The inaugural World of Waterfronts (WoW) Symposium will take place in Long Beach, California, on Friday, April 4, 2025. Organized by Studio One Eleven and Placemaking US, this one-day event will bring together global waterfront experts, urban planners, designers, policymakers, and community advocates to exchange insights and showcase successful waterfront transformations worldwide.

As Long Beach prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the WoW Symposium offers a timely platform to explore innovative approaches to waterfront development, highlight global best practices, and examine the West Harbor redevelopment—a major transformation of industrial space into a vibrant waterfront destination.

Event Highlights:

• Expert Panels & Presentations – Thought leaders share insights on revitalizing waterfronts.
• West Harbor Site Tour – Explore a major waterfront redevelopment with a possible scenic boat tour.
• Interactive Discussions – Conversations on sustainability, economic development, and community engagement.
• Networking Opportunities – Connect with key changemakers shaping waterfronts worldwide.

Schedule of Events:

8:30 – 9:00 AM | Reception – Welcome coffee and refreshments.

9:00 – 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks – Hosted by Studio One Eleven, Placemaking US, and City of Long Beach representatives.

9:30 – 10:15 AM | Keynote & Conversation

• Laurie Schwartz, CEO, Baltimore Waterfront Partnership
• In conversation with Shruti Shankar, Studio One Eleven 

10:30 – 11:30 AM | Global Success Stories Panel (Moderated by Ryan Smolar, Placemaking US)

• Paris: Suzanne Pergal, Tourism and Cities, Project Manager, City of Paris 
• Auckland: Frith Walker, Head of Placemaking, City of Auckland
• Philadelphia: Nate Hommel, Director of Planning and Design University City District Philadelphia 
• Halifax: T.J.: Senior Urban Planner, Evergreen Canada
• Cleveland:  Dan Finkle, Planning Director, Cleveland Waterfront

12:00 – 1:30 PM | Lunch & Travel to West Harbor

1:30 – 3:00 PM | West Harbor Site Tour – A behind-the-scenes look at a transformative waterfront project.

3:15 – 4:15 PM | Local Perspectives Panel (Moderated by Alan Pullman, Partner, Studio One Eleven)

• San Francisco: Guneet Anand, Associate Principal, SiteLab Urban Studio
• San Pedro: Alan Johnson, President Jerico Development Inc.
• County of Los Angeles: Michael Quill, LA Waterkeeper 

4:30 – 5:30 PM | Happy Hour – Networking with waterfront views.

Symposium Goals:

• Facilitate knowledge exchange on waterfront transformation and placemaking.
• Showcase successful case studies from Long Beach and beyond.
• Highlight the challenges and opportunities of revitalizing urban waterfronts.
• Inspire sustainable and inclusive waterfront development strategies.

Who Should Attend?

• City officials, policymakers, and urban planners
• Port authorities from Los Angeles and Long Beach
• Architects, designers, and real estate developers
• Community leaders, neighborhood groups, and advocates
• Anyone passionate about the future of urban waterfronts

Why Attend?

Gain firsthand insights into bringing a waterfront vision to life through the West Harbor case study. Learn about the development process, lessons learned, and broader implications for future projects.

Registration Details:

• Capacity: Limited to 80 attendees (first 50 registrants receive complimentary transportation).
• Opens: March 5, 2024
• Venue: Hosted at Studio One Eleven, with site tours and panel discussions at West Harbor.

Join the Movement!

Be part of a global conversation on transforming waterfronts into thriving, sustainable, and inclusive spaces. Whether you’re an urban planner, designer, policymaker, academic, or advocate, the WoW Symposium will inspire and equip you with the tools to reimagine the future of waterfronts.

For more information and to register, visit EventBrite. 

Media Contact:

Sinead Finnerty-Pyne
Director of Marketing & Special Projects, Studio One Eleven, Sinead.finnerty-pyne@studio-111.com 

Sponsors & Supporters:

The Port of Long Beach, Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office, Studio One Eleven, Jerico Development Co., and Intertrend

Join us at the WoW Symposium and help shape the future of waterfront development! 

Click here to RSVP!