“The challenges we will discuss at the 2021 Waterfront Conference are unlike any others in the history of our region,” notes Cortney Koenig Worrall, President and CEO of the Waterfront Alliance. A major topic of this fifth annual conference, to be held online over the course of three days on May 10th, 12th, and 14th, will be how New York’s harbor is going to be critical in helping the region recover from the effects of the pandemic, linking everything from jobs to green infrastructure, social equity, parks, and more. This year, as New York City recovers from the pandemic and welcomes a new mayor, those topics are more important than ever. As an Untapped New York reader, you can save 20% off individual tickets ($150 value) to this historic conference by using the code “untapped20” at check out! If you are an Untapped New York Insider, you can grab a free ticket here! 

Brooklyn Bridge from above

In 2021, New Yorkers will be voting for the next New York City Mayor and, in turn, deciding how 520 miles of our waterfront will be governed. On Day 3 of the 2021 Waterfront Conference, you can participate in a Mayoral Town Hall debate to learn more about each candidate’s policies concerning our waterways. At the time of publication, candidates Kathryn Garcia, Scott Stringer, and Andrew Yang are confirmed to attend. The discussion will be moderated by NY1’s political anchor Errol Louis, and audience questions are welcome.

Photograph by Whitney Browne, Courtesy of the Waterfront Conference

Throughout the three-day conference, keynote addresses and panel discussions between activists, policymakers,  journalists, academics will explore the theme of Confronting Unprecedented Challenges and Opportunities. In the first keynote address, climate policy advocate Julian Brave NoiseCat will explore Clean Energy and Climate Action in the American Jobs Plan: Is It Bold Enough?. The next day, filmmaker/writer Ric Burns and professor/historian Dr. Joyce Chaplin will give a joint keynote address about Lessons on Overcoming Catastrophe: The Climate Emergency from the Perspective of Historians.

As New York City recovers from the devastation of the pandemic, our waterways and waterfront will be instrumental to that process. Ultimately, the goal of the Waterfront Conference is to discover pathways towards greater resilience, more public access, a stronger maritime industry, and a healthier environment at our shared waterways.

Untapped New York readers can save 20% off tickets with code “untapped20! Be sure to click “Add Discount Code” above the blue “Register” button before checking out. Book your tickets here! A select number of Untapped New York Insiders can attend for free! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today starting at just $10/month and gain access to unlimited free events as well as an archive of 100+ past virtual experiences!

The 2021 Waterfront Conference will take place on May 10th, 12, and 14th from 1pm -5pm including happy hours.  You can see the full, three-day schedule for the conference here! You can keep up to date with news from the Waterfront Conference by following @ourwaterfront and #WaterfrontConference on Twitter.

Next, check out Top 10 Secrets of the Hudson River