2026 California Infill Summit: Best Practices and Breakthrough Opportunities

August 19-20, 2026
LA Athletic Club, 431 W. 7th Street, Downtown Los Angeles

Hosted by

Join us in Los Angeles at the L.A. Athletic Club for the 2026 California Infill Summit

Can we actually get things built in California? The Council of Infill Builders are convening the people working to make sure the answer is YES.

The California Infill Summit will feature builders, contractors, lawyers, lenders, utilities, elected officials, planners, community organizations, sustainability professionals, and students for a practical conversation about what it takes to make infill projects pencil, get permitted, get powered up, open their doors, and avoid death by a thousand cuts along the way.

Come be part of the conversation about what’s working, what’s not, and what changes we need. California’s housing, economic development and climate goals – not to mention the future of our industry – hang in the balance.

August 19th, 5-8pm: Reception/Infill Idea Slam in Victory Ballroom

Start the California Infill Summit on a high note at our reception! Connect and reconnect with colleagues and friends who are shaping infill across the state (and thank you to Rand Paster Nelson for sponsoring our signature cocktail, “The Builders Remedy”).

After you settle in, be sure to check out our Infill Idea Slam — a fast-paced, open-mic, mini-TEDx-style event. Bring your boldest or most useful idea, boiled down to a 3- to 5-minute pitch. Tell us about a new product, breakthrough research, policy innovation, or practical solution you believe will move infill forward. If you just want to listen and be inspired, that’s fine, too.

Stay for cocktails/small bites and great conversation in a room full of the people who are building the future of California’s cities (as well as a debut infill song from the in-house band Walkable Communities).

August 20th, 8am-4pm: Conference in Centennial Ballroom

The summit will feature leading practitioners and policymakers discussing local best practices, electrification, housing production, legislative updates, and innovative development strategies. Please see the detailed program below.

Conference Program

(Please note: Times and details subject to change)

Time	Program Element	Speaker
8:00 AM	Breakfast
8:55 AM	Welcome	Meea Kang, Council of Infill Builders Mott Smith, Infill Builders Foundation
9:00 AM	Morning Keynote	Nithya Raman, LA City Councilmember & Mayoral Candidate
9:30 AM	Panel 1 Speaking Power to Truth: Electrifying New Infill Projects	Moderator: Jesse Zwick, Housing Action Coalition Shaheed Moledina, ENMAX Calgary TBA, Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District TBA, LA Department of Water and Power
10:00 AM	Break
10:30 AM	Panel 2 Local Legends: Infill Success Stories	Moderator: Bianca Neumann, EAH Housing Brian Schoenfisch, City of San Diego Bubba Fish, Vice Mayor of Culver City Stephen Smith, Center for Building in North America Greg Sandlund, City of Sacramento
12:00 PM	Lunch Keynote	Mayor Todd Gloria, City of San Diego, featuring remarks by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (invited)
1:15 PM	Panel 3 Infill Disruptors: Creating New Paradigms	Moderator: TBA Leo Pustilnikov, Developer TBA, Genesis LA Bob Hertzberg, Former Speaker of California Assembly (invited)
2:00 PM	Break
2:15 PM	Panel 4 There Oughta Be a Law: Infill Legislation Update	Moderator: Marty Akerblom, Allen Matkins Louis Mirante, Bay Area Council Dave Rand, Rand Paster Nelson Brian Hanlon, California YIMBY Meea Kang, Council of Infill Builders Colin Parent, Circulate Planning & Policy
3:30 PM	Closing Keynote The Future of Infill in Santa Monica and Beyond	Oliver Chi, City Manager of Santa Monica

Registration

Step 1: Fill Out Registration Form

Step 2: Make Payment

Tickets for both days (reception and conference) are $250. Members receive a $50 discount. If you are not an active 2026 Member and wish to join or renew, please do so here to receive a discount on your conference registration. Otherwise, please choose one of the options below.

Lodging

Stay with us at the LA Athletic Club! A variety of rooms are available for booking through their website. Book soon, as a limited amount of rooms are available.