Friends of CALBO, 

Welcome to the incredible California desert and the community of Rancho Mirage!  If you know me, you will know that I have been eagerly anticipating this meeting more than anyone could imagine.  CALBO has been working on our 60th anniversary meeting since 2018, and at that time, I made sure I was a part of the planning team.  Yes, I loved our Los Angeles venue… but Rancho Mirage gives us many opportunities that can ensure the comfort and welfare of all attendees.  With that, I hope you share my enthusiasm and will join me in the desert as we come together to commemorate 60 years as an organization.  

This ABM will feel familiar to you, even if the memory is somewhat distant to a pre-pandemic time.  As we have planned the event, we have worked to ensure that there is something for everyone in our community.  If you are involved in code enforcement, planning or even the politics of your jurisdiction, we have you covered.  If you are coming to hear from our state agencies and decision-makers as to what to expect from the 2023 editions of the California codes, it’s central to the program.  Soft skills and management training, check.  Oh, and we have built in some camaraderie as well.  

How could we visit the desert and not enjoy the world class greens?  Obviously, we will host a golf tournament on Sunday afternoon, giving you plenty of time to get to town and settled.  Our industry partners are busy with some Monday evening plans to make available to you.  Another play on our time in the desert will be my namesake event – the President’s Dinner on Wednesday night.  Think Coachella Music Festival, but for the 5 o’clock somewhere crowd.  It’s going to be a good time and you will not leave undernourished or without memories.  

As you may have heard me say before, the world is healing.  It is.  Although I have been very proud of CALBO and our profession for our resilience shown through the pandemic and our abilities to continue to “show up,” this meeting will be our chance to officially return to the normalcy that we all miss.

Come by plane, train, Uber or burro, and I will see you this May 9-12, 2022 in Rancho Mirage for our 60th Annual Business Meeting.  I cannot wait.

Sincerely,

Shane G. Diller, M.P.A
Assistant Director, Development Services
City of Elk Grove