National Summit Agenda

The CDFA South Carolina Financing Roundtable is as much about education as it is about networking and engagement. Join us for a special opening reception to kick-off the 2nd annual CDFA South Carolina Financing Roundtable Conference and enjoy a drink with fellow colleagues and sponsors along with staff of CDFA and JEDA. You must be separately registered for the CDFA South Carolina Financing Roundtable Conference in order to attend this event.

>>>More Information and Detailed Agenda for the SC Roundtable

Stop by the CDFA Registration Desk to pick up your conference materials and name badges. All National Summit attendees, speakers, sponsors, and guests must check-in to receive access to any CDFA-related events in Charleston. The CDFA Registration Desk is located in the foyer area of Signers Ballroom.

Join CDFA and JEDA for the 2nd annual South Carolina Financing Roundtable Conference. This one-day event will feature a number of economic development finance experts and leaders from around the state discussing development finance tools, resources and approaches and how these methods can move South Carolina’s economy forward. Topics to be discussed include bonds, redevelopment, loan funds, innovation capital, tax credits, federal funding and much more. This is a special fee event and requires a separate registration.

>>>More Information and Detailed Agenda for the SC Roundtable

Stop by the CDFA Registration Desk to pick up your conference materials and name badges. All National Summit attendees, speakers, sponsors, and guests must check-in to receive access to any CDFA-related events in Charleston. The CDFA Registration Desk is located in the foyer area of Signers Ballroom.

The Intro Brownfields Finance Course is the industry’s only comprehensive training curriculum that helps economic developers, policy makers and real estate professionals understand and master the financing strategies for the lifecycle of a brownfield property. During this course, attendees will walk through the entire brownfields redevelopment process from understanding the basics of brownfields and legal and regulatory challenges to unearthing the myriad financing tools available to both clean-up and build-up these contaminated or polluted sites. This is a special fee event and requires a separate registration.

>>>More Information and Detailed Agenda for the Intro Brownfields Finance Course

Your hub for networking and dealmaking, featuring Ask an Expert sessions, Project Marketplace presentations, and exhibitors.

Stop by the CDFA Registration Desk to pick up your conference materials and name badges. All National Summit attendees, speakers, sponsors, and guests must check-in to receive access to any CDFA-related events in Charleston. The CDFA Registration Desk is located in the foyer area of Signers Ballroom at The Mills House.

Ask an Expert sessions are designed for novice and advanced learners to explore a topic in a relaxed networking environment without structured presentations. Experts will be available during this time to answer all of your EB-5 questions, including understanding the basic rules and regulations, finding and working with regional centers, types of projects that have successfully used EB-5 capital, structuring deals with EB-5 as a component, and problem solving difficult deals. Bring your questions or join a conversation to listen to the expert analysis.

The CDFA National Summit is a deal-making event at its core. The CDFA Project Marketplace brings this theme to the forefront by featuring projects in search of financing with special presentations, and CDFA National Summit participants are invited to comment on each project and offer technical assistance about potential solutions. The CDFA Project Marketplace will feature the following deals during this time:

Community:	Project:
Middlesboro, KY	Elks Home
Birmingham, AL	N. Birmingham Superfund Site
New Bern, NC	Gateway Project

CDFA has jointly partnered with the Initiative for Responsible Investment and Mission Investors Exchange to explore the potential for alignment between foundations and traditional economic development finance agencies. This special workshop will launch a national conversation aimed at understanding how small investments from foundations can be made in existing and proven development finance programs and how that support could be leveraged to advance social, community, and economic priorities. Our expert panel will discuss how new partnerships could be developed to create guarantees, credit enhancements, or capital access programs with foundation-related impact investments through state and local development finance agencies. Topics discussed include:

• How do you identify partners in the impact investing community?
  
• What is the size and scope of impact investment funds and how might they be used to support development finance initiatives?
  
• What types of financing tools might be implemented to see expanded job creation in distressed communities or underserved markets?
  
• How would these impact investments be monitored to track businesses served, job creation, industry growth, etc.?
  

Ask an Expert sessions are designed for novice and advanced learners to explore a topic in a relaxed networking environment without structured presentations. Experts will be available during this time to answer all of your New Markets Tax Credit questions, including identifying allocatees, understanding how the credits work and what makes them valuable, types of projects that have successfully used NMTCs, structuring deals with NMTCs and other forms of capital, combining tax credits, and problem solving difficult deals. Bring your questions or join a conversation to listen to the expert analysis.

