Lake Leadership Forum Announced

Hospitality, health care and workforce will be featured during the fifth Lake Leadership Forum to be held on Wednesday, May 22, at On The Waterfront, 60 Third Street, Lakeport. The program begins at 1:00 p.m. and concludes with a walking tour of Xabatin Community Park at 4:30 p.m.

Presented by the Lake County Economic Development Corporation (Lake EDC), the Lake County Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) and the Lake County Tourism Improvement District (LCTID), the Lake Leadership Forum is open to the public with a limited number of tickets available at tinyurl.com/LakeLeader2024. Early bird tickets are on sale for $25 per person which includes light refreshments and glass of wine or other beverage. After May 1, tickets will be $30 per person.

 Sutter Lakeside Hospital is the presenting sponsor. The event is also generously supported by Calpine, Lake County Tribal Health, Reynolds Systems, Adventist Health Clear Lake, the City of Lakeport, Community First Credit Union, and Savings Bank of Mendocino County.

The first leadership summits in 2014 and 2015, coordinated by the ad hoc Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee, were conducted at the then-Marymount California University in the Lucerne Hotel, with the third summit in 2019 at the same location under the auspices of the Lake EDC. The most resent event was held in 2022 at The Mercantile.

These early sessions were designed for Lake County’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators and interested citizens to inspire, collaborate and envision a stronger economic climate.

The 2024 event’s keynote speaker is Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California. Ms. Beteta will share the current state of the tourism industry for the state and her insight on the future of hospitality and rural markets.

Additionally, Clair Whitmer, Assistant Deputy Director and Northern California’s Regional Advisor for the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) will discuss the State’s efforts to support businesses.

A panel discussion regarding workforce development and attraction in Lake County will include Jonathan Walters, manager of Brassfield Winery, Brock Falkenberg, Lake County Superintendent of Schools, and Greg Panella, co-owner of Stokes Ladders and Panella Orchards.

Speakers will demonstrate the collaborative spirit of Lake County through presentations by Tonya Hat, proprietor of THAT Ranch, Christian Ahlmann of Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Annie Tyner, director of Jack’s Lavender Farm, and Akriti Wong, director of Citizens Caring 4 Clear Lake.

The presenting organizations represent people from all over Lake County who love our community and want to see it prosper.  You are invited to participate in this leadership forum and connect with like-minded citizens.

More information is available from Nicole Flora, executive director, Lake EDC, lakecountycaedc@gmail.com.