California Forward Economic Summit

Since 2020, CARS and Night Light have produced the main stage for the California Forward (CA FWD) annual Economic Summit. CARS provides local and regional cultural arts programming for the event and produces the various panel discussions, speakers, and presentations on the main stage. CARS highlights the unique arts and culture in each presenting region and California as a whole.

Each year, the Summit presents an impressive line-up of speakers, including Governor Gavin Newsom; former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, CA Senate and Assembly members; Paul Markovich, CEO of Blue Shield of California; Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation; Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the Small Business Advocate; and members of CA FWD's Young Leaders Advisory Council, among others.

The two-day Summit is built upon the principle that regional approaches to economic problem solving are critical to ensuring all Californians, regardless of zip code, have the opportunity to claim their California Dream. The Summit's bipartisan network of business, equity, environmental and civic organizations is unique in championing solutions that meet the triple bottom line — balancing equity, environmental sustainability and economic growth.