EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and community partners to strengthen Solano County's economy.
PAST EVENTS & COMMUNITY IMPACT
Explore highlights from Solano EDC's past events, where leaders, businesses, and community partners came together to collaborate, innovate, and strengthen Solano County's economy.
From inspiring keynote speakers and economic development forums to networking events, workshops, and regional collaborations, these events showcase the partnerships and conversations helping shape the future of our communities.
EVENTS, CONVERSATIONS & REGIONAL IMPACT
Explore signature programs, business forums, speaker series, workshops, and regional gatherings that bring Solano County leaders and communities together.
Speaker Series Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente
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Solano Manufacturing Round Table
2026
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Power Up Solano County
Energy, innovation, infrastructure and economic growth
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Manufacturing in Solano County
Spotlight on Fairfield, California
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June Breakfast 2025
Tariffs, Headwinds, and Opportunities
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Annual Breakfast 2025
Leadership, innovation and Solano County’s economic future
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Rural Communities Economic Development Forum
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Solano Biz-Grow Breakfast
Connecting capital, business and community
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Annual Breakfast 2024
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Syar Foundation Summit
Philanthropy, nonprofits and community investment
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Annual Breakfast 2023
Leadership, infrastructure, federal investment and regional progress
View Event →SPEAKER SERIES
Explore conversations featuring regional experts, industry leaders, and decision-makers discussing the issues shaping Solano County’s future.
Policy & Advocacy: Exploring the Legislative Agenda
Building the Energy Grid of the Future
The Future of Farming in Solano County
The Future of Water in Solano County
Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Business & Government
Affordable Housing in Solano County
The Future of Transit in Solano County
Housing in Solano: Developer Perspectives
Faith-Based Housing: Innovative Solutions for Community Growth in Solano
SOLANO MANUFACTURING
ROUND TABLE
Inaugural Manufacturing Leadership Forum
Manufacturers Connecting, Collaborating and Moving Solano Forward
The Inaugural Solano Manufacturing Round Table brought together manufacturers, business leaders, economic development partners, and industry professionals for a morning of collaboration focused on strengthening Solano County’s manufacturing economy.
Attendees discussed workforce development, supply-chain opportunities, current industry challenges, and strategies to support innovation, business growth, and long-term competitiveness throughout the region. The event also created valuable opportunities for manufacturers to exchange ideas and form new partnerships.
A special thank you to All Weather Architectural Aluminum for hosting the event and providing attendees with an exclusive behind-the-scenes facility tour, and to Lance Hastings and the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) for presenting valuable statewide manufacturing insights.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to All Weather Architectural Aluminum, CMTA, and Thistle for helping make this inaugural event a success.
POWER UP
SOLANO COUNTY
Energy • Innovation • Infrastructure • Economic Growth
Powering Opportunity, Innovation and Long-Term Economic Growth
The Solano EDC Annual Breakfast 2026 – Power Up Solano County brought together business leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs, and community partners for an important conversation about the future of energy, innovation, infrastructure, and economic growth in Solano County.
As California faces increasing demand from artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electrification, and emerging technologies, reliable and affordable power is becoming one of the most important issues shaping regional competitiveness.
This year’s event focused on how Solano County can prepare for the future while creating opportunity today — strengthening infrastructure, supporting business investment, encouraging innovation, and ensuring the region is positioned to compete in a rapidly changing economy.
We sincerely thank our featured speakers: Benjamin Finkelor, Lorenzo Kristov, Ph.D., Quinn Nakayama, Edward Randolph, and Arnab Pal for sharing their expertise and helping lead a thoughtful discussion.
We also thank our generous sponsors: Kaiser Permanente, BayREN, MCE, Medic Ambulance Service, Middle River Power, NextEra Energy Resources, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Valley Strong Credit Union.
Explore Photos from Power Up Solano County
View additional moments, speakers, conversations, networking, and highlights from the 2026 Solano EDC Annual Breakfast.
Watch Power Up Solano County
Revisit the conversation on energy, infrastructure, innovation, and the economic opportunities shaping Solano County’s future.
