GREEN COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
8AM-4PM
Located at the Baylor Research Innovation & Collaborative, Waco, Texas.
Registrations are extremely limited this year, please register early to secure your spot!
Walk-in tickets may not be available this year due to venue capacity.
Please purchase your ticket prior to the conference event date. Once tickets are sold out we will not have a waitlist.
ROOTED IN RESILIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN TEXAS.
5 YEARS OF GATHERING FOR GREEN COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE.
For 4 years now we have gathered passionate Texans to cultivate meaningful conversations around sustainable, resilient Texas communities. We are gearing up for our 5th year, to be hosted at the Baylor Research Innovation and Collaborative (BRIC) for a one-day conference. This year, we are focusing on our communities in Texas at a deeper level, by bringing together thought leaders who play an active role in energy, water, waste, and infrastructure, as it related to environmental action. This year’s conference is a one-day event at the Baylor Research Innovation & Collaborative.
To learn more about our 2025 conference and our audience members, see the impact report below.
CASE STUDIES FOR IMPACT:
As we gather for our 5th consecutive year, we are gathering case studies from attendees, volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, poster presenters, and all who have been involved with the conference over the years. Share how the conference shaped, connected you to resources or collaboration, to help us better understand the impact of Green Communities Conference.
TENTATIVE AGENDA + SESSION DETAILS
8:00am-9:00am: Check-in, Coffee (breakfast will not be provided)
9:00am-10:15am: Opening Panel Session
10:15am-10:45 am: Coffee networking break, Exhibitor Hall
10:45am-11:30am: Concurrent Sessions
11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch (catered, onsite)
12:30pm-1:15pm: Concurrent Sessions
1:15pm-2:15pm: Concurrent Sessions
2:15pm-3:00pm: Dr Pepper Float Hour, sponsored by Baylor CRASR + Exhibitor hall and Poster Presentations
3:00pm-4:00pm: Closing Session
Session time and details are subject to change, a full updated agenda will be live by late spring/early summer.
OPENING PANEL: Navigating Resilience in a Complex Economy
Join us for the opening panel discussion featuring leaders from communities across Central Texas as we explore what resilience looks like in Texas today. Through shared experiences, innovative approaches, and regional perspectives, panelists will discuss how their communities are navigating challenges, building capacity, and preparing for a stronger future. Panelists include:
Jacob Bell
Senior Vice President, Walker Partners
Tom Balk
Director of Strategic Initiatives, City of Waco
Bradley Turner
City of Hewitt Councilman
Jonathan Olvera
City of Lacy Lakeview Councilman
Darius Ewing
City of Waco Councilman, Panel Moderator
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
Registration is live until we are at capacity, register now to secure your spot for this year’s conference! Walk-in registrations may not be available day of the event.
EXHIBIT AT THE 2026 GREEN COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE
As we gather for the 5th year in a row, we are excited to offer exhibitor spots at the conference. Please note, this year we are hosting at the Baylor Research Innovation and Collaborative. Exhibitors will be provided a table and (2) two chairs, with 2 (two) attendee tickets only.
Additional staff will be required to purchase a ticket.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND ATTENDEE INFORMATION
REGISTER AS AN ATTENDEE
Join us on September 17, 2026 at the Baylor Research Innovation & Collaborative for a one-day conference full of cultivating meaningful conversations around building sustainable and resilient communities in Texas. This year’s conference is extremely limited on spots, so registration will fill up very quickly. Register now to secure your spot. Registrations will need to be done individually, as we do not offer group registration.
Questions? Email: info@keepwacobeautiful.org
REGISTRATION IS LIVE. Spots are extremely limited, register now.
No Walk-In Tickets Will be Available.
CONFERENCE LOCATION + PARKING
Thank you to our partner, Baylor Research Innovation & Collaborative for hosting us again this year, as we “return home” to the BRIC for the 2026 conference. The very first year of the conference we kicked off with our amazing partner and we are excited to be back.
Please Note: this space is a major collaborative and research facility. Parking is free and available on-site. As guests enter the entrance you’ll be greeted by one of our staff members to direct you on where to go. Please be mindful to not enter any rooms that are not marked by our conference signage as there are groups working diligently throughout the space!
Learn more about the BRIC here.
CONFERENCE HOTEL BLOCKS
Stay tuned as we may add others as they come in!
Element Hotel Waco
2200 Robinson Dr
Waco, TX 76706
$139 Standard Kings
$169 Studio Queens
EVEN Hotel Waco
110 S MLK Jr Blvd
Building B
Waco, TX 76704
$149 Standard King
$189 Standard Double Queens
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Green Communities Conference
Planning Partners
Thanks to our collaborative community partners in dreaming up a more sustainable future for all.
The Green Communities Conference is organized by a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations from across Texas, united in their mission to tackle resiliency challenges within their communities.