Keep Louisiana Beautiful

2024 State Conference

October 23-24, Crowne Plaza Executive Center Baton Rouge

See you at the 2024 State Conference on October 23-24 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge!

Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s State Conference is an annual educational training and networking forum welcoming all individuals, Keep America Beautiful Affiliates, universities, state and local governmental agencies, community and business partners, and non-profit organizations. Attendees can look forward to learning about proven practices and innovative programs designed to achieve a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Louisiana.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

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Presentation Information

Keep Louisiana Beautiful is excited to introduce a new format for the 2024 State Conference featuring breakout sessions. Multiple unique presentations will be offered simultaneously in different rooms, allowing attendees to explore and discuss topics in a smaller group setting. This new format will enable attendees to create customized learning experiences that meet their unique interests and educational objectives. Everyone will come together for the opening speakers and awards luncheons.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Wednesday, October 23  

8:30 – 9:30 A.M. | New University Affiliate Training (by invitation)

9:00 – 9:45 A.M. | Conference check-in and exhibitor expo

10:00 A.M.

  • Welcome: Master of Ceremonies, Eligah Guillory, KLBF Board Member
  • Keynote Speaker: Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
  • State of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Susan Russell, Executive Director, KLB

10:45 – 11:45 A.M. | Block One Break Out Sessions 

  • A | Turning Litter Data into Solutions
    • Ellie Mallon, Sr. Operations Manager, Osprey Initiative 
    • Dr. David Yarbrough, Dean of Community Service, University of Louisiana at Lafayette 
  • B | Transforming Waste for Resilient Waterways: Glass, Shells, and Trees
    • Alex Ward, Operations Manager, Glass Half Full
    • Darrah Bach, Program Manager, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana 
    • Lynn Bryan, Executive Director, Keep Bossier Beautiful
    • Moderator: Kat Fogg, Research Project Manager, ReCoast
  • C | Roots of Change: The Power of Organic Land Management
    • Aliza McHugh, Sr. Advisor of Partnerships, Re:wild Your Campus  
    • Bridget Gustafson, Sr. Strategy Advisor, Re:wild Your Campus 
  • D | Conducting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
    • Tim Brown, Director of Environmental Services, St. Tammany Parish  
    • Aaron Breaux, MS4 Permit Manager, East Baton Rouge Parish

12:00 – 12:30 P.M. | Circle of Excellence Awards Luncheon and New Affiliate Presentation 

12:30 – 2:00 P.M. | Keynote Speaker: Jay Dardenne, Former Lt. Governor, “Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi” 

2:15 – 3:00 P.M. | Block Two Breakout Sessions

  • A | Integrating Native Plants Into Your Beautification Project  
    • Tammany Baumgarten, Owner & Operator, BaumGardens
  • B | KLB Marketing and Programs Designed to Benefit Your Community
    • Melissa Kenyon, Marketing and Communications Director, KLB
    • Jessie Chappuis, Programs and Events Manager, KLB
  • C | Measuring University Sustainability Performance with AASHE STARS (Ends at 2:45 P.M.)
    • Jonathan Brown, Sustainability Coordinator, University of Louisiana at Lafayette 
  • D | Recycling at Your Litter Cleanup and How to Take Love the Boot Week Efforts to the Next Level
    • Don Bates, Owner/Founder, Osprey Initiative 
    • Susan Russell, Executive Director, KLB

3:15 – 4 P.M. | Block Three Breakout Sessions

  • A | Louisiana’s Outdoor Events Geaux Green to Reduce Waste: A Panel Discussion
    • Moderator: Brett Davis, Director, Grounds Krewe
    • Abbie Acosta, Conservation Director, Moncus Park
    • Maurianna Robichaux, Board President, Festival International De Louisiane
    • Zoe Sullivan, Director of Development, Friends of Bayou St. John
  • B | University Sustainability Coalition Meeting (Starts at 2:45 P.M.)
  • C | Microplastics in Our Waterways and the Impact of Plastic Litter
    • Dr. Mark Benfield, Professor, LSU Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences

4-4:15 P.M. | Exhibitor expo open

4:15-6 P.M. | Poolside Networking Happy Hour (Does not include dinner. Dinner on your own)

Thursday, October 24  

7:30-8:30 A.M. | Exhibitor Expo & light breakfast buffet

8:30 A.M. | Welcome: Master of Ceremonies, Eligah Guillory, KLBF Board Member

8:45-9:45 A.M. | Presentations by Louisiana State Departments: Learn what’s being done at the state level to remove roadside litter and address waste tires.

  • Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Secretary Joe Donahue
  • Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, April Baiamonte, Executive Management Advisor
  • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Colonel Stephen A. Clark, Superintendent of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement

10:05-10:50 A.M. | Block Four Breakout Sessions

  • A | Main Street Beautification and Revitalization
    • Ray Scriber, Director, Louisiana Main Street 
    • Charlene Beckett, Manager, Abbeville Main Street 
  • B | KLB Grants Program: Funding Your Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, and Beautification Efforts
    • Jan Windhorst, Grants Manager, KLB
  • C | Changing the Behaviors of the Next Generation through Litter Education  
    • Susan Russell, Executive Director, KLB: KLB Lesson Plans and Driver’s Education 
    • Dr. Vanessa Van Heerden, Engagement Specialist, Louisiana Sea Grant: “Consider Litter”  
    • Fran Harvey, Managing Director, Global Geospatial Institute: Tag and Bag! Let AI Help with Identifying Litter
  • D | Leaders Against Litter: Highlights of Parish Litter Abatement Success
    • Robby Miller, Parish President, Tangipahoa Parish
    • Randy Delatte, Parish President, Livingston Parish

11-11:45 A.M. | Block Five Breakout Sessions

  • A | Growing the KLB Affiliate Network: Get Plugged In
    • Cabell Mouton, Community Engagement and Affiliate Services Director, KLB
  • B | How Advanced Recycling Supports a Circular Economy 
    • Jennifer Purpera, Baton Rouge, Project Lead, ExxonMobil Baton Rouge
  • C | EPA Recycling and Composting Grant Opportunities: $117 Million Available in New SWIFR and REO Grant Programs
    • Sean Stanton, Project Officer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • D | State Programs Preserving Our Sportsman’s Paradise
    • Brandon Burris, Assistant Secretary, Department of State Parks: State Parks’ Recycling Program:
    • Lieutenant Lance Devillier, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: Fighting Illegal Dumping Using Surveillance Cameras

12-1:45 P.M. | Everyday Hero Awards Luncheon  

2 P.M. | Conference concludes  

Thank you for your support!

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