2023 Regional Conference & General Assembly
MAY 4-5
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
We would like to thank all attendees, speakers and sponsors who attended the 58th annual Regional Conference & General Assembly. Local leaders from throughout Southern California convened at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert. This conference brought together state and local elected officials, CEOs, business and civic leaders, transportation and environmental stakeholders, local government staff, and others.
We would like to extend sincere appreciation for our sponsors and their generous support of the program. Thanks also to our speakers, panelists, members and partners who made the event such a success.
Highlights
- Outgoing SCAG Regional Council President Jan Harnik closed out her term by sharing the “2022-23 President’s Report,” a detailed report of SCAG’s accomplishments since May 2022, which were also highlighted in the 2022-23 Year in Review video.
- New board officers for 2023-24 were welcomed: Hon. Art Brown (City of Buena Park) who will serve as the new SCAG Regional Council President; Sup. Curt Hagman (San Bernardino County) who will serve as Regional Council First Vice President; and Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) who will serve as Regional Council Second Vice President. Additionally, former Regional Council First Vice President Sup. Carmen Ramirez was posthumously named Regional Council President, In Memoriam, for the 2023-24 term.
- Recognition of seven exemplary local projects at the 2023 Sustainability Awards Luncheon.
- Attendees participated in our Student Showcase and panel sessions. The panels looked at some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the region, including mobility hubs; accelerating clean transportation in Southern California; job growth in an inclusive economy; and housing in the region.
- Photo gallery
Agenda
MAY 3 | WEDNESDAY
3 p.m. EXECUTIVE/ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
5 p.m. NEW MEMBER PROGRAM (Invitation Only)
6 p.m. PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION (Invitation Only)
MAY 4 | THURSDAY
8:00 a.m. REGISTRATION, NETWORKING & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:00 a.m. REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
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10:00 a.m. WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
11:00 a.m. GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING
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- Presentation of Colors, Palm Desert California Cadet Corps
12:15 p.m. SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS LUNCHEON
- SPONSORED BY REYES COCA-COLA BOTTLING & COCA COLA NORTH AMERICA
2:15 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS I
ACCELERATING CLEAN TRANSPORTATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- SPONSORED BY CLEAN POWER ALLIANCE
Driven by the need for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, needed improvements in local air quality, and state and federal targets, the urgency to advance clean transportation is higher than ever. For local governments, public agencies, private companies and manufacturers alike, it’s no longer a question of “if”, it’s a question of how fast and what will it take to prepare. This panel will explore the state of technology and infrastructure for zero- and near-zero-emission vehicles, opportunities and challenges to ‘clean the fleet’ for both transit and goods movement, and the role of consumer behavior and barriers in furthering adoption.
MODERATOR: Jimmy O'Dea, Assistant Deputy Director, Transportation Electrification, Caltrans
PANELISTS:
- Zanku Armenian, Director of Public Affairs, Southern California Edison
- Darrell Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Orange County Transportation Authority
- Megan McKernan, Research Director, Automobile Club of Southern California
- Matt Miyasato, Vice President, Strategic Growth & Government Affairs, First Element Fuels
JOB GROWTH IN AN INCLUSIVE ECONOMY
- SPONSORED BY MAJESTIC REALTY
Despite forecasts of an economic recession on the horizon, the region’s job growth remains strong. Nevertheless, considering the actual and potential impacts of emerging social, technological and climate disruptions, we must re-examine what the jobs of the future will look like and rethink pathways to these jobs in the SCAG region. This panel will explore how our region can foster a resilient workforce and robust business climate in the face of new challenges and opportunities while reaping the benefits of more inclusive economic growth.
MODERATOR: Gigi Moreno, Senior Economist, SCAG
PANELISTS:
- Guillermina Gina Núñez-Mchiri, Dean, San Diego State University, Imperial Valley
- Brian Radley, Vice President of Operations, Brookfield Residential
- Rachel Selleck, Executive Director of Government Affairs, Providence Health
- Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles
2:15 p.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE
Some of the SCAG region's most outstanding students will present exciting and innovative research and planning work on regional challenges and opportunities. All attendees can vote for their favorite projects to win an Audience Award and accompanying cash prizes.
