LAKE PLACID — The Adirondack North Country Association invites community members, industry experts, educators and advocates to explore opportunities to strengthen the region’s clean energy and small business future at the inaugural joint conference of ANCA’s “Clean Energy and Small Communities. Big Opportunities.”

The conference will gather regional clean energy and small business stakeholders at the Lake Placid Conference Center from Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2.

“We are thrilled to bring together community members of different backgrounds and areas of expertise for a unique gathering designed to share experiences and solutions to regional challenges,” said ANCA Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper. “In our work across the North Country, we find that many of the people we work with face similar economic challenges that require creative solutions and partnerships. This conference is for North Country farmers, business owners, energy contractors, local government officials and anyone interested in learning from each other and exploring new ideas and collaborations.”

The three-day educational and networking conference will allow participants to explore ways they can work together to foster a strong, resilient and inclusive North Country. The event starts on Wednesday with a tour where participants will travel in an electric school bus provided by NY Bus Sales. The tour will stop at Brookfield Renewable’s hydroelectric dam at Franklin Falls and visit Saranac Lake area small businesses that demonstrate the cross-pollination of successful rural entrepreneurship and energy efficiency upgrades. An evening welcome reception at the Hotel Saranac will be followed by a full day of networking and educational opportunities in Lake Placid.

“This conference provides an opportunity to elevate the voices of regional entrepreneurs and explore different avenues to small business success in our rural communities,” said ANCA Small Business Program Director Lauren Richard. “We want to share some of the real challenges of entrepreneurship in the North Country and provide a forum where these tenacious folks can build community and swap ideas.”

On Thursday, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a series of tracks focusing on rural resilience and climate solutions, methods of business success in rural landscapes, barriers faced by Regional Clean Energy Hubs, conversations surrounding renewable energy and wild lands, workforce development in the North Country and strategies for engaging employees. Conference organizers and guest presenters aim to make this an action-oriented and collaborative event for attendees.

“Our goal is to spark conversations and provide resources to help businesses, local governments, and organizations adapt to changing economic and climate landscapes so we can foster resilience in our North Country communities,” said ANCA Clean Energy Program Director Jill Henck. “We welcome anyone eager to share their voice and experiences, build relationships, and learn from each other to understand how we can move forward together.”

The event winds down on Friday with morning workshops and time to explore the Lake Placid area. Throughout the conference, there will also be opportunities to network with exhibitors including contractors, service providers, nonprofits, small businesses and others working to strengthen economies and build sustainable communities across New York state.

To learn more and register, visit adirondack.org/2025-anca-conference.

Companies and organizations that have a service, product or message to share with conference attendees are invited to apply to exhibit at the event. Questions may be directed to ANCA event and engagement coordinator Caitlin Bottcher at cbottcher@adirondack.org or 518-891-6200.