Infrastructure Finance and Resiliency Conference
April 21-22, 2026 Reston, Virginia
Funding New Infrastructure and Defending the Future
Through thoughtful dialogue and collaboration, our program will examine how the various funding and financing alternatives can be used to build resilient infrastructure projects. Together, we will develop the standards for tomorrow’s infrastructure.
With federal funding being constrained, public finance and private capital need to work together. Smart funding of capital over the useful life of the nation’s critical assets will help keep the infrastructure strong and defend the future.
It’s about content. It’s about networking with people. It’s about interesting conversations. It’s about topics that matter. Be part of the group that will develop the standards that will support the frameworks for financing strategies to shape the next generation of infrastructure.
To find out how your firm can maximize its presence at the Smith’s Infrastructure Finance and Resiliency Conference with a Sponsorship Package,
please contact Pamela Kilbourn at (571) 299-4954
Time and Place
April 21-22, 2026 Reston, Virginia
Agenda
Tuesday April 21, 2026
8:30 am
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION Breakfast9:00 am
WELCOME Terence M. Smith, Chief Executive Officer — Smith's Research & Gradings9:15 am
HOW TO FINANCE AMERICA'S INFRASTRUCTURE WITH MUNICIPAL BONDS Imagine having access to a $4 trillion market to fund America's Infrastructure. Imagine states, cities, counties and other public entities issuing debt to fund projects such as highways, sewer systems and the power grid. The reality is that last year approximately $570 billion in new municipal securities were issued. This panel of leaders in the public finance markets will discuss the benefits of using municipal bonds in conjunction with federal funds to finance America's Infrastructure over the useful life of the project. Ian Rogow, Director, Co-Head Municipal Bond Research — BofA Securities (Moderator) Mark Schmidt, CFA, Head of Municipal Strategy — Morgan Stanley Margot Kleinman, Senior Managing Director, Head of Municipal Fixed Income Research — Nuveen David Thorkelson, Senior Analyst, Municipal Bonds — Vanguard10:00 am
THE IMPORTANCE OF BRIDGING THE FINANCIAL GAP — UPDATE ON SNAP BACK OR CONTINUE TO FUND Last year's ASCE economic study looked at the positive impact new infrastructure investment has had on America's infrastructure funding gap. What does the future without the IIJA look like? What happens when this funding goes away? Panelists will discuss why maintaining funding levels is so important and how innovative new investment in both the public and private sector can spark America's transformation towards a more sustainable, resilient future. Maria Lehman, P.E., ENV SP, NAC, NAE, Interim Executive Director — American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)10:30 am
COFFEE NETWORKING BREAK
11:00 am
INVESTING IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: CAPITAL FORMATION AND NEW STRUCTURES Water is a fixed supply resource with ever-increasing demands whether from population growth, energy needs, or economic development such as re-shoring/on-shoring of manufacturing, chip plants or, in particular, data centers. Additionally, overdevelopment, aging infrastructure and climate change are all severely and negatively impacting our water systems. As federal funding tightens, public finance and private capital need to work together. Smart funding of capital over the useful life of the nation’s critical infrastructure assets will help keep the infrastructure strong as water emerges as the key critical and essential material to fuel economic development. The issue is much too large (and too local) for government funding to be the sole capital providers. With new and more efficient/complex technologies and services, and a significant amount of institutional capital focused on water investments, traditional capital structures are being replaced by Public-Private-Partnerships and other privately funded capital structures to address the immediate needs of communities and industries alike. Damian Georgino, Partner — Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP Rich Razgaitis, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder — Flowater Ted Chapman, Managing Director — HilltopSecurities Alan Shabatay, Associate Director — S&P Global Ratings12:00 pm
LUNCHEON
1:15 pm
DOES AMERICA HAVE THE POWER FOR THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE NATION? In the U.S., alternatives to fossil-based fuels have grown in popularity, so the economics of renewable energy have dramatically improved. Along with the development of new technologies, a dramatic increase in energy generation is anticipated over the next two decades. Building out energy infrastructure to support the net-zero goals and state-level Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) will require increased investment. Dennis Pidherny, Managing Director, Public Finance — Fitch Ratings Michael Melzer, Partner — Nixon Peabody2:15 pm
TRANSPORTATION: ROADS TO TOMORROW — SR400 P3 MODEL AS A WAY FORWARD As the largest bond financing for a U.S. P3 project and the largest financing for a highway asset ever, the success of the Georgia SR400 Express Lanes Project sets a new precedent for other state and local governments to follow, underscoring the value of the P3 model in addressing infrastructure challenges nationwide The Project stands as a testament to the ability of P3s to harness the creativity and resourcefulness of the private sector in delivering innovative solutions to complex public sector challenges.3:15 pm