The CDFA National Summit is a deal-making event at its core. The CDFA Project Marketplace brings this theme to the forefront by featuring projects in search of financing with special presentations, and CDFA National Summit participants are invited to comment on each project and offer technical assistance about potential solutions. The CDFA Project Marketplace will feature the following deals during this time:

Community:	Project:
Kimberly, WI	Details Coming Soon
Kinston, NC	Intermodel Facility
Greenwood, SC	Former Greenwood Mill Site

Ask an Expert sessions are designed for novice and advanced learners to explore a topic in a relaxed networking environment without structured presentations. Experts will be available during this time to answer all of your TIF questions, including best practices for using TIF, conducting feasibility and but-for analyses, structuring TIF districts for maximum benefit, collaborating with partners and the community, and problem solving difficult deals. Bring your questions or join a conversation to listen to the expert analysis.

The CDFA National Summit is a deal-making event at its core. The CDFA Project Marketplace brings this theme to the forefront by featuring projects in search of financing with special presentations, and CDFA National Summit participants are invited to comment on each project and offer technical assistance about potential solutions. The CDFA Project Marketplace will feature the following deals during this time:

Community:	Project:
Kimberly, WI	Details Coming Soon
Community Counseling Services, MS	Former Mary Holmes College
Walterboro, SC	Pedestrian & Bikeway Trail

Join CDFA and your fellow development finance colleagues as we kickoff the 2015 CDFA National Development Finance Summit at the innovative South Carolina Aquarium. Financed in part through tax-exempt revenue bonds from JEDA and conveniently located in downtown Charleston, the South Carolina Aquarium offers an intimate look at many of South Carolina’s native animals and plants as well as an array of exotic marine life. The impressive Great Ocean Tank, picturesque views of Charleston Harbor, and newly installed Shark Shallows exhibit are can't miss experiences in Charleston!

CDFA will provide transportation to and from the aquarium for all registered participants starting at 6:00pm. Special guest registrations are available for the reception.

Enjoy a fun night of networking, food and drink. Welcome to Charleston!

Join your fellow CDFA National Summit attendees for a friendly jog through historic Charleston Battery Park. A landmark reinforced seawall, the Charleston Battery is bordered by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers forming the Charleston harbor. The run will depart promptly at 6:30am as the sun rises over Charleston. Runners will wind their way through downtown Charleston, around Battery Park, and then back to the hotel. The total distance of the run is approximately 3 miles. Runners are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and to bring plenty of water. In the event of inclement weather, the run will be cancelled.

Your hub for networking and dealmaking, featuring Ask an Expert sessions, Project Marketplace presentations, and exhibitors.

Stop by the CDFA Registration Desk to pick up your conference materials and name badges. All National Summit attendees, speakers, sponsors, and guests must check-in to receive access to any CDFA-related events in Charleston. The CDFA Registration Desk is located in the foyer area of Signers Ballroom at The Mills House.

Jump start your day with an energizing breakfast that leads in to the CDFA Excellence in Development Finance Awards Ceremony. During the ceremony, you will learn about each award winning deal and hear directly from the award recipients about how the deal was structured, key financing elements, and important factors for seeing the deal to completion. Mingle with the award winners, be inspired by their work and let that fuel you throughout the day as you participate in workshops and networking at the National Summit.

>>>Learn More about the CDFA Excellence in Development Finance Award Winners

Ask an Expert sessions are designed for novice and advanced learners to explore a topic in a relaxed networking environment without structured presentations. Experts will be available during this time to answer all of your questions about bonds, capital markets, and regulatory matters, including basic tax rules, structuring deals, private placement vs. negotiated offerings, understanding Municipal Advisor regulations, complying with disclosure requirements, and problem solving difficult deals. Bring your questions or join a conversation to listen to the expert analysis.

Urban communities aren't the only places looking for help to fund economic development; rural communities are also in need of financing strategies. A number of creative and important financing tools exist to support rural and small town development, and communities across the country are seeing new opportunities for redevelopment, reinvestment, job creation, and business expansion. This session feature how one community has revitalized their mainstreet with creative financing strategies.

Experience demonstrations of new technologies and software programs designed to support development finance authorities and initiatives.

More information on the topic will be available soon.

