2026 Big Blue, Green Tomorrow: Connecting the Dots

Presented in Partnership by the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative & the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Falmouth High School, 874 Gifford Street, Falmouth, MA 02540

Big Blue Conference is the Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation's annual industry conference curated to spark conversations and inspire actions relevant to the vitality of Cape Cod and the surrounding Blue Economy.

New in 2026: We’re partnering with the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative to bring you “Green Tomorrow” on Day 2 of Big Blue. Green Tomorrow will focus on climate impacts, mitigation and action across our blue regions. 

Big Blue Social Banner

What is Big Blue, Green Tomorrow?

Big Blue is where we SHARE enthusiasm for great ideas, successes, and opportunities. We illuminate the way for others, extend a hand for them to join us. Big Blue bridges the divide between educators at all levels and our region’s coastal employers by highlighting their shared goals and by providing new resources.

 Big Blue is where we CONNECT with one another across industries, jobs, generations, interests, and experiences. We amplify our impact through our collaborations. Big Blue invites industry leaders to discuss important and sometimes controversial topics leading to strong, open channels of communication around issues that significantly impact our region.

Big Blue is where we INSPIRE hope and confidence. Where we motivate others to take action, to become part of something bigger than ourselves, and to find out place in the BIG BLUE that surrounds us. Big Blue inspires us to think seriously about the future by revealing the wonder that already exists today.

2026 Leading Sponsor

2026 Conference Agenda

9:00 AM Registration Opens. Coffee, tea and water will be available all day.

9:00 - 10:30 AM Networking and Conference Expo

10:30 AM: Programming begins. Morning talks include:

  • The Wind in Our Sails: Educational Passages and Falmouth Public Schools
  • Presentations from Falmouth High School Students and Massachusetts Maritime Academy

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM: Enjoy networking and lunch provide by Anejo Food Truck. (If you have special dietary needs, please consider packing a lunch)

12:45 PM: Programming continues. Afternoon talks include:

  • Impact of Recreational Boating by Randall Lyons of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association
  • Tides Go Both Ways by Patrick Clarke, Cape Clasp
  • Science of Art by Mike Palmer of Waquoit Bay Fish Company
  • How to Heal a River by Rick Bishop, Executive Director of the Friends of Bass River
  • WaveMakers Employers Forum Panel
  • Special guest Doug the Quahog
  • Keynote: John Pappalardo, CEO of Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, will make his Big Blue debut to share his perspective on how the Blue Economy and Green Economy are connected through what he calls the “Aqua Economy."

4:00 - 4:30 PM: Day 1 wrap up

To see the full list of speakers/bios, and to purchase conference passes, please scroll down this page.

8:30 AM Registration Opens. Coffee, tea and water will be available all day.

8:30 - 9:30 AM Please join us for breakfast and a fireside chat sponsored by MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board

9:30 AM: Welcome by Emcee Jeni Wheeler, Executive Director of the Family Table Collaborative

Morning talks include:

  • How Falmouth is a community that CARES, panel moderated by Michael Kasperian
  • Innovation Using Less Energy
  • Grow a Damn, panel discussion moderated by Stephanie Viva and including students from Mashpee, DY and Falmouth High Schools

12:35 - 1:30 PM Networking and Lunch featuring oysters provided by ARC and much more! (details updated by April 22. If you have special dietary needs, please consider packing a lunch)

1:40 PM: Afternoon programming continues and includes:

  • Art of the Climate Commons, panel discussion moderated by Alex Richman and including Rajji Desai, Timothy Geers, Jackie Reeves, and Lauren Wolk.
  • Fresh Look at Fresh Water, panel discussion including representatives from APCC, OLAUG and the Cape Cod Commission.

Check back soon to learn who our Day 2 Keynote Speaker will be!

4:00 PM: Closing remarks by Katy Acheson

To see the full list of speakers/bios, and to purchase conference passes, please scroll down this page.