COFFEE NETWORKING BREAK
3:30 pm
INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDING REVENUE RESILIENCY Panelists will focus on resilience as an investment enhancement and discuss how resilience-linked bonds/loans can improve lending terms and returns. P3s represent another important opportunity for resilience, enhancing private sector participation to strengthen America's Infrastructure and achieve broader economic benefits. Rallis Kourkoulis, Co-Founder and Managing Partner — Grid Engineers, Greece Jackie Higgins, Head USA Public Sector Solutions — SwissRe Guillermo Franco, Managing Director & Global Head of Catastrophe Risk Research — Marsh/Guy Carpenter Terence Smith, CEO — Smith's Research & Gradings4:30 pm
DAY ONE CONCLUDES
5:00 pm
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
8:00 am
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION Breakfast8:30 am
OPENING COMMENTS Terence M. Smith, Chief Executive Officer — Smith's Research & Gradings9:00 am
MUNICIPAL FINANCE MARKET UPDATE The new administration is in place and panelists will discuss what it means for America's critical infrastructure and municipal finance. On thing is certain: America's competitive strength depends on building a strong economy to support growth at home and abroad. Panelists will discuss the outcomes of various ballot initiatives and critically, the importance of tax exemption. Tom Kozlik, Head of Public Policy and Municipal Strategy — Hilltop Securities Brett Bolton, Vice President of Federal Legislative & Regulatory Policy — Bond Dealers of America9:45 am
BUILDING WITH RESILIENCY Resilient housing doesn’t happen in silos. This panel brings together leaders from government, industry, finance, and academia to explore how shared standards, data-centric approaches, and emerging technologies are reshaping the way we plan, finance, and build durable communities. Panelists will discuss how digital transformation and cross-sector collaboration can turn better information into better decisions—strengthening sustainability, efficiency, and disaster preparedness in housing and public infrastructure. The focus: practical strategies, real-world tools, and coordinated action that help communities keep pace with a changing climate, evolving risks, and rising expectations.10:30 am
COFFEE NETWORKING BREAK
10:45 am
MASS TRANSIT11:30 am
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION12:00 pm
CONFERENCE ADJOURNS
Registration
Registration Fees $1250 per person Standard Rate: (Broker/Dealer & Underwriting Firms, Sell-Side Firms, Commercial Banks, Financial Advisors, Attorneys, Credit Enhancers, Corporate Trust, Rating Agencies) $700 per person Investor Rate: (Mutual Funds, ETFs, Hedge Funds, Asset Managers, Portfolio Managers) $300 per person Issuer/Governmental/ASCE Member/World Bank TT2026/Virtual Rate Payment by credit card, company check or personal check is required prior to the event. Group Discounts Groups Of 3 or more Standard Rate — $1125 per person. (Broker/Dealer & Underwriting Firms, Sell-Side Firms, Commercial Banks, Financial Advisors, Attorneys, Credit Enhancers, Corporate Trust, Rating Agencies) Groups of 3 or more Investors — $630 per person. (Mutual Funds, ETFs, Hedge Funds, Asset Managers, Portfolio Managers) Groups of 3 or more Issuer/Governmental/ASCE Member/World Bank TT2026/Virtual Rate — $270 per person. Cancellations Cancellations are subject to a $100 service fee. Cancellations will be accepted up to 30 days prior to the Conference in order to receive a refund. Cancellations after the 30 day cut-off will receive a registration credit toward a future Smith's conference program. Credits will be issued at the paid registration rate and will be valid for 12 months. Registration credit requests must be received by the last day of the conference. Substitutions Substitutions from your company will be accepted any time prior to the conference. Program Cancellation In the event that Smith's Research & Gradings cancels a scheduled program, all registrants will be notified in writing via email. Registration fees will be refunded. In the event that the scheduled program is canceled, Smith's Research & Gradings cannot be held liable for non-refundable transportation costs. In the case of inclement weather, or Acts of God, if the scheduled program takes place, the registration fee is not refundable. Complaint Resolution Address any complaints to Pamela Kilbourn, Smith's Research & Gradings, P.O. Box II 95, Great Falls, VA 22066; email to [email protected] or phone (571) 299-4954. Complaints will be handled in as timely a manner as possible. Privacy Policy & Records Retention Smith's Research & Gradings values your privacy. Smith's retains information submitted during the registration process with regard to your name, company and contact information. We will never willfully sell, lease, or rent any of your personally identifiable information to any third party Payment Payment is required prior to the conference. We accept company or personal checks; MC, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards or, via PayPal using all major credit or debit cards.
Venue
Hyatt Regency
1800 Presidents Street
Reston, VA 20190
A block of rooms is being held for Smith's Research & Gradings at a rate of $309 per night (daily resort fee is waived) until Monday, March 30, 2026.
Follow this link for hotel reservations: Reservations
Meet our sponsors
Sign up for free member access
Join Our Free Membership to Receive Insightful Updates and Enjoy Exclusive Access to Our Club
