Item 331/2026
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Ursula Luna-Reynosa
Dept:
City Manager Dept: Economic Development and
Housing
Date: 8/11/2026
Subject: Approval of out-of-state travel for City staff to attend the 2026 International Economic Development Council Annual Conference from October 25-28, 2026, and ratification of prior out-of-state travel related to hospitality development. (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
For the City Council to amend previously approved out-of-state travel for four (4) Economic Development and Housing staff members to attend the 2026 International Economic Development Council Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisia na, and to ratify prior out - of-state travel to New York City for Site C development meetings.
BACKGROUND
The 2026 IEDC Annual Conference will be held October 25 –28, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. The conference provides professional training, seminars, peer exchange, and recognized best practices in business attraction and retention, development finance, tourism, redevelopment, public-private partnerships, and organizational performance.
Site C is an important hospitality development project that will generate significant revenue for the City upon completion. Construction documents have been completed and submitted and currently under plan check review. The project is very close to being permit ready; however, financing the project remains the final challenge. The main purpose of travel to New York was to facilitate a potential partnership to assist with the financing challenge.
DISCUSSION
Conference participation supports the City’s ongoing IEDC re-accreditation process (currently underway) and provides staff with access to current industry standards, training, and best practices. The IEDC re -accreditation committee has informed staff that attendance at the annual conference is required as part of accreditation. Staff nominated the Foods of Garden Grove program for an award under the category of “Multimedia Promotion”. Award winners Item 331/2026
will be announced in late August with the “Best in Show Award” winner announced at the conference.
This out-of-state conference was included and approved with the approved budget , but the anticipated staff attendees have changed. Currently, the Director, Deputy Director, Project Manager, and Administrative Analyst are proposed to attend. Participation by four staff members will allow the department to cover concurrent training ses sions and bring back practical tools that can be applied to the Economic Development Strategic Plan and major City development initiatives.
The Assistant City Manager/Director of Economic Development and Housing traveled to New York City to meet with the Site C development team at Investel’s headquarters and tour ed their project in Flushing, New York on July 8, 2026. The in-person meeting and tour included a facilitated introduction of a potential partner to Investel’s team in an attempt to move the project forward. The meeting and tour also provided direct access to key decision -makers and allowed focused discussions regarding project financing, hotel -brand coordination, development readiness, and the path toward construction. The meeting resulted in a N on Disclosure Agreement being signed between Investel and the potential partner. An updated market study and underwriting will be conducted in the coming months to understand an appropriate financial structure to move the project forward.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total cost for four staff members to attend the IEDC Annual Conference will not exceed $15,000. The estimated cost includes registration, airfare, lodging, ground transportation, meals, and other eligible travel expenses. This amount was included a nd approved in the current budget.
The total cost of the July 7 –9, 2026, Site C development trip was approximately $1,200 including airfare, lodging, and transportation costs. Funding was included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2026–27 Economic Development and Housing Department budget.
Both out-of-state travel expenses will be funded through the Economic Development and Housing Department's existing FY 2026 -27 operating budget. No additional appropriations are required.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Amend the previously a pproved out-of-state travel for the four Economic Development and Housing staff members to attend the 2026 IEDC Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, from October 25–28, 2026, at a total cost not to exceed $15,000; and
Ratify and approve the July 7–9, 2026, out-of-state travel of one Economic Development and Housing staff member to New York City for meetings with Item 331/2026
the Site C development team at Investel’s headquarters, at a total cost of approximately $1,200.
By: Greg Blodgett, Deputy Director