The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) will host its 2026 Annual Conference at the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel in Palm Springs, California, from April 15-17. Known as the largest gathering of decision-makers in local economic development in the state, CALED’s Annual Conference provides three impactful days of networking and collaboration.
This year’s theme celebrates economic developers “In Motion,” recognizing and commending them for their ability to adapt to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Economic development is a never-ending cycle of learning and implementation, and CALED helps economic developers navigate the ever-changing landscape in California to create successful growth opportunities for their communities.
The conference kicks off Wednesday, April 15, with an invigorating welcome session with City and County leaders on their recent successes on keeping economic development “In Motion.” This year’s CALED conference co-chairs, Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, CALED Chair and City of Ontario’s Executive Director of Economic Development, and Timothy Kelley, CALED Board Member and President and CEO of the Imperial Valley Economic Development Collaborative, will host a discussion with City of Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto, County of Riverside Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, and Kate Anderson, Director of Public Relations for the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
In the General Session, “Meeting the Moment, Modernizing the Workforce,” on Thursday, April 16, Troy Selberg, Director of Workforce Initiatives with the U.S. Department of Labor and Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency will highlight strategies, programs, and partnerships shaping the future of California’s workforce and economy. Facilitated by CALED Chair Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, these federal and state leaders aim to equip participants with the tools and resources to develop a large and highly skilled workforce.
Concluding the conference, attend the brunch session — fireside chat style — moderated by Michelle Geller, CALED Board Member and Economic Development Manager of the City of Oceanside. “Unlocking Federal Tools to Strengthen Local Economies,” will provide attendees the opportunity to learn from Bryan Anguiano, State Director of California, USDA Rural Development; Jeff Patterson, Deputy Director of the Rural Affairs of the U.S. Small Business Administration; and Joshua Wetzel, West Coast Region Representative for the U.S. Department of Labor, as they share insights on emerging trends, available resources, and opportunities to collaborate.
Don’t miss this chance to engage with experts and gain invaluable information and networking experiences! For the full conference agenda — including the walking tour of the Agua Caliente Museum, additional networking events, and conference sessions — and to register, visit caled.org/2026-caled-annual-conference/.
About CALED
The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) is California’s premier economic development association. With over 1,100 members, it is one of the largest economic development associations in the country, which is why we refer to our membership as California’s Economic Development Network. Since 1980, when it was created, CALED has led the way in teaching economic developers, local elected officials, and state representatives the value of economic development and how it is used to grow businesses, generate revenue to support community development programs, and retain and create quality jobs.