Forum to view future of Sacramento Valley

What would California's Central Valley look like if trends of the past decade continue until 2020?

Some argue that the state would be in a heap of trouble with a population that would be among the poorest regions in the nation and in danger of having a sub-standard workforce that is short on water and long on chronic medical problems.

Is there a better path for the Valley's future?

Organizers of the Great Valley Center's annual conference, set for May 6-7 at the Radisson hotel in Sacramento, are certainly hoping to find the path to understanding what resources will be needed to successfully transit the next decade.

Titled "A 20/20 Foresight: The Great Valley in a Decade," the conference intends to present a range of current thought from visionary leaders on dozens of elements of society and the economy. These presentations will be augmented by forecasts of what the Valley will be like in the year 2020.

Through these visions and data, people and organizations in the Valley can collaborate on priorities for the next ten years.

"People in the Central Valley are working more closely than ever to improve our regional economy and have a healthy future for our children," said David Hosley, president of the Great Valley Center.

"We thought a look ahead to 2020 would help chart the path to a better future, and provide information about trends and positive steps that might be taken in the next decade."

Thought leaders scheduled to present keynote speeches during the conference include experts in health, education, community well-being, agriculture, transportation, land use, energy, water, natural resources, global warming, workforce preparedness, housing and economics.

Beyond the keynote addresses, the conference features more than 30 breakout sessions allowing participants to spend more time with keynote speakers and additional experts on a wide range of topics significant to the Valley.

Some of these sessions are titled:

AB 32 in 2020: What is the progress?

Housing: How we will view the current crisis in 10 years

Youth Engagement in the year 2020, fact or fantasy

Sketching water policy: the next decade

Can we fund the arts in 2020?

Two-day registration for the conference is $295 if payment is made after April 15. To learn more about the keynote speakers and individual breakout sessions, register online at www.greatvalley.org/conference. More information on the Great Valley Center is available at www.greatvalley.org.