Chamber Chat: SDNEDC 2026 Spring Study Trip to Denver
The 2026 program offers hands-on economic insights, regional collaboration models, and firsthand lessons from one of the country’s fastest-growing metro areas
From June 24–26, 2026, the San Diego North Economic Development Council (SDNEDC) will head to Denver for our next Study Trip — three days of candid conversations, behind-the-scenes access, and practical takeaways for North County leaders. This year, our presenting sponsor is Southwest Airlines, and we thank them for their support.
These trips are not junkets. They are working sessions in another region — an opportunity to see how suburban communities are confronting many of the same challenges we face: housing affordability, talent attraction, infrastructure investment, airport connectivity, industry diversification, and inclusive economic growth. Denver’s metro area has evolved rapidly over the past two decades, and its suburban leaders have not stood still. They’ve leaned in. That’s exactly why we’re going.
One stop will be the headquarters of VF Corporation, the global apparel and footwear company whose portfolio includes brands with a North County connection like The North Face. We’ll explore what drew VF to the region, how the company partners locally, and how they partner with the Colorado Active Sports Industry ecosystem.
We will also visit Belmar in Lakewood — one of the country’s most cited examples of suburban redevelopment done right. Belmar transformed a failing enclosed mall into a vibrant, mixed-use downtown district with housing, retail, office space, and public gathering areas. As North County communities wrestle with how to add housing, create walkable environments, and modernize aging commercial corridors, Belmar offers a tangible case study in reinvention.
