Urban Exploration > San Diego, Sept 18-21, 2024
Beyond its Mediterranean climate and beaches is the dynamic city of San Diego–an economic engine with high performing biotech, healthcare, and sports entertainment sectors, vibrant promenades, art, parks and a diversity of cultures. Downtown San Diego’s impressive residential growth in the last 20 years looks a lot like Downtown Salt Lake City’s residential trajectory ahead. Join Salt Lake City leaders for an educational exploration of a metropolis that has become a lighthouse of urbanism. (Registration is now closed).
AGENDA
DAY 1 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
CHECK IN | ALL DAY
THE GUILD, 500 WEST BROADWAY
Our home away from home is the marvelously reimagined Guild Hotel. From 1924-1970 it served as an Army Navy YMCA. After 100 years and painstaking restoration, Architectural Digest said it is the must see hotel of the year. 
LET’S PLAY BALL! | OPENING RECEPTION AT PETCO PARK | 3:40-6:30 (approximate)
Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd, Pacifico Porch, field-level, third base
Make your way to the Pacifico Porch, inside Petco Park for San Diego Padres v. Houston Astros. We’ll be serving a variety of ball park favs, including the locally-famous Friar Franks Tarantino Hot Dog! This year, two decades after its development, Petco Park was ranked as the best MLB stadium by USA Today. Once inside the suite, notice the historic Western Metal Supply Co.to your left--the building was saved and included into the ballpark. The yellow line running down the corner is the foul ball line.
Sponsored by HKS
PLEASE NOTE:
TICKET: You will be emailed your ticket one week in advance and you will need to download the Ticketmaster app to access your ticket.
PETCO PARK BAG POLICY: You can bring small bags no larger than 5x7" or single-compartment clear plastic bags no larger than 12"x6"x12". Drawstring and grocery bags are no longer allowed into the ballpark.
DAY 2 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
WAKEY WAKEY BREKY BREKY! | 9:00AM-10:00AM
GUILD HOTEL BALLROOM
Imbue in the spirit of California and hit the gym, run the Embarcadero, or do yoga in Lane Field Park. Then, we’ll enjoy a California Continental breakfast from 9-10 at the hotel.
Sponsored by Gensler
WELCOME | 10:00AM
GUILD HOTEL BALLROOM
Derek Miller, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Dee Brewer, Downtown Alliance executive director formally welcome you to San Diego and review our agenda.
WHY ARE WE HERE? THE STORY OF SAN DIEGO | 10:15
GUILD HOTEL BALLROOM
Dr. Mary Walshok, recently retired from UC San Diego where she was the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Division of Extended Studies has been called the poet of the regional economy. She spent her career developing outreach efforts to accelerate San Diego’s economic vitality and growing the region's globally competitive talent pool. She is regularly called upon by the media for her expertise on national issues and how they will affect the local economy.
Betsy Brennan, President & CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, will discuss its role in enhancing economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego seven unique urban neighborhoods. This includes providing a quality membership program to more than 300 individuals and stakeholder organizations, conducting successful advocacy in service of the organization’s mission, telling the story of the market as an ideal place for investment and growth, and providing excellent enhanced services to make 275 blocks of Downtown more clean and safe. Since 2018, Brennan has brought her background in leadership at the City of San Diego, community-serving nonprofits, and educational institutions to the benefit and growth of the organization, helping it gain new relevancy as a critical piece of the bright future of the San Diego region.
Sponsored by Rick Engineering
PETCO PARK: REDEVELOPMENT OF A CITY | 10:45
GUILD HOTEL BALLROOM
Erik Judson, CEO of JMI Sports, managed the design and development of Petco Park for the San Diego Padres. Erik will lead a panel discussion about the economic impact of the baseball stadium with Elyse Lowe, Director of Development Services for the City and Byron Wear, past Deputy Mayor and City Councilor. In the past 20 years, there has been $1.2 billion in total investment in the area, including 16,000 new residential units and 1.6 million square feet of office space… all while strengthening the small business community in the district.
ON DECK | CONNECTING THE DOTS FROM SAN DIEGO TO THE SLC CAPITAL CITY REVITALIZATION PLAN | 11:45
GUILD HOTEL BALLROOM
Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Smith Entertainment Group’s Mike Maughan are among the central players during early planning for Salt Lake’s sports, entertainment, culture, and convention district. The Mayor and Mike will compare and contrast the opportunities they see in San Diego and SLC.
TACO TIME! | 12:30CARNITAS SNACK SHACK, 1004 NORTH DRIVE
Loosen up with a five minute walk to the Embarcadero and a delightful outdoor restaurant featured in The New York Times, Travel Channel, and Sunset.
BREAKOUTS
HURDLES WITH MURALS: PANDR DESIGN CO. | 1:40PM-3:00PM
Leaving from Carnitas Snack Shack
After lunch, Phoebe Cornog, founder of Pandr Design Co will guide you through San Diego to see one of her most recognized murals (of the 350 that she has painted in her lifetime!) She will discuss common road bumps for muralists, mural pricing, and the endless list of positive impacts. Wear your comfy shoes for this walk. 
