Upcoming and Past Events

Aug
1
Wed
Business Member Event
San Francisco
Business Member Event

Airbnb and the Future of Home Sharing

SPUR and Airbnb invite you to a drinks reception and discussion on the future of home sharing. SPUR CEO, Gabriel Metcalf will be in conversation with Chris Lehane, Airbnb's Head of Global Policy and Communications. The intense growth of home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb has sparked debate on how cities should police short-term rentals in order to enable local economies to flourish while preserving the…
May
8
Tue
Business Member Event
San Francisco
Business Member Event

The Future of Central SoMa

San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood (SoMa) has transcended its industrial past, becoming fertile ground in which hundreds of companies — technology startups and established firms alike — have taken root. But as these businesses continue to grow, their expansion is often impeded by the planning and building decisions of the past. These concerns may soon be forgotten, however, as the city moves to adopt…
Apr
25
Wed
Business Member Event
Oakland
Business Member Event

Problem Solver With Mike Hursh: What should the City of Oakland’s ongoing role be in workforce development?

Join us in contributing ideas directly to Mark Sawicki, director of the City of Oakland’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development, on how his department can address this question. The continued success of the Bay Area economy requires robust pathways to work, offering young people and low- and middle-wage workers opportunities to begin and advance in their careers. In light of reduced federal funding for…
Apr
25
Wed
Business Member Event
San José
Business Member Event

Smart Cities: Reshaping Economy & Society

Andrew Blau has been a strategy and innovation advisor to business, government and NGO leaders across a wide range of topics, including mobility and transportation, healthcare, global commerce and corporate strategy. Join SPUR as Andrew discusses how rapid advances in technology are reshaping our economy and society. To solve complex urban challenges, traditional cities are increasingly adopting disruptive digital technologies and utilizing the power of data to transform into 'smart cities.' Thank …
Mar
29
Thu
Business Member Event
San José
Business Member Event

Modular Construction: Building the Future

Following several years of dramatic increases in the cost of construction and continued shortages in housing supply, modular or "prefab" construction is sparking renewed curiosity among developers, investors and residents. Factory-built housing has captured the interest of those in search of more effective, productive and potentially inexpensive ways to build housing. New projects underway and on the horizon indicate that modular housing might finally begin to fulfill its promise. Join us for an evening reception…
Mar
29
Thu
Business Member Event
Oakland
Business Member Event

Problem Solver with Bill Gilchrist: Updating Oakland's Specific Planning Process

Join us in contributing ideas directly to William (Bill) Gilchrist, director of the City of Oakland’s Department of Planning and Building Services, on how his department can address this question: How is Oakland's specific planning process working, and how can it be improved? For the last few years, the City of Oakland has used specific and area plans as a tool for defining a clear…
Feb
28
Wed
Business Member Event
Oakland
Business Member Event

Problem Solver With Mike Hursh: Shaping AC Transit’s Workforce of Tomorrow

Join SPUR business members and guests to contribute ideas to Mike Hursch, general manager of AC Transit, on how his department can address the following question: How can AC transit help develop a workforce of tomorrow? Public transit relies on skilled and healthy workforce to do the difficult job of keeping buses and trains running, and keeping customers happy. Alarmingly, 40% of AC Transit’s workforce…
Feb
8
Thu
Business Member Event
Oakland
Business Member Event

Problem Solver with Mark Sawicki: What Should Oakland's Retail Strategy Be?

This event is generously sponsored by Comerica. What should Oakland’s retail strategy be and how could Oakland benefit from the changing retail climate? Downtown Oakland was once the retail and shopping heart of the East Bay. Today Oaklanders must often leave their neighborhoods, and even the city, for basic goods. The resulting “leakage” of sales taxes to adjacent communities has impacted the city’s budget: Oakland…
Jan
24
Wed
Business Member Event
San José
Business Member Event

The Rise of Tech in San Jose

More and more technology companies are choosing to relocate to San Jose from other parts of Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. Join SPUR in a conversation with Colin Yasukochi and Lexi Russell, co-authors of CBRE's 2017 Tech-30 report, CBRE to discuss reasons for this shift — including access to transit, financial considerations and the vibrancy of an urban center — and what these trends mean for the future of…