A2I Events

Adirondack Tech Talk & Entrepreneurial Meetup

September 25, 2025

Co-hosted by Adirondack Innovation Initiative (A2I) and Clarkson's Shipley Center at RiverTrail Beerworks. This was an evening of networking and knowledge sharing amongst tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and remote workers. A local Data Scientist and Founder showed us how accessible data with the help of AI can be used to create powerful and impactful tools for the Adirondacks. Evening concluded with a fireside chat with two local Founders.

The Old Pharmacy Building Project Tour

August 21, 2025

A2I network got an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of a Civil War-era pharmacy that is being brought back to life as a modern hub for creativity and community. Guests got a firsthand look at how this historic structure is being transformed into a collaborative economic engine, designed to house three dynamic ventures: Solace Cycles, Drifters Loaf bakery and the Elizabethtown Beverage Company.

Work in the ADKs Past and Present Trends

with Tim Rowland and Svetlana Filipson

August 21, 2025

Discussion on the past and present labor trends, innovation and entrepreneurship in the ADKs at the Adirondack History Museum with Tim Rowland, Adirondack Explorer writer, and Svetlana Filipson, A2I Director at the Adirondack Community Foundation. With nearly 50 people in attendance this was a lively discussion!

A2I One Year Celebration

July 31, 2025

A2I's one year anniversary party was held at the Cambria Hotel in Lake Placid, NY with 75 people in attendance. The evening was a fantastic celebration of the amazing progress we’ve made in fostering innovation in the Adirondacks, and it was a true testament to what we accomplished in the past year. We couldn't have done it without all of you, and your support and enthusiasm are what make this community thrive.

The evening highlight was our keynote speaker, Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director of CORI. Matt laid out a compelling vision for what a tech innovation ecosystem could be in the Adirondacks—a vision we have been working towards.

A2I Networking Happy Hour

May 1, 2025

This was an opportunity for local working professionals to meet new people, connect with the ones they already know at Haystack Bar & Grill (Cambria Hotel) in Lake Placid.  The weather cooperated and we got to enjoy the hotel's outdoor balcony. 

North Country Innovation Ecosystem: Resources & Opportunities by A2I

March 27, 2025

Participants had a chance to network with each other, and hear about the many tech, business and entrepreneurial resources and opportunities that are available in our region from presenting organizations.

Presenting organizations and institutions showed how their tech and business resources contribute to our shared vision of a thriving regional tech hub. This was a chance to network with fellow professionals and be part of building the future of innovation in the greater Adirondacks.

List of Presenters:

• AdkAction "100 to 100"
• Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)
• Adirondack Frontier
• Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)
• Bendicoot
• Clarkson University Shipley Innovation Center
• Franklin County Economic Development
• North Country Workforce Development
• Point Positive
• SUNY Canton
• UpNCoding

A2I Coworking Day & Happy Hour

February 27, 2025

This was an opportunity for local working professionals to meet new people, connect with the ones they already know and get some work done.

Tech Innovation Panel Discussion & Networking by A2I

January 23, 2025

Attendees got a chance to connect with local tech innovation workers, learn about A2I (Adirondack Innovation Initiative), network and share ideas.

This event was open to anyone that's interested to learn more about A2I's work to cultivate a network of tech adjacent, innovation and digitally enabled workers in the Adirondack region. And how that work feeds into the greater vision to build a tech innovation ecosystem in the North Country.

Attendees could hear directly from a group of panelists that are living here full time and working remotely in tech related jobs. Panelists included:

• Peter Newcomb, Data Plumber & Software Engineering Leader at Walmart Global Tech, lives in Lake Placid
• Ryan Hutton, Scaled Operations & Customer Success Leader at Google, lives in Chestertown
• Alyona Smokvin, AVP of Customer Operations at meshVI and Success Career Coach, lives in Keene

This was an opportunity to meet and connect with other tech related professionals in our region.

Event was appropriately hosted at the Innovation Hub, a truly innovative, hands-on maker space for students, that's owned and operated by the Northwood School.

Green Goat Maps + A2I Holiday Party

December 5, 2024

A co-hosted holiday event between Adirondack Innovation Initiative (A2I) powered by Adirondack Foundation and Green Goat Maps at the Adirondack Research/ Green Goat Maps office in Saranac Lake. This was a cozy gathering for A2I Remote/Hybrid Workers Network, Green Goat Maps customers and members of the community. 

ADK North Country Remote/Hybrid Workers & Adirondack Midstory Gather & Connect

November 21, 2024

A2I by Adirondack Foundation and Midstory by Northern Forest Center  co-hosted a Gather & Connect for local professionals. The event included a coworking day at The Carry and Happy Hour at RiverTrail Beerworks after the workday was done.