Join Us in Worcester for the 2026 FCAM Professional Development Conference
2026-02-24 08:00 - 2026-02-26 17:00 UTC | Worcester DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01608
We’re excited to share that the Capital Strategic Solutions (CSS) team will be attending the 2026 Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM) Professional Development Conference, taking place Tuesday, February 24 through Thursday, February 26, at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. This year’s theme, “Ignite, Adapt, Overcome: Leading in Today’s Fire Service,” speaks directly to the realities of modern fire service leadership — and we’re proud to be part of the conversations focused on what it takes to lead through change. The annual FCAM conference is an important opportunity to connect with fire chiefs and fire service leaders from across the Commonwealth. For us, it’s more than just attending — it’s about listening, learning, and sharing how we can support the critical work departments do every day to keep communities safe. We’re looking forward to connecting with attendees, hearing what’s top of mind for departments, and exploring ways CSS can help with strategic, forward-thinking solutions.
Meet Our Team

Nichol Figueiredo, Chief Executive Officer
Patti Grigas, Senior Project Manager
Ed Burman, Senior Project Manager

If you’ll be there, we’d love to see you! Stop by to say hello, reconnect, and learn more about how CSS can partner with your department. We can’t wait to see old friends and meet new colleagues in Worcester this February!

Rhode Island League of Cities & Towns 2026 ANNUAL CONVENTION
2026-03-19 08:00 - 17:00 | 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, R.I., 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI, 02886, United States
Rhode Island League of Cities & Towns 2026 Annual ConventionMarch 19 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMCrowne Plaza at the Crossings, Warwick, RI
Capital Strategic Solutions (CSS) will be exhibiting at the 2026 Rhode Island League of Cities & Towns Annual Convention on March 19. This annual event brings together elected officials, department heads, and municipal professionals from across Rhode Island to exchange ideas, discuss emerging challenges, and explore practical solutions that strengthen local government.
If you’re attending, be sure to stop by Booth #60 to meet the CSS team and learn how we help municipalities move priorities forward through strategic planning, public outreach, organizational assessments, and capital project communications.
Featured Workshop Session
Uniting Your Community with a Municipal Strategic PlanSession III | 1:00 – 2:00 PMNarragansett Room
Speaker:William Keegan, Senior Project Manager, Capital Strategic Solutions
This session will explore how a well-crafted municipal strategic plan helps communities align leadership priorities, engage stakeholders, and create a clear roadmap for achieving long-term goals.
We look forward to connecting with Rhode Island communities at this year’s convention.

2026 Spring Joint Regional Conference & Exhibition – NEWWA
2026-04-01 08:00 - 2026-04-02 17:00 | Worcester DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01608
Capital Strategic Solutions (CSS) plans to attend the 2026 New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) Spring Joint Regional Conference & Exhibition this April.
The NEWWA Spring Conference brings together water and wastewater professionals from across New England to focus on infrastructure, regulatory requirements, sustainability, and the evolving needs of utility operations.
For CSS, this conference is an opportunity to connect with utility leaders, engineers, and public works professionals, learn from ongoing regional initiatives, and share insights from our work supporting water and wastewater utilities through communications, planning, and community engagement.
We look forward to participating in conversations that help advance resilient, transparent, and effective water systems across the region. Additional details will be added as plans are finalized.

2026 Spring Technical Session for the NBM Highway Association
2026-04-08 08:30 - 13:00 | Stoneforge Tavern & Public House, 90 Paramount Drive, Raynham, MA, 02767, United States
Nichol Figueiredo and Jennifer Thompson will be presenting…
Road Work Ahead… and So Are the Emails
This presentation explores how strategic public outreach can help municipalities build support for infrastructure projects and strengthen their ability to secure funding. Effective communication before, during, and after construction not only reduces complaints and project delays, but also plays a critical role in gaining community buy-in, including support at Town Meeting and in competitive grant applications. The session will highlight practical outreach strategies, tools, and messaging approaches that help Highway and Public Works leaders clearly communicate project benefits, address concerns, and position projects for successful approval and implementation.

