2026 Leadership and Policy Summit
Event Overview
Join us for the 2nd Annual Leadership and Policy Summit on September 29 - 30 in White Plains, New York.
NEW THIS YEAR: The NYSEDC is partnering with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and working in collaboration with the Connecticut Economic Development Association and Choose New Jersey for this exciting policy-shaping event.
As part of the IEDC Centennial Event Series, celebrating 100 years of IEDC leadership in economic development, the Leadership and Policy Summit will gather hundreds of economic development professionals from across New York and the tri-state area to network, foster industry leadership, and help influence policies for 2027 and beyond. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind regional event.
Networking Activities
Stay tuned! Local site visits and tours are being planned for attendees arriving on Monday, September 28th. Get to know the local area and hear from the folks impacting economic development at local, regional, and national levels.
Event Hosted By
In Collaboration With
Registration and Sponsorship
Registration Now Open - Click Here!
Ticket price: $295 per person
(Ticket pricing is inclusive of networking activities, receptions, and meals during the event.)
For sponsorship opportunities or questions about registration, Contact Kate Manley or call 518-426-4058. Click here to process your sponsorship online directly.
Event Location + Hotel Information
This event takes place at the Sonesta White Plains Hotel in Westchester County, New York. Optional networking events on Monday, September 28th will take place off-site and transportation will be provided.
We have secured a room block at the Sonesta for Monday and Tuesday nights. More details and the room block link will be in your event registration email.
Event Agenda
Subject to change. Check back for updates!
Monday, September 28
Stay tuned for optional networking activities and local tours for folks coming into town a day early!
Tuesday, September 29
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Registration Opens
1:00pm - 1:10pm
Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Ryan Silva | Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council
1:10pm - 2:00pm
Plenary Session: Energy and Power
- Kevin Lanahan | New York State Independent System Operator (NYISO)
- Eric Johnson | ISO New England
- Michael K. Hyun | Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)
2:15pm - 3:15pm
Breakout Session: Tri-State Film and Television
- Kevin Bielmeier (Moderator) | Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS)
- Jonathan Black | Chair 10 Productions
- Natasha Caputo | Westchester County Tourism and Film
- Peter Trivigno | Cinelease
2:15pm - 3:15pm
Breakout Session: Economic Recovery Programs: What's Working and What's Next
- Nicole Manapol (Moderator) | International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
- Lomax Campbell | Third Eye Network
- Ryan Greff | Fair Lawn Main Street, Inc.
- Megan Hageney | Southern Tier West Economic Development District
- Tiolora Lumbantoraun | Fair Lawn Main Street, Inc.
- Ryan Williams | Third Eye Network / OneROC
2:15pm - 3:15pm
Breakout Session: Manufacturing and Workforce in the Life Sciences Industry
- Jennifer Hawks Bland | NewYorkBIO
- Jessica Paolini | Somerset County, New Jersey
3:15pm - 3:30pm
Refreshment Break
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Breakout Session: Housing as Economic Development
- Annie White (Moderator) | Karp Strategies
- Noam Bramson | Westchester Business Council
- David Garten | Red Oak Street
- Kristen Gorski | West Hartford, CT
9:45am - 10:45am
Breakout Session: Net Present Value Calculations for Industrial Development Agencies
- Emily Marcus | New York City IDA / New York City EDC
- Joe Hogan | Associated General Contractors of New York State (AGC NYS)
- More to come soon!
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Breakout Session: Quantum and the Regional Economy
- Deborah Novick (Moderator) | Westchester County
- Saranda Belica | IonQ
- Dr. Jerry Chow | IBM Quantum
- Ed Clayton | Princeton
- John Kolb | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Monica Roy | QuantumCT
4:45pm - 5:45pm
Plenary Session: TV and Film Industry
- Vans Stevenson | Motion Picture Association
- Tom Bernard | Co-Founder, Sony Pictures Classics
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Reception and Networking
Wednesday, September 30
8:00am - 8:45am
Breakfast Served
8:45am - 9:30am
Plenary Session: Hearing From NYS Leadership
- Justin Driscoll | New York Power Authority (NYPA)
- Doreen Harris | New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
9:45am - 10:45am
Breakout Session: The Role of Tourism in Economic Development
- Bob Provost (Moderator) | New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA)
- Anthony Anthony | Connecticut Tourism
- Rich Gagliano | Empire State Development
- Rachel Lenda | Connecticut Tourism
9:45am - 10:45am
Breakout Session: Data Centers - Considerations and Policy Implications
- Alex Tranmer | Camoin Associates
- Steve Porath | Rockland Industrial Development Agency
9:45am - 10:45am
Breakout Session: From Projects to Partnerships: Best Practices for Energy Storage Agreements
- Jen Manierre (Moderator) | New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
- Bill Acker | NY-BEST
- Dan Fatton | New Jersey Economic Development Authority
- Bill Fioravanti | Orange County Industrial Development Agency
- More to come soon!
10:45am - 11:00am
Refreshment Break
11:00am - 12:00pm
Breakout Session: The Future of Nuclear Energy
- Kevin Hale (Moderator) | New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
- Damian Bednarz | New York Power Authority (NYPA)
- Captain Paul Whitescarver | seCTer
11:00am - 12:00pm
Breakout Session: Positioninig For What's Next: Economic Development in a Changing Landscape
- Todd Lang (Moderator) | International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
- Joseph Spector | Global Strategy Group
- Hanna Gbordzoe | DCI
11:00am - 12:00pm
Breakout Session: The Critical Role of Ports In The Tri-State Region
- Pankaj Patil (Moderator) | Karp Strategies
- Anne Strauss Wieder | Rutgers University
- Amanda Valdes | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- More to come soon!
12:15pm - 1:30pm
Lunch
12:45pm - 1:30pm
Lunch Plenary Session: Economic Development Leadership Across the Tri-State
- Hope Knight | President & CEO and Commissioner, Empire State Development
- Matt Pugliese | Deputy Commissioner and CIO, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
- Evan Weis | Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
2:00pm
Conference Concludes
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
