On August 14, 2026, the Council for Quality Growth, through the Quality Growth Institute, will host its 6^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 2026 theme “The AI Era of the Built Environment is Here: From Permits to Punch Lists, AI is the New Playmaker...ARE YOU IN THE GAME?” sets the stage for timely conversations about the technologies reshaping the future of development. 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.

The INTERSECTION 2026 will examine how artificial intelligence is transforming the development industry and the built environment. From site selection and underwriting to construction, infrastructure, and permitting, AI is changing the way developers, investors, designers, contractors, and public officials collaborate to move projects forward. Through keynote presentations and panel discussions, the program will explore the technologies, trends, and real-world applications driving this shift, as well as the opportunities and challenges AI presents across the development process.

The 2-part agenda for August 14 includes 23 speakers and 7 unique content sessions, including national keynotes, local city and county elected officials, diverse panelists, and topic experts. The half day conference features two keynote addresses from Greg Lindsay, Urbanist-in-Residence at the University of Toronto's School of Cities and author of leading research on generative AI and the future of the built environment, who will share insights on the emerging technologies transforming how communities are designed, planned, and built, and Jonathan Noble, Senior Director of Government Affairs & Infrastructure at Microsoft, who brings more than 25 years of experience in political, policy, and government affairs, offering insights on the intersection of technology, infrastructure, and economic development in shaping the future of communities.

Other featured content includes panel discussions on the role of artificial intelligence in planning, design, and project delivery, how the public sector is embracing innovation responsibly, and the infrastructure needed to support the AI economy, including the energy and water considerations surrounding data center development. Additional conversations will explore how local governments are approaching data center growth and regulation, featuring perspectives from industry leaders, elected officials, and regional experts from organizations including Holder Construction, AECOM, Google, Georgia Power, and the Atlanta Regional Commission, among others.

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 14 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 attendees are anticipated at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs next Friday morning. 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 Anna Frances Gardner at [email protected].

WHAT:               

 The INTERSECTION Quality Development Conference

The AI Era of the Built Environment is Here: From Permits to Punch Lists, AI is the New Playmaker...ARE YOU IN THE GAME?

WHEN:            

August 14, 2026

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:

• Greg Lindsay, Urbanist-in-Residence, University of Toronto’s School of Cities
• Jonathan Noble, Senior Director of Government Affairs & Infrastructure, Microsoft

Featured Speakers/Panelists:

• Mike Alexander, Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Regional Commission
• Sy Allen, Strategic Negotiator, Energy Market Development, Google
• Mayor Michael Caldwell, City of Woodstock
• Barry Clark, Chief Technology Officer, Zero RFI
• Greer Gallagher, Senior Vice President, Holder Construction
• Jeff Hiller, Co-Founder, Alynea
• Adam Hodges, Development Associate, Dominium
• Commissioner Chakira Johnson, District 4, DeKalb County
• Commissioner Whitney Kenner Jones, District 2, Douglas County
• Commissioner Kevin Lewis, District 5, Henry County
• Saba Loghman, Managing Partner, Under New Management
• Greg Mullin, Managing Principal, AECOM
• Amol Naik, Principal, Resurgens Strategies
• Michael Olajubutu, Region Executive, Metro South, Georgia Power
• Mayor Michael Ownes, City of Mableton
• Mayor Rusty Paul, City of Sandy Springs
• Sara Ray, President & CEO, Douglas County Chamber
• Brent Reid, CEO, Winter Construction
• Councilmember Matt Westmoreland, Post 2 At Large, City of Atlanta
• Katherine Zitsch, Director of Water Strategy, Metro Atlanta Chamber

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 Anna Frances Gardner)

Download the 2026 INTERSECTION Media Kit here.