CalChamber Public Affairs Conference Opens
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.
For the 10th consecutive year, pollsters Adam Rosenblatt of Bold Decision and Robert Green, Pierrepont Consulting and Analytics LLC set the stage for the rest of the conference with a recap of their survey on California voter attitudes.
Up next was a session giving attendees a chance to see and hear some of the newly elected legislators.
Among the “new kids on the block” at the conference were Senator-Elect Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), and Assemblymembers-Elect Patrick Ahrens (D-Sunnyvale), Anamarie Avila Farias (D-Martinez), Jessica Caloza (D-Los Angeles), John Harabedian (D-Pasadena), Maggie Krell (D-Sacramento), Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare) and David Tangipa (R-Fresno).
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 the day featured CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera moderating a discussion with fellow CEOs of industry association partners: Tom Bannon, California Apartment Association; Dustin Corcoran, California Medical Association; Dan Dunmoyer, California Building Industry Association; Brian Maas, California New Car Dealers Association; Dave Puglia, Western Growers Association.
Today’s sessions will examine congressional, national and ballot measure campaigns, plus hot topics for the upcoming legislative session: artificial intelligence, anti-trust concerns, and clean energy.
Photos by Matt Lara