2026 Regional Conference & General Assembly
The Regional Conference and General Assembly is Southern California’s largest gathering of elected and industry leaders.
The 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly was held on May 7-8 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert. The program included panels, networking, and activities addressing the biggest challenges facing the region in resilience, housing affordability, mega-events, and the emerging AI economy.
Many thanks to all who joined us and to the esteemed speakers, members, partners, and sponsors who contributed to the success of this event.
Sponsorship Opportunities
SCAG’s Regional Conference and General Assembly sponsorships demonstrate commitment to the region. General Assembly sponsors receive opportunities to network with elected officials, decision-makers, community leaders, and business stakeholders throughout Southern California. Download the 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly Sponsorship Opportunities brochure for more information on sponsor benefits.
CONTACT
If you are interested in sponsorship or have questions regarding sponsor opportunities, please contact:
Perla Lopez
Special Events Producer
lopezp@scag.ca.gov
Sponsorship Tiers At A Glance
Sponsor Tiers Overview
$35,000 | Diamond
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Speaking opportunity at welcoming and opening remarks
- Panel address to attendees
- Premier lobby and conference space branding
- Premium placement exhibitor table
- Full-page, color ad (inside page or back cover) in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Six President’s Reception invitations
- Six conference registrations
$30,000 | Sapphire
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Speaking opportunity at President’s Reception closing remarks
- Panel address to attendees
- Premier lobby and conference space branding
- Premium placement exhibitor table
- Full-page, color ad (premium placement) in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Six President’s Reception invitations
- Six conference registrations
$20,000 | Ruby
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Speaking opportunity
- Special signage at Thursday’s breakfast with logo
- Premium placement exhibitor table
- Full-page, color ad (premium placement) in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Four President’s Reception invitations
- Six conference registrations
$20,000 | Sustainability Awards Luncheon
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Introductory remarks at luncheon
- Logo and brand placement on Sustainability Awards Luncheon materials
- Premium placement exhibitor table
- Full-page, color ad (premium placement) in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Four President’s Reception invitations
- Six conference registrations
$15,000 | Reception
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Introductory remarks at Thursday reception
- Special Thursday reception signage with logo
- Premium placement exhibitor table
- Full-page, color ad (premium placement) in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Four President’s Reception invitations
- Four conference registrations
$10,000 | Panel
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Introductory remarks for panel session
- Special panel signage with organization logo
- Exhibitor table
- Half-page, color ad in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Three President’s Reception invitations
- Three conference registrations
$10,000 | Breakfast
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Introductory remarks at Friday breakfast
- Special Friday breakfast signage with organization logo
- Exhibitor table
- Half-page, color ad in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Three President’s Reception invitations
- Three conference registrations
$10,000 | Technology
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Exclusive logo placement on back of registration badges and on front cover of program booklet
- Wi-fi sponsor branding
- Company landing page at wi-fi login
- Exhibitor table
- Half-page, color ad in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Three President’s Reception invitations
- Three conference registrations
$8,500 | President’s Reception
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Remarks at President’s Reception
- Special presidents reception signage with logo
- Exhibitor table
- Half-page, color ad in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Two President’s Reception invitations
- Two conference registrations
$8,000 | Registration
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Exclusive logo placement on front side of registration badges
- Exhibitor table
- Half-page, color ad in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Two President’s Reception invitations
- Two conference registrations
$6,500 | Gold
SOLD OUT
Exclusive Benefits:
- Exhibitor table
- Half-page, color ad in program booklet
- List of conference attendees
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- One President’s Reception invitations
- Two conference registrations
$3,000 | Silver
Available: Unlimited
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- Two conference registrations
$2,000 | Bronze
Available: Unlimited
Advertising Opportunities:
- Meter board with organization logo at President’s Reception and conference
- Logo placement on the conference website and on-screen visuals
- Organizational mentions on social media
Conference Passes:
- One conference registration
Agenda
TIME | AGENDA |
|---|---|
May 6 | WEDNESDAY | |
| 4 p.m. | EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING |
| 6 p.m. | PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION (Invitation Only) |
May 7 | Thursday | |
| 8 a.m. | REGISTRATION, NETWORKING, AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST |
| 9 a.m. | REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING |
| 10 a.m. | WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS |
| 11 a.m. | GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING |
| 12:15 p.m. | SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS LUNCHEON |
| 2:15 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSIONS I
ALIGNING LAND, CAPITAL, AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES Sponsored by National CORE Southern California’s housing crisis requires holistically addressing systems of housing production. This panel will discuss how jurisdictions can effectively align land availability, financing, and utility capacity to turn housing goals into reality. Panelists from municipal leadership, finance, and technical consulting will demonstrate how integrated regional resources help communities bridge planning and implementation. Attendees will gain practical insights into how this alignment can accelerate the development of sustainable neighborhoods across the region.
Moderator: David Pollock, Executive Director, Ventura Council of Governments Panelists:
HARNESSING MEGA-EVENTS TO ACCELERATE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S MOBILITY Sponsored by WSP Mega-events like the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games present a unique opportunity for Southern California to accelerate mobility improvements, strengthen regional coordination, and globally highlight local communities. This panel will explore how public agencies, local jurisdictions, and private-sector partners are advancing multimodal transportation solutions to prepare for the LA28 Games. Panelists will discuss the scale of games-related travel demand and the governance structures guiding regional planning efforts, highlight resources and coordination that support cities and local partners, and share how communities are leveraging the LA28 Games to advance mobility projects and improve experiences for residents and visitors. Together, these perspectives will illustrate how cross-sector collaboration translates mega-event preparation into lasting mobility, economic, and community benefits.
