Every year the Waterfront Alliance brings together a literal boat load of policymakers, waterfront advocates, journalists, and academics, as well as professionals from a variety of fields, to discuss the issues facing our shared waterfront while sailing around New York City’s waterways aboard the Hornblower Infinity. You can join the discussions taking place at The 2019 Waterfront Conference when it sets sail on May 7th. Today is the last day to take advantage of early bird ticket pricing, but general sale tickets will be available starting this Saturday, March 16th. Untapped Cities is proud to be a media sponsor of this year’s conference and our founder Michelle Young will also be hosting a panel.

Photograph Courtesy of The Waterfront Alliance

The theme of this year’s conference is Rising Seas, Rising Risks: Adapting our Region. Addresses, panels and discussions will explore how we can use new strategies, policies, and financing options to make New York City’s waterfront communities more resilient in preparation for rising sea levels and increased coastal storms.

Photograph Courtesy of The Waterfront Alliance

Each year The Waterfront Alliance welcomes regional elected officials to deliver keynote addresses at the conference. This year, one of those addresses will be given by Comptroller Scott Stringer who will explain his vision for a greener and more resilient New York City. In addition to the keynote addresses, there will also be a variety of panels that will tackle the theme of Rising Seas from different perspectives. Panel topics include examining the green finance movement, looking ahead to the next NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan and more. The panel moderated by Untapped Cities’ founder, Michelle Young, will explore how to communicate climate risk through art. Other speakers that will be in attendance include Peggy Shepard of the WEACT for Environmental Justice, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine McCabe, and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell Silver, to discuss climate resilient solutions across New York City parks. You can stay up to date with all of the Waterfront Alliance’s conference announcements by signing up for the Waterfront Alliance’s newsletter and checking for updates on the Alliance’s website.

Photograph Courtesy of The Waterfront Alliance

The Waterfront Conference boat will remained docked at Hudson River Park’s Pier 40 until 1:30pm and then will sail around the harbor for the remainder of the afternoon. Untapped Cities readers can get a special 10% discount on early bird tickets (which will only be on sale today!) and regular sale individual tickets (on sale March 16th) by using the code “untapped” at checkout!

If you are an Untapped Cities Insider, you can attend the conference for free! Not an Insider yet?  Become a member today to join behind-the-scenes tours and special events all year round.