The annual North Carolina Environmental Conference will convene Oct. 6–7 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, offering a mix of legal, technical and policy-focused programming aimed at professionals who manage environmental compliance and risk across the state.
Among the presenters, Amy Wang, an attorney with Ward and Smith, P.A., is scheduled to appear on a panel titled "Technical and Legal Dimensions of Stormwater and Water Quality" on Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Her session will examine both regulatory and engineering perspectives related to drainage, stormwater and flooding for commercial and industrial operations.
Who will attend and why it matters
The conference bills itself as the state’s largest and most comprehensive environmental education event. Organizers expect a cross-section of stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, scientists, engineers, developers, educators, attorneys, consultants and sustainability professionals from North Carolina and the Mid-Atlantic region.
For attendees, the program is designed to deliver practical knowledge and networking opportunities that can influence how companies and public agencies comply with environmental requirements and manage risks tied to water quality and stormwater.
Wang’s panel will specifically focus on:
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and NCDEQ permit requirements affecting commercial and industrial operations;
- technical approaches to assessing and managing risks associated with industrial chemicals in surface water that may prompt regulatory-driven remediation; and
- interplay between legal obligations and engineering solutions when addressing drainage and flooding concerns.
Program scope and professional development
The two-day conference features more than 40 courses across eight educational breakout sessions, allowing registrants to tailor their schedules to professional interests and responsibilities. Topics span regulatory updates, remediation strategies, permitting, stormwater management, and other issues that affect communities and businesses throughout the region.
Organizers say the conference’s mission aligns closely with the goals of law firms and consulting practices that advise clients on evolving environmental rules, risk mitigation and compliance planning.
Event details
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Environmental Conference | Oct. 6–7, 2026 | Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem |
| Amy Wang’s Panel | Oct. 7, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. | Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem |
The conference provides continuing education and networking that can be particularly useful for professionals tracking changes in state and federal permitting, stormwater controls and contaminated-surface-water remediation strategies.
Practical takeaway for North Carolina communities
Stormwater and water-quality rules affect a wide array of projects in North Carolina—from industrial sites and commercial developments to municipal stormwater systems. Sessions such as the one featuring Wang offer attendees technical strategies and legal context that could shape local permitting decisions and remediation plans.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from engineers and industry consultants who will join Wang on the panel, including representatives from Geosyntec. Jeffrey Ahrens of Geosyntec Consultants of NC, P.C., will serve as moderator, with Peter de Haven and Anna Brand of Geosyntec participating as panelists.
The conference represents a concentrated forum where regulators, legal advisers and technical practitioners can compare approaches and discuss the practical implications of enforcement and permitting trends.
Registration is open to professionals and stakeholders interested in environmental compliance and management. Organizers encourage early registration to tailor attendance around the extensive breakout offerings.
For North Carolina businesses and municipalities, the conference is a chance to update strategies, learn about compliance obligations and build relationships with the technical and legal experts who help interpret and apply environmental regulations.