The CDFA National Summit is a deal-making event at its core. The CDFA Project Marketplace brings this theme to the forefront by featuring projects in search of financing with special presentations, and CDFA National Summit participants are invited to comment on each project and offer technical assistance about potential solutions. The CDFA Project Marketplace will feature the following deals during this time:

Community:	Project:
Weirton, WV	TS&T Pottery
Ronceverte, WV	Lewisburg Wholesale Building
Weirton, WV	Former Wheeling Corrugating Plant
Main Street Fairmont, WV	Firehouse Arts Center

With the proliferation of the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) Program, federal, state and local governments have partnered to together to better support the needs of manufacturers across the country. Unique ideas have emerged, including the co-location of manufacturers within a tight geographical district to the redevelopment of outdated industrial parks. This workshop will look at the role that development finance agencies play in the rebirth of manufacturing and how to assemble the financing necessary to support the capital, energy, infrastructure, and workforce needs of manufacturers.

Ask an Expert sessions are designed for novice and advanced learners to explore a topic in a relaxed networking environment without structured presentations. Experts will be available during this time to answer all of your questions about CRA, including how to partner with local banks, the types of projects that have benefitted from CRA investments, leveraging CRA investments, and identifying CRA opportunities. Bring your questions or join a conversation to listen to the expert analysis.

Public Private Partnership (P3) financing is changing the way state and local governments finance infrastructure and amenities. P3 structures are being considered for everything from water and waste/water systems, roads and bridges to energy improvements, government buildings, and schools. This session will feature one P3 deal from start to finish, identify the partners involved, the negotiation process, break down the capital stack, and discuss lessons learned and financing strategies to employ.

Experience demonstrations of new technologies and software programs designed to support development finance authorities and initiatives.

More information on the topic will be available soon.

Earlier this year, as part of the CDFA // BNY Mellon Development Finance Webcast Series, CDFA launched a new discussion about the way incentives are discussed in the United States. This initiative aims to explore and examine the use of tax incentives and build best practices to ensure that they are being used appropriately and effectively. During this special luncheon, gather with your fellow National Summit attendees and debate with our expert panel about the role of incentives in the nation’s economic development landscape.

Ask an Expert sessions are designed for novice and advanced learners to explore a topic in a relaxed networking environment without structured presentations. Experts will be available during this time to answer all of your questions about ratings, including working with rating agencies, knowing when to seek a rating, understanding how to maintain a rating, communicating with ratings agencies when problems arise that could affect a rating, and trends by sector (public finance, education, healthcare, etc.). Bring your questions or join a conversation to listen to the expert analysis.

Infrastructure is a critical asset to the national economy and requires ongoing investment and maintenance. It is the backbone of the United States supporting jobs, global trade, and international competitiveness. With billions of expected infrastructure improvements called for in the immediate future, how do we identify the financing strategies to support these developments? This session will analyze how one state is addressing these financing challenges and the realities of assembling the capital needed.

Experience demonstrations of new technologies and software programs designed to support development finance authorities and initiatives.

More information on the topic will be available soon.

The CDFA National Summit is a deal-making event at its core. The CDFA Project Marketplace brings this theme to the forefront by featuring projects in search of financing with special presentations, and CDFA National Summit participants are invited to comment on each project and offer technical assistance about potential solutions. The CDFA Project Marketplace will feature the following deals during this time:

Community:	Project:
West Point, MS	Elks Home
Great Falls Development Authority, MT	Details Coming Soon
West Point, MS	West Side School

Conduit bond issuers play an important role in a community or region's economic development landscape. In addition to issuing private activity bonds and providing other forms of bond financing, they are increasing offering unique and creative financing tools. Many operate their own loan programs, receive allocations of tax credits, and offer specialized financing programs for real estate, clean energy, or small business development. During this workshop, hear from some of the most innovative and effective conduit issuers in the country and learn about their structures, financing programs, and best practices.

Ask an Expert sessions are designed for novice and advanced learners to explore a topic in a relaxed networking environment without structured presentations. Experts will be available during this time to answer all of your seed and venture capital questions, including the role of the public sector in venture capital, building VC funds, identifying investors, understanding the entrepreneurial environment and how start-ups benefit from angel and seed capital, evaluating businesses, and problem solving difficult deals. Bring your questions or join a conversation to listen to the expert analysis.

Arts and culture districts support local economies, expand cultural capacity, and generate an enhanced sense of place. They drive economic development in many communities, and creative sources of financing like TIF, special assessments, and loan programs are being used to expand them. This session will paint the picture of how one community has financed their arts district and present ideas for how their financing strategy could be employed in your region.

