5:15-7:45
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Keynote Presentation and Awards Ceremony at 5:15pm. Cocktail Reception and After Party at 7pm.
Have Fun | Network | Be inspired
For 27 years, Grow Smart RI and its many partners have helped Rhode Island play more effectively to its strengths. This is done through innovative approaches to revitalizing our Downtowns and Main Streets, promoting placemaking and housing affordability, expanding transportation choices, and protecting our natural resources and forests.
The Awards recognize Rhode Island leaders, projects, plans or policies which exemplify smart growth principles and confront the most pressing challenges of our time: community revitalization and increased access to affordable housing and transportation choices improving public health; confronting climate change, and advancing social, racial, and economic justice.
Announcing our 2025 Smart Growth Awards Keynote Speaker:
Bill Bartholomew
In turbulent times we turn to people who can help us make sense of the world. As recently profiled in RI monthly, Rhode Island is lucky to have a growing, independent news ecosystem, and leading the way is Bill Bartholomew. Whether as a journalist, podcast host or musician, we’re listening to Bill’s insightful perspective. And if you haven’t been listening to him before, after this year’s keynote presentation, you will too.
Recently he’s been talking a lot about the role strong social networks can play in tackling core problems facing our society from income inequality and political division to social isolation and climate change. That’s why we are very excited to welcome Bill as this year’s Smart Growth Awards Keynote Speaker with his presentation exploring “How Can Places Bring Us Together? Reimagining Rhode Island’s Spaces to Build Social Connection”.
A native Rhode Islander, Bill’s work has been featured in such outlets as NPR, the New York Times and NBC News, and he’s seen regularly on RI’s PBS television and heard regularly on WPRO radio where he’s an Assistant Program Director, Executive Producer and Host. He’s known for his in-depth interviews of political, cultural and business newsmakers and moderating gubernatorial and other major debates. He’s the Founder of RIpodcast.com, an independent digital news platform that hosts the flagship podcast Bartholomewtown. Bill came of age in the New York underground arts world and holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island.
Wondering what exactly Smart Growth is? Click the play button and head to our Youtube channel to learn more!
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