SPOTLIGHT ON
FAIRFIELD
The Future of Manufacturing in Solano
Building the Future of Manufacturing in Fairfield and Solano County
The Solano EDC event “Spotlight on Fairfield, CA: The Future of Manufacturing in Solano” brought together business leaders, educators, workforce partners, and community members on October 16 for an insightful conversation highlighting manufacturing strengths, emerging opportunities, and regional collaboration.
Held at the Logistics Center at Fairfield, Building 4 at 2140 Cordelia Road, the event featured a breakfast panel from 8:00 AM–10:00 AM followed by a career fair from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM.
The event provided an important platform for participants to network, explore innovation, connect employers with future talent, and engage in conversations about Solano County’s evolving manufacturing economy.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the sponsors, partners, businesses, educators, workforce professionals, and community members who helped make the event possible.
TARIFFS, HEADWINDS
& OPPORTUNITIES
Solano EDC June Breakfast 2025
Exploring Economic Challenges, Emerging Opportunities and Solano County’s Path Forward
The Solano EDC June Breakfast 2025 welcomed a full house on June 25 for Tariffs, Headwinds, and Opportunities, a timely discussion focused on the economic forces shaping businesses, communities, and investment across the region.
The program featured a dynamic conversation led by Jeff Bellisario of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, Dr. Rob Eyler of Sonoma State University, Michael Likosky of Results, and Chris Rico representing Solano EDC.
Speakers examined challenges and opportunities across today’s economic landscape, including inflation, international trade, tariffs, investment conditions, and the factors influencing business growth throughout Northern California.
The program concluded with an engaging audience Q&A that opened meaningful dialogue across sectors and explored how Solano County can remain competitive and position itself for continued growth.
We extend our appreciation to everyone who joined us and to our sponsors: Travis Credit Union, Recology, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Explore Photos from the June Breakfast
View additional moments from the discussion, networking, audience Q&A, and conversations throughout the morning.
Watch the Full June Breakfast Discussion
Revisit the complete conversation on tariffs, inflation, trade, economic headwinds, and opportunities for Solano County.
ANNUAL BREAKFAST
MEETING 2025
Connecting Leadership, Innovation and Solano County’s Economic Future
Insights, Collaboration and a Shared Vision for Economic Prosperity
The Solano EDC Annual Meeting Breakfast 2025 brought together business leaders, policymakers, and community members for a morning of insights, collaboration, and economic vision.
Held on March 7, 2025, the event featured an engaging lineup of speakers, including California State Senator Christopher Cabaldon and Olaf J. Groth, PhD from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Speakers provided expert perspectives on global economic trends, regional growth strategies, innovation, and the opportunities and challenges shaping Solano County’s future.
Attendees gained valuable, actionable insights designed to support economic development, foster innovation, strengthen the local business community, and encourage continued collaboration across public and private sectors.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the sponsors, partners, speakers, businesses, and community leaders who helped make this impactful event possible.
SOLANO BIZ-GROW
BREAKFAST
Celebrating the Partnerships Powering Solano County’s Revolving Loan Fund
Helping Solano County Businesses Access Capital, Grow and Thrive
The Solano Biz-Grow Revolving Loan Fund Breakfast brought together an inspiring group of local lenders, small business owners, economic development partners, and community leaders for a morning centered on opportunity, collaboration, and business growth.
The event celebrated the partnerships that help drive the success of the Solano Biz-Grow Revolving Loan Fund Program, an important economic development resource designed to help businesses access capital and support their continued growth and sustainability.
Through collaboration between lenders, business owners, and community partners, the program strengthens Solano County’s entrepreneurial ecosystem while helping local companies invest, expand, create jobs, and build long-term resilience.
We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of everyone involved in strengthening our local economy and for all who attended and contributed to this impactful morning.
