Until Capitol Day! Register Now!
The California United Way Network hosts Capitol Day annually to meet with elected officials and their staff and advocate for our collective policy priorities and budget proposals. In addition to legislative meetings, attendees can expect to hear from insightful panelists, have opportunities to collaborate with United Way advocates from across the Golden State, receive materials and legislative leave-behinds, and more!
We expect 2025 to be a year full of immense changes. That is why this year, we will be placing a special emphasis on strengthening connections at the local level by prioritizing in-district meetings with Representatives during the Legislature’s Spring Recess (April 10-21, 2025). On April 22, we’ll round out those discussions by meeting with Legislators’ Capitol staff, showcasing the local and statewide impact of California United Ways.
Please join us for this exciting event and stay tuned for a full agenda and even more information in the coming weeks! Secure your spot in the meantime and please contact Danielle Bautista with any questions.
Want to show up and show out in style? Check out the United Way store for all your swag needs!
Registration
We’re pleased to share that Early Bird tickets are priced at $150 (until March 31, 2025). Regular registration tickets will be priced at $175 (price available between April 1 – April 18, 2025).
All registrations for Capitol Day are non-refundable after April 4. If your plans change and you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another local United Way representative. In that case, please let us know who your registration will be transferred to by Wednesday, April 16. For further questions regarding registration or cancellation requests, please contact events@unitedwaysca.org or call 877.355.8922 x2.
Your purchase of a ticket or tickets and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. View complete Media Authorization & Release here.
Legislative Reception
We’re hosting a Legislative Reception on Monday, April 21, from 7–8:30 pm at the hotel. We are hard at work inviting legislators and their staff to join us the evening before our big advocacy day. We hope you’ll plan to attend, as well.
Hotel Booking
We have secured hotel rooms at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade (100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814) for the night of Monday, April 21, 2025, the day before Capitol Day.
The hotel booking link will automatically expire on April 08, 2025. Normal seasonal rates will apply after the deadline. Please make sure to register for Capitol Day in addition to booking your hotel room(s), and note that hotel room availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are three ways to book a hotel room at the Capitol Day group rate at $229 + taxes:
- Click here to book your hotel room online.
- Click here to make a reservation using the group/convention code: 92B
- Call (916) 326-5000 and let the Front Desk Agent know you would like to make a reservation under the United Ways of California discounted rate.
Agenda
| Agenda Item | Speaker(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Registration and Breakfast | • Rachel Dievendorf, Executive Coordinator, United Ways of California • Dave Sheldon, Senior Advisor, Strategic Initiatives, United Ways of California | 8:30am – 9:00am |
| Opening Remarks, Fireside Chat to Equity Through Policy: • Land Acknowledgment • Commitment to Equity, Living Our Values • Standing United as Californians | • Moderated by: Eric Arias, City Councilmember, Ward 1 in Southeast Bakersfield and CEO, United Way Central Eastern California • Mikela Thomas, Director of Equity & Inclusion Initiatives, United Ways of California • Kalie Brisbon, President & CEO, United Way of Northern California • Kimberly Starrs, President and CEO, Inland SoCal United Way • Keisha Browder, CEO, United Way Bay Area | 9:00am – 10:00am |
| Break | 10:00am – 10:15am | |
| Legislative and Budget Priorities Discussion: • Why We Advocate • Table Top Discussions • Jeopardy | Pete Manzo, President and CEO, United Ways of California | 10:15am – 11:00am |
| Keynote Speaker: How to Lead While Meeting the Moment | • Moderated by: Danielle Bautista, Policy Director, United Ways of California • Sukaina Hussain, Director of Strategic Partnerships, California Immigrant Policy Center • Dr. Inés Ruiz-Huston, Vice President, Civic Engagement and Leadership Development, El Concilio | 11:20am – 12:00pm |
| Lunch Buffet | 12:00pm – 1:00pm | |
| Group Photo 1315 10th Street | 1:20pm | |
| Legislative Meetings Capitol Annex Swing Space, 1021 O Street | 1:30pm – 5:00pm | |
| Capitol Day 2025 Ends | 5:00pm |
*Have been invited and are awaiting final confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expect to have a day of connection with folks in Sacramento! The United Ways of California Policy and Advocacy team will be sharing a recorded “Know Before You Go” Webinar with information on how to prepare for your legislative meetings, as well as materials to share with staff as leave-behinds.
For folks flying in, we recommend the Sacramento International Airport (SMF). The airport is about a 15-minute drive from the Embassy Suites. For folks taking Amtrak, the train station is about a 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the Embassy Suites.
It’s about a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the hotel, according to Google Maps. Should you need accommodations from the hotel/meeting space to the Capitol Swing Space, please email Danielle Bautista after you’ve registered.
Given this year’s budget deficit which may likely impact the next few years, a key theme for this year’s panel is advocacy during difficult budget years. Our state has not faced this length of economic uncertainty since the 2007-2008 Recession and will be a defining moment for the Legislature.
The hotel has valet parking available on site, subject to availability. Valet is $11.00 for the first hour and $8.00 for every hour after the first, maxing out at $38.00 per night per car with in-and-out privileges. There is also a self-parking option across the street called the Tower Bridge Garage. They do not have in-and-out privileges.
Here is the pricing for the self-parking option:
Daily Rates (6 AM – 6 PM)
$1.50/each half hour
$15/day maximum charge
$24/24-hour maximum
Evening Rates (6 AM – 6 PM)
$9 maximum charge
Near the hotel, there is a self-parking option across the street called the Tower Bridge Garage. They do not have in-and-out privileges.
Here is the pricing for the self-parking option:
Daily Rates (6 AM – 6 PM)
$1.50/each half hour
$15/day maximum charge
$24/24-hour maximum
Evening Rates (6 AM – 6 PM)
$9 maximum charge
Use the Capitol Codex to find legislative offices’ contact information and add your meetings to this Google Sheet, or please contact Danielle Bautista or Jazmine Muñoz for assistance in scheduling your legislative meetings.
Of course! We’ll host our “Know Before You Go” advocacy training during the Public Policy Committee meeting in early April.
We recommend business casual. While it may be cooler in the hotel and meeting space, please note that it may be warmer outside by the afternoon, so please consider that.
