California Forward

And that's a wrap! The final day of the California Economic Summit featured great remarks and discussions. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry kicked things off with welcome remarks. Today’s panels covered:?post-secondary education’s role in driving upward mobility; the success of California Jobs First; strategies for a sustainable, inclusive energy transition; best practices for regions-up economic planning;? and the contributions of California’s creative economy. We closed the day with remarks from our CEO Kate Gordon and a handoff to the 2025 Summit hosts in Stockton. We look forward to reconvening with everyone next year! Thank you to our sponsors, partners, speakers and attendees—it is your insight and collaboration that makes the Summit valuable to all of our work. Thank you to our Regional Host Committee, Leadership Council, California Stewardship Network, and Young Leaders Advisory Council for your work and dedication to making this year’s Summit a success.

Day 2 of the California Economic Summit is underway, with a big congratulations to our 2024 California Steward Leader awardees! CA FWD is honored to recognize the outstanding contributions these four individuals have made to their regions and to California as a whole. Thank you all for your dedication!

The 2024 California Economic Summit continued with our afternoon keynote, Probable Futures Founder Spencer Glendon, who shared the ways climate change is currently effecting California, Sacramento, and the world, with impacts to food prices, average temperatures, and drought risks. Then we had a handful of panels that explored the future of California’s water infrastructure and housing market as they contend with growing, climate change-induced challenges. CalEPA Secretary Yana Garcia provided opening remarks for the water panel, while the housing panel broke down how increased wildfire risk has stressed California’s home insurance market and how changes to land use and insurance rate-setting regulations could help return stability and predictability for both homeowners and insurance companies. Our final panel of the day explored the success of the local Aggie Square project and its community benefits and partnership agreement. Made up of community and project leaders, the panel explored how they created a project that protected its host community and safeguarded affordability while strengthening regional economic growth.

Cheers to the California Forward and #CaliforniaStewardshipNetwork teams on an excellent kick off to the #CAeconomicsummit UNITE-LA enjoyed the energizing dialogue between Dee Dee Myers and Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom this morning! ??

Valley Vision CEO Evan Schmidt speaking at the kickoff to the California Forward California Economic Summit at the California Mobility Center! Thanks to co-sponsors of the welcome reception Raley's ZEV TOUR - Clean Fleet Experience California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Growth Factory SMUD

We were thrilled to have Governor Gavin Newsom join us this morning at the California Economic Summit! A champion of regions-up work since his time as Lieutenant Governor, Governor Newsom talked about the role regions play in California's economy and how the state's overall vision is realized at the local, regional level. The Governor lauded California's resiliency and innovation, giving a special shout-out to the rural regions in the state. Attending 11 out of the last 13 years, we always appreciate Governor Newsom joining us as we work collectively to advance shared prosperity in California and beyond.

It's been a great kick-off to the 2024 California Economic Summit in Sacramento! Our keynote speaker, Heather Boushey, the Chief Economist on President Biden’s Council of Economic Advisers & Investing in America Cabinet, shared how regions can break down silos to leverage federal infrastructure funding. Our first two panels of the Summit covered California’s efforts to achieve its nation-leading climate goals in the transportation and energy sectors. Featuring business, nonprofit, and government leaders, these discussions sought to chart the state’s path toward a sustainable, inclusive, and affordable transition. To wrap up the morning, attendees split into breakout discussions covering broadband access, next-generation manufacturing and supply chains, and creating long-term climate resiliency in government budgets. Follow along with us here for more takeaways from all the discussions!

It's almost time for the California Economic Summit! Please join us in thanking the sponsors who helped make this year's event possible, including Generation Housing, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, CapRadio, Raley's, California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, and Localipsum

We are so thrilled for the California Economic Summit this week! Please join us in thanking the sponsors who helped make this year's event possible, including our Knowledge Sponsors, Verizon, AT&T, PDDG (Pat Davis Design Group), Element Resources Inc, Western Governors University, Third Sector, Apprenti, Los Rios Community College District and the Sacramento K-16 Collaborative, Westervelt Ecological Services, Climate Resolve, Rural Prosperity Center, Employment Training Panel, and UAW Center for Manufacturing a Green Economy (UAW-CMGE).

We are excited for the California Economic Summit this week! Please join us in thanking the sponsors who helped make this year's event possible, including our Emerging Sponsors, PayPal, HawkTower and The Reservoir, College Futures Foundation, SMUD, PolicyLink, and Jim Heerwagen.