PROJECTS:
- The Implications of Siting Choices in the RHNA Process
Dylan Ando – University of California, Irvine - The Path to Connectivity: Improving Bikeways in Orange County
Emily Le – University of California, Irvine - Food Accessibility & Inequality in the Inland Empire
Shane Sheldon – University of Redlands - Breaking it Down: Crime and Public Transportation
Hasti Soutehkashan – University of California, Irvine - Los Angeles' Orange Economy Potential
Iskar Waluyo – University of Southern California
3:15 p.m. BREAK & NETWORKING
3:45 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS II
MOBILITY HUBS: FORGING CONNECTIONS ACROSS MODES
- SPONSORED BY WSP
Mobility hubs are spaces where people can access a range of public and private transportation options – from e-scooters, buses and rail to charging stations and secured bike storage – in locations convenient to nearby housing, employment and retail. Mobility hubs connect to many new trends in mobility today, which encourage collaboration and coordination across operators and stakeholders. They represent a departure from traditional, often siloed approaches to mobility planning and operations. This panel will explore the ongoing efforts to plan and implement these hubs across the region, highlighting their potential to create a more multimodal, sustainable and resilient transportation system.
MODERATOR: Mylissa Magallenes, Deputy Director for Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, California State University, Los Angeles
PANELISTS:
- Joe Iacobucci, Senior Principal, NP Leader New Mobility, Sam Schwartz
- Danielle Kochman, Mobility Planning Manager, San Diego Association of Governments
- Gene Oh, Chief Executive Officer, Tranzito
HOUSING THE REGION
- SPONSORED BY JAMBOREE HOUSING
With an influx of funding for housing production, how can jurisdictions achieve meaningful outcomes? This panel will explore the who, how and where of housing production in the context of the region’s housing crisis. Attendees will learn about tools and resources that can help position the region for funding and to accelerate housing production.
MODERATOR: Cecilia V. Estolano, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Estolano Advisors
PANELISTS:
- Mark Asturias, Executive Director, Irvine Community Land Trust
- Wells Lawson, Deputy Executive Officer, Joint Development, LA Metro
- John Reekstin, Senior Vice President, The Olson Company
3:45 p.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE
Some of the SCAG region's most outstanding students will present exciting and innovative research and planning work on regional challenges and opportunities. All attendees can vote for their favorite projects to win an Audience Award and accompanying cash prizes.
PROJECTS:
- The Steps to Solving Southern California’s Housing Shortage
Uriah Campos – University of California, Irvine - A Two-step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) Method to Evaluate Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Accessibility in Los Angeles
Baoqi "Eileen" Chen – University of Southern California - Water Wonderful World: Groundwork for Greener Governments
Auzzsa Eaton – University of California, Irvine - Following the Food Trail: A Systems Examination of Food Waste Management at Upland, CA
Denise Truong – California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - The Unhoused Crisis in Los Angeles, California: A Prospective Policy Analysis
Bailey Wong – California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
5:30 p.m. EVENING RECEPTION
- SPONSORED BY ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
MAY 5 | FRIDAY
8:00 a.m. REGISTRATION
8:30 a.m. BREAKFAST
- SPONSORED BY NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE
9:00 a.m. WELCOME
9:10 a.m. STUDENT SHOWCASE AWARDS
9:30 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
REIMAGINE THE STATUS QUO WITH MOONSHOT THINKING
Ozan Varol, Rocket Scientist turned Professor, Bestselling Author and Expert on Creativity and Critical Thinking
10:00 a.m. PLENARY PANEL SESSION
CONNECT SOCAL: LOCAL DECISIONS, REGIONAL IMPACT
Connect SoCal 2024, SCAG’s upcoming Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, will have a draft release this fall, but the success of the plan relies on local decision-making. During this closing session of the conference, we will hear from leaders in the public and private sectors about how leadership at the local level can create a more equitable and resilient region. What new ideas, approaches or technology can we leverage to produce meaningful outcomes in our communities and across the region?
