5, 2024 NO REFUND will be given.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Contact Chelsea Palmer or call 518-426-4058
Restaurants within walking distance of Albany Capital Center
Wellington's, Renaissance Albany Hotel, 144 State St
Albany War Room Tavern, 40 Eagle Street
City Beer Hall and Gastropub, 42 Howard Street
DPs, an American Brasserie, 25 Chaple Street
Event Location + Hotel Information
Renaissance Albany Hotel, 144 State Street, Albany — SOLD OUT
BOOKING YOUR OVERNIGHT STAY - NYSEDC's room block at the Renaissance Albany Hotel is sold out. Your event registration confirmation email will contain alternate lodging options. If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea Palmer.
Alternate Lodging:
- Hilton Albany is a 5 minute walk
- Hampton Inn Downtown Room block SOLD OUT
- Fairfield Inn & Suites is a 7 minute walk
- Hilton Garden Inn at Albany Medical Center
- TownePlace Suites
If you don't receive your registration receipt , please check your spam filter or junk mail or email Chelsea Palmer or Steph Cavalier.
Monday, February 12 - Night Before Conference Networking Opportunity
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Women's Leadership and Diversity Council Networking Meetup | Powered by New York Power Authority | The Hyland Room at Renaissance Albany Hotel
For women in economic development. Meet your peers, mix and mingle with seasoned leaders and rising stars at the Women's Leadership and Diversity Council networking meetup. Bring your business cards!
Space is limited - Register Here
Visit our Exhibitors
Exhibitors in blue are Centers of Excellence (COE) or Centers of Advanced Technology (CAT)
Advance Albany County Alliance
Barclay Damon
Binghamton University
Bohler Engineering
Clarkson University
Colliers Engineering
Cornell University
CS Arch
CUNY
GIS WebTech LLC
Harris Beach, PLLC
Hudson Valley Community College
LaBella Associates
LeChase Construction
Loewke & Brill Consulting Group
National Grid
New York Power Authority (NYPA)
NY-BEST
NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation
NYSERDA
NYSTEC
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Stony Brook University
Syracuse University
The Alliance for Clean Energy New York
University at Albany
University at Buffalo
University of Rochester
Tuesday, February 13 - DAY 1
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Registration - Sponsored by Phillips Lytle
Swag Bag Sponsor - Sponsored by National Grid
Charging Station - Sponsored by NYPA
Photography - Sponsored by Hudson Valley Community College
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Breakfast - Main Stage - 2nd Floor
9:00 am - 9:15 am
Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Keynote Speaker - Main Stage - 2nd Floor
Welcome: Albany County Executive Dan McCoy
Opening remarks: Ryan Silva, Executive Director, New York State Economic Development
9:15 am - 9:30 am
9:30 am - 10:30 am
- Moderator: Diana A. Ostroff, Chief Operating Officer, Ostroff Associates
10:30 am - 10:45 am
10:45 am - 11:45 am
10:45 am - 11:45 am
- Moderator: Dave Whipple, Senior Director, Empire State Development
- Kevin O'Connor, CEO of the Advance Albany County Alliance LDC
- Thomas Kucharski, President & CEO, Invest Buffalo Niagara
- Leah George VanScott, Executive Vice President, Business Development & Strategy, Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE)
- John Piseck, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Herkimer IDA
10:45 am - 11:45 am
I Love New York: Taking on New York’s Biggest Workforce Issues & How to Solve Them
New York State has it all. To maintain the "Empire State" status, we must address the shrinking workforce and growing mismatch between jobs, skill sets, and accessibility to the labor force. Listen to the leaders in various sectors across New York State discuss the most pressing issues and what they are doing to solve the problems statewide and what you can do to help.
- Moderator: Therese Daly, Interim Executive Director, NYATEP
- Sandra Quince, CEO, Paradigm for Parity
- Amber Rangel, Vice President and Director, Workforce Development, Empire State Development
- Chris White, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development, NYS Department of Labor
10:45 am - 11:45 am
ATTRACT: TRACK SESSION- Breakout Room 2A
Economic Development Marketing and Strategic Communications
Having a marketing and digital communications strategy for your community, with the goal of showcasing the quality of place, helps to attract talent, investment, and encourages visitors (and locals) to share their experiences on social media channels. Panelists will explore unique campaigns and strategies for telling the story of your community, managing negative perceptions or crisis, as well as deeper strategies to focus on branding and placemaking.
