Programs include over 40 sessions, tours, and special events. This year, the events include:

• Opening Reception (4/19) at the Maritime Museum (historic bathouse at Aquatic Park)
• President’s Circle Reception (4/20) – an exclusive “thank you” reception for our major donors and sponsors, held at historic Fort Mason.
• The 2023 California Preservation Awards Reception and Ceremony (4/20) at the Cowell Theater and Pier 2 at Fort Mason.
• Closing Reception (4/21) at the Fort Mason Store House and Off the Grid.
• Exhibitors hall and registration area in the historic Fort Mason Store House.

Full Conference Agenda

The agenda below is a preliminary schedule. Subject to change.

Plenary Session – Reimagining and Rethinking Placemaking and Placekeeping – Visions for the Future
Thursday, April 20th, 9:00 – 10:30 AM | Free and Open to the Public – First Come, First Served

The 2023 California Preservation Conference will delve deep into our current preservation practice. What can we learn from the world stage and the efforts of UNESCO? Finally, how can we reinvent our long-held notions of integrity and authenticity? This two-part examination will start with a plenary address followed by a panel discussion to engage our audience in the deep and important questions of Heritage Conservation in our modern era.

Keynote Speakers

Julianne Polanco was appointed California’s State Historic Preservation Officer in July of 2015. She served as a Commissioner and Chair of the California State Historical Resources Commission from 2005 to 2015. Ms. Polanco was the Director of Cultural Resources for Lend Lease Americas from 2006 to 2015. Ms. Polanco was the Acting Federal Preservation Officer and Senior Preservation Specialist at the Presidio Trust from 1999 to 2006 and Assistant to the Vice President for programs at the World Monuments Fund from 1998 to 1999. Her professional work has also included serving as Advisor to the Chairman of California Integrated Waste Management Board and Special Assistant to the Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. During her tenure at the California Department of Conservation, she held various staff positions in the Director’s Office, Division of Recycling and Division of Mines and Geology. Ms. Polanco was a district staff member for Congressman Robert T. Matsui, specializing in labor, health care, veterans’ affairs and the environment. Ms. Polanco has a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science/International Relations from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Master’s of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia University.

Gregg Castro, Ramaytush Ohlone, T’rowt’raahl Salinan, Rumsen, has been involved in preservation of his cultural heritage for nearly three decades, for both his late Mother’s rumsien Ohlone heritage, and on his late Father’s side, the since ended ‘Salinan Nation Tribal Council’ (serving two terms as Tribal Chair) and currently the non-profit organization, Salinan T’rowt’raahl. Gregg is a member of the Society for California Archaeology (SCA). Gregg is a Co-Facilitator for the annual California Indian Conference, a 30+ year gathering about California Indigenous heritage. Gregg is a writer and activist within the California indigenous community, on issues regarding cultural preservation, protection, education and traditional practices.

Plenary Speaker

Francesco Bandarin is Assistant Director-General for Culture of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Professor of Urban Planning and Conservation at the University IUAV of Venice. From 2000 to 2010 he was Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Secretary of the World Heritage Convention. From 2010 to 2014 he served as Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Culture. In October 2015 he was re-appointed in this position for an interim period. UNESCO aims “to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations”. It pursues its objectives through major programs in education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture and communication/information. 

Special Plenary Program

Confronting the Integrity Debate: New Ideas, Approaches and Case Studies
Thursday, April 20th, 10:30 – 12:00 PM at the Cowell Theatre and Broadcast Live

Join us as we take on this long-standing issue within heritage conservation, and how best to determine if a property does or does not retain “integrity.” Challenge yourself and others to think creatively about how the preservation community can evolve and assess integrity considerations in new, innovative ways. Through case studies and experimental approaches currently underway, we will assess how well we are doing, and advancing larger efforts toward greater relevance, inclusivity and telling fuller stories about California’s communities, places, and people. 

Comfort Inn by the Bay
Rates includes full American breakfast buffet daily from 6:30am-9:30am.   
$159       1 Queen Bed       Partial City View  (2 People Max)
$159       2 XL Twin Beds    No View (2 people Max)
$159        2 Queen Beds        
To reserve rooms: Call 415.928.5000 and mention the group name to make your reservation
Email:  olay.phom@snbhotels.com, mention the group name, room type and number of nights to make your reservation

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Fisherman’s Wharf
Rates include breakfast
$189        King non-Smoking
$209        Two Queen Beds Non-Smoking
To reserve rooms: Call 1-888-501-7757 and mention the group name (California Preservation Foundation) to receive the group rate or click on the link  CPF.

The Argonaut
Book online and receive 20% off using promo code LBPR
www.argonauthotel.com

Hotel Zoe
Book online and receive 20% off using promo code LBPR
www.hotelzoesf.com

Photos (from left to right) courtesy: Wiss Janney Elstner Associates; Roel Wijnants

Conservation of Historic Concrete and Terrazzo
Wednesday, April 19th, 9:00 – 4:00 PM (includes lunch) | Ticketed: $125 (non-conference attendees) / $95 (for conference attendees)

The full-day workshop will primarily cover preservation philosophy and approach for historic concrete and cement-based terrazzo systems. The in-person workshop format will include presentations with integrated case studies, hands-on demonstrations by industry leaders and craftspeople and a mini-laboratory. Specific topics will include assessment and nondestructive testing, concrete deterioration and distress mechanisms, laboratory studies, concrete cleaning, repairs (including matching historic concrete), corrosion mitigation, and protection systems. 

