Schedule of Events

April 8, 2025

8:00 am
Registration Open
480 minutes
Check-in and Badge Pickup, 8am-4pm

9:30 am
Behind-the-scenes Tour of Del Mar Fairgrounds
150 minutes
Behind-the-scenes tour followed by lunch at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Learn how the grounds transform for SD County Fair, race days, and other events year-round!
Pre-Conference

1:00 pm
Event Security Pre-Conference Workshop
San Diego Police Officers Ed LaValle & Josh Dafoe
210 minutes
Led by the SD Special Events Ops Unit, this training program is designed to equip you with knowledge and skills needed to manage potential risks effectively.
Workshop

4:30 pm
Welcome First Timers
Ray Pulver, Erica Driskell
60 minutes
Main Ballroom. Get a primer on how to make the most of conference, and meet other attendees with a passport themed peer-to-peer scavenger hunt!
Networking/Socials

6:00 pm
Welcome Reception
Elizabeth Rhoan
120 minutes
Come for food and drinks at our opening party, onsite at the Sheraton Outdoor Patio and Pool! Includes lawn games and pool floats provided by Consumes CSD!
General Assembly

8:00 pm
Hospitality Suite Sponsored by Honey Bucket
Erica Driskell
120 minutes
Back by popular demand, Honey Bucket once again sponsors our nightly hospitality suite!
Networking/Socials

April 9, 2025

8:00 am
Registration Open and Morning Coffee
30 minutes
Convention Foyer

8:30 am
Event Energizer: Shifting from Routine to Riveting
Ira Rosen MA, CFEE
60 minutes
Event producers are often focused on the questions of "What we are doing" and "How we are doing it." This hands-on session will explore the "why" we do events.
Workshop

Insurance 101 - Getting Back To the Basics
60 minutes
Room Location
Operations

9:45 am
Welcome and Opening Keynote: Future of the Industry Panel
Sonia Batres, Lucas Wilder, Ira Rosen MA, CFEE, Rich Sherman
75 minutes
Main Ballroom. Excited, scared, or a little of both, for the future of events? This panel of industry leaders will show you the roadmap to success!
Keynotes

11:10 am
Affinity Groups:
50 minutes
Round 1: Gov't, Private, Non-Profit, Vendors Round 2: Large 10k+ daily attendance, Medium 2-10k daily attendance, small events (under 2k)
Networking/Socials

12:00 pm
Networking Lunch & Trade Show Speed Networking
120 minutes
Calfest Member Meeting Location: Main Ballroom
General Assembly

2:15 pm
Crisis Communication
Jodi Buresh, CFE
75 minutes
How to prepare for and handle public relations and communication with key stakeholders in a crisis situation.
Marketing

One Question to Unlock Event Planner Client Success
Nicole Matthews
75 minutes
The Ultimate Event Planner’s Hack: One Question to Unlock Client Success
Operations

3:45 pm
Learnings from a First Year Festival
Steve Clayton
75 minutes
Unpack key takeaways from producing a 10,000 person one day music festival for a city in Texas!
Operations

Parade Operations In 2025
75 minutes
Breakout 1. This session looks at what it takes to stage a parade, from the planning process to step-off!
Operations

5:00 pm
Break for Gala Set Up (Volunteers Welcome!)
60 minutes

6:00 pm
"Gala" & Dinner
180 minutes
Main Ballroom
General Assembly

9:00 pm
Hospitality Suite Sponsored by Honey Bucket
120 minutes
Location: TBA
Networking/Socials

April 10, 2025

8:30 am
Registration Open and Coffee
30 minutes
Convention Foyer
Networking/Socials

9:00 am
Final Day Opening Remarks
15 minutes
Hear what not to miss to get the most out of the final day of convention!
General Assembly

9:15 am
KEYNOTE: The Power of Stakeholder-Driven Success
Michelle Metter, Kristin Martinez, CMP, CEM, Colleen Anderson
75 minutes
Lessons from the Nation’s #1 Wine & Food Festival
Keynotes

10:45 am
Sponsorships in 2025
Teresa Stas
60 minutes
Breakout 2. Learn top sponsorship trends and best practices to close more partnership deals in 2025!
Marketing

12:00 pm
Calfest Celebration Awards Luncheon
90 minutes
Main Ballroom
General Assembly

1:30 pm
Coffee Break with Exhibitors
30 minutes
Networking/Socials

2:15 pm
The Ultimate Ticket Marketing Calendar
Michael Bleau
75 minutes
Breakout 2. Learn the 5 key stages in a ticket marketing timeline, and how to leverage each to maximize sales! Plus: Pro Tips for marketing and promotion.
Marketing

Audio Visual and Entertainment Booking 101
Rodney Elliott
75 minutes
Breakout 1. This session will cover details that go into putting show sound, staging, lighting, and entertainment booking.
Operations

3:45 pm
Closing Remarks and 2026 Preview
30 minutes
Main Ballroom. Recap highlights from this year's convention and learn where we'll be in 2026! Also opportunities for board nominations!
General Assembly

6:00 pm
Survivors Pizza Party and Group Night out In San Diego
240 minutes
Hotel Patio

Date:
April 8-10, 2025

Location:
Sheraton Mission Valley San Diego Hotel, 1433 Camino del Rio S, San Diego, CA 92108

Click here for More Information