Registration - Badge Pickup

7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: TBD

Providence Mayor Q&A

9:00 – 10:00 AM
Location:
Narragansett Ballroom

Speakers:

Sucession Planning & Internal Hiring: Best Practices from an Expert

10:30 – 11:45 AM
Location:
TBD

The Federal Landscape: Policy & Funding

10:30 – 11:45 AM
Location
: TBD

Hear directly from national policy experts on the federal developments that matter most for community development associations. This session breaks down the latest federal priorities, funding developments, and emerging issues — with a focus on what they mean to your networks and the communities you serve. Leave better equipped to plan, advocate, and respond in the months ahead. 

Speakers:

Strengthening Small Business Ecosystems: The Unique Role of Associations

10:30 – 11:45 AM
Location:
TBD

Community development associations strengthen small business ecosystems in all kinds of ways — by providing direct services and programs, coordinating resources, convening partners, advancing policy, and more. In this peer-learning session, a panel of COA members will discuss successful initiatives, explaining how they carved out particularly impactful roles for their associations. Then, during a structured discussion with peers, you’ll reflect on your organizations’ role in your ecosystem and envision new ways to support small businesses.

Speakers:

Building Future Leaders From Within

12:15 – 1:30 PM
Location:
TBD

When emerging professionals and established leaders are in real conversation, the most effective ideas for career development rise to the surface. That's exactly what this session is designed for. Through a series of structured small group discussions, you'll explore practical strategies for embedding career development into everyday organizational practice — even when resources are limited, staff time is stretched, and career paths are not always clear. First, you'll connect with peers at a similar career stage, then mix across experience levels to broaden the conversation. Leave with fresh perspectives and at least one concrete action you can bring back to your organization. 

Speakers:

The Affordable Housing Insurance Challenge: What’s Changed and What Comes Next

12:15 – 1:30 PM
Location:
TBD

Insurance costs continue to rise, coverage is becoming harder to secure, and the impacts are being felt across affordable housing and community development. This session will bring together leaders from across the field to discuss the latest trends, emerging strategies, and policy developments affecting insurance for housing providers and community development organizations. Building on previous Community Opportunity Alliance conversations, participants will share recent experiences, explore practical responses, and identify opportunities for continued collaboration on one of the field's most pressing challenges.

Speakers:

Heirs' Property

12:15 – 1:30 PM
Location:
TBD

Speakers:

Closing Plenary/DS Award

2:15 – 3:00 PM
Location:
Narragansett Ballroom

Speaker:
• Paige Carlson-Heim, TD Bank