Event Will Cover the Impact of Major Events Such as the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games
The South Bay has always been the home of great beaches, fine art and culture. But over the last decade, it has also transformed into a hub of state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venues and will soon serve as an axis for major events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl LXI and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. On March 26, 2026, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) explores this topic at its 26th General Assembly titled, “Let the Games Begin: How Sports and Entertainment are Shaping the South Bay.” The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.) at the westdrift Manhattan Beach Autograph Collection Hotels at 1400 Parkview Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Registration for this free event is closed.
At the symposium-style event, speaker panels will explore the impact this evolution is having on the South Bay’s economy and environment, and how it’s preparing to take the world stage. It will examine the government’s role of encouraging and regulating, while keeping the South Bay livable for residents, keeping businesses thriving and sustaining a hub for leisure activities.
The event will be moderated by Mark Rogondino, an Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster and dynamic presence across Southern California and the national sports stage. Rogondino is in his fourth season as the lead play-by-play voice for Major League Soccer on Apple TV. He also serves as a sports anchor and field reporter for Fox 11 Los Angeles. Bernadette Suarez, City of Lawndale Council member and SBCCOG Chair will provide opening remarks.
The day’s conversations will kick off with the discussion, “Uniting Communities Through Art, Culture and Entertainment.” Panelists will dive into how the South Bay is shaping culture through its thriving arts scene. Speakers will include Amy Eriksen, executive director, Angels Gate Cultural Center and a founding partner of Arts United, representing local arts; Elizabeth Hause, community services director, City of Redondo Beach, representing the civic cultural facilities such as the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, known for its high-profile programming that includes the Distinguished Speaker Series of Southern California, Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Redondo Beach Ballet Company; and Eric Johnson, CEO, Jerico Development, Inc., representing West Harbor waterfront destination, the reimagined next chapter of San Pedro’s iconic Ports O’ Call Village.
For the event’s second panel, “City Hall to Center Stage: A Mayors’ Panel,” George Chen, mayor, City of Torrance; Jim Light, mayor, City of Redondo Beach; Cedric Hicks, mayor pro-tempore, City of Carson; and Michelle Keldorf, councilmember, City of El Segundo, will discuss challenges and opportunities for cities in leveraging the region’s upcoming global events and how cities are carving out their own place in the arts, sports and cultural scene.
Kicking off the afternoon discussions, “Sports, Places and Entertainment – Moving the South Bay Forward,” will be led by Larry Kosmont, CEO, Kosmont Companies. Panelists will include Christy Castillo-Butcher, senior vice president, programming and booking, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park; Evan Eleff, partner, Sports Facilities Corporation; and Allen Sanford, founder, BeachLife Festival and California Surf Club. The speakers will advance the conversation on how the South Bay can take a seat on the main stage as it creates and plays host to major events.
The final afternoon panel “From Arrival to the Final Whistle: Managing the Full Event Experience,” will spotlight the logistics of managing traffic, crowd control, public safety, and environment, while creating events that leave a mark on the history books. Panelists will include Joe Forgiarini, senior executive officer, service department, LA Metro; Rachel Johnson, chief, City of Manhattan Beach Police Department; Dana Pynn, assistant director of transportation, public transit services for the City of Gardena, also known as GTrans; and Dan Rodman, deputy executive director, City of Los Angeles Office of Major Events, working on LA28.
Prior to panel discussions, General Assembly attendees are invited to network in the exhibit hall.
The General Assembly’s Golden Circle sponsor ($10,000+ level) is westdrift Manhattan Beach Autograph Collection Hotels; Benefactors ($5,000 level) include 1960 Club by the Los Angeles Chargers; Chevron Products Company; Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; South Bay Association of REALTORS®; and Southern California Edison. Sponsors ($2,500 level) include California Water Service; Clean Power Alliance; Continental Development Corporation | Mar Ventures, Inc.; Gammill Law Accident & Injury Lawyers; Gensai GEO SEARCH; Kaiser Permanente; Kosmont Companies; Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts; Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn; SoCalGas; South Coast Air Quality Management District; Southern California Association of Governments; Southern California News Group (The Daily Breeze, The Beach Reporter, Palos Verdes Peninsula News), ; Transtech; Water Replenishment District; Watson Land Company; and West Basin Municipal Water District.
For a complete list of event speakers and their bios, visit https://southbaycities.org/2026-general-assembly/.
ABOUT SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS:
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is a joint powers government agency of 16 cities and the County of Los Angeles which share the goal of maximizing the quality of life and productivity of the subregion. Within this structure, cities and Los Angeles County maintain the qualities and characteristics that make them unique and independent, while also coming together collectively to address issues of common interest for a greater good of the communities through partnership, persuasion, performance and advocacy. For more information about the SBCCOG visit http://southbaycities.org
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