Schedule

8:30 am

Doors Open & Coffee

Welcome

Opening Remarks

Julia Huang. Intertrend
Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach
Leah Goold-Haws, Long Beach Economic Partnership

9:15 am

Keynote

Immersion - Experiencing the culture of a city

Han Santana-Sayles - Meow Wolf
Tim Chan - Rolling Stone (Moderator)

9:40 am

Agenda

  • Discuss the importance of cultural immersion and its impact on economic development.

  • Illustrate how a city's unique culture can be harnessed to attract tourists, entrepreneurs, and investors,and how this can lead to sustainable economic growth.

  • Explain how cultural experiences can benefit local residents and foster a sense of community pride and identity.

Design Panel: Vision

Designing vision and architecting a city blueprint

Alan Pullman, Studio One Eleven
David Malmuth, I.D.E.A District
John Bela, Bela Urbnanism
Madeleine Spencer, Placemaking US

10:20 am

Agenda

  • Explore the role of urban planning and design in shaping the economic and social landscape of a city.

  • Examine how cities can create a clear vision and blueprint for development that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations.

  • Share perspectives on the key elements of successful city design, including infrastructure, public spaces, transportation, and housing, and how these can be leveraged to promote economic growth.

  • Consider how design can be used to enhance the attractiveness of a city to creative professionals and businesses.

Coffee Break

11:00 am

Economists: Acceleration

Crafting storytelling and accountability of investment into growth and prosperity

Seiji Steimetz, CSULB
Robert Kleinhenz, Long Beach State Office of Economic Research

11:20 am

Agenda

  • Translate the data and evidence that supports the case for investment in the creative industries, as well as how to communicate this information to stakeholders and decision-makers.

  • Illuminate how cities can measure the impact of economic development initiatives and ensure accountability for public investment in economic growth.

  • Address how to accelerate economic growth through crafting stories that inspire investment and promote prosperity.

  • Discuss how cities can use economic data and storytelling to communicate their vision and value proposition to investors and entrepreneurs.

City Panel: Activation

Tracking strategic models for sustainable success: Shinola and Smorgasburg

Tim Chan - Rolling Stone
Zach Brooks - Smorgasburg
Phil Pirkovic - Shinola Detroit

11:55 am

Agenda

  • Showcase the various strategic growth models that cities can use to drive sustainable success in the creative economy.

  • Discuss the challenges of development initiatives, including the need for collaboration and partnerships with local stakeholders.

  • Highlight case studies of successful initiatives and programs, as well as exploring best practices and lessons learned from other cities.

  • Smorgasburg is part tourism, cultural exchange, community building, local marketplace, and drives economic impact to Los Angeles and Brooklyn.

  • Shinola is a visionary brand that chose Detroit to set up headquarters and is a symbol of the city’s renaissance, bringing American craftsmanship, tourism, and job creation.

Fireside Chat and Surprise Announcement

Igniting Growth: The City of Long Beach ushers in economic empowerment and innovation

John Keisler, Sunstone Management
Joresa Blount, Go Flyy

12:40 pm

Hear an exciting announcement about city’s new initiatives and commitment to foster economic opportunities in the City of Long Beach by establishing the City of Long Beach as a crucial center for innovation by attracting 100 startups, promoting investment, supporting entrepreneurship, and engaging with the community.

Vision to 2028

Julia Huang, Intertrend

12:55 pm

Imagine what is possible for Long Beach, building towards 2028 to showcase what our city has to offer.

1:00 pm

Lunch (Optional)

(Optional Field Trip)

Site Visit / Bus Transportation

#1 Visit: 3:15pm Maye Center and Space Time Collaborative
#2 Visit: 4:15pm Sowing Seeds of Change

Return to parking lot at 5:00pm

3:00 pm

Experience a two-hour whirlwind field trip to two transformative Long Beach organizations, The MAYE Center and Sowing Seeds of Change. Uncover the secrets of self-healing and wellness at The MAYE Center, leveraging meditation, agriculture, yoga and education. Next, witness first-hand how Sowing Seeds of Change empowers our youth with vocational training and reshapes our local food system through sustainable farming methods. An immersive journey highlighting the nexus of resilience, innovation and economic elevation. Don't miss it.

Placemaker Showcase
(Lobby)

Space Time Collaborative
Sowing Seeds of Change
Maye Center
Grow2Zero Farms
Casa Chaskis
Santa Fe Community Garden
Farmer K Homestead
Chef Chad Phuong

Please explore these impactful mission-oriented Placemaking organizations on their respective pages and consider donating to support their efforts.

All Day

Learn about placemaking initiatives in the city and the community movements that they are fueling. Hear from several successful founders and their case studies as real catalysts for change.