Experience demonstrations of new technologies and software programs designed to support development finance authorities and initiatives.

More information on the topic will be available soon.

You’re invited to join the CDFA staff and our partners in an interactive and entertaining event to learn how to make the most of your membership and engage in all that CDFA has to offer. Grab your member “passport” and visit stations to experience a sampling of CDFA’s member benefits, learn about upcoming events and training courses, ask questions, learn about our legislative activities, and more! For each station that you visit, you will earn a stamp in your passport. Completed passports can be returned for drink tickets to attend an exclusive Members Only networking reception.

Non-members may also participate in this experience to learn more about engagement opportunities within CDFA, sign-up for membership, and ask questions. Non-members who complete their passport will gain entry to the members only event before it opens up to the larger evening reception.

>>>Learn More about CDFA Member Benefits and Join Today!

Drinks with Toby is a fun and casual way to end the day at the National Summit. Join Toby Rittner, CDFA's President & CEO, for an evening reception on the pool deck of The Mills House. Be sure to check out the CDFA Member Experience on your way in to gain early entry to the reception!

Dining in Charleston is an unforgettable experience. Charleston is rife with highly trained, world-class chefs who excel in all areas of cuisine. CDFA has secured several reservations at exclusive Charleston restaurants on Thursday, November 5 for groups of 4-8 National Summit attendees.

To participate in CDFA’s Dining Adventures, indicate your interest in the program when you register for the CDFA National Summit. The list of available restaurant reservations is provided below to learn more about your dining options.

**Details on Restaurants Coming Soon**

Most reservations will occur at 7:00pm. Please arrive in the hotel lobby 30 minutes prior to your reservation time so that CDFA can help assemble your dinner group. All participants are required to pay for their own meal and transportation to and from the restaurant.

Your hub for networking and dealmaking, featuring Ask an Expert sessions, Project Marketplace presentations, and exhibitors.

Stop by the CDFA Registration Desk to pick up your conference materials and name badges. All National Summit attendees, speakers, sponsors, and guests must check-in to receive access to any CDFA-related events in Charleston. The CDFA Registration Desk is located in the foyer area of Signers Ballroom at The Mills House.

CDFA has been a leader on Capitol Hill for 30+ years by advocating for, and advancing the cause of, development finance nationally. Over the past several years, CDFA has passed vital legislation supporting industrial development bonds and credit enhancement and promoted innovative financing and funding programs throughout the development finance industry. Join CDFA for this year's Legislative Breakfast as we explore the landscape of legislative activities and the political environment in Washington, DC. All National Summit attendees are invited and encouraged to attend this important breakfast as we discuss the development finance priorities on Capitol Hill.

Ask an Expert sessions are designed for novice and advanced learners to explore a topic in a relaxed networking environment without structured presentations. Experts will be available during this time to answer all of your questions about managing and operating a development finance agency, including types of financing programs to offer, staffing concerns, building RFPs, identifying the appropriate attorneys and advisors, structuring fees, and partnering with other financing entities in the community. Bring your questions or join a conversation to listen to the expert analysis.

Over the past decade, extreme weather events have caused major catastrophes to cities large and small. From vulnerable energy grids to aging infrastructure, communities are susceptible to disasters in multiple ways, and the aftermath of the clean-up and redevelopment can affect a region for years. What are some of the financing strategies for communities to invest in resiliency and mitigate the costs of potential natural disasters? This workshop will explore financing programs and structures for disaster resiliency, partnerships and collaborative efforts to identify financing solutions, and lessons learned from communities that are in the rebuilding process.

Challenge your fellow golfers for a friendly game on the prestigious greens of Charleston, SC. Golfers of all skill levels are invited to participate in this scramble style invitational. This is an extra fee event.

>>>Learn More about the Golf Invitational

No trip to Charleston is complete without a tour of Fort Sumter, the site of the first shots fired in the American Civil War. A special addition to the 2015 CDFA National Summit, join your fellow attendees for boat ride and tour of this preserved piece of American history. Once aboard the boat, you will experience a relaxing 30 minute narrated cruise to historic Fort Sumter. The Fort houses an informative museum with many historic artifacts and a souvenir shop. National Park Service Rangers are available to provide further details as you explore Fort Sumter.

This is an extra fee event that requires a special registration. The registration fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, boat ride to and from Fort Sumter, one hour of exploration time at Fort Sumter, and a boxed lunch.

>>>Learn More about Fort Sumter