USGBC Impact Symposium 2026

Join leaders from across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for a dynamic symposium exploring the future of community and green building development. This event convenes state and local government officials, planners, developers, sustainability practitioners, and business-sector innovators to examine how the region can accelerate progress toward more resilient, low carbon, and equitable communities. As state and local governments in the DMV continue to pursue ambitious climate, housing, and infrastructure goals, the symposium will spotlight the essential role of the public sector in shaping policy landscapes that support sustainability and resilience. Participants will learn how jurisdictions are using LEED v5—the newest generation of the LEED rating system emphasizing decarbonization, resilience, health, and equity—to guide high performance building initiatives and align development with community climate commitments. Government leaders will also share how LEED for Cities is being used to measure, manage, and elevate local sustainability progress at the regional scale. The business community plays a central role in achieving this vision. Developers, architects, technology firms, and industry partners will showcase resilient building design and operations, advanced materials, electrification, and nature-based solutions that align with LEED v5 and support growing demand for green, future ready development. Discussions will explore how the private sector and government agencies can collaborate through incentives, procurement strategies, and public private partnerships to scale climate action and strengthen community resilience. Through interactive panels, case studies, and solution driven discussions, the symposium will explore strategies for: Implementing and scaling LEED v5 across building portfolios; Leveraging LEED for Cities to drive measurable, equitable progress; Advancing healthy and affordable green communities; Using data, technology, and financing tools to accelerate sustainable development; Strengthening cross sector partnerships to support regional climate leadership. Environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social equity should be at the forefront of our community development.