2027 annual meeting & Symposium

Friday, March 5th, 2027

Mystic, Connecticut

The upcoming 2027 APTNE Annual Meeting & Symposium will be held on Friday, March 5, 2027, with an in-person event in Mystic, CT, as well as a virtual program.  


The overarching theme is preservation of community, craft, and structures along the waterfront, and will feature presentations from professionals, emerging professionals, and local students.

Throughout history, water access and navigation have been essential for the development of civilization allowing for the growth and prosperity of settlements.


In the Northeast, protected harbors, navigable rivers, and teeming lakes helped spur the growth of the early colonies, provided ideal locations for strategic naval and military installations, and eventually facilitated the Industrial Revolution in America. Along these waterfronts diverse industries and infrastructure emerged and were shaped by the workers and community whose labor and traditions sustained the waterfront economy.


As industries evolved and populations changed, these once dominant maritime towns and cities became less reliant on the waterfronts that once drove their economies. Urban renewal projects frequently took advantage of this decline by constructing new transportation corridors along waterways, cutting off waterfront access to both residents and commercial interests.


From abandoned factories and mills to inactive canals and shipyards, these sites which were once considered evidence of industrial blight and outdated technology are finding new uses as stakeholders seek to reintegrate thriving waterfronts into their communities and restore public access to the water as a shared cultural resource.

In addition to the 10 presentations this event will also include several additional activities available to all attendees including:


  • A non-ticketed, Thursday night informal networking gathering in the Madison Hotel Conservatory.
  • A ticketed reception directly after the Symposium on Friday.

call for abstracts

guidelines

Call for Presentation Abstracts Now Open

The Association of Preservation Technology Northeast Chapter (APTNE) invites the submission of abstracts for consideration for presentation at the upcoming 2027 APTNE Annual Meeting & Symposium, to be held on Friday, March 5, 2027, with an in-person event in Mystic, CT, as well as a virtual program.  


The overarching theme of the 2027 APTNE Annual Meeting & Symposium is preservation of community, craft, and structures along the waterfront, and will feature presentations from professionals, emerging professionals, and local students.

How to Submit

Review presentation requirements, guidelines, and required material. Submit all materials in the online form.

The due date for Abstract Submission is October 5th, 2026.   

Presentation Requirements

Presentations must be tied to one of the following tracks:


  • Diverse Waterfront Structures: Preserving and adapting industrial, commercial, regulatory, and recreational waterfront structures to address evolving technologies, climate conditions, and ongoing water intrusion while maintaining essential functions and heritage, as well as driving tourism.
  • Assessment, Repair, & Resilience: Strategies for evaluating, repairing, and sustaining historic waterfront sites and materials, addressing corrosion, moisture, flooding, storms, and long-term durability in coastal environments.
  • Seafaring Craft: Traditional and contemporary techniques for creating and maintaining boats, woodwork, metalwork, sails, rope, adhesives, and other materials essential to maritime industries and waterfront heritage. 
  • Maritime Infrastructure: Preservation and adaptive use of historic vessels, shipyards, docks, lighthouses, and/or navigation systems that supported working waterfronts and coastal communities. 
  • Waterfront Communities and Landscapes: Preserving the broader context of waterfronts including communities, labor histories, cultural traditions and landscapes that consider planning policies to enable public access and review of patterns of use that give waterfront places their historic identity beyond individual or structures. 

 

We encourage not only technical discussions and case studies, but also social discussions and academic research. 


Presentations are to be 22 minutes in length and are to be in English, with a maximum of two speakers. The due date for Abstract Submission is October 5th, 2026 through the APTNE website.