- Moderator + Panelist: Skye Ostreicher, Founder, In the Room Media
- Lina Lintemuth, Senior Manager, Content Marketing, Development Counsellors International (DCI)
- Chris Coughlan, Marketing/Account Manager, BLKDOG Designs, LLC
12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Keynote Session – A Thriving New York is Key to Investing in America
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cristina Killingsworth will share the tremendous impact EDA’s National Programs -- including Tech Hubs, Recompete, the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, and the Good Jobs Challenge— are making on America’s economy and national security. She will bring exciting updates, resources, and upcoming opportunities designed to help economic development leaders equitably invest in the people, places, and potential that power the Empire State.
- Cristina Killingsworth, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Economic Development Administration
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
PREPARE: TRACK SESSION - Breakout Room 1A | 1B
Economic Development Organizations Leading NY’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Future
Since the enactment of several new national and state incentives, signs of rapid growth for clean energy manufacturing industries and their supply chains are emerging across the state and nation. Discover the latest on the widespread and important impact clean energy is having across the US and in our NY communities. This session will feature economic development leaders on the forefront of positioning their communities for clean energy supply chain investment - through research, planning, partnership building and investments – and building robust connections between these opportunities and their existing manufacturing bases.
Moderator: Merideth Andreucci, Assistant Director of Economic Development, NYSERDA
- Katie Newcombe, Chief Economic Development Officer, Center for Economic Growth (CEG)
- Stacey Duncan, Executive Director and CEO, The Agency and Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
- Carol Miller, Executive Director, Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology (AMT)
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
GROW: TRACK SESSION - Breakout Room 2B | 2C
Housing matters to economic development with long-term implications for economic growth and sustainability. As we like to say, Housing is where jobs go after 5pm. Having accessible and affordable housing stock for your workforce can enhance economic performance and a community‘s competitiveness for talent and business investment. This panel will discuss the current housing market and explore best practices, policies and challenges of providing IDA PILOTS to commercial housing projects.
- Kyle Strober, Executive Director, Association for a Better Long Island
- James C. Johnson, Executive Director, Steuben County IDA
- Michael Curti, Industry Team Co-Leader, Municipalities and Local Agencies, Harris Beach
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
ATTRACT: TRACK SESSION - Breakout Room 2A
Tools and Trends in Economic and Workforce Development - How Technology is Advancing the fields of Economic and Workforce Development
Advances in technology, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality, are changing the way site selection, business, retention, and expansion and workforce development are being deployed. Technologic advances have and will continue to have major implications for economic development. Panelists will provide a primer on AI and how it is being adapted to site selection and integrated with GIS. Learn about how technology is advancing entrepreneurship and how you can better serve small business customers with the market research and business intelligence they need to succeed. Panelists will also show how Virtual Reality is helping students explore, learn and train for careers without leaving the classroom setting. The Future is Now - learn how you can stay on top of rapidly evolving technological trends. Be sure to ask questions interact with panelists with the Slido App provided during the session.
- Ron Bertasi, CEO, GIS Web Tech
- Santiago Sandoval, State Workforce Manager, NYS, Transfr VR
Anatalio Ubalde, CEO & Founder, SizeUp
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Afternoon Refreshment Break - Exhibition Space - Sponsored by Pursuit Lending
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
Afternoon Breakout Sessions - Sponsored by Farrell Fritz, P.C.
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
PREPARE: TRACK SESSION - Breakout Room 1A | 1B
Placemaking and Community Revitalization
Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine, reinvent public spaces, and transform communities into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. Learn how state leaders are working together, with a unified vision, to reimagine and revitalize communities statewide so that all communities can benefit from the State's revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.
