Fall isn’t just about cooler air, colorful leaves, and back-to-school routines! It also kicks off conference season. After the looser rhythms of summer, this is the time when planners and allied professionals across the field dive back in and sharpen skills, earn credits, and reconnect with colleagues across the region. This year’s lineup offers plenty of opportunities to recharge our professional toolkit, and you’ll see various Barrett Planning Group team members at several conferences this fall.
Mark your calendars for October 16—the Blue Future Conference, hosted by the Plymouth Foundation, will take place in Plymouth, Massachusetts! This conference is a launchpad for fresh ideas, bold innovation, and partnerships that are driving the region’s marine economy forward. Attendees will have the chance to connect, learn, and contribute to Plymouth’s leadership in the growing and diversifying the blue economy. We’re proud to share that Barrett Planning Group’s own Fiona Gain will moderate the Climate Resilience Panel, leading a conversation with renowned scientist, inventor, and TV personality Bill Nye, alongside Boston’s Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett. Fiona looks forward to a conversation that “acknowledges the scale and intersection of resiliency that can support coastal communities.” You’ll also spot other members of our team at the event—be sure to say hello to Fiona, Laurel, Lily, Meredith, and Tony when you see them there!
Also on October 16, Judi will be at the annual NH Housing and Economy Conference, sponsored by NH Housing and held in Concord. This year’s conference features keynote speaker Kyla Scanlon, author, educator, economic commentator, and host of the “Let’s Appreciate” podcast. Panel presentations will address local initiatives for housing growth and housing success stories from local officials and non-profit housing organizations. It’s always an excellent, well-attended program.
On October 17, Jenn will be in Barre, VT for the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation training for historians and architectural historians. Jenn is doing a great job enriching our planning practice and we’re thrilled she’ll be representing us in Vermont. And, on October 28, Brenna and Laurel will be in Falmouth for the Northeast Arc User Group conference.
Get ready—Portland, Maine will be buzzing with planners this fall as the Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association (NNECAPA) hosts its 2025 Conference from November 3–5. This three-day gathering is all about sharing ideas, sparking collaboration, and building connections with tri-state colleagues from New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine (though many Massachusetts planners attend, too!). Barrett Planning Group is thrilled to be a Platinum Sustaining Sponsor for NNECAPA, and we look forward to diving into conversations, exploring new partnerships, and celebrating the power of planning to shape our communities. You’ll find team members Judi, Brenna, and Lily on the ground—so don’t miss the chance to connect and say hello!
Right on the heels of NNECAPA comes the Southern New England American Planning Association (SNEAPA) Conference, November 6–7 in Newport, RI. This is one of the region’s biggest planning events, drawing more than 500 planners, engineers, architects, students, and other professionals for two packed days of learning, networking, and collaboration. The program has something for everyone—keynote speaker Keith W. Stokes, interactive sessions, mobile workshops, and presentations on planning law and ethics. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to earn valuable AICP CMs credits while staying on top of emerging trends in the field. Barrett Planning Group is proud to be a sponsor again this year, and we’ll be right in the middle of the action with our booth. Be sure to stop by and connect with Judi, Jill, and Tony—we can’t wait to see you there!
Skipping ahead to December, Barrett Planning Group will be at the National Community Development Association’s (NCDA) Region 1 Conference in New Bedford on December 2. NCDA has a special place in Judi Barrett’s heart because she launched her planning career as Plymouth’s (MA) Community Development Director decades ago. NCDA does a great job providing CDBG/HOME training and technical assistance resources and advocating for these critically important federal programs. We’re thrilled to sponsor NCDA, and we’ll be at our exhibit table, talking to CDBG/HOME grantees about our work in Consolidated Planning, program design, and grant management troubleshooting.