Florida Water Resources Conference (FWRC) 2026
2026-04-27 08:00 - 2026-04-28 17:00 | Ocean Center, 101 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL, 32118, United States
April 27–28 | Trade Show Floor OpenOcean Center, Daytona Beach, FL
CSS will be exhibiting at the 2026 Florida Water Resources Conference (FWRC) at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.
FWRC brings together water and wastewater professionals from across Florida to explore emerging challenges, share best practices, and advance solutions related to infrastructure, operations, and regulatory requirements.
If you’re attending, be sure to visit the CSS team on the trade show floor to learn how we support utilities through strategic communications, public outreach, and community engagement. Look for us at booth 947!
CSS Team Attending:Nichol Figueiredo | Patti Grigas | Paul Scott | Staci Figueiredo
Featured Presentation
Breaking the Water Bubble: Communicating Beyond the IndustryApril 28
Speakers:Nichol Figueiredo, CEO, Capital Strategic SolutionsPatti Grigas, Capital Strategic Solutions
This session will explore how water professionals can move beyond industry language and connect more effectively with the public—using clear messaging, accessible communication strategies, and outreach approaches that resonate with broader audiences.

We look forward to connecting with colleagues from across Florida and contributing to conversations that support clear, effective, and community-focused water communication.

CSS x PIO Toolkit: First Amendment Auditors & Citizen Journalists
2026-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 | CT
Wednesday, May 20, 2026  at 12:00 PM EST
What should your staff say — or not say — when someone walks in with a camera rolling? This live session covers the legal boundaries, de-escalation language, and professional strategies government teams need to handle First Amendment auditors, influencers, and citizen journalists. You’ll leave with a printable legal quick-reference guide your whole team can use.
Register Here

Meet Christine, Grab Your Lunch
Christine Townsend is an internationally recognized strategic communications expert with more than 30 years of experience across journalism, policing, and government communications. She specializes in crisis communication, media strategy, and community engagement, helping public sector organizations build trust and navigate complex, high-stakes situations. Christine is the founder and editor-in-chief of PIO Toolkit, a global platform supporting government communicators, and has trained agencies worldwide in effective public engagement strategies. Her career includes serving as Director of Communications for the City of London Police, where she led communications for major international events and critical incidents, and advising government and public safety organizations across the U.S., U.K., and beyond. At Capital Strategic Solutions, she supports clients in developing strategic communications, crisis response frameworks, and meaningful community engagement initiatives.

CSS x PIO Toolkit: Managing Misinformation in Real Time
2026-05-27 12:00 - 13:00 | CT
Wednesday, May 27, 2026  at 12:00 PM EST
When a false narrative about your agency starts spreading, you have minutes to respond. This live session gives you a proven triage process, messaging language that protects credibility, and internal coordination strategies for when leadership, legal, and operations all want different things. You’ll leave with a printable triage grid and messaging checklist you can use immediately.
Register Here

Meet Christine, Grab Your Lunch
Christine Townsend is an internationally recognized strategic communications expert with more than 30 years of experience across journalism, policing, and government communications. She specializes in crisis communication, media strategy, and community engagement, helping public sector organizations build trust and navigate complex, high-stakes situations. Christine is the founder and editor-in-chief of PIO Toolkit, a global platform supporting government communicators, and has trained agencies worldwide in effective public engagement strategies. Her career includes serving as Director of Communications for the City of London Police, where she led communications for major international events and critical incidents, and advising government and public safety organizations across the U.S., U.K., and beyond. At Capital Strategic Solutions, she supports clients in developing strategic communications, crisis response frameworks, and meaningful community engagement initiatives.