- Moderator: Kisha Santiago, Deputy Secretary of State, Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure, New York State Department of State
- Amanda Bearcroft, Program Director DRI & NYF, NYS Department of State
- Crystal Loffler, Deputy Commissioner, President, Office of Community Renewal, NYS Homes & Community Renewal
- Rebecca Hughes, Executive Deputy Director, Canals, New York State Canal Corporation
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
GROW: TRACK SESSION - Breakout Room 2B | 2C
Navigating the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in New York
New York is making significant investments in the creation of a supportive and innovative environment for manufacturers, start ups and existing businesses. New York's public, private and academic resources are helping business to become more competitive through the use of innovative technologies, mentorship, and access to risk capital for high-growth startups. This panel will explore the landscape of New York's Innovation ecosystem and how you can tap into these resources to spur innovation in your community.
- Moderator: Dr. Everton Henriques, Director of Manufacturing and Technology Initiatives at FuzeHub
- Dr. Marnie LaVigne, President & CEO, Launch NY
- Bandhana Katoch, Esq., Executive Director, Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships, Koffman Southern Tier Incubator
- Ben Verschueren, Executive Director, NYSTAR
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
- Moderator: Mike Kennerknecht, MPA, Economic Development Coordinator & Assistant Director of State Relations, University of Rochester
- Mark Poliks, Director of the New York State Center of Advanced Technology for Flexible Hybrid Medical Device Manufacturing (FlexMed CAT) at Binghamton University
- Diane Fabel, PhD, Director of Operations, Center for Biotechnology, Stony Brook University
- Jeff Fuchsberg, Director of the Syracuse University Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE)
- Jacob Pucci, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech
- Stefan Grimberg, Ph.D., Co-Director of Clarkson-SUNY ESF Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions
- Jianshun Zhang, Executive Director, NYS Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, Syracuse University
- Jan Timothy Woodcock, Director of Operations, NYS Weather and Climate Analytics Center of Excellence, University at Albany
- Nick Koziol, Business Engagement and Communications Manager, Center of Excellence in Data Science, University of Rochester
- Paul Ballentine, Executive Director, Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences, University of Rochester
- Smitha James, Senior Associate Director of Life Sciences, Office of Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships, University at Buffalo
- Tavis Ezell, Director of Business Development, Center for Advanced Technology (CAT), Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY)
- Michael Fancher, Director, NYS Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) in Nanoelectronics and Nanomaterials, University at Albany
- Kurt Deriziotis, Business Outreach Director, Center for Life Science Enterprise, NYS Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) Cornell University | Institute of Biotechnology
- Dave Hamilton, Director, Ecosystem Growth & Impact, Center for Integrated Electric Energy Systems (CIEES), Stony Brook University
- Jim Acquaviva, Center Director, Advanced Energy Research & Technology Center, Stony Brook University
- Rong Zhao, Center Director, Center of Excellence in Wireless & IT, Stony Brook University
- Ross Goodman, Associate Director, Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics & Nanotechnology, University at Albany
4:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Afternoon Keynote and General Session - Main Stage - 2nd Floor
Sponsored by Barclay Damon, LLP
Commissioner Knight is dedicated to policies that advance sustainable and inclusive economic growth. She has been instrumental in the creation of the state’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development, which will focus on improving New York's workforce development programs and practices to better align with the needs and priorities of today's employers. Knight has also focused efforts on supporting New York State’s small businesses, ensuring that they have the resources needed to grow and thrive, and growing the state’s Minority and Women-Owned Business community.
Keynote Speaker
- Hope Knight, President and CEO, Empire State Development
4:15 pm - 5:30 pm
General Session - Main Stage - 2nd Floor
Meet the Leadership Team at Empire State Development
The mission of Empire State Development (ESD) is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance. Meet the leadership team at ESD and learn more about their current priorities, programs and what it means to you.
