SCAG will host the 59th Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly on May 2-3 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert.
Southern California has many geographic, demographic and economic advantages, but the challenges of 2024 and beyond will require proactive collaboration across local boundaries. Following final adoption of the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly brings together local and regional leaders to share and learn from each other on the future of mobility, housing and communities, the environment and the economy.
Register online to join leaders in business, planning and public policy working to accelerate the region at the 59th annual Regional Conference and General Assembly.
International Speaker, Communications Expert and Author
Successful collaborative partnerships depend on effective communication, especially for communities and organizations in diverse settings like Southern California. This keynote presentation will share proven communication strategies to achieve positive change while navigating challenges and obstacles.
Sarita Maybin is an international speaker and communication expert with over two decades of experience and has shared her insights in all 50 states, 10 countries, and on the prestigious TEDx stage. Her universal message has resonated with a wide range of clients, including Kaiser Permanente, National Conference of State Legislators, Department of the Navy and the University of California.
Leveraging her background as a former university dean of students with a master’s degree in counseling, Sarita shares strategies for enhanced collaboration and communication. She is also an author, having literally written the book on how to respond to the question: If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say? Her commitment to fostering positive dialogue continues with her latest book, Say What You Mean in a Nice Way.
Challenging communications are inevitable but not impossible—Sarita Maybin is an expert at thoughtfully and honestly reaching positive conclusions.
Agenda
May 1 | Wednesday
3 p.m. EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING
6 p.m. PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION (Invitation Only)
May 2 | Thursday
8 a.m. REGISTRATION
8 a.m. NETWORKING & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Sponsored by HNTB Corporation
9 a.m. REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
10 a.m. WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
11 a.m. GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING
12:15 p.m. SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS LUNCHEON
2:15 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS I
TRANSIT RECOVERY AND BEYOND: MEANS, METHODS AND BETTER MOUSETRAPS Sponsored by Michelin Mobility Intelligence
Transit recovery is about more than getting back to where we were. It requires improvement and adaptation, as well as new offerings, means and methods of implementation. Panelists will discuss trends in transit use, strategies to improve customer experience and attract new riders, and innovative approaches to coordinating services across a mega-region.
Moderator: Madeline Brozen, Deputy Director, Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
Panelists:
David Aguirre, Executive Director, Imperial County Transportation Commission
Gillian Gillett, Chief Data & Digital Services Division Program Manager, California Integrated Mobility, Caltrans
Zahirah Mann, President and CEO, South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone
INVESTING IN ECONOMIC RESILIENCE Sponsored by Charter Communications – Spectrum
Fears of a recession have given way to cautious optimism—but what should we do with a soft landing? This panel will focus on investing in regional economic resilience by collaborating across Southern California. What practical actions can build resilience inside—and outside—local borders? Which policies capture synergies, which expose communities to economic inefficiencies, and which are better suited to state, federal or private sector action? Given challenges in housing and cost of living, how can we retain high-quality jobs and innovation in important sectors to build resilience in the region?
Moderator: Robert Kleinhenz, Principal Economist, Kleinhenz Economics
Panelists:
Dan Gober, Executive Director, LA Region, Biocom California
Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, Executive Director of Economic Development, City of Ontario
Bruce Stenslie, President and CEO, Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County
2:15 p.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE Sponsored by Morongo Band of Mission Indians
3:15 p.m. BREAK & NETWORKING
3:45 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS II
RUNNING ON EMPTY: ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING Sponsored by Clean Power Alliance
We are no longer looking forward to the coming zero emission vehicle (ZEV) transition; it is here now. The number of registered ZEVs has grown every year in California, contributing to an uncertain future of declining gas tax revenues. In looking for alternative funding sources, vehicle miles traveled fees can assign road users a fair share of the cost to fund the transportation system. This panel will discuss how the move away from gasoline-powered transportation will require new thinking about how to sustainably fund a holistic transportation system while meeting environmental and equity objectives. This panel will also highlight how stakeholders can work collaboratively to support an integrated approach to the ZEV transition that can improve transportation outcomes.
Moderator: Bill Higgins, Executive Director, California Association of Councils of Governments
Panelists:
Stephen Collins, Senior Manager for Strategic Planning, Southern California Edison
Stephen Finnegan, Group Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Automobile Club of Southern California
Lauren Prehoda, Road Charge Program Manager, Caltrans
Samantha Soules, NorCal Practice Leader, Tolling/ITS/Emerging Mobility Solutions, HNTB Corporation
CREATING COMPLETE COMMUNITIES Sponsored by Jamboree Housing
Complete communities are connected, inclusive places with diverse uses and destinations that provide societal and health benefits from proximity to neighbors, schools, services and businesses. This panel will explore how local governments can develop a “sense of place,” improve their local economy and create vibrant main streets while addressing housing production, mobility, equity and regional resilience. Panelists will also share best practices, challenges and lessons learned from a wide range of perspectives on creating complete communities.