Tuesday, April 28: 9 am - 4:30 PM
Wednesday, April 29: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Whether you're joining us for one day or two, be sure to check out the conference expo, which will feature blue- and green- organizations and industries, as well as a chance to be creative! This year’s Expo will feature a community mural project with AFCC 2026 Artist of the Year Jackie Reeves, as well as letters to the environment with Boston-based artist Rajji Desai to accompany her postage-stamp themed art series, and some small creations you can take home too.

Conference exhibitors:
Armada Marine Robotics
Cape Cod Community College
Cape Light Compact
CARE for Cape & Islands
Rajji Desai, Lead Researcher, Urban Design Team at CBT Architects
Family Table Collaborative
Friends of Bass River
Jackie Reeves, Artist
Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
MassHire Cape & Islands Workforce Board
Resilient Woods Hole
Town of Falmouth Sustainability Program

2026 Conference Passes

1-Day Pass: $45 (choose Day 1 or Day 2)
2-Day Bundle: $85
Students attend free!

Complimentary lunch, snacks, coffee, tea and water will be available. Please bring your refillable containers.

2026 Banner Sponsors

Confirmed Speakers for Day 1 "Big Blue" Tuesday, April 28

John Poppalardo websize

John Pappalardo

CEO, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance

Rick Bishop Headshot

Rick Bishop

Executive Director, Friends of Bass River

Brian B S heashot

Brian Braginton-Smith

Entrepreneur

Patrick Clarke Cape Clasp Headshot

Patrick Clarke

Founder, Cape Clasp

CC Chamber Haley

Haley Cote

Chief of Staff and Captain of Quahog Security

Rachael Kittleson Headshot

Rachael Kittleson

Senior Manager of Employer Engagement and Workforce Partnerships, Cape Cod Community College’s Center for Corporate and Professional Education (CCAPE)

Doug Quahog Headshot

Doug the Quahog

Chief Meteorological Mollusk

Randall Lyons Headshot

Randall Lyons

Executive Director, Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA)

Mike Palmer headshot

Mike Palmer

Waquoit Bay Fish Company

Teixeira Headshot

Tricia Teixeira Santoianni

Instructor/Facilitator, Cape Cod Community College’s Center for Corporate and Professional Education (CCAPE)

Mma

Student Group

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Confirmed Speakers for Day 2 "Green Tomorrow" Wednesday, April 29

Jeni Wheeler Headshot

Jeni Wheeler

Jeni Wheeler, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Family Table Collaborative

Rajji Desai

Rajji Desai

Lead Researcher, Urban Design Team at CBT Architects

Tim Geers Head Shot

Tim Geers

Co-Producer/2nd Unit Director, "Call of the Dolphins"

Andrew Gottlieb Headshot

Andrew Gottlieb

Executive Director, Association to Preserve Cape Cod

Kasparian headshot websize

Michael Kasparian

Executive Director, Falmouth Chamber

Jess Headshot websize

Jess Kowal

Executive Director of Farming Falmouth

Stephanie Madsen headshot March 2026

Stephanie Madsen

Sustainability Specialist, Town of Falmouth

Haley O Neil websize

Haley O'Neil

Program Manager, CARE for the Cape & Islands

Jackie Reeves Headshot

Jackie Reeves

Multidisciplinary Artist

2026 Hospitality Sponsors

Sponsor handshake

Sponsor Big Blue, Green Tomorrow

Your 2026 sponsorship will help us plan and deliver unique, high-quality programming including the chance to create a community project alongside two renowned artists, provide complimentary food and refreshments, and offer free passes to students.

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Support the Blue Economy Foundation

If a sponsorship isn't right for you, please consider supporting our work through a tax-deductible donation to Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation, Inc, a 501(3)c organization dedicated to our ocean economy and the ecosystems and people that depend on it.

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Questions? Contact Katy at katy@capecodchamber.org or Dina at dina@capecodchamber.org