MODERATOR: Jan Harnik, Outgoing President, SCAG
PANELISTS:
- Erik Dietz, Chief Operating Officer, Michelin Mobility Intelligence
- Noelani Derrickson, Senior Policy Adviser, U.S. West, Tesla
- Dan Dunmoyer, President & Chief Executive Officer, California Building Industry Association
- Anna Roach, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Atlanta Regional Commission
11:15 a.m. CONFERENCE WRAP-UP
Keynote Speaker
Ozan Varol
Rocket Scientist turned Professor, Bestselling Author, and Expert on Creativity and Critical Thinking
Ozan Varol is one of the world’s foremost experts in creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. He helps industry-leading organizations reimagine the status quo with moonshot thinking.
A native of Istanbul, Ozan moved to the United States when he was seventeen to attend Cornell University where he majored in astrophysics. In 2003, he served on the operations team for the 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers project that sent two rovers - Spirit and Opportunity - to Mars.
Ozan’s diverse personal background (as a former rocket scientist turned lawyer turned university professor and popular author) allows him to connect with wide-ranging audiences. He’s delivered keynote speeches to small and large crowds at conferences, start-ups, and Fortune 500 companies across numerous industries. Ozan is also the #1 bestselling author of Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life.
Sponsors
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
Platinum
Sustainability Awards Luncheon
Reception
Panel
Technology
Breakfast
Auto Showcase
Gold
Silver
Bronze
CONNECT SOCAL 2024 SUBCOMMITTEES
In September 2022, SCAG launched three subcommittees to look at emerging issues for the Connect SoCal 2024 plan.
The Resilience and Conservation subcommittee, and the Racial Equity and Regional Planning subcommittee concluded last month, and members of both committees unanimously approved a set of recommendations.
The Next Generation Infrastructure subcommittee will meet on Feb. 15 to review their key findings and finalize their own recommendations.
10 SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING SUPPORTIVE GRANT APPLICATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
In addition to Permanent Local Housing Allocation application assistance, SCAG is offering technical assistance for jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to prepare and submit applications for housing-supportive funding.
State Agency Meetings
On Nov. 8 and 9, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson traveled to Sacramento for a series of meetings with executive leadership at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Office of Planning Research (OPR), the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Continuing development of the REAP 2.0 program, staff have been conducting outreach to identify priorities for transformative planning and implementation. This has included engaging representatives from disadvantaged and rural communities on their participation in the program. Most recently, staff hosted virtual workshops to provide information and collect feedback from tribal entities and the public.
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Since the approval of the REAP 2.0 Program Framework by the Regional Council (RC) in July, staff has continued outreach efforts to develop specific programs using the framework as a guiding document.
33rd Annual Demographic Workshop Dates Announced
The 33rd Annual Demographic Workshop, co-hosted by SCAG and the University of Southern California, will be held virtually on the afternoons of Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 21. This year’s workshop will explore the demographic trends that have and have not bounced back following the COVID-19 pandemic, how different populations have experienced the rebound in different ways, and the impact of remote work and other emerging trends in our cities. More information will be available soon.
President Harnik Shares Region’s Housing and Transportation Priorities
SCAG President Jan Harnik had the pleasure of hosting a recent meeting with Senate Transportation Committee Chair Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) to discuss our region’s housing and transportation budget priorities, such as the Regional Council’s support for an augmentation to the Infill Infrastructure Grant program and using budget surplus dollars to fully fund the Active Transportation Program.
State Housing Funds Awarded to 29 SCAG Jurisdictions
The California Department of Housing and Community Development approved another 35 jurisdictions for Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds, bringing the total to 135 jurisdictions state-wide. Specifically, 29 of the 35 jurisdictions are located in the SCAG region and totaled another $49.4 million in homelessness and affordable housing funds for PLHA’s second round. Total SCAG awards for PLHA’s second round are $121.9 million for 54 jurisdictions.
REGISTER FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SCAG’s 57th Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly is just around the corner on May 5–6. Register today for access to high-quality presentations and panels, featuring engaging speakers and thought leaders, and unbeatable networking opportunities filled with collaborative, solution-oriented discussions on fostering change and addressing challenges in our communities.
REGISTRATION FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOW OPEN!
Join Southern California’s most influential elected officials and policymakers on May 5–6, 2022 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. This two-day event will focus on solution-oriented discussions to address the most pressing problems facing communities, businesses, and families throughout the SCAG region. General admission tickets for the event are $350, but registrations done in advance by Thursday, March 31 using the code EARLYBIRD will receive $100 off the general admission price.
The February 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.
The January 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.