Tourism in San Francisco has taken a big hit, with reduced visitation from China, sluggish business travel, and low bookings for conventions and large events. But there are many reasons to be optimistic for 2025 and beyond. The Bay Area will host major international sport events in 2026, including FIFA World Cup matches and the Super Bowl, with huge potential to bring more visitors to San Francisco and to fill up hotels. Big conventions are starting to come back to Moscone Center. Concerts, festivals, night markets, and new entertainment zones are transforming the streets and creating new opportunities for residents, workers, and visitors to enjoy the city. In this panel discussion, we will hear more about the role of tourism in the city's economy, how the industry is positioning itself for transformation and recovery, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
San Francisco is a strong employment center, the epicenter of innovation and venture capital investments. At the same time, San Francisco is still weaker than other large cities on metrics like return-to-office, commercial vacancy rates, tourism, and construction activity. Join us for a presentation by Ted Egan, San Francisco’s Chief Economist, and Alexander Quinn, JLL’s Director of Research for Northern California, to learn the specifics about San Francisco’s economic trends and potential solutions for current challenges.
The cities of El Cerrito and Berkeley, in partnership with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), are leading the transformation of BART station surface parking lots into vibrant, high-density, transit-oriented developments (TOD). These developments will feature significant affordable housing, open spaces, and key community amenities, creating new opportunities for sustainable, equitable growth in the East Bay. Join us for a special panel discussion featuring key stakeholders who are driving this transformative work.
Join us at Chase Center for an engaging SPUR event that explores the dynamic intersection of sports and economics. Through expert panels, case studies, and interactive discussions, we’ll delve into the impact of sports on urban development, community engagement, and innovation. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, business leader, or community planner, this event will provide valuable insights into harnessing the power of sports for economic growth.
Join SPUR for a tour of the iconic Ferry Building, hosted by Hudson Pacific Properties. Explore how this historic site has been revitalized and repurposed to drive economic recovery and continue attracting new businesses. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the architectural evolution and the role the Ferry Building plays in the waterfront’s transformation.
Join SPUR for an engaging discussion on the pivotal role of universities in shaping urban environments, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities in densely populated cities like San Francisco. Our distinguished panel includes experts from UCSF, UC Law, Gensler, and the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. They will delve into critical issues such as strategies for universities to address housing shortages and affordability, collaborative approaches between universities and cities, and ways universities can work with local communities to foster workforce development.
Join us for a conversation with State Senator Scott Wiener, a longtime champion of housing and mobility for all Californians. This year, he has made transportation his top priority. Senator Wiener has recently introduced enabling legislation for a new regional transportation measure that could help fund public transit as well as two groundbreaking bills to end the epidemic of traffic deaths. Hear from Senator Wiener about these bills, his vision, and the growing momentum for improving California's transportation system.
Join us for a panel discussion on how healthcare institutions, housing developers, and government agencies are working to build neighborhoods where all people can thrive.
Join us for a panel with leading experts in varied fields to share insights on office-to-residential conversions in San Francisco and beyond. Panelists will focus on buildings with distinctive features in promising neighborhoods or locations near business districts. The speakers will consider design, legal, and financial implications of converting existing office and mixed commercial buildings to residential uses. The discussion will primarily spotlight buildings where conditions and opportunities are most favorable to adaptive reuse and redevelopment.
Small businesses are critical components of the social and economic vibrancy of our neighborhoods amidst the evolving landscape of commercial vacancies and retail. Join SPUR for a discussion on how local agencies and organizations are supporting and sustaining the growth of BIPOC-owned small businesses. We will explore how federal funding, city-wide initiatives in San Francisco, and local groups are providing resources and opportunities to entrepreneurs in our region.