CSS x PIO Toolkit: Crisis Communications Under Pressure
2026-06-03 12:00 - 13:00 | CT
Wednesday, June 3, 2026  at 12:00 PM EST
When a crisis hits, the communicator’s job isn’t just messaging — it’s managing pace, politics, and pressure all at once. This live session covers what the first hour actually looks like from the PIO’s seat, how to issue statements when facts are still developing, and how to manage leadership, media, and your own wellbeing simultaneously. You’ll leave with a first-hour crisis playbook including holding statement templates.
Register Here

Meet Christine, Grab Your Lunch
Christine Townsend is an internationally recognized strategic communications expert with more than 30 years of experience across journalism, policing, and government communications. She specializes in crisis communication, media strategy, and community engagement, helping public sector organizations build trust and navigate complex, high-stakes situations. Christine is the founder and editor-in-chief of PIO Toolkit, a global platform supporting government communicators, and has trained agencies worldwide in effective public engagement strategies. Her career includes serving as Director of Communications for the City of London Police, where she led communications for major international events and critical incidents, and advising government and public safety organizations across the U.S., U.K., and beyond. At Capital Strategic Solutions, she supports clients in developing strategic communications, crisis response frameworks, and meaningful community engagement initiatives.

CSS x PIO Toolkit: Communicating with Leadership & Officials
2026-06-10 12:00 - 13:00 | CT
Wednesday, June 10, 2026  at 12:00 PM EST
The hardest part of government comms isn’t the message — it’s getting leadership to understand why it matters. This live session covers how to manage up effectively, navigate elected officials with their own comms instincts, and position yourself as a strategic adviser rather than a task-taker. You’ll leave with a managing-up toolkit including briefing templates and scripts for common friction points.
Register Here

Meet Christine, Grab Your Lunch
Christine Townsend is an internationally recognized strategic communications expert with more than 30 years of experience across journalism, policing, and government communications. She specializes in crisis communication, media strategy, and community engagement, helping public sector organizations build trust and navigate complex, high-stakes situations. Christine is the founder and editor-in-chief of PIO Toolkit, a global platform supporting government communicators, and has trained agencies worldwide in effective public engagement strategies. Her career includes serving as Director of Communications for the City of London Police, where she led communications for major international events and critical incidents, and advising government and public safety organizations across the U.S., U.K., and beyond. At Capital Strategic Solutions, she supports clients in developing strategic communications, crisis response frameworks, and meaningful community engagement initiatives.

2026 IACLEA Annual Conference & Exposition
2026-06-25 - 2026-06-28 | Caribe Royale Orlando, 8101 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL, 32821, United States
2026 IACLEA (International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators) Annual Conference & Exposition
CSS is pleased to join CaseGuard at the 2026 IACLEA Annual Conference & Exposition, the premier event for campus law enforcement and public safety professionals.
The conference, hosted by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, will feature general sessions with subject matter experts, more than 45 breakout sessions, hands-on demonstrations, an exposition showcasing the latest products and services, and valuable networking opportunities for campus public safety leaders.
Visit Us at Booth 113
Representatives from CaseGuard and Capital Strategic Solutions will be available at Booth 113 to discuss how agencies can modernize records, evidence, public records, and communications workflows.
Booth Representatives:

Tom Peine, CaseGuard
Nichol Figueiredo, Capital Strategic Solutions
Patti Grigas, Capital Strategic Solutions
Christine Townsend, Capital Strategic Solutions

About CSS + CaseGuard
Capital Strategic Solutions and CaseGuard help public safety and government agencies modernize records and evidence workflows.
CaseGuard provides AI-powered redaction, transcription, and translation solutions across video, audio, images, documents, and transcripts. The platform is optimized for body-worn camera footage, dashcam footage, investigative files, and public records requests, and supports agencies working to meet CJIS, FOIA, and state public records obligations.
CSS complements this technology with expertise in public safety, public administration, finance, procurement, grants, strategic communications, and Public Information Officer operations. CSS helps agencies secure, implement, and maximize critical technology investments while improving internal workflows and public-facing processes.
Together, CSS and CaseGuard help agencies reduce workload and risk, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen public trust.
