2026 Annual Conference and Expo

Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA   Visit Website
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 - Friday, September 25, 2026   iCalendar Pacific Standard Time

Thank you for joining the League of California Cities at the 2026 Annual Conference and Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center, Sept. 23-25, 2026. The conference featured general sessions, workshops, and networking events for hundreds of leaders from all sections of city government, including mayors, council members, city managers, city clerks, city attorneys, fiscal officers, and other city staff.

This year’s conference offered educational and innovative leadership sessions across a variety of formats, with a roster of more than 100 speakers. Educational sessions and the expo supported city leaders by equipping them with the latest knowledge, resources, and tools to advance their communities and assist officials in their daily roles and operations within their city.

Mark your calendars for our 2027 Annual Conference and Expo, September 22-24 at the San Jose Convention Center.

For program questions, please contact Senior Education and Events Manager Christina George.

For questions, please contact Senior Education and Events Manager, Christina George.

In advance of the conference, please see our event and meeting policies.

Explore Previous Conference Materials

Advanced Registration closed Sept. 15. On-site registration is available if space allows. Please contact Megan Dunn for more information.

Registration Information
Full registration includes
  • Admission to general sessions, concurrent sessions, and the Expo Hall
  • Admission to CitiPAC and diversity caucus receptions
  • Grab-and-go breakfast on Thursday and Friday, along with lunch on Thursday

Registration Process:

Register online through your MyCalCities account. If you have not yet used your MyCalCities account, please review details about the portal and contact us with questions.

If you are registering someone other than yourself, first sign in as yourself and then choose the option to register someone else.

NOTE: A credit card is required for registration through MyCalCities. If you need to pay with a check, create your account and then reach out to Megan Dunn to request a mail-in registration form. Full payment is due at the time of registration.

Conference registration is required for all conference activities, including department, division, and caucus meetings as well as the General Assembly. Sharing of registration is prohibited.

To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Megan Dunn. Every effort will be made to honor requests submitted.

Full Conference Registration Fees
Member-City Official$725
Non-member City Official$1,725
Other Public Official$800
All Others$900


 

One-Day Registration Fees
Member City Official$375
Non-Member City Official$1,375
Other Public Official$425
All Others$475
Guest/Spouse Reception Pass*$125
*The guest/spouse fee is restricted to persons who are not city or public officials, are not related to any Cal Cities Partner or sponsor, and would have no professional reason to attend the conference. It includes admission to the Expo Hall and the CitiPAC Event. There is no refund for the cancellation of a guest/spouse registration. It is not advisable to use city funds to register a guest/spouse. If you believe you are eligible for a guest/spouse pass, please contact Megan Dunn.

Refund Policy

Advance registrants unable to attend will receive a refund of the rate paid, minus a $75 processing charge, only when a written request is submitted to Megan Dunn, and received on or before Sept. 15. Refunds will not be available after this date. If you are unable to attend, you may substitute a colleague for your entire registration.

Hotel and Travel

Driving to Anaheim? Review the parking map to explore your parking options and plan ahead for your arrival at the 2026 Annual Conference and Expo.

A limited number of discounted hotel rooms are available for registered attendees and exhibitors of the 2026 Annual Conference and Expo. Reserve by Tuesday, Sept. 1, or before rooms sell out.

STEP ONE:

Register via your MyCalCities account.               
Instructions on how to access your account can be found here.

STEP TWO:

Your registration confirmation email will include a link to the Cal Cities housing information page, where you can book your room at the discounted rate.

Important Scam Notice: Cal Cities does not use a housing service. Only trust emails from @calcities.org or the official hotel.

Nearby airports:

John Wayne Airport (SNA): 13 miles               
Long Beach Airport (LGB): 13 miles               
Ontario International Airport (ONT): 26               
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 30               
Burbank Airport (BUR): 37 miles

Expo

The Expo Hall Grand Opening will be on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The Expo will also be open Thursday, Sept. 24 from 8:30-4:00 p.m. Exhibitor booth sales and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Do you know someone who might be interested in exhibiting? Have them contact Amy Wade, exposition sales and event sponsorship manager.

Program

View Program | View Session Materials

Schedule at a Glance
(Schedule is subject to change.)
Wednesday, Sept. 23
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Registration open/Voting Delegates Booth open
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Pre-Conference Workshop: City Clerks Department Meeting and Workshop (additional registration required, lunch is included)
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.Pre-Conference Trainings: AB 1234 Ethics Training and SB 827 Fiscal Training (included in conference registration)
11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.Regional Division Lunches, Department Meetings and Caucus Meetings**
12:45 - 1:15 p.m.First-Time Attendee Orientation
1:30 - 3:15 p.m.Opening General Session*
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.Concurrent Sessions, Department Meetings, and Caucus Meeting**
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.Expo Hall Grand Opening*
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.CitiPAC Event
Thursday, Sept. 24
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Registration open/Voting Delegates Booth open
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Expo Hall Open
8:00 a.m.Grab and Go Breakfast
8:30 a.m.Petition Resolutions Due
8:30 - 9:45 a.m.Concurrent Sessions and Caucus Meetings**
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.General Session*
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.Attendee Lunch in Expo Hall
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.Regional Division Lunches**
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.Resolutions Committee
1:00 - 5:30 p.m.Concurrent Sessions, Department Meetings, Issue Group Meetings, and Caucus Meetings**
EveningRegional Division and Caucus Events**
Friday, Sept. 25
7:30 - 11:30 a.m.Registration open
8:00 a.m.Grab and Go Breakfast
8:00 - 10:45 a.m.Concurrent Sessions
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.General Assembly
8:45 - 10:45 a.m.AB 1661 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Closing General Session*
*No competing events may be scheduled during this time.               
**Check with the staff assigned to your group for the specific day/time for this event. Additional registration may be required.
Learn More About the Conference
First-Time Attendees