Submission Guidelines

The following materials will be required to submit an abstract: 

  • Contact Information- Name, Email, Phone Number
  • Presenter Information- Resume, Head shot, Biography(200 words or less)
  • Abstract Information- Title, Abstract (300 - 600 words in word doc and plain text)
  • Thesis Statement- Up to two sentences about how your proposed abstract is related to technology in preservation and how it will build upon and/or advance the field of preservation.
  • Photographs- at least two high quality photographs referencing the abstract with caption and credit

 

The Call for Abstracts is now open. The selection process and notifications will be completed in Early November.

 

speaker Requirements

In order to confirm that your presentation is fully tied to the theme, fully explores how it contributes broader knowledge to the preservation field, and is accurate to your provided abstract, we are asking that all selected presenters provide a recording of their presentation in January. 


In case of emergencies, a recording may be used to provide your presentation to the symposium at large. 


schedule of events

Keynote Speaker

Norman R. Weiss FAIC, FAPT, FSA is a specialist in the characterization of traditional building materials. He is recognized for his decades of activity in the field of architectural conservation, creating innovative treatment-oriented materials for the care of large-scale cultural artifacts. His most current scientific research is on the consolidation of limestone and marble, and the development of novel lime-based mortars, grouts, and paints. Weiss has taught at Columbia University since 1977, and is a member of the Preservation Technology and Training Board of the National Park Service. He is Consultant Editor of the UK-based Journal of Architectural Conservation, an overseas Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and Director of Scientific Research of Integrated Conservation Resources, a New York City-based consulting firm. He is a past recipient of APT’s Harley J. McKee Award (in 1989), and of AIC’s Sheldon and Caroline Keck Award for distinguished teaching (in 2018).

SPEAKERS

tickets

aptne members

in-person

  • $200, discounted to $175 through Saturday, January 31st.
  • Sponsors may use Complimentary tickets depending on sponsorship perks
  • Students: Complimentary
  • Emerging Professionals: $115, discounted to $90 through Saturday, January 31st.

Virtual

  • $60
  • Students: Complimentary with student ID.


non-members

in-person

  • $230, discounted to $215 through Saturday, January 31st.
  • Students: Complimentary with student ID
  • Emerging Professionals: $115, discounted to $90 through Saturday, January 31st.

Virtual

  • $60
  • Students: Complimentary with student ID.


a la carte options

All a la carte options can be purchased either through the symposium registration form or the tour registration form.

reception

Our reception will begin immediately following the Symposium, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. An open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and refreshments will be provided.


  • Reception (with Symposium Ticket): $80
  • Foundation sponsors are offered 8 complimentary tickets 
  • Marble sponsors are offered 6 complimentary tickets
  • Granite Sponsors are offered 4 complimentary tickets. 
  • Reception (Reception Only Ticket): $90


Vendor Display Table

  • Vendor Display Tables: $800


This ticket includes entry and lunch for the ticket holder and one guest. Our display tables are available on a first-come first-served basis. 


  • Foundation, Marble, Granite and Limestone Sponsors using an "APTNE Sponsor COMP" ticket
  • Foundation Sponsors are offered a complimentary table in a prime location. 
  • Marble and Granite Sponsors are offered a complimentary table. 
  • Limestone sponsors are offered a 50% discount on a Display Table


TOURS

  • Tours: $25


Tours Available:

  • Historic Speedwell: Birthplace of the Telegraph
  • Layers of Preservation: Tour and Discussion at the Schuyler-Hamilton House
  • Legacy of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad: Historic NJ Transit Stations in and around Morristown
  • Adaptive Histories: Exploring a Century of Construction at the Morris Museum
  • Continuing a Legacy of Preservation Through Restoration and Reuse
  • Craftsman Farms - Gustav Stickley in New Jersey


details and logistics

continuing education

Continuing education credits will be provided for Friday's attendance at the Symposium (6.0 LU/HSW credit's). Please note your preference for reporting CEU's during the registration process. Confirmation of attendance will be required on the day of the Symposium or at least 3/4 of the Symposium via Zoom.

locations and directions

Venue Location

Madison Hotel
1 Convent Rd
Morristown, NJ 07960


Parking

Madison Hotel has onsite parking and is located next to the 11 Convent Rd Public Parking.


