On August 15, 2025, the Council for Quality Growth, through the Quality Growth Institute, will host its 5^th annual The INTERSECTION Quality Development Conference at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs. Each year, The INTERSECTION convenes public policy and private investment leaders to discuss the most pressing issues facing our Atlanta region. The 2025 theme “Infrastructure and Investment” will build off conversations presented last year and refocus on the challenging landscape for infrastructure investment at the local, state, and national levels. Doug Hooker, former Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the conference and guide this in-depth discussion. 

In metro Atlanta, the need for critical infrastructure upgrades and expansions are obvious and abundant. There are plenty of ideas for ways to increase capacity or relieve congestion, and far less funding to make many projects a reality. Today, infrastructure projects across the nation are in limbo over lost or delayed funding from the federal administration. With that and the looming cloud of economic downturn, the uncertainty is bringing projects in our own backyard to a standstill. Just last November, voters failed to approve key referendums that would’ve funded infrastructure projects and propelled our region forward. At the local level, what has worked before no longer does, and The INTERSECTION Conference will explore one of our region’s greatest challenges and consider alternative models for funding infrastructure. 

The 2-part agenda for August 15 includes 19 speakers and 8 unique content sessions, including national keynotes, local Mayors and County Chairs, project case studies, diverse panelists, and topic experts. The half day program features a variety of industry-leading organizations across metro Atlanta and the U.S. Keynote speakers include George Riccardo, transportation policy expert, National Practice Consultant for HNTB, and a former policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Transportation, who brings a national perspective on federal infrastructure funding under the new administration. Another is Jared Fleisher, the newly named CEO of Bedrock, a real estate firm focused on revitalizing downtown Detroit. Bedrock is one of many companies under Dan Gilbert’s ROCK portfolio, and Fleisher has spearheaded transformational legislation in Michigan that incentivized large-scale redevelopment.

Other featured content includes paneled conversations with former U.S. Representatives for Georgia districts and local metro Mayors, data driven presentations from theAmerican Road & Transportation Builders Association as well as the Atlanta Regional Commission, an alternative funding model presented by Sustainability Partners, a reaction to SPLOST referendums from three County Chairwomen, and more.

The Council for Quality Growth works at “the intersection” of public policy and private investment, and The INTERSECTION Conference is an educational event with content tailored to both sides of development. The keynotes, speakers, and panelists featured on August 15 will provide new and relevant ideas, realistic best practices, outside perspectives, and innovative solutions for both the public and private sector professionals to take back to their own projects in their own municipalities.

Over 500 are anticipated in the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, or the Byers Theater at City Springs. The INTERSECTION Conference attracts a wide array of attendees representing various sectors, including real estate, infrastructure, economic development, government, and community organizations. The event aims to further fulfill the mission of the Council for Quality Growth, promoting balanced and responsible growth by advocating for its members, educating an industry of leaders on these critical issues, sharing information, and fostering strategic partnerships.

The INTERSECTION Conference is a product the Quality Growth Institute, the education arm of the Council for Quality Growth and an established 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the state of Georgia. Through the Quality Growth Institute, conference attendees are eligible to receive 4.0 credit hours towards occupational licensing, including Continuing Education (CE) real estate credit hours approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission, Certification Maintenance (CM) AICP planning credit hours approved by the Georgia Planning Association, and Professional Development Hour (PDH) engineering credits.

A full agenda of content and speakers can be found at www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/INTERSECTION. Registration is now open, and sponsorships are available for this event at the website above. Tickets are required for all guests. Admission is free for elected officials. Media is invited to attend and should RSVP to Kathryn Jones at [email protected]. 

WHAT:               

The INTERSECTION Quality Development Conference

Infrastructure & Investment: Addressing Funding Challenges in Uncertain Times

WHEN:             

August 15, 2024

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Program begins at 7:45 AM. 

WHERE:           

Sandy Springs Performing Arts Theater (The Byers Theater at City Springs)

1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

WHO:                

Public Policy and Private Investment Leaders 

Master of Ceremonies: Doug Hooker, former Executive Director, Atlanta Regional Commission

Keynote Speakers:

• George Ricardo, National Practices Consultant, HNTB

• Jared Fleisher, CEO, Bedrock Real Estate

Featured Speakers/Panelists:

• Mike Alexander, Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Regional Commission

• Dean Anason, Editor-In-Chief, Atlanta Business Chronicle

• Greg Bluestein, Chief Political Reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• The Honorable Carolyn Bourdeaux, former U.S. Representative, Georgia’s 7^th District

• Mayor Beverly Burks, City of Clarkston

• Robert Criste, Infrastructure Partner, Sustainability Partners

• Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, Cobb County

• The Honorable Tom Graves, former U.S. Representative, Georgia’s 14^th District

• Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell, Henry County

• Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, Gwinnett County

• Michael Hightower, Managing Partner, The Collaborative Firm

• Charlotte Nash, former Chair, Gwinnett County

• Mayor Rusty Paul, City of Sandy Springs

• Sally Riker, 2024 Chair, Council for Quality Growth & VP of Strategy + Growth, Atlas

• Carolyn Kramer Simons, Senior Director, State Funding Policy, American Road & Transportation Builders Association

• Mayor Vince Williams, City of Union City 

Tickets are required for guests and are available at www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/INTERSECTION.

• $115| Members
• $135 | Non-Members
• FREE | Elected Officials (RSVP to Matt Yarbrough)
• FREE | Press/Media (RSVP to Kathryn Jones)

Download the 2025 INTERSECTION Media Kit here.