A special welcome for first-time attendees is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 12:45 p.m. Join us to learn more about Cal Cities and how to get the most out of your conference experience.

State-Mandated Training

At the conference, attendees can fulfill state requirements for specific ethics laws; receive workplace harassment, discrimination, and retaliation training; as well as fiscal and financial training. Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principals (AB 1234 training) and Fundamentals of Municipal Finances and Financial Management (SB 827 training) will be available as pre-conference sessions on Wednesday morning. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for City Officials (AB 1661/1825 training) will be available Friday morning during concurrent sessions.

Diversity Caucuses

Cal Cities encourages members to join one of its five diversity caucuses: African American Caucus, Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Caucus (LGBTQ), Latino Caucus, and Women’s Caucus. Caucus networking events at the Annual Conference are open to all attendees.

CitiPAC Event

Join your fellow conference attendees and sponsors for a fun evening in support of CitiPAC. The event will be held from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and will feature food, beverages, and entertainment.

Regional Divisions

Regional divisions function as Cal Cities’ grassroots advocacy teams. Divisions are staffed locally by regional public affairs managers to support Cal Cities’ goals. Contact your regional public affairs manager for more information about division networking events during the conference. Additional registration may be required.

Municipal Departments

Functioning as professional societies with educational and networking opportunities, departments play an essential role in forming Cal Cities’ policy and programs. Learn more about your colleagues’ top priorities and the resources Cal Cities provides by attending department business meetings scheduled throughout the conference.

Policy Development Meetings
Resolutions Committeeshow details

The Resolutions Committee — comprised of representatives from each division, department, caucus, and policy committee, as well as individuals appointed by the Cal Cities President — will meet on Thursday afternoon to consider resolutions. Resolutions approved by the policy committee and/or the Resolutions Committee are considered by the General Assembly on Friday.

General Assemblyshow details

Each member city designates a city official as their city’s voting delegate at the General Assembly. During the General Assembly, voting delegates consider both general and petitioned resolutions forwarded by the Resolutions Committee.


 

The deadline to submit a general resolution for consideration is Saturday, July 25, 2026. For more information on the resolution process and deadlines, refer to the Resolutions and General Assembly webpage. Information on how to designate a city’s voting delegate was sent directly to cities in May.

Learn More about Resolutions and the General Assembly process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to pre-select/pre-register for sessions?

A: The only session that requires pre-registration and an additional fee is the City Clerks Workshop. All other sessions are open to attendees and do not require pre-selection.

Q: What if I have an ADA request?

A: To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Megan Dunn. Every effort will be made to honor requests submitted. For more information regarding accessibility at the Anaheim Convention Center, see this page. Regarding hotel ADA requests, Cal Cities does not have control over specific room assignments or how rooms are set up. All specific needs should be addressed directly with the hotel.

Q: Can I bring a guest or traveling companion to receptions, meals, and/or sessions?

A: All guests must be registered and wear a guest badge. Guest registration is restricted to persons who are not city or public officials, are not related to any Cal Cities Partner or sponsor and would have no professional reason to attend the conference. Guest registration includes admission to the Expo Hall and the CitiPAC Reception. It does not include access to conference meals or sessions. If you believe you are eligible for a guest registration, please contact Megan Dunn.

Q: Do I need to pay an additional fee for the CitiPAC Reception if I’m already registered? Can anyone attend the CitiPAC Reception?

A: You are encouraged to make a $75 contribution for attendance at the reception. However, it is not required. Your conference registration includes admission to the CitiPAC Reception. You will need your conference badge to enter. Registered guests are permitted to attend and must wear their guest badge to gain admission.

Q: I have a dietary restriction. Will I be able to eat what’s being served?

A: During the registration process, you were asked if you have any dietary restrictions. If you were not contacted separately by conference staff, you will be able to find appropriate options on the buffets. If you did not indicate a dietary restriction in advance, please contact Megan Dunn to see if your restriction can be accommodated.

Q: What are the hotel rates?

A: Discounted nightly rates range from $219 - $309 (does not include taxes and fees). You must be registered for the conference prior to booking a hotel room in the Cal Cities blocks. Hotel rooms reserved under non-registered attendee, exhibitor, or speaker names are subject to cancellation.

Q: Will there be transportation provided to/from the airports?

A: Cal Cities does not provide airport transportation.