Travel Timing

Train Schedule: Please check the NJ Transit website or schedule for up-to-date information


Trains run to Morristown (via Convent Station) from NY Penn Station

  • From Boston Area 3.5 - 4 hours
  • From NYC: 1 hour
  • From Boston/Albany: 2 hours


Meals and drinks

Continuing education credits will be provided for Friday's attendance at the Symposium (6.0 LU/HSW credit's). Please note your preference for reporting CEU's during the registration process. Confirmation of attendance will be required on the day of the Symposium or at least 3/4 of the Symposium via Zoom.

Thursday night networking

Join us for pre-symposium networking and socializing Madison Hotel Conservatory from 5:30 - 8:00pm. Appetizers will be provided.

accommodations

Hotel

Madison Hotel
Convent Rd
Morristown NJ 07960


Reservation Information

  • Rooms: 100 Guest Rooms (Classic King & Class Queen/Queen)
  • Rates: $209.00 per room, per night + plus $20.00 Facility Fee and 14.625% NJ State and Occupancy Tax
  • *The rates are subject to a $20.00 Facility Fee and 14.625% combined state and municipal taxes, per room per night.
  • Individual reservations can be cancelled up to 48 hours prior to arrival without a penalty.


Amenities Included

  • Deluxe Continental Breakfast served daily in the Lobby, daily 7:30am- 10:00am
  • Lobby Welcome Reception Monday – Thursday, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
  • (2) Bottles of water upon arrival
  • $20.00 Food & Soft Drink Restaurant Credit PER NIGHT to use in GK Red Dog Tavern or Rod’s Steak & Seafood Grill
  • Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • Fitness Room Center


Additional Hotels in the Area


attendee list

With your consent, APTNE shares your name, company and email within our membership in the spirit of collaboration and professional networking. We treat your information as privileged and do not use information for marketing or promotional purposes beyond APTNE and related industry activities; we ask our attendees to do the same. The attendee list will be made available to attendees at the Annual Meeting & Symposium via a QR code and members may access the attendee list in the Members Only pages.

additional nearby attractions

APTNE has developed a list of nearby attractions, which may be of interest to those looking to or planning to attend the Symposium. If you would like to learn more about things to do in the nearby area, please Click Here.

Schedule


Tickets & Registration

APTNE Members

In-Person Symposium

  • $200, discounted to $175 through Saturday, January 31st.
  • Sponsors may use Complimentary tickets depending on sponsorship perks
  • Students: Complimentary
  • Emerging Professionals: $115, discounted to $90 through Saturday, January 31st.

Virtual Symposium

  • $60
  • Students: Complimentary with student ID.

Non-Members

In-person Symposium

  • $230, discounted to $215 through January 31st.
  • Students: Complimentary with student ID.

Virtual Symposium:

  • $90
  • Students: Complimentary with student ID.

A La Carte Options

All a la carte options can be purchased either through the registration form or the tour registration form.



Pay Now

Hotels etc

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TOURS

Can't join us for the Symposium or want to learn even more about preservation work around our Symposium location?

Tours can be purchased separately

All Categories

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES

Many APTNE sponsorship levels include complimentary Symposium registration and additional registration discounts. Renew your sponsorship or become a new sponsor for the upcoming year and support APTNE’s programs, events, and work in historic preservation.

We look forward to seeing you at the Symposium in March!

Thank you to the APTNE Symposium Committee for your amazing efforts!


Chair: Patrick Capruso

Committee Members: Alafia Akhtar, Amarantha Quintana-Morales, Art Femenella Jr, Brigitte Cook, Carleigh Merhige, Corey Spitzer, Erin Dunne, Gary Ogden, Heather Hartshorn, Jennifer Kearney, Jess Ouwerkerk, Marcie Clifford, Pam Clemens

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