The mini-laboratory session will led by a petrographer and include hands-on microscopic evaluation by attendees of concrete and terrazzo samples with microscopes and other laboratory equipment. In addition, during the hands-on sessions various types of nondestructive testing equipment will be demonstrated to and used by attendees as well as demonstrations by conservators and contractors with extensive experience with historic concrete and terrazzo. Various types of materials and equipment typical for concrete and terrazzo repair and installation will be presented. The demonstrations allow for attendees to closely interact with the craftspeople and petrographers to allow for questions on techniques.

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Opening Reception at the San Francisco Maritime Museum
Wednesday, April 19th, 6:00 – 7:30 PM | Ticketed event: $125
Photo Courtesy David Wakely

The 2023 California Preservation Conference gets artistic flair and one of San Francisco’s best waterfront views with the Opening Reception at the San Francisco Maritime Museum.  This WPA-era space filled with the stunning, colorful and modern Hiler Mural, “Undersea Life.” This oil-on-plaster “Prismatarium” mural was designed by Hilaire Hilel to give “striking demonstrations on the relationship of color and light. The Opening Reception includes catered on-site food and complimentary drinks. 

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Photo by Silver Cloud Restaurant & Karaoke Bar

Emerging Professionals Mixer in Partnership with WCAPT
Wednesday, April 19th, 8:00 – 9:30 PM | Ticketed Event. Tickets are Free – you may select it during conference registration OR select “Tour & Workshop Tickets Only” on checkout to select this by itself. 

Join CPF and the Western Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology (WCAPT) at Silver Cloud – located just a five-minute walk from the conference center. Silver Cloud is a restaurant and karaoke bar located in San Francisco that opened in 1979. Located in the heart of the Marina district and has been a family run business for over 40 years. Tickets to this special event are at no cost and hosted by Conference Sponsor, WCAPT.

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Walking tour of Presidio Tunnel Tops & Battery Bluff
Thursday, April 20th, 1:00 – 4:00 PM | Ticketed Event: $45

Join Presidio Trust historic preservation staff on a walking tour of two new landscape sites in the Presidio of San Francisco: Battery Bluff & Tunnel Tops. Both projects were delivered to the Presidio of San Francisco National Historic Landmark District in collaboration with Caltrans and FHWA as part of the decades-long Doyle Drive/Presidio Parkway project. Open as of summer 2022, both sites now provide unprecedented access to Presidio views, parkland, historic resources, and programming. 

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Photo courtesy Bruce Damonte

Preservation Design Awards Pre-event Social Hour – Winning Wine Pairings
Thursday, April 20th, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (followed by the presentation of awards, 8 – 9 PM) | Ticketed Event: $175 (includes wine tastings, food options, and priority access to the Preservation Design Awards Ceremony) 

This special social event in the stunning 2019 Design Award-winning Pier 2 Atrium precedes the Preservation Design Awards ceremony. We’re celebrating four years of the Preservation Design Awards at this special opportunity for winning teams and conference-goers. Wines will be split into six groups, tied to winning projects from all four years (Spectacle and Imagination; Sacred Spaces and the Inner Sanctum; Sustainability, Conservation and Stewardship; Physical Culture; Beton Brut, Bricks and More; and The Big Reveal). There will be some surprises, a silent auction, and food and drink served. 

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The California and Federal Historic Tax Credits: Historic Tax Credit Equity as a Financing Tool
Friday, April 21st, 9:00 – 12:00 PM | Ticketed: $125 (non-conference attendees) / $95 (for conference attendees)

Join us for an in-depth session on the Federal and California Historic Tax Credit for historic building rehabilitation.  Session participants will learn about the federal and state tax credit program, its guidelines, how they work, and the application process. A discussion on structuring a deal, financing, the investor’s perspective will be covered.  Case studies will show how the incentive can help a rehabilitation project work financially, especially in cases where it may not pencil out without the credit. You’ll also learn what is required for a property to qualify for federal and state tax credits and the important areas of focus in preparing a successful application.

Our conference tracks are a set of seven themes based on the following preservation objectives. 

1. Cultural Districts
2. Equity, Access, and Social Justice
3. Housing
4. Interpretation
5. Reimagining Integrity: From the Intangible to Tangible
6. Repair, Renewal, and Adaptive Reuse
7. Technical Tools for Revitalization

All New Benefits for 2023! Exposure to both the Awards and Annual Conference dual events, exposure on our new conference app, opportunities to reserve private rooms at the conference center, and more!

Conference Partners
 

Volunteers receive complimentary access for the same amount of time they volunteer. A full volunteer information packet is available for download here. 

All interested volunteers must submit a volunteer application on the form below. 

Volunteer for the Annual Preservation Conference

Volunteer Contact Information

First Name *

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Mandatory Volunteer Training Selection

Please select which mandatory volunteer orientation session you will attend (2 Hours). Note: These are online training sessions.

Checkboxes *

Friday, April 26, 12:00 PM

Friday, May 3, 12:00 PM

Preferred Volunteer Dates and Times

Please check off the time slots during which you are available to volunteer during the Conference.

WEDNESDAY, May 29th, 2024

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

THURSDAY, May 30th, 2024

Morning

Afternoon

Eveninng

FRIDAY, May 31st, 2024

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

SATURDAY, June 1st, 2024

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Conference Volunteering Preferences

Please rank your Conference volunteering preferences in order (1 - 6). Please only use each number once.

Registration Area (includes Auction & Exhibitors) * 123456

Technical (set-up, monitor, and troubleshoot A/V systems) * 123456

Educational Sessions & Workshops * 123456

Set-up or Breakdown * 123456

Study Tours or Mobile Workshops * 123456

Special Events * 123456

If there are specific Pre-Conference Workshops, Educational Sessions, Mobile Workshops, Study Tours, or Special Events you would like to volunteer at, please note them here (a schedule is available on the CPF website - assignments will be given on a first-come, first-served basis)

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