Do you ever wish you could put your favorite business, education, and government leaders in the same room? While this may sound like a hyper-specific and maybe even improbable idea, the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce may have precisely what you need. Community Leadership Visits bring together the brightest minds from all around Santa Cruz to brainstorm and collaborate on programs and initiatives that can potentially reshape their communities.

In previous years, Santa Cruz community leaders have explored the familiar regions of Monterey, Tahoe, Seattle, Santa Barbara, Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado, and Ventura. This year, from February 26 to 28th, Santa Cruz’s 2025 cohort will venture down to the beautiful and historic coastal town of San Luis Obispo (SLO) to meet with local leaders and exchange ideas. Participants will delve into the inner workings of the SLO community and explore the surrounding region, gaining valuable insights and discovering proven strategies that have strengthened economic vitality and advanced environmental sustainability.

The last SLO Community Leadership visit occurred in 2012, with participants exploring solutions for K-14 education, retail, economic development, and university technology transfer. As coastal tourist destinations with thriving university campuses, SLO and Santa Cruz are uniquely situated to collaborate, exchange insights, and brainstorm strategies to support their diverse economies and growing constituencies. Santa Cruz can learn from SLO’s successes in the arenas of business retention, public/private partnership, and national retailer attraction.

The itinerary is packed, featuring unforgettable visits to the stunning and world-famous Madonna Inn, the highly-rated Spirit of San Luis, and the gorgeous NoVo Restaurant & Lounge. Not only will you be treated to these fine dining experiences, but there will also be ample opportunity to gain insights into the local energy and technology sphere through visits to PG&E Diablo Canyon - Energy Education Center, Trust Automation, and Cal Poly’s Tech Park and Innovation Hub. This is only a glimpse of what the 2025 Community Leadership visit has to offer: take a look at the full itinerary here! Don’t miss this dynamic blend of business, innovation, and community!

Ready to join the adventure? Register here for $899! Your registration fee covers motorcoach transportation, overnight parking, a two-night stay at The Wayfarer San Luis Obispo, and all meals during the trip. You’ll also enjoy access to all community visit stops. Please note that each participant is responsible for incidental expenses.

Final payments are due by February 14, and space is limited—so act quickly to secure a spot on a trip to remember! Register today and prepare for a journey that promises inspiration, connection, and lasting memories!