Moderator: Aaron Gaul, TDM Principal, Alta Planning + Design Panelists:
|
| 2:15 p.m. | STUDENT SHOWCASE |
| 3:15 p.m. | BREAK AND NETWORKING |
| 3:45 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSIONS II
STRATEGIES FOR PLANNING, BUILDING, AND FUNDING RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE Sponsored by Podium As Southern California faces intensifying shocks and stressors, jurisdictions are undertaking the critical work of planning and implementing resilient infrastructure that can support both daily needs and future disruptions. This panel will explore how to assess infrastructure vulnerabilities, identify priority projects, and strengthen community resilience. Speakers will share methods for evaluating resilience needs, lessons from recent projects, and practical funding strategies to help jurisdictions move from planning to implementation.
Moderator: Alex Wigglesworth, Journalist, Los Angeles Times Panelists:
FORECASTING THE FUTURE OF AN AI-FUELED ECONOMY Sponsored by Prologis Economic progress in 2025 was characterized by AI expanding into an ever-increasing number of industries. AI technologies are generating high valuations and economic output, reducing the need for positions that have been pathways to stable, well-paying white-collar careers. However, AI will also create more high-demand positions over the next two years that can help to offset job losses. How are workforce development and training impacted? What defensible skills do the current and future workforce require? How can AI and AI tools be leveraged in the public sector to promote data-driven decision making, capacity building, and increased efficiency and cost savings? Experts from across sectors will share strategies to leverage opportunities and withstand challenges.
Moderator: Dara Wheeler, Infrastructure Advisor, Rawlins Infrastructure Consulting Panelists:
|
| 3:45 p.m. | STUDENT SHOWCASE |
| 5:30 p.m. | EVENING RECEPTION |
May 8 | Friday | |
| 8 a.m. | REGISTRATION |
| 8:30 a.m. | BREAKFAST |
| 9 a.m. | WELCOME |
| 9:10 a.m. | STUDENT SHOWCASE AWARDS |
| 9:15 a.m. | KEYNOTE ADDRESS |
| 10 a.m. | PLENARY PANEL SESSION
THE FUTURE OF REGIONS: INNOVATING INSTITUTIONS FOR A NEW ERA Sponsored by HNTB Regions today face unprecedented disruption—from accelerating climate impacts to transformative technological advances and changing global dynamics. The forces reshaping communities demand adaptive, forward‑thinking public institutions, yet many agencies remain constrained by structures designed for a different time. This session brings together innovative leaders to explore how regional leadership, bold collaboration, and renewed institutional vision can unlock new pathways to progress. We will examine approaches and partnerships that break down silos and accelerate implementation, providing tools that rise to the demands of the moment and the future.
Moderator: Kate Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, California Forward Panelists:
|
| 11:15 a.m. | CONFERENCE WRAP-UP |
Highlights
- Outgoing SCAG Regional Council President Hagman closed out his term by sharing the “2024-25 President’s Report,” a detailed report of SCAG’s accomplishments since May 2024, which were also highlighted in the 2024-25 Year in Review video.
Highlights
- Outgoing SCAG Regional Council President Cindy Allen closed out her term by sharing the “2025-26 President’s Report,” a detailed report of SCAG’s accomplishments since May 2025, which were also highlighted in the 2025-26 Year in Review video.
- SCAG also welcomed the new Regional Council Officers for 2026-27: Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) Regional Council president; Hon. Jenny Crosswhite (City of Santa Paula) Regional Council first vice president; Hon. Patricia Lock Dawson (City of Riverside) second vice president.
- SCAG announced the awardees of its 16th annual Scholarship Program, supporting the next generation of public servants.
- SCAG honored nine innovative projects across the six-county region at the 2026 Sustainability Awards. These projects are integral to accomplishing the goals of the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and promoting a more mobile, sustainable, and prosperous region.
- SCAG announced two Best in Show Awards and one Audience Award for the Student Showcase poster and StoryMap competition.
Keynote Speaker
Suneel Gupta, Bestselling Author and Healthcare Entrepreneur
International bestselling author and visionary entrepreneur Suneel Gupta brings a rare blend of insight, warmth, and storytelling mastery to this year’s keynote. Known globally for uncovering the habits and mindsets that fuel extraordinary leadership, Suneel has built a career at the intersection of innovation, well-being, and human potential. As the founding CEO of Rise, he partnered with former First Lady Michelle Obama to expand access to affordable healthcare. He now serves as a visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School and as the U.S. emissary for Gross National Happiness to the Kingdom of Bhutan—roles that reflect his deep commitment to helping people thrive from the inside out.
In his keynote, Suneel will explore one of the most urgent questions facing leaders today: How do we stay energized and effective when the world around us feels increasingly heavy? Drawing on global research, personal stories, and lessons from the world’s most resilient changemakers, Suneel will share practical strategies for sustaining energy, protecting purpose, and leading with clarity in turbulent times. Attendees will walk away with a renewed sense of possibility—and a toolkit for staying grounded, inspired, and ready to continue their essential work.
