CSDA Board Secretary/Clerk Conference Attendee Information

Hotel and Parking Overview

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
633 E Cabrillo Blvd
Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Room reservations in the CSDA room block start at the rate of $205. The room reservation cut-off is October 2, 2026; however, space is limited and may sell out before this date. The CSDA room block includes waived resort fee ($40 nightly savings) and complimentary self-parking ($42 nightly savings), and complimentary guestroom WIFI.

The room reservation cut-off is October 2, 2026; however, space is limited and may sell out before this date.

Please be cautious of unauthorized third-party agencies, known as “room pirates,” who might reach out to you offering discounted hotel accommodations. These unauthorized solicitors often misrepresent themselves as being associated with our event or hotel partners and may offer rooms that do not actually exist, leaving you without a valid reservation. Please book your room directly through the link that CSDA provides within 24 hours of registering. Also, avoid sharing your personal or payment information with unofficial agencies and report any suspicious contact to our team immediately.

If you are having any issues booking a hotel reservation through the link above, please email the dates you are trying to book to meganh@csda.net

Credit Card Authorization Information

If you will be paying with a credit card that is not in your possession, a district card that is not in your name, etc., a Credit Card Authorization form is required.

Please email Sbafp_res@hilton.com to request a Credit Card Authorization form at least ONE WEEK prior to your arrival. Please include the group block name (California Special Districts Association, CSDA) and your hotel confirmation number. 

Electronic Records Management - Includes AI, Social Media and Other Opportunities

$325 CSDA Member / $650 Non-member
Includes lunch

What are the current best practices for managing electronic records in special districts? What practices should your agency avoid? Diane R. Gladwell, MMC, has assisted more than 250 California local government agencies in implementing best practices and gaining control over their electronic records. In this session, she will share both best and worst practices, along with legal compliance requirements for special district electronic records.

Register

Words That Work: Mastering the Craft of Staff Reports, Agenda Titles, and Meeting Minutes

$325 CSDA Member / $650 Non-member
Includes lunch

Whether you’re briefing a board, informing the public, or capturing the official record, the words you choose matter. This full-day, pre-conference workshop is designed for clerks, executive assistants, analysts, and other district professionals ready to elevate their writing game and communicate with clarity, credibility, and confidence.

We’ll explore how to write staff reports that tell a compelling story and meet legal, administrative, and policy requirements. You’ll learn how to craft agenda titles and recommended actions that are precise, purposeful, and easy to understand. And when it comes to minutes? This session goes beyond the basics to focus on narrative techniques that ensure your minutes are both accurate and accessible, with just the right tone of neutrality and professionalism.

With hands-on exercises, real-life examples, and peer discussion, you’ll leave with practical tools, sample language, and confidence to write with authority, no matter the audience.

Register

Parking Information

Complimentary self-parking (savings of $42.00) when booking within the CSDA room block.

Highlighted Conference Activities

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Opening Reception: Golden State Eras Tour: A Decades Party

5:30 – 7:00 pm

Step into California through the decades for a high-energy reception featuring great food, beverages, and nonstop entertainment from the always crowd-pleasing Killer Dueling Pianos. From classic hits to modern anthems, request your favorites and sing along as the eras come alive. Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite decade and celebrate the sights, sounds, and style that make the Golden State iconic.


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Networking Reception: Gratitude and Glow

Wednesday, November 4
5:30 – 7:00 pm

Enjoy a well-deserved break with mobile chair massages, capture a lighthearted moment with a live caricature artist, and unwind in a welcoming space focused on connection, appreciation, and giving back. Plus, bring a canned food donation and enter to win fabulous prizes!

CONFERENCE REGISTRANTS who log in will have a button appear to book their room below.

*Could take one day to become available after registration. 

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Need Help?

Email: membership@csda.net or
Call: 916.442.7887

Pre-Conference Activities: Tuesday, November 3

CSDA Benefits Bingo 

4:15 – 5:15 pm

We love helping members maximize their benefits. You love winning prizes! Let’s all do what we love at the Board Secretary/Clerk Conference. We start with an exploration of membership benefits to make sure your district is taking full advantage of all we provide. Along the way, you’ll win prizes!

*Optional

Guest Policy and Prices

Guests must be pre-registered for access to meal functions and receptions. Guests cannot be from a special district or someone who does business with a special district.

Tuesday/Wednesday Reception Guest Prices

  • $150 Member (both receptions)
  • $300 Non-member (both receptions)

Register
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Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be in writing and received by CSDA no later than October 2, 2026. All cancellations received by this date will be refunded less a $100 processing fee. There will be no refunds for cancellations made after October 2, 2026. Substitutions to another attendee are possible but only for Board Secretary / Clerk Conference (not transferable to another conference) and must be done in writing no later than October 21, 2026. Please submit any cancellation notice or substitution request to meganh@csda.net or fax to 916-520-2465.

Photography and Video Release

Consent to Use Photographic Images: Registration and attendance at, or participation in, CSDA meeting and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to CSDA’s use and distribution (both now