From fire-resilient landscapes to AI-powered water management tools, Peer to Peer 2025 was a celebration of what happens when California’s water efficiency leaders come together to share, strategize, and spark change.
Held at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, this year’s event brought nearly 250 attendees from over 120 organizations!
Check out the incredible photo library (and feel free to download, share, or post any of the images!) This library includes photos from our professional photographer and uploads via the Whova App. Members can download slide decks here.
According to a live poll, 35% of attendees were first-timers while 5% have been to every single Peer to Peer since it began. Whether newbies or lifers, one thing was clear: this is a community rooted in shared purpose and energized by new ideas.
Sessions That Sparked
- Fire Resilience started the event off on a note of care. We can't just transform our landscapes, we need to cultivate a practice of caring forour landscapes if we're going to be truly fire resilient.
- Controversial Statements: Retiree Edition was pure gold: candid, sharp, and unsurprisingly funny. With nothing to lose, our panelists said what others won’t. Interestingly, the audience polls were often at odds with our retirees!
- CII BMP Shark Tank brought the creativity and energy as teams competed to put together the most impactful program to reach their customers. (Go, Goats!)
- World Café was packed full as small groups tackled big problems. From staffing challenges to communication hurdles, attendees shared strategies and stories across the room—and across sectors.
- Designing the Future: A Co-Funding Lab turned ideas into action as participants workshopped multi-benefit programs that could actually get funded and implemented.
Beyond the Ballroom
This year’s vibe was as collaborative as ever:
- Attendees earned points and prizes through Whova’s challenges. Over 2,500 messages were exchanged between attendees as the app was buzzing throughout the event! Jen Vasquez from Calleguas Municipal Water District brought home the Leaderboard award with a staggering 231,900 points.
- The Second Annual Conservation Cup saw NorCal and SoCal face off Family Feud–style. Northern California took home the (broken but soon to be fixed) trophy!!
- Attendees set up over 22 meet-ups including group dinners, coffee runs, and group exercise opportunities.
- CalWEP's own Julia Mes led yoga in the courtyard on Day 2 after lunch to get the blood flowing!
- And of course, Six More Weeks of Winter brought the house down at the reception (and got some of the Peanuts characters dancing as well!)
Congratulations to the 2025 Conservation Cup winners: Northern California
From Left to Right: Chris Dundon (Contra Costa Water District (Retired)), Caitlin Lombardi (RainPlan), William Granger (City of Sacramento), Greg Bundesen (Sacramento Suburban Water District and Host), Sarah Musiker (California Water Association), Justin Burks (Valley Water)
Gratitude Abounds
We could not have put together this event without our incredible planning committee, our dedicated Board of Directors, CalWEP's awesome staff or our generous sponsors who ensure that each year we can keep improving and making Peer to Peer informative, engaging, and worthwhile.