RURAL COMMUNITIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Advancing Opportunity and Prosperity Across Solano County’s Rural Communities
Connecting Leaders, Resources and Ideas to Strengthen Rural Solano
The Rural Communities Economic Development Forum brought together key stakeholders, local leaders, and industry experts to explore opportunities and challenges facing rural economic development.
Hosted in collaboration with the Rural County Representatives of California and the Solano County Farm Bureau, the event provided valuable insights and fostered meaningful discussion around strategies that can help rural communities grow, adapt, and prosper.
Attendees participated in a dynamic open forum that created space for questions, networking, and direct conversations with experts and regional partners.
The forum highlighted approaches to supporting economic growth, addressing rural challenges, strengthening community resilience, and creating new opportunities throughout Solano County.
A special thank you to First Northern Bank for its generous support in helping make this event possible.
ANNUAL BREAKFAST MEETING 2024
A Regional Conversation on Growth, Development and Solano County’s Future
Bringing Community Leaders Together for an Important Regional Conversation
On February 8, 2024, Solano EDC hosted its Annual Meeting Breakfast at the beautiful Bally Keal Estate.
The event brought together community leaders, organizations, stakeholders, and regional partners for an important discussion surrounding California Forever’s development plan and the future of Solano County.
The program featured a collaborative conversation with California Forever and Solano Together, a coalition representing organizations including the Solano Orderly Growth Committee, Greenbelt Alliance, Sierra Club, Napa-Solano Audubon Society, and California Native Plant Society.
The morning began with networking and registration at 7:30 AM, followed by a thoughtful breakfast program from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Attendees explored the opportunities, questions, and challenges surrounding development, sustainable growth, land use, and the region’s long-term future.
Special thanks to our presenting sponsors: Kaiser Permanente, Medic Ambulance, and Valley Strong Credit Union.
SYAR FOUNDATION
SUMMIT
Building Capacity, Advancing Equity and Investing in Solano County
Bringing Philanthropy, Nonprofits and Public Leaders Together Around a Shared Vision
The Syar Foundation Summit took place on Thursday, November 9 at Touro University in Vallejo, California.
The one-day convening brought together philanthropy, regional nonprofits, and the public sector to highlight Solano County’s greatest needs, major business development, and a visionary opportunity to proactively invest in local BIPOC communities alongside future growth and gentrification.
Speakers from organizations across the country, including New America, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation, Fresno Drive, and SOLA Impact, participated in panels and fireside chats.
Their conversations contributed valuable real-world research, experience, case studies, and strategies supporting the #FundSolano vision.
Special guests We Are For Good also led a three-hour capacity-building workshop for more than 30 Solano County nonprofits.
The Summit launched a year-long nonprofit capacity-building cohort program featuring monthly workshops focused on fundraising, marketing, technology, organizational effectiveness, and more.
Watch the Summit Highlights
Revisit key moments, speakers, conversations, and community connections from the Syar Foundation Summit.
Displacement: A Conversation
Watch Jameelah Hanif and Jeremy Smith discuss displacement, community investment, growth, and the future of Solano County.
Explore Photos from the Summit
View additional photos from the program, workshops, networking, panels, speakers, and nonprofit community.
ANNUAL BREAKFAST MEETING 2023
A Conversation on Federal Investment, Regional Growth and Solano County’s Future
Leadership, Investment and a Shared Commitment to Solano County’s Future
The Solano EDC Annual Breakfast 2023 brought together a vibrant cross-section of the Solano County community to recognize Congressman Mike Thompson’s return to North Solano County following redistricting.
Hosted by Travis Credit Union, the event welcomed farmers, scientists, local leaders, business representatives, and constituents for meaningful conversations about the region’s future.
Congressman Thompson shared insights on the impacts of the American Rescue Plan, Inflation Reduction Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, highlighting the ways federal investment could support communities, infrastructure, clean energy, and economic opportunity.
The discussion also addressed broader public policy priorities and reinforced the importance of collaboration between federal, regional, and local leaders as Solano County continues to grow.
The event reflected a shared commitment to strengthening communities, supporting economic development, and creating opportunities for continued progress throughout Solano County.
