The 2015 Annual Conference of the California Special Districts Association is set to begin in Monterey, California, early next week.

More than 600 special-district professionals and industry leaders—including fire chiefs, HR managers, support staff, and board trustees—will learn and network over three days to gain insights and solutions that they can bring back to the communities they work for.

Association:  California Special Districts Association

Conference: 2015 Annual Conference

Venue: Monterey Marriott Hotel

Location: Monterey, California

Peter Sheahan, president and CEO of Change Labs, is the opening keynoter of the 2015 Annual Conference. He will discuss best practices from industries that have experienced significant change and examine key insights from those who benefited from change—compared to those who became victims to it. Other specials on the conference menu:

Budget-friendly tactics. A number of breakout sessions will look at how special districts—which communities create to fill specific needs that municipal governments are not adequately addressing—can go about their usual business or experiment with new things without breaking bank. Topics include low-cost community engagement and media relations strategies.

A trip through “Ethicsland.” Attendees can take a turn in the hot seat, try to stump their friends, or just watch the show as they practice applying rules concerning conflicts of interest, government transparency, and more. The session’s tagline: This is not your grandma’s ethics training!

Taste of the city. On Wednesday evening, attendees can attend BBQ, Blues & Brews. They’ll sample local food and craft beer while enjoying the band Bleu, who will play a set list of vintage blues, gospel, and Americana music. This party also has a purpose: A silent auction will raise funds for scholarships for Special District Leadership Foundation programs. In addition, a special wine raffle will be held. The prize: a fully stocked, 35-bottle wine cellar valued at $1,000.

Watch the meeting from afar on the usual social channels: Twitter and Facebook.

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