Moderator: Al Zelinka, Director, Baker Tilly US
Panelists:
Dave Bartlett, Vice President of Land Entitlement, Brookfield Properties
Anita Gutierrez, City Manager, City of Pomona
Larry Kosmont, Chairman and CEO, Kosmont Companies
Ellen Lou, Principal, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
3:45 p.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE Sponsored by Morongo Band of Mission Indians
5:30 p.m. EVENING RECEPTION Sponsored by Ontario International Airport and Port of Long Beach
May 3 | Friday
8 a.m. REGISTRATION
8:30 a.m. BREAKFAST Sponsored by Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.
9 a.m. WELCOME
9:10 a.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE AWARDS
9:30 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
SARITA MAYBIN
International Speaker, Communications Expert and Author
10 a.m. PLENARY PANEL SESSION
THRIVING REGIONS: HOW PLANNING TOGETHER ENABLES LOCAL SUCCESSES Sponsored by Athens Services
Metropolitan planning organization leaders from across the nation will share insights about how regional planning advances priorities and solves problems beyond individual communities. In April 2024, SCAG’s Regional Council adopted its most recent long-range Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, Connect SoCal 2024. As the focus shifts to making Connect SoCal 2024 a reality, this panel will highlight innovative projects, effective collaborations and actionable learnings.
Moderator: Kome Ajise, Executive Director, SCAG
Panelists:
Erin Aleman, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Coleen Clementson, Chief Executive Officer, San Diego Association of Governments
Andrew Fremier, Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Commission
11:15 a.m. CONFERENCE WRAP-UP
Event Information
Tickets
Registration
Early Bird
Online
Onsite
General Admission
$400
$550
$700
SCAG Region Elected Official
Free
Free
Free
SCAG Region City Manager
Free
Free
Free
SCAG Region Student
$150
$150
$150
Deadline
March 29
April 26
May 3
Refund Policy
If an attendee for the 2024 Regional Conference & General Assembly cancels on or before April 12, the attendee will receive a full refund of registration fees.
If an attendee for the 2024 Regional Conference & General Assembly cancels after April 12, the attendee will not receive a refund of registration fees unless due to an emergency.
If an attendee for the 2024 Regional Conference & General Assembly cancels after the start of the conference on May 2, no refund of registration fees will be issued.
Requests for refunds after the refund deadline must include an explanation for the reason and be submitted in writing. Upon receipt of a request to refund registration fees, SCAG will evaluate each circumstance and determine whether the request is granted. Please allow up to five (5) business days to process your refund request.
Hotels
The conference room block is sold out. Hotel accommodations near the conference include:
For attendees staying at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, check-in begins at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.
Location & Parking
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
74-855 Country Club Dr.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
The event venue has ample parking. For overnight guests, self-parking is included in the resort fee. For all other attendees, mention SCAG to self-park for $15 per day. Valet parking is $40 for overnight.
Attire
The conference calls for business casual attire. Please note the temperatures may be warm and plan accordingly.
Accommodations Request
SCAG, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, is committed to providing special accommodations and translation services to those who are interested in participating in the event. Please provide your request for special accommodations or translation services at least 72 hours prior to the event to update@scag.ca.gov to allow sufficient time to make arrangements.
Booth Passport Sweepstakes: Official Rules
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING
These rules govern the Booth Passport Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) being conducted by the Southern California Association of Governments (“SCAG”).
1. HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Individuals can participate in the Sweepstakes by following one of the methods below:
A. COMPLETING THE BOOTH PASSPORT. Completion of the Booth Passport requires the following: Visiting all the exhibitor booths at the SCAG Regional Conference and General Assembly and filling out the official entry form by 5 p.m. on May 2, 2024. Participants who complete the Booth Passport will be awarded five (5) entries into the Sweepstakes.
B. SUBMITTING AN ENTRY REQUEST. Completion of the Booth Passport is not required to enter the Sweepstakes. To enter the Sweepstakes without completing the Booth Passport, contact Perla Lopez at specialevents@scag.ca.gov. Please reference “Booth Passport Sweepstakes Entry” in your email subject line. Participants who do not complete the Booth Passport and enter the Sweepstakes via this method will be awarded one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes.
2. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS
The Sweepstakes is open to all persons who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry and who live or work in the SCAG region, which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial counties.
Employees of SCAG, members of SCAG’s Regional Council and Policy Councils, as well as the members of their immediate families (spouse, parent, sibling, or child), and those living in the same household of each (whether related or not), are ineligible to win.
Participants are required to provide truthful information. In order to claim the prize, SCAG may require the winners to provide a valid government-issued photo identification card along with their complete current mailing address, date of birth, and phone number. SCAG will disqualify any individuals who do not meet these eligibility requirements. The Sweepstakes Award winners must sign and return an affidavit of eligibility within fourteen (14) days of the date SCAG sends notification to the winner. If a potential winner cannot be contacted or fails to sign and return the required affidavit of eligibility within fourteen (14) days of SCAG sending the notification of winning, the potential winner forfeits the Sweepstakes Award and a new winner may be selected. Substitute winner(s) will have fourteen (14) days to claim the Sweepstakes Award. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Participants may win only one sweepstakes sponsored by SCAG during any six-month period.
3. BOOTH PASSPORT SWEEPSTAKES AWARD
A total of three (3) prizes consisting of one (1) Apple Watch Series 9 Smartwatch and two (2) Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Smartwatches will be awarded at the end of the Sweepstakes on May 2, 2024.
