The Self-Help Counties Coalition leadership is hosting the 31st Annual Focus on the Future Conference in a virtual conference setting starting Monday, November 16 through Tuesday, November 17, at a reduced rate.
We understand that we cannot recreate all aspects of an in-person conference, but we will maintain the most important educational and networking elements you have come to expect at the Focus on the Future Conference. The agenda will include educational sessions such as equity, innovations in active transportation, transportation in a post COVID-19 world, in addition to a federal transportation funding update from Secretary David Kim. The conference will also include a virtual trade show and sponsor hospitality suites.
Educational sessions will be recorded, allowing attendees from around the state to participate on their own schedule. All sessions will be available for viewing two weeks post-conference.
The conference provides a forum for Self-Help Counties and other transportation agencies, elected officials, and the private sector to share experiences, highlight upcoming projects, and interact in a relaxed environment. The conference continues to be the premier transportation conference in California with over 800 people in attendance and growing!
HOW TO REGISTER: There are two ways you can register. You can either click here to download the registration form (email or mail it back) to pay by check or credit card or click on the registration link above to pay via credit card.
We are excited to "see" you in November.
Thank you!
Self-Help Counties Coalition
Please click here for full conference agenda
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Keith Dunn 8:00 am – 8:20 amPre-Recorded
Darrell Johnson
Steve Jones 8:40 am – 8:50 amPre-Recorded
9:00 am – 10:15 amLive
Economic Impact of COVID-19 on SHCC Measures and Funding, with SHCC CEOs 2020 has been a devastating year across the board for society, including impacting expenditure plans and projects for the Self-Help Counties Coalition. This session will focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SHCC expenditure plans and how we are responding and moving forward so that we can continue to keep our promises to our communities.
Moderator:
Keith DunnSponsored by:
10:15 am – 10:45 am 10:45 am – 11:45 amWalking and bicycling have become a new past-time in the COVID-19 era, as residents escape from their shelter-in-place to stretch their legs. While transit ridership has suffered, active transportation has boomed. Some cities have reported at least a 50% increase in walking and bicycling. Caltrans is supporting these innovations with a new eye towards integrating bike and pedestrian features into their highway projects. With traffic down due to more telecommuting, the City of Pasadena has embraced this mode shift by repurposing their streets to accommodate these non-motorized users in a manner that maintains social distancing. In Marin County, cities have installed a range of Quick-Build projects to promote downtown access and make it safer to walk and bike. The City of Monterey has installed the first median bike lanes in California, and is looking to extend them through connections to the neighboring City of Seaside and future FORTAG trails. Learn about these innovations in active transportation and how to extend them beyond the COVID-19 era. These strategies can help meet state goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the health of California residents
Moderator:
Jeanie Ward-WallerSpeakers:
Laura Cornejo
Derek McGill
Andrea RennyCalifornia transportation policies are evolving and SB 743, which was signed in 2013, is a driving force behind that change. SB 743 was to “more appropriately balance the needs of congestion management with statewide goals related to infill development, promotion of public health through active transportation, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions” and is driving response from local agencies. This panel will look at how Self-Help County agencies comply and adjust to these new requirements while keeping focused on our expenditure plans.
Moderator:
Keith DunnSpeakers:
Mike Leonardo
Anne Mayer
Guy PrestonPanelists will discuss the unique approach to governance and project delivery to address Traffic Congestion and Sea-Level Rise on the North San Francisco Bay Area’s most traveled east-west highway.
Moderator:
Suzanne SmithSpeakers:
Kate Miller
Ashley Nguyen
Anne Richman 11:45 am – 1:00 pmLive Session
In the wake of the November election this session, comprised of national experts in federal transportation, will discuss how the election results may impact transportation activity, or the lack thereof, in Washington D.C. From COVID relief, to surface transportation reauthorization, to the elusive infrastructure stimulus package, these speakers will share their insights on what congressional leaders are considering, what initiatives we may expect out of the next Administration, and what it means for California.
