The Gel Conference began at Skate Time in Accord on Oct. 2, kicking off a weekend of workshops, tours and speakers focused on what the founder of the Gel Conference, Mark Hurst, calls “creative and generative paths forward in a moment of many challenges.”

Hurst said the Gel Conference began in 2003. Living in New York City, Hurst described a more “optimistic” landscape around technological advances. Over time, Hurst said he saw more corruption in the tech industry and wanted to create an event that would encourage in-person community building.

While Hurst lives in New York City, he said he has friends in the Mid-Hudson Valley and was inspired by the businesses and community events he saw here.

“It's not a conference for a certain demographic or a certain profession or a certain age group. It's for anyone who's interested and looking for better ways forward at a time when companies want us to be behind screens,” Hurst said. “Here in the Hudson Valley, there are so many great people and projects trying to do things differently in a better way.”

This year’s Gel Conference was attended by 150 people, some from the Mid-Hudson Valley and some from New York City, ranging from college students to young professionals to retirees. Speakers included the president of Mohonk Mountain House Erik Gullickson, co-founder of the Hudson Valley Seed Company K Greene, the founder of Repair Café El Barrio Rocío Salceda, and the co-director of Wave Farm Meredith Kooi.

On Oct. 2, Upstate Curious provided lunch for attendees, and later in the day at Skate Time, DJ Misbehavior and The Dirt Surfers provided music while those attending the conference enjoyed the Accord skating rink.

“A lot of folks pitched in,” Hurst said. “I think it’s a success because of all of the people and communities and organizations who came together to make it a success.”