Overview
The NARC Executive Directors Conference is designed by and for executive directors of regional organizations, including regional councils and MPOs. The conference is open to executive directors, one senior staff member from each organization, and elected officials to discuss topics including organizational structure, innovative best practices, and new developments in technology.
The Conference kicks off with Rapid Fire-an opportunity for each organization to tell in 3 minutes an innovation they made. The conference ends with Unconference–a session in which participants choose the topics and gather in small groups to share and problem solve. In between are sessions developed based on executive director feedback in the weeks before the conference and plenty of networking opportunities. Registration is now open.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 Executive Directors Conference & Board Forum is now open.
By registering for this meeting, all attendees agree to abide by NARCs Code of Conduct.
Lodging
Located at 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, CA, The Cliffs Hotel & Spa will host this year’s conference. Book your stay below.
Mobile Workshops
Sunday, October 18
Step into San Luis Obispo Wine Country with a curated wine
tasting and cellar tour at Stephen
Ross Wine Cellars in Edna Valley, and the grape harvest will be in
full swing. Get your hands dirty and learn how grapes go from vine to bottle.
Then hear a few harvest stories from a seasoned winemaker while tasting through
some of the best wines SLO County has to offer.
Time: 1:00
– 4:30 PM PT
Location: 2585 Biddle Ranch Road, San Luis Obispo, CA
Transportation: Complimentary shuttle will leave the Cliffs Hotel at 1 PM and return at 4:30 PM. There is limited room on the shuttle, so we encourage attendees to drive if they have a car.
California’s Central Coast has so much to offer, and San
Luis Obispo County is right in the heart of it! Below is a curated list of local favorites, from the relaxing to the family-friendly adventure.
- Pismo Preserve Hike (5 minutes from hotel)
- Explore Downtown Pismo Beach (5 minutes from hotel)
- Visit a Museum in the City of San Luis Obispo (15 minutes from hotel)
- San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (15 minutes from hotel)
- San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum (15 minutes from hotel)
- Mission San Luis Obispo deTolosa
- Have a Beach Day
- Enjoy the Hotel
Looking for more? View the Visit SLO CAL or Visit Pismo Beach website for more ideas or email Annie Bowsky, abowsky@slocog.org, for recommendations.
Tuesday, October 20
Hosted by SLOCOG Transportation Planner and local biking aficionado John DiNunzio, enjoy a group ride from The Cliffs Hotel to the cozy beach town of Avila Beach, approximately eight miles round trip. Some biking will be on the road and there will be moderate hills and terrain along the way. Bikes will be provided.
Time: 3:30-5:00 PM PT, leave from the hotel
Limit of 20people
Gather a little bit of history during your SLO County visit! Enjoy a docent-led interpretive tour of the Point San Luis Lighthouse and experience the rich history of the beautifully restored lighthouse, the Hornhouse, and other structures on the property. The tour will share a glimpse into the lives of lighthouse keepers and their families while helping keep the “jewel of the Central Coast” preserved. The mission is to restore, preserve, maintain,
and operate the Point San Luis Lighthouse Station, circa 1890, as a historical, educational, and recreational site for the use and enjoyment of the public.
Time: 3:30-5:00 PM PT
Transportation: Shuttle will leave the Cliffs Hotel at 3:30 pm
Limit of 25 people
About
NARC and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG)are proud to host the 2026 Executive Directors Conference and Board Forum.
SLOCOG is an association of local governments in the San Luis Obispo County Region representing 7 municipalities and an unincorporated area. In addition to preparing the region’s long-range transportation plan, SLOCOG plans and provides funding for public transit services, highway and roadway improvements, and other alternative methods of transportation.
Located along California’s Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County sits midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, boasting scenic beaches, rolling hills, vibrant downtowns, and working agricultural lands. Home to more than 280,000 residents and nearly 100 miles of coastline, the region’s seven cities and unincorporated communities each bring a distinct character shaped by their geography, economies, and lifestyles. Anchored by key transportation corridors like U.S. Highway 101, State Route 46, and Highway 1 along the coast, the county is both highly accessible and a sought-after destination, drawing millions of visitors each year. The mix of natural beauty, tourism, and growing communities creates a dynamic and engaging setting for regional planning and an ideal place to gather, explore, and exchange ideas. Key economic drivers include Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, tourism, an established wine industry, and agriculture.
Visit SLO CAL| Things to Do, Restaurants, Maps & Guides
2027 National Conference of Regions
Washington, DC
February 7-10, 2027
