The 2025 California Economic Summit kicked off in Stockton, drawing attendees from across the state to discuss regional economic development and collaborative growth strategies. The first day concluded with a cultural celebration featuring local performers such as the Latin Magic Band and Rhymosaurs at Banner Island Ballpark, following a series of discussions centered on economic advancement in San Joaquin County and neighboring areas. A panel exploring the economic influence of hip-hop culture marked the end of the day’s agenda.
Organized annually by California Forward, a nonprofit committed to fostering regional economic resilience and sustainable resource management amid climate challenges, the summit emphasizes a bottom-up development model. Bob Gutierrez, president and CEO of the San Joaquin Partnership, described the event as a milestone for the city, noting it resulted from two years of coordination among regional stakeholders, including North Valley Thrive, county agencies, and municipal leaders.
To showcase local assets, organizers led tours of key facilities, including the Port of Stockton, Stockton Airport, Discovery Challenge Academy, the Volt Institute, and Beam Circular manufacturing sites. Gutierrez, a long-time resident and board member of California Forward, emphasized the importance of integrating business with community development, stating the goal is to create new ventures, strengthen existing partnerships, and build institutions that serve local populations effectively.
During a visit to the airport, Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi learned that StandardAero, a global leader in military helicopter maintenance with only three other similar firms worldwide, faces staffing shortages. With a background in education, Fugazi expressed interest in helping develop training programs to expand the local talent pipeline in aviation, energy, and defense sectors.
Fugazi welcomed the opportunity for Stockton to host the summit, viewing it as a chance to shift public perception and highlight the city’s economic potential. Gutierrez, who has lived in Stockton for 40 years and raised his family there, praised the city’s cultural richness and enduring strength, calling the event a win for both personal and professional life.
The summit will continue through the week, including a forum on Thursday featuring candidates in the 2026 California gubernatorial race.
— news from CBS News
— News Original —
2025 California Economic Summit caps off first of 3 days in Stockton
Visitors from all over the state filed into Stockton on Tuesday to talk about the local economy during the California Economic Summit.
A celebration highlighted local artists, including the Latin Magic Band and Rhymosaurs, at Stockton ‘s Banner Island Ballpark in the evening to cap off the first day of the summit, filled with discussion about economic growth in San Joaquin County and the surrounding regions. The last panel of the day was on how hip-hop brings business.
The summit is hosted annually by the nonprofit organization California Forward, whose website states they “support economic growth using a regions-up approach, stewarding state resources, and building resilience in the face of a changing climate.”
“This (is) a really big deal for Stockton,” said Bob Gutierrez, San Joaquin Partnership president and CEO. “This has been two years in the works, and so we ‘ve really had a lot of collaborative partners come together from the region through North Valley Thrive, through our respective counties, and through our city partners to really make this happen. So, this is an exciting event to be able to tell our story.”
One of the ways Gutierrez and community members told their story was by giving tours to visitors of the Port of Stockton, the Stockton Airport, the Discovery Challenge Academy, the Volt Institute, and manufacturers with Beam Circular.
“I ‘m very passionate about community and bridging business into that community,” Gutierrez said. “As California Forward, as a board member there, we really look about impacting communities and… bridging new opportunities with existing partners, folks that understand how to lift up and build that, whether it be a new business, a venture opportunity or even building organizations that are going to support their local constituents.”
As part of the airport tour, Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi learned that StandardAero, a company that does repairs for military helicopters, is having trouble finding employees. They are looking to hire, and Fugazi said that with her background in education, she wants to build their workforce.
“They ‘re one of four in the world that do,” Fugazi said. “So, it ‘s military, helicopter, and energy, and we have it right here in Stockton.”
Fugazi said she ‘s “super excited” that California Forward chose Stockton to be the host of the summit, “because there are things that people look at this city that aren ‘t positive and this is huge for our city and our region.”
Gutierrez has lived in Stockton for four decades after his parents brought his family here and started a business. He ‘s raised his kids in Stockton.
“I love the culture of this community,” Gutierrez said. “I love its resilience, and I love the fact that I get to do business here, so it ‘s really a win-win for everything in life.”
The summit will continue throughout this week, including hosting candidates in the 2026 California governor ‘s race for a forum on Thursday.