The Sweepstakes Award winner will be notified on or about one (1) hour after the end of the Sweepstakes period.
Participants are eligible to win only one time during the Sweepstakes Period. Winners will be selected by random drawing among all eligible entries received by 5 p.m. on May 2, 2024. The random drawings will be conducted by staff at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
The Sweepstakes Awards may be picked up at the SCAG Regional Conference and General Assembly OR will be mailed to the individual winner at the home or business address provided OR may be picked up at the SCAG office at 900 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1700, Los Angeles, CA 90017, during regular business hours. If the winner opts to pick up the Sweepstakes Award at SCAG’s office, the winner is responsible for transportation and all associated costs (including, but not limited to any parking fees) required to redeem the prize.
General Conditions. The Sweepstakes Award is expressly limited to the item listed above and there is no substitution, transfer, or cash equivalent, except that SCAG may, at its sole discretion, substitute an award of comparable value. The winner will be solely responsible for all taxes and all other fees and expenses associated with the receipt and use of the Sweepstakes Award. SCAG is not responsible for prize utility, quality, or otherwise.
If for any reason this Sweepstakes cannot be executed as planned, including, but not limited to, as a result of infection by computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, incomplete or unintelligible entries, or any other causes beyond the control of SCAG that corrupt or affect the security, administration, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, or if the Sweepstakes is compromised or becomes technically corrupted in any way, electronically or otherwise, SCAG reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the Sweepstakes. If due to circumstances beyond the control of SCAG, any award-related event or travel is delayed, rescheduled, postponed or cancelled, SCAG reserves the right, but not the obligation, to cancel or modify the Sweepstakes and shall not be required to award a substitute award.
SCAG, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process or the operation of SCAG or its websites. Failure to comply with the rules of the Sweepstakes may result in a participant’s disqualification and/or forfeiture of any award. If SCAG makes a good faith determination that cheating or fraudulent activity has occurred in connection with the Sweepstakes, SCAG reserves the right to disqualify that participant from winning future promotions and to prosecute and seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Where a conflict exists between promotions, SCAG reserves the right to determine which promotion will apply. SCAG’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. SCAG is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible or misdirected reviews and/or reviews, which will be disqualified. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of SCAG and will not be acknowledged or returned.
For a copy of these Official Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope for receipt to “Booth Passport Sweepstakes Official Rules,” Attn: Perla Lopez, SCAG, 900 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1700, Los Angeles, CA 90017. The Official Rules also shall be available during regular business hours at the SCAG office.
Publicity. Except where prohibited, participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes winner’s consent to SCAG and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration.
By use of any SCAG website or SCAG services, programs and surveys, you agree to SCAG’s data collection practices contained in the SCAG Privacy Policy for Collection, Management, and Storage of Personal Information located at scag.ca.gov/privacy-policy.
The Sweepstakes is sponsored by SCAG, 900 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1700, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Questions should be directed to Perla Lopez at specialevents@scag.ca.gov or (213) 236-1896. Please reference “Booth Passport Sweepstakes Questions” in your email subject line.
Si desea obtener información en español, por favor comuníquese al specialevents@scag.ca.gov o (213) 236-1896. Please reference “Booth Passport Sweepstakes en español” in your email subject line.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), this document is available in alternate formats by contacting the SCAG Human Resources Director, at humanresources@scag.ca.gov. Please reference “Booth Passport Sweepstakes Alternate Format” in your email subject line.
Code of Conduct
While SCAG encourages networking and enjoyment of the social atmosphere of the Regional Conference and General Assembly, this is a friendly reminder that SCAG maintains a zero-tolerance policy for all types of harassment. Sexual harassment or any form of discrimination based on gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual preference, religion or other protected classification is never acceptable. SCAG prides itself on supporting a positive environment and promoting the highest standards of professionalism. SCAG strives to ensure that all attendees enjoy a safe environment and attendees are encouraged to report incidents of harassment or other misconduct to a member of SCAG’s Management team or event security immediately so it may be addressed. As a Regional Conference and General Assembly participant, we appreciate your cooperation and support in ensuring a harassment-free zone and maintaining our professional standards.
Notice of Filming
By attending the Regional Conference and General Assembly, you enter an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to, authorize and grant permission to SCAG (and its authorized representative’s permission) to record (by video, audio or any other means), interview, or engage in photography. This consent includes the use of any or all of the materials, in any form and by any medium, as part of any future publications, brochures or other materials used to promote SCAG. As an attendee, you consent and agree that such use by SCAG or its authorized representatives shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation of any kind. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video or audio recording taken by SCAG or its authorized representatives. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability and release before entering the event.
Sponsors
Thank you to our generous sponsors.
diamond sponsor
Reception Sponsor
Breakfast sponsor
Panel Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
SCAG’s Regional Conference & General Assembly sponsorships provide an unparalleled opportunity to promote your commitment to the region and network with elected officials, decision makers, community leaders, and business stakeholders throughout Southern California.
Download the 2024 Regional Conference & General Assembly Sponsorship Opportunities brochure.