CIAO BELLA! TOUR LITTLE ITALY | 1:40PM-3:00PM
Leaving from Carnitas Snack Shack
At 48 square blocks, San Diego’s Little Italy is the largest in the nation. It is a model urban neighborhood for the City of San Diego, and serves as a success story for other endangered ethnic neighborhoods around the country. Christopher Gomez, executive director of Little Italy BID, leads the walking tour and tells the story of its revitalization, historic plazas, modern architecture, and harmonious fusion of heritage and commerce that makes Little Italy a gem.
LITTLE ITALY EVENING RECEPTION | 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Morning Glory, 550 West Date Street
Let’s ease into the evening over a libation and make plans for dinner together at this marquee lounge above it all. San Diego Magazine said it was like “Elton John and Georgia O’ Keefe designed the space after seeing a Daft Punk show in Vegas” …and the evening is just getting started!
DAY 3 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
BREAKFAST ON YOUR OWN… OR WITH FRIENDS
We are getting a late start this morning, so grab your avocado toast or California omelet this morning and enjoy the Embarcadero, stroll Balboa Park, jump over to Coronado, or explore the Mormon Battalion Historic Site in Old Town San Diego.
WELCOME | 11:00
UC San Diego Park & Market, 1100 Market Street
Welcome to Park & Market, a one-of-a-kind social and intellectual hub. A vertical classroom designed to engage civic engagement and connections between industry, nonprofit, and government. 
GASLAMP, PAST PRESENT FUTURE | 11:30
UC San Diego Park & Market, 1100 Market Street
The Gaslamp National Historic District was long known for its seedy businesses, prostitution, and open drug use. In 1982, the Gaslamp Quarter District business improvement district was established and now manages and promotes the 400 businesses inside the boundaries. Hear the story of revitalization and how the area is now the center of commerce, conventions, and tourism.
GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING | Noon
UC San Diego Park & Market, 1100 Market Street
Salt Lake City Council Member Victoria Petro moderates a panel discussion on San Diego’s affordable housing projects, and downtown residential growth including the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of the East Village. With Lisa Jones, President and CEO of San Diego Housing Commission, Jim Andersen, Chief Development Officer of Chelsea Investment Corp, CM Stephen Whitburn, Council District 3 (San Diego), Jonathan Segal, FAIA & Development Company, and Jake Wood, Partner, Director of Affordable Housing, J Fisher Companies.
Sponsored by J Fisher
LUNCH | 1:00
UC San Diego Park & Market, 1100 Market Street
Before our breakout walks, enjoy fresh Mediterranean-inspired dishes from the local restaurant, Zanzibar.
Sponsored by DIG Studio and Fidelity Investments
BREAKOUTS
THE JEWEL OF THE EMBARCADERO, THE RADY SHELL | 2:15PM-4:00PM
You’ll leave from Park & Market on this walking tour
Floating in the ocean, the new home for the San Diego Symphony, the Rady Shell is a concert venue, a public park, and festival site–it’s also a worthy competitor to L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl. With capacity at 10,000, the striking architecture has quickly become beloved. 
ALL ABOARD, GET ON THE TRAIN AND RIDE IT | 2:15PM-3:30PM
You’ll leave from Park & Market on this transit/walking tour
San Diego’s transit system has been praised for being accessible, affordable, and reliable. It is also one of the oldest transit authorities in California. Ride the train from Park & Market to the historic Santa Fe Depot. Then, we’ll walk back to The Guild Hotel for a conversation with Jay Fox, Executive Director of Utah Transit Authority; Shawn Donaghy, CEO of the North County Transit District, which manages the BREEZE Bus System and COASTER Commuter Rail, as well as Sharon Cooney, CEO of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.
HOMERUN! WALK THE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT | 2:15PM-4:00PM
You’ll leave from Park & Market on this walking tour
Dive even further into the sports entertainment district with this walking tour examining the activation and management of both the ballpark and surrounding ballpark neighborhood. Learn about the invisible infrastructure managing and operating one of the top cathedrals of America’s Pastime.
QUARTYARD EVENING RECEPTION | 6:00PM-8:00PM
1301 Market Street
What to do with a vacant undeveloped urban corner? San Diego shows us how easy it is to turn blight into boisterous fun. Repurpose some shipping containers, build a stage and see how the neighborhood embraces this vibrant outdoor community space! Drinks on us.
Sponsored by Rick Engineering
DAY 4 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
LITTLE ITALY MERCATO | 7:45AM-8:45AM
Meet in the Guild Hotel lobby for a pleasant 15 minute walk to Little Italy.
We haven’t programmed Saturday morning in the past–but plan to stay–you don’t want to miss a tour of Little Italy’s Farmers Market. A celebration of community and produce, this three block weekly activation is a cornucopia of California. Two Farmers Market icons Catt Fields White and SLC’s Carly Gillespie lead an examination of how to close streets, engage the right vendor mix, and ensure safety. PROTIP: Don’t miss the fresh uni, plucked from the ocean that morning. 
Thank you to our Urban Exploration Sponsors!
At RICK, expertise, innovation, and collaboration merge to create meaningful, landmark projects that stand the test of time. Our in-house, multidisciplinary team will take your project from idea through construction with comprehensive services and unparalleled customer care.
At HKS, we believe that design should build trust between our collaborators, our clients and those who inhabit the places we design. We aim to inspire and empower the people and communities who encounter our work.
With additional support from:
