The Public Affairs Council advises the CalChamber President and Board of Directors on key political issues affecting the business community, particularly ballot measure campaigns and the endorsements of the CalChamber political action committee.
The council includes government relations executives and chief executive officers whose companies are CalChamber members at the Advocate level or higher. It serves as a networking platform for these high-level representatives of CalChamber major member companies to share information and resources from colleagues around the state.
Public Affairs Council members convene via semi-annual conferences or conference calls as needed. At these gatherings, renowned political strategists and government leaders share their expertise on cutting-edge issues, providing an insider’s look at the political and legislative climate.
2024
November 2024 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
A sell-out crowd gathered in Anaheim yesterday for the opening day of the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference, an annual event providing attendees a chance to mingle and exchange comments about state and national politics.
Photos by Matt Lara
Presenting the perspective from the Governor’s office was Christine Aurre, legislative affairs secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom. The session was moderated by CalChamber Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff for Policy Ben Golombek.
The final session of day one featured CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera moderating a discussion with fellow CEOs of industry association partners.
Reviewing the past to gain understanding of the future was a recurring theme in presentations on the second day of the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference.
In the final panel discussion, experienced ballot measure campaign strategists Brandon Castillo of BCFS Public Affairs, Courtni Pugh of Hilltop Public Solutions and Jim DeBoo of DeBoo Strategy commented on California voters’ response to this year’s propositions.
2023
October 2023 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
A record crowd gathered in Laguna Niguel on October 24 and 25 for the annual CalChamber Public Affairs Conference. The packed day-and-a-half agenda still provided many opportunities for attendees to mingle and share observations about state and national politics.
Photos by Matt Lara
CalChamber President/CEO Moderates Conversation with Assembly Speaker Rivas
‘Varsity’ Legislators Present Mid-Session Perspectives at Conference
2022
November 2022 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
Legislators, policy experts and opinion leaders gathered at the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference on November 29–30 to share insights on the 2022 election results and California policy issues, past and future. See #PAConference22 for tweets posted during the conference.
Photos by Matt Lara
CalChamber Public Affairs Conference Offers Insights on Political Landscape
CalChamber Public Affairs Conference Gives New Legislators Chance to Tell Their Stories
First-time legislators have an opportunity to recount their journeys to office in a panel discussion on November 29, the first day of the CalChamber Public Affairs Conference.
2021
October 2021 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
See #PAConference21 for tweets posted during the conference.
Governor’s Top Advisers Share Anecdotes
First-Time Legislators Recount Experience at CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
Pollsters, Pundits, Public Officials Offer Insights on Past, Future Political Landscape
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2019
October 2019 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
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Photos by Matt Lara
2018
November 2018 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
CalChamber Public Affairs Conference Hosts Panel of Incoming Legislators
An opportunity to get better acquainted with members of the 2019 legislative freshman class was among the agenda items on the first day of the 2018 California Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Conference on November 27 in Huntington Beach.
CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg served as moderator of the “New Kids on the Block” legislative panel, which also included current Senator Ling Ling Chang, a previous Assembly member who took office following a special election in June. Read more and see more photos.
See more photos below.
See #PAConference18 for tweets posted during the conference.
Experts Examine Implications of Election Politics
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Photos by Matt Lara
2017
October 2017 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
Day 1 – Voter Attitudes, California 2018 Election, State Housing Crisis
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Day 2 – National Elections, Media Comments, D.C. Insights, Legislative Review and Tech Caucus
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2016
November 2016 CalChamber Public Affairs Conference
Mark McKinnon, the co-creator and co-host of Showtime’s hit documentary series The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth on this year’s presidential election, was the special guest luncheon speaker at the California Chamber of Commerce annual Public Affairs Conference.
Day 1 – Opening Session, 2016 Election Campaign Trail, and Incoming Freshman Class
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Day 2 – Federal 2016 Election Campaign Trail, Panel Discussion with Legislative Caucus Chairs, Luncheon with Special Guest Mark McKinnon, Policy Panel: Tax Reform
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2015
November 2015 Public Affairs Council Conference
With 2016 being an election year, the California Chamber of Commerce 2015 Fall Public Affairs Conference brought together insiders from both major parties to offer insights and predictions on key statewide and legislative races, plus the race for the White House and upcoming California ballot initiatives. The conference also featured one panel of state legislators giving a review of the 2015 legislative session, with a second panel offering a preview of 2016. Pollster and media pundit Dr. Frank Luntz gave the luncheon address on “Words that Matter.”
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2014
November 2014 Public Affairs Council Conference
Lawmakers, experts, and journalists discussed election results, state policies, and political strategies at the California Chamber of Commerce 2014 Fall Public Affairs Conference.
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