2026 Economic Summit

The 45th Annual Santa Barbara County Economic Summit brought together almost 700 attendees at the historic Granada Theatre on May 21 for a full day of conversation about the forces shaping our regional economy. If you were not able to join us in person, or if you want to revisit the ideas that sparked the most discussion, the session recordings are now available.

This year's Summit featured presentations from Zack Kass on the economic implications of artificial intelligence, Igor Mezic on complex systems and forecasting, and Executive Director Peter Rupert on the state of the Santa Barbara County economy and showcasing the 2026 Economic Outlook. Together, the sessions offered a wide-ranging look at where our region stands and what lies ahead.

Whether you are a longtime Summit attendee or discovering EFP for the first time, these recordings are a resource worth bookmarking. The conversations happening in that room reflect the kind of rigorous, community-rooted economic thinking that EFP has been bringing to Santa Barbara County for 45 years.

Watch the recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/@ucsb_efp