2024 Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase

The leadership conference for special districts.

The CSDA Annual Conference and Exhibitor Showcase is the one conference special district leaders can’t afford to miss!  It is the most densely packed educational and networking experience available to special districts.

Come together with other special district leaders from across the state to meet with industry suppliers, hear from the best in special district-specific topics with over 30 breakout session options, network with your peers, and more at the leadership conference for special districts. 
For more information visit the conference website.

Schedule Overview
Monday 9/9 
Pre-Conference Workshops 9:00 – 3:30

Chapter Leaders Meeting 2:00 - 4:30

Opening Reception 5:15 – 7:30
Tuesday 9/10
Opening General Session 8:45 – 10:45
Breakout Sessions 11:00 – 4:45
Reception 5:00 – 6:30
Wednesday 9/11
General Session 8:30 – 10:30
Breakout Sessions 10:45 – 5:00
Taste of the City 6:00 – 9:00
Thursday 9/12
Closing Program 8:00 – 10:00

$775 Early / $860 after 8/9/24 CSDA Member

$1,160 Early / $1,290 after 8/9/24 Non-member

Early bird registration is available through August 9, 2024.

Interested in Exhibiting/Sponsoring?  Check out all of the opportunities and register here.

Need help paying for this Conference? Scholarship funds are available from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF). There's no district budget limit and you do not need to be a CSDA member to receive funds.
Apply here

HOTEL ROOM RESERVATIONS: CSDA room reservations in the CSDA room block start at the rate of $199 plus tax and fees per day plus $15 resort charge per room per day. The room reservation cut-off is August 21, 2024; however, space is limited and may sell out before this date. Information regarding hotel reservations and link to book in the CSDA room block will be emailed within 24 hours of registration. The CSDA hotel room block opens on May 6, 2024.

Eligible for SDRMA Credit Incentive Points.

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be in writing and received by CSDA no later than August 9, 2024. All cancellations received by this date will be refunded less a $75 processing fee. There will be no refunds for cancellations made after August 9, 2024. Substitutions are acceptable and must be done in writing no than later August 30, 2024. Please submit any cancellation notice or substitution request to [email protected] or fax to 916-520-2465.


When
9/9/2024 7:00 AM - 9/12/2024 10:00 AM
Pacific Daylight Time
Where
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa 44400 Indian Wells Ln Indian Wells, CA 92210 UNITED STATES

Program Options

Monday, 09 September 2024

Description
Guest registration includes admission to President's Reception, Mix & Mingle, and Taste of the City.  Cannot be from a district/company that does business with a district.
Guest cannot be from a district/company that does business with districts
This is for Taste of the City only.  A full Guest registration includes Taste of the City entry so this isn't needed.
Indian Wells Golf Resort 44-500 Indian Wells Ln Indian Wells, CA 92210 9:00 a.m. Start Join special district elected officials, staff, and business affiliates at this optional fun event. Great golf skills are not necessary! Proceeds benefit the Special District Leadership Foundation scholarship fund. $130 includes golf with cart, lunch, and prizes!  Hurry, space is very limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Time
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
9:00 AM
Presenter:  Hilary Straus, CSDM In this informational session, the instructor will lay the ground work for good governance in your district.  Attendees will discover: •Why good governance is so important to the overall well-being of the district.  •The traits of effective board members. •What good governance means and how to effectively put it into practice. •How to move your board from “I” to “we,” including how to become an effective team, establish team standards, and essential conditions for team building. Price includes continental breakfast and lunch.
Time
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
9:00 AM
Presenter:  Scott Carroll, CSDM, Costa Mesa Sanitary District; Melissa Asher, CPS HR A practical career development workshop for senior executives and emerging leaders in special districts. This action oriented workshop includes group and panel discussions on the journey, roles and skill sets of a general manager, identifying GM opportunities including positioning yourself for executive recruitment, developing positive relations with the board, staff and peer agency executives, and leadership practices. Registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. Limited class size, register early!
Time
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
9:00 AM
Join your fellow conference attendees for a fun morning of pickleball.  Instruction and round robin game play for designated level of experience (beginner, intermediate, advance) will be included so come one and all! Pickleballs are included but participants are encouraged to bring their own pickleball paddles.  Paddles will be made available to participants without a paddle. Early registration is encouraged.
Time
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
10:00 AM
Join your fellow attendees and representatives of Southern California Edison (SCE) for lunch and a tour of the Devers Substation. Attendees will learn about SCE operations as well as green energy efforts in the area including solar and wind. includes transportation to/from the hotel, lunch, and tour Early registration is encouraged.  Limited to 50 attendees.
Time
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
12:00 PM
Young Professionals Meet-Up – immediately following pickleball. No host.
Time
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
12:00 PM
State law requires most local officials and employees to receive sexual harassment prevention training and education for at least two hours within six months of taking office or commencing employment and every two years thereafter. Presented by an attorney with deep experience in public and employment law, this session provides an interactive presentation meeting the requirements of state law. Free to CSDA Members and Non-members who are already attending the full conference.
Time
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
1:00 PM
State law requires local agency officials to complete two hours of ethics training within the first year of his or her service. Then, every local agency official must receive at least two hours of training in general ethics principles and ethics laws relevant to his or her public service every two years thereafter. This training satisfies these requirements by covering various ethics topics, including a discussion of the Ralph M. Brown Act. Free to CSDA Members and Non-members who are already attending the full conference.
Time
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
3:00 PM

Tuesday, 10 September 2024

Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Thursday, 12 September 2024

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