Moderator + Presenter: Kevin Younis, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner, Empire State Development
Jeff Janiszewski, SVP, Strategic Business Development/Global NY, Empire State Development
Elizabeth Lusskin, EVP, Small Business & Technology Development, Empire State Development
Arden Sokolow, EVP, Real Estate Development and Planning, Empire State Development
Joshua Breitbart, SVP, ConnectAll, Empire State Development
Richard Gagliano, SVP, Marketing, Empire State Development
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Networking Reception - Exhibition Space
Sponsored by Harris Beach PLLC and Westchester County EDC
Wednesday, February 14
Wednesday, February 14 - DAY 2
8:00 am - 11:30 am
Registration - Sponsored by Phillips Lytle
Swag Bag Sponsor - Sponsored by National Grid
Charging Station - Sponsored by NYPA
Photography - Sponsored by Hudson Valley Community College
8:00 am - 9:30 am
Breakfast - Sponsored by Colliers Engineering & Design
9:15 am - 9:30 am
Welcome, Opening Remarks - Main Stage - 2nd Floor
Welcome: Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan
Opening remarks: Shelby Schneider, Deputy Director, New York State Economic Development
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Morning Plenary Session - Main Stage - 2nd Floor
New York State Semiconductor Study Overview + What Comes Next
In December, Newmark’s Global Strategy Team completed a Semiconductor Supply Chain Study of New York State to help advance government and private sector knowledge of companies, properties, workforce development, R&D, and policy in the semiconductor sector across New York. The study was funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, commissioned by New York State Empire State Development (NYSESD), led by the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) and additionally supported with grants from National Grid and NYSEG | RGE. The goal of these studies is to help inform New York State agencies’ global attraction efforts, innovation ecosystem investments, site development investments, skills assessments, workforce development programming and efficient leveraging of future federal funding. Gregg Wassmansdorf will provide an overview of the study, followed by an engaging discussion with Industry Leaders about the State of the Industry in New York State and what comes next.
- Gregg Wassmansdorf, Senior Managing Director, Global Strategy, Newmark
- David Anderson, President, NY CREATES and the Albany Nanotech Complex
- Michael Frame, Executive Vice President, MACNY, the Manufacturers Association
10:30 am - 10:45 am
Refreshment Break - Exhibition Space - Sponsored by Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Morning Breakout Sessions
10:45 am - 11:45 am
PREPARE: TRACK SESSION - Breakout Room 2A
As part of the final 2020 budget passed in New York, a prevailing wage mandate would be applied to private funded projects that received 30% of the total construction project costs from public funding. Hear from industry experts on the implementation of the new law and how it is currently impacting projects. | Panel Reference Materials - Procedures and Determinations | Solar Array Enforcement Guidance
- Jim Loewke, CEO, Loewke Brill
- Milan Tyler, Esq., Partner, Phillips Lytle, LLP
10:45 am - 11:45am
GROW: TRACK SESSION - Breakout Room 1A | 1B
Since COVID, The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has implemented policies to expand access to capital for small businesses and have modernized programs, like 7A and 504, for working capital and fixed assets. Empire State Development has also expanded capital access for lenders and small businesses in socially and economically disadvantaged communities to increase entrepreneurship and financial capacity. This panel will discuss the resources available for your business community, how you can increase deal flow in your with Federal, State, and local resources and ensure your businesses get to a yes, faster.
- Jim Conroy, President, Pursuit Lending
- Rafael Salaberrios, Senior Vice President, Division of Small Business and Technology Development – Capital Access, Empire State Development
- Matt McDonough, McDonough PLLC, Special Counsel to the Town of Babylon, IDA, and LDC
Dan Rickman, District Director, Syracuse-Upstate New York District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
10:45 am - 11:45 am
ATTRACT: TRACK SESSION Breakout Room - 2B | 2C
The Business Impact of the CLCPA - How Reliability Can Impact Economic Development in NYS
New York State’s Climate Act, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), requires New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. Additionally, the law calls for 70 percent of New York’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 and 100 percent to be zero emission by 2040. This panel will discuss the status of the climate act, the reliability of the electric grid in New York State, and how energy supply and demand from industry and consumers is impacting our economic climate. They will also discuss whether the timelines and short-term solutions will preserve stability in our grid and our business climate, as well as strategies and challenges that come with complying with the CLCPA.
- Moderator: Liz Benjamin, Managing Director - Albany, Marathon Communications
- Kevin Lanahan, Vice President, External Affairs & Corporate Communications, New York Independent System Operator
- Gavin Donohue, Independent Power Producers of New York, Inc. (IPPNY)
- Paul Zuber, Executive Vice President, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
Noon
Conference Closes
Wednesday, February 14
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
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PATRON SPONSORS