Q: Will there be a shuttle from the hotels to the convention center?

A: Cal Cities will provide a shuttle from the DoubleTree Anaheim to the Anaheim Convention Center and back. All other hotels are within less than half a mile from the convention center.

Q: Where do I park if I’m driving in?

A: If you will be driving to the conference each day, we encourage you to park in Car Park 1, located at 800 W. Katella Ave, Anaheim, 92802. This is nearest to the part of the convention center we will be using.

Q: Can I register on-site?

A: Cal Cities allows on-site registration if space allows. If the conference is sold out, a notice will be posted on the conference webpage. If registering on-site, please be prepared to pay registration fees using a credit card or check.

Q: How do I download the new* conference app?

A: Download the app through your device’s app store by searching “League of California Cities” or “Cal Cities”. Don’t forget to allow push notifications to receive up-to-date conference information.

*Cal Cities launched a new app in May 2026! Please delete the old version from your phone and download the new one from your app store.

Q: Where can I charge my device?

A: There are built-in charging areas outside the Expo Hall and in the North Hall foyer.

Q: Is there food available for purchase on-site?

A: In the convention center, there are concession stands near Hall A. The Hilton Hotel offers a food court, Starbucks, and market. The Marriott Hotel offers a pizzeria and market.

Q: I am my city’s voting delegate. How do I check in and when does voting take place?

A: Voting delegates must check in by 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 at the voting delegate desk, located next to the attendee registration desk on the Plaza Level of the Anaheim Convention Center. Voting takes place at the General Assembly Meeting on Friday, Sept. 25, 8:30 a.m.

Q: What happens at the General Assembly if there are no Resolutions submitted?

A: If no Resolutions are submitted, the General Assembly will be cancelled. A determination will be made by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, and a notice will be placed on the website, and email will be sent to voting delegates, and all attendees will receive a notice via the conference app.

Q: Is there a list of attendees?

A: Cal Cities does not publish a list of attendees.

Q: Are discounted Disneyland tickets available?

A: Please refer to your conference registration confirmation email for information about discounted Disneyland tickets.
Stephanie Chung

Aviation Industry Executive Leader and Author, Wheels Up,

Stephanie Chung is a titan in the world of business growth and human capital management. She is widely recognized for transforming underperforming groups into leaders. As a former chief growth officer for Wheels Up, a private jet company, Chung spearheaded a strategy that not only elevated revenues but resulted in a significant increase in diverse membership. Chung also blazed trails as the first African American to helm a private jet company, JetSuite. Under her leadership, JetSuite evolved from a service provider to a symbol of luxury and excellence — named one of the best places to work by the Human Rights Campaign.

 

Chung’s career also includes pivotal roles at American Airlines, Flexjet, and Bombardier Aerospace. She also serves on the boards of Make-A-Wish and XTI Aerospace, is on the Advisory Council for the National Business Aviation Association, and is a member of Business Executives for National Security. Chung’s journey is a testament to the power of strategic thinking, resilience, and unwavering dedication to excellence.

José Hernández

Former NASA Astronaut, Engineer and Auth,
US

José M. Hernández is a former NASA astronaut, engineer, entrepreneur, farmer, vintner, author, and University of California Regent. A native of California’s San Joaquin Valley, Hernández grew up working alongside his family as a migrant farmworker before pursuing an engineering career that ultimately took him to space.

Before joining NASA, Hernández spent more than 15 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where his work included helping develop the first full-field digital mammography system and supporting U.S. nuclear nonproliferation efforts. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004, he flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-128 mission to the International Space Station in 2009.

Today, Hernández is the president and CEO of Tierra Luna Engineering, an aerospace consulting firm, and has returned to his agricultural roots as a farmer and vintner, producing award-winning wines under the Tierra Luna Cellars label in California’s Lodi wine region. He also founded the José M. Hernández Reaching for the Stars Foundation, dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue STEM education and careers.

Hernández is a former congressional candidate, author, and recipient of numerous honors, including NASA service awards and the prestigious Medalla de Oro. His extraordinary journey from California’s farm fields to space inspired the Amazon Prime feature film A Million Miles Away.

Greg Lindsay

Urbanist, Futurist, and Bestselling Author,

Greg Lindsay is a non-resident senior fellow of MIT’s Future Urban Collectives Lab, Arizona State University’s Threatcasting Lab, and the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. He was the founding chief communications officer of AlphaGeo, where he remains a senior advisor.

 

Lindsay has been cited as an expert on the future of cities, technology, and mobility by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, NPR, and the BBC. He has advised numerous international companies and G20 government entities, including Samsung, IKEA, Starbucks, the U.S. Secret Service, and NATO. Lindsay has also worked with the Jacobs Institute, URBAN-X, and NewCities.

 

Lindsay speaks frequently about cities, mobility, innovation, and globalization, including at 10 Downing Street, the OECD, Harvard Business School, and the Aspen Ideas Festival. He is co-author of the 2011 international bestseller “Aerotropolis: The Way We’ll Live Next.” He is also a two-time Jeopardy! Champion and the only human to go undefeated against IBM’s Watson.

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