Join us for the Southern California Water Coalition’s Annual Dinner on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. This event brings together leaders from across the water, government, labor, agriculture, and business sectors, spanning from San Diego to Ventura and Imperial Counties, for an evening of celebration and insight.
Buy tickets at this link. Download the flyer at this link.
This year’s dinner is especially significant as it commemorates SCWC’s 40th anniversary, a milestone in its mission to advocate for reliable and resilient water supplies across Southern California. The event’s theme, “Celebrating 40 Years of Partnership and Education,” reflects the Coalition’s enduring impact since its founding by Harriett Wieder in 1984.
The evening will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will hear from keynote speaker Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni G. Atkins of San Diego, who will share her insights on water issues and the future of California’s water infrastructure.
Tickets for the VIP reception and dinner are priced at $325 for SCWC members and $375 for non-members, while dinner-only tickets are $275 for members and $325 for non-members. Event sponsorships range from $3,000 to $10,000. Tickets can be purchased on EventBrite, and inquiries about sponsorships can be directed to Julie Ackman at jackman[at]socalwater.org.
SCWC was established in response to the 1982 ballot rejection of the Peripheral Canal, a project aimed at enhancing the State Water Project by bypassing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Harriett Wieder, alarmed by misinformation surrounding the water crisis, founded the organization to advocate for Southern California’s water needs. “It was necessary for someone to set the record straight,” Wieder told the Los Angeles Times in 1986. “Our children and our children’s children depend on [water] for the lifestyle they’ll have after we’re gone.”
Initially named the Southern California Water Committee, the Coalition started with representation from each Southern California county’s board of supervisors. Under the leadership of its first Executive Director, Lou Smallwood, the organization rapidly expanded. “Each county is getting organized. We’re on our way,” Smallwood remarked a few years after its inception.
Today, the Southern California Water Coalition, under the leadership of its board and Executive Director Charley Wilson, stands as a robust alliance of local and regional governments, businesses, water agencies, and organizations, all dedicated to water resource advocacy. Through public education and partnership, SCWC continues to drive action to secure the water future of Southern California. The annual dinner has become a highlight of the fall season for the water community.