Find the calm in the storm with Friday’s annual conference keynote

By Cal Cities Education Staff

Captain Sandy Yawn, philanthropist and star of Bravo's "Below Deck," will close out the Annual Conference and Expo on Friday, Oct. 18. She has over 30 years of international maritime experience. She earned a reputation and international recognition as an elite captain for steering her ship and crew to safety in 2004 after a catastrophic engine fire and pirate threat off the coast of Yemen.

Yawn will draw on her career to show how self-discipline, persistence, humility, adaptability, and gratitude can help city leaders sail through challenges both nautical and municipal. She'll share how her inner work shaped her leadership and how city leaders can reach deep inside to find the strength, compassion, and tenacity to lead even during stormy seas.

Fellow keynote speakers this year include award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee and economist Christopher Thornberg, Ph.D. A full list of sessions is available online.

Registration filling fast!

Conference registration closes on Oct. 4 or when the conference sells out - whichever happens first. Full conference registration is $700 for member city officials and includes access to all general and concurrent sessions, the expo, CitiPAC and diversity caucus receptions, and Wednesday's host city reception.

Cal Cities strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. For accommodation or accessibility inquiries, please contact Conference Registrar Megan Dunn. Every effort will be made to honor requests submitted.

Scammers may contact you claiming to be the housing bureau/service for the conference. Cal Cities has contracted with LiveCon as the official housing bureau/service for the 2024 Annual Conference and Expo. Official conference emails will come from addresses ending in @calcities.org or @live-con.com or the actual hotel. Neither party will call you directly without prior communication.