Programs
Working together with members of our community, we host world-class experts on critical issues like diversity and inclusion, social justice, health, education, work force development, housing, the environment, infrastructure, tourism, entrepreneurship and small business.
Below you will find our previous programs along with background information about each of our speakers. Click the links below view the programs presented by each expert. Click here to learn more about our upcoming programs.
The Transformation of Travel: The Power of Sustainable Tourism to Make the World Better
Featured Speaker: Costas Crist
On Tuesday, June 22nd, Coastal Conversations welcomed internationally known, sustainable tourism expert Costas Christ.
With a dynamic career spanning decades, Costas has gained many titles: Ecotourism Pioneer, Sustainable Tourism Visionary, Award-Winning National Geographic Travel Writer – to name a few – and his life’s work has helped shape the world of travel and tourism as we know it today.
As a Harvard University wildlife field researcher when he was a student, long before the concept of ecotourism was established, Costas began to ponder a different model for tourism – one in which the travel industry would help protect nature, preserve cultural heritage and directly support local community development.
In 1991, Costas helped to officially define ecotourism for the first time as “Responsible travel to natural areas that protects nature and sustains the well being of local people.” He then worked to introduce these same principles into the global travel industry, helping to establish sustainable tourism based on three key pillars: Environmentally-friendly practices; Protection of natural and cultural heritage; and Social and economic benefits for local people.
This led to a new vision for tourism that continues to transform the travel industry today. An inspirational thought leader and a dynamic speaker, Costas has appeared onstage at conferences and summits around the world.
His media appearances include Travel Channel, Good Morning America, National Geographic Channel, NatGeo Weekend, BBC World, CNN International, FOX News, National Public Radio and several film documentaries. Costas has served as a senior advisor to CEOs, nonprofit organizations, government officials and heads of state to achieve tourism development success based on a model of doing well by doing good.
He was honored together with Dr. Jane Goodall for his lifelong work to protect the environment and was also recognized as a “Tourism Visionary” by the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards.
Strong Towns 101
Featured Speaker: Chuck Marohn
On Tuesday, March 23rd, Charles “Chuck” Marohn with Strong Towns joined us for our second Coastal Conversation. Click here to view the full program on YouTube or watch below. You can also listen to the program on our podcast below or click here.
Chuck Marohn’s presentation focused on understanding ways to help America’s cities, towns, and neighborhoods become financially strong and resilient. He created his non-profit organization, Strong Towns, as a way to educate others on communities, planning, and cities.
Marohn sees communities as complex, adaptive systems versus merely complicated systems. Human habitats that evolved in a complex style tend to be resilient. While the complicated style that we build today is fragile. He has seen these effects first hand, growth without prosperity. A lot of the time it is up to the community to see what needs to be changed and do it.
Marohn advocates for a public investment process for a Strong Town including:
- Humbly observe where people in the community struggle.
- Ask the question: What is the next smallest thing we can do right now to address the struggle?
- Do that thing. Do it right now.
- Repeat.
Strong, wealthy, prosperous. This is what our communities are aiming to be, Strong Towns helps communities develop to their potential.
From Cradle to Grave: Helping Ensure the Success of Children in Your Community
Featured Speaker: Dr. Ron Ferguson
On Tuesday, February 23rd, Dr. Ron Ferguson joined us for our first Coastal Conversation. Click here to view the full program on YouTube or watch below. You can also listen to the program on our podcast below or click here.
Dr. Ron Ferguson’s presentation focused on understanding early childhood brain development, understanding that learning gaps start before children turn two years old, educating families on the importance of early childhood education and how communities can work together to create a great environment for kids to grow up.
With the knowledge that 80 percent of a child’s brain is developed between birth and the age of 3, Dr. Ferguson’s efforts encourage parents that education begins at home, which ensures that children are entering school on a level playing field and to provide them with the resources needed to achieve throughout their school years.
Dr. Ferguson began his program because he noticed a gap with kids from different backgrounds and races. He saw this and developed a program to provide the resources parents need to make sure their children are not at a disadvantage. Thus, The Boston Basics were born.
The Basics Principles are made up of 5 science-based and caregiving tenants that should be implemented in a daily routine. They are:
- Maximize Love, Manage Stress
- Count, Group, and Compare
- Talk, Sing, and Point
- Explore through Movement and Play
- Read and Discuss Stories
It is so important to implement these steps into our own community!
We need allies to make sure our children are given the best opportunities to excel and be prepared for their future. Also, we need to give parents in our community what they need to minimize the gaps seen in education attainment levels.