Moderator:
Randy IwasakiSpeakers:
Dave Bauer
Andrew Dorhmann
Elissa Konove
Kathy Ruffalo
Jason TaiSponsored by:
1:00 pm – 2:30 pmLive Session
Moderator:
Sarkes KhachekSpeakers:
Otis Greer
Tim Haile
Aaron Hake
Maria Lombardo
Laurie Lombardi
Todd Muck
Diane Nguyen
Danielle SchmitzSponsored by:
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm 8:00 am – 2:00 pm 9:00 am – 9:15 amPre-recorded
Mitch Weiss 9:15 am – 9:30 amPre-recorded
Toks Omishakin 9:30 am – 9:45 amPre-recorded
Brian Kelly 9:45 am – 10:30 amLive
Since the global coronavirus pandemic took hold in early 2020, nearly every aspect of our lives have changed. Business handshakes are a thing of the past. In-person meetings have been replaced with zoom calls, and we all hope our backgrounds get a 10/10 from room rater. Things we took for granted, like toilet paper and spray cleaners, are now precious. Online commerce has increased, and the gig economy is more important than ever before. Even the way we move about our environment has shifted, as public transportation systems adjust routing and cleaning schedules to meet the needs of riders and keep the public safe while using their systems. It is unlikely we will ever return to life the way it was BC (Before COVID-19). But is that a bad thing? What if we used this post-pandemic uncertainty as a catalyst for making changes that allow us to move people and goods more efficiently and more sustainably? What if we rethink the way we plan our transportation networks and are intentional about mode shift, offering mobility on demand as a response to right sizing our transit networks and finally helping people out of their single occupancy vehicles. This session will tackle some of the big-picture questions we all have about the “new normal” and will offer insights and ideas for how transportation can meet this moment, and help our state thrive in a post-COVID world.
Moderator:
Tess LengyelSpeakers:
Jason Baker
Emily Warren
Nadine Lee 10:30 am – 11:00 am 10:30 am – 11:00 amTransportation during COVID-19 is changing significantly and rapidly. Transportation officials are looking to new technologies and creative ways to respond. Cities are repurposing streets once filled with cars to accommodate walking, cycling and businesses. Transit systems are evaluating ways to adapt to this new reality by undertaking bold and creative changes to accommodate riders, to right-size services, and to maintain relevance. What changes will be sustained? How will the way we travel alter how funding for transportation is generated? What new structures do we need to put in place to ensure funding for transportation infrastructure is available as we transition to a post pandemic economy where people are driving less? The session will focus on new innovations and share case studies, their successes and challenges and discuss new funding structures and measures that will help us navigate this new world and build and maintain critical transportation infrastructure.
Moderator:
Kate MillerSpeakers:
Marty Wachs
Susan Shaheen
Steven KeckGetting community-wide input on plans and projects can be an elusive goal even under normal circumstances, but during a pandemic it has become particularly challenging. Learn the creative strategies that transportation agencies have utilized to conduct public outreach in a virtual world. The panel, representing rural and urban counties as well as coastal and valley regions, will discuss a range of approaches. From low cost activities, to high-value investments, these ideas will help your firm or agency to develop meaningful engagement with travelers throughout the state.
Moderator:
Kendall FlintSpeakers:
Molly Graham
Marcella May
Mary-Michal Rawling
Yvette ZR RaposeRecent events have illuminated the public policy arena that contemplates the absorbing question of equity in our socio-economic structure. Vivid, statistically based evidence is available to determine resource allocation for favorable, measurable outcomes. As a critical public service, transportation and mobility options are essential markers for quality of life. This panel represents the vanguard of implementers who are taking up the equity challenge in their agencies on this front and center topic of our time.
Moderator:
Stephanie WigginsSpeakers:
Mark Baza
KeAndra Cylear Dodds
Rosa De León Park
Manny Leon
Therese McMillan
Brian Kelly