2026 Virginia Brownfields Conference
Schedule
Mon, 08 Jun, 2026 at 12:30 pm to Wed, 10 Jun, 2026 at 01:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Hotel 24 South | Staunton, VA
About this Event
About the Conference
You are cordially invited to the premier brownfields event of the year in Virginia hosted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the City of Staunton. Come experience this delightful and historic community while learning about the latest advancements in all aspects of brownfield redevelopment.
Lodging
Discounted room blocks are available on the nights of June 7, 8, and 9 by referencing the VA Brownfields Conference at:
Hotel 24 South ($135/Night)
- Call (833) 314-5661 or by May 8
- 24 South Market Street, Staunton, VA, 24401
Parking
Parking is available at the adjacent garage by Hotel 24 South for attendees staying at the hotel or commuting from elsewhere.
Sponsorship
A great way to get involved with the conference is through sponsorship! Sponsors of the conference receive many benefits, including the option to exhibit at the conference, exposure to event attendees, promotion through our conference mailing list, formal and informal networking opportunities, and more.
We are sold out of our top three tiers and ehixibit tables, but there is still an opportunity to contribute through our copper sponsorship. Copper sponsors can have their organization's listed in the conference program and other signage as well as space to display a vertical banner during the event.
Monday, June 8
🕑: 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Registration Open & Exhibit/Poster/Display Setup
🕑: 12:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Mobile Workshop
Info: Advanced registration is required for this add-on. Attendees can check in at 12:30 PM. The mobile workshop departs at 1:00 PM
🕑: 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Welcome Meetup
Info: Join us for this free networking opportunity at Queen City Bistro! Sponsored by Geosyntec and WSSI.
Tuesday, June 9
🕑: 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Registration Open
🕑: 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM
Exhibit/Poster/Display Setup
🕑: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 08:15 AM - 08:45 AM
Brownfields 101 for Early Birds
Host: Karen Weber
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Welcome
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:30 AM
City of Staunton - Brownfield Highlights
Host: Rodney Rhodes
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Networking Break & Snacks
Info: Sponsored by TRC
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Show Me the (Brownfields) Money!
Host: Michael McDonald
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Beyond Assessment: Leveraging Virginia DHCD and Tobacco Commission Funding
Host: Tory McGowan
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch w/ Keynote Speaker
Host: Chris McNamara
Info: Sponsored by Timmons Group
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Review Poster Presentations & Connect with Sponsors
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
Host: Ryan Dorland, Daniel Kestner
Info: Beneath the Surface: Water and Methane Resources to Fugitive Methane Capture & Utilization in VA Coalfields; Digital Site Visit - Brownfields Reimagined; Derelict Dry Cleaner to Vibrant Multi-Use Redevelopment in Lynchburg
🕑: 02:05 PM - 02:35 PM
Breakout Sessions
Host: Liz Holloway
Info: Tough Ground: Reforesting Formerly Mined Land with the Voluntary Carbon Market; Modernizing Brownfield Redevelopment: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Studies; Leveraging Your Land: Brownfields as a Tool for Redevelopment & Revitalization
🕑: 02:40 PM - 03:10 PM
Breakout Sessions
Host: KC Filippino, Krista Manley
Info: Brownfields Restoration to Advance Habitat, Resilience, and Water Quality Goals; EPA Grantee Meeting; From Abandoned Tobacco Warehouse to Vibrant Urban Hub for Healing
🕑: 03:10 PM - 03:20 PM
Break
🕑: 03:20 PM - 03:50 PM
Breakout Sessions
Host: Ed Magdar
Info: Competent Rock is Complex Rock: Rethinking Remediation in Fractured Bedrock; VRP Spotlight - Former CSX Metal Recyclers; GIS as a Tool, Success Stories, and a DiRT Update
🕑: 03:55 PM - 04:25 PM
Breakout Sessions
Host: Kaitlyn Rhonehouse
Info: Beyond the Barrier - Selecting the Right VI Mitigation Approach; Transforming the First Street Corridor Through Brownfield Redevelopment; Turning Brownfields into Brightfields: GIS as a Catalyst for Sustainable Solar Development
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
Host: Taryn McKnight
Info: PFAS State of the Union: Regulatory and Analytical Updates; Brownfields Reimagined: Where Sustainability, Clean Energy, and Community Resilience Meet; Solar Development in Appalachian Brownfields
🕑: 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Networking Reception
Info: Join us for this free networking opportunity at Ciders from Mars! Sponsored by SGA and Stantec.
Wednesday, June 10
🕑: 07:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Registration Open
🕑: 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 08:15 AM - 08:45 AM
BYOB: Bring Your Own Brownfield
Host: Mid-Atlantic TAB
🕑: 08:55 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome
Host: City of Staunton
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:20 AM
Schools Out! What's Next? Redeveloping Old School Sites.
Host: Michael McDonald
🕑: 09:20 AM - 09:40 AM
Mary E. Branch School - Tug at the Heart Strings
Host: Shirby Brown
🕑: 09:40 AM - 10:00 AM
Legal Toolkit for Brownfields Redevelopment
Host: Kathrine Garvey
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Networking Break & Snack
Info: Sponsored by Kimley-Horn and Associates
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
DEQ Updates, VRP Managers Q&A Roundtable
Host: Cortney Marquette
🕑: 11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
Leveraging Funding and Resource Roadmapping for Brownfields Revitalization
Host: Matt Ward
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch Ceremonies - The Unofficial Brownfields Champion Handbook
Host: Karen Weber
Info: Sponsored by Hurt & Proffitt
Where is it happening?
Hotel 24 South, 24 South Market Street, Staunton, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 15.00 to USD 250.00
