NADO’s 2026 Annual Training Conference (ATC) is your opportunity to connect with Regional Development Organization (RDO) leaders and staff, elected officials, and policymakers from across the country for four days of learning, inspiration, and collaboration! The conference includes a mix of plenaries, hands-on training sessions, peer-led best practice presentations, small-group conversation cafés, and networking events.
The Center for Creative Land Recycling will represent the EPA Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program at the Conference, with information on TAB programs across the nation. CCLR will also lead a mobile workshop and sessions that connect brownfield reuse to economic development.
Mobile Workshop
Monday Oct 19, 12:15-3:00 p.m.
Downtown Reno Revitalization: From Brownfields to Economic Engines
This tour will offer an inside look at how the City of Reno is transforming vacant, underutilized, and legacy sites into drivers of economic growth and community vitality. Participants will explore a variety of sites and projects to learn how targeted investments are reshaping downtown Reno into a more vibrant, walkable, and economically resilient district. Attendees will gain practical insights on unlocking redevelopment through public realm investment; activating vacant corridors with façade and tenant programs; navigating complex adaptive reuse projects; leveraging partnerships to accelerate revitalization; and utilizing federal (U.S. EPA) and state brownfield grants and technical assistance.
Limited to 50 participants. Meet the tour group at 12:15 p.m. for a bus departure at 12:30 p.m. The group will return to the hotel by 3:00 p.m. Please eat lunch in advance. Pre-registration is required; additional fee of $45.
Speakers
Sheryl Gonzales has more than 35 years of experience supporting communities throughout California and Northern Nevada with community and economic development. She has worked for government, non-profits, and owned her own planning company for which she served on teams to develop parks, recreation and master plans, youth development and marketing programs. Most recently she was the Executive Director for Western Nevada Development District providing economic development support to a 7 county and 7 city region of Northwest Nevada and before that she served as the Town Manager for Genoa, Nevada.
