Looking to the Future for California's Children

Looking to the Future for California's Children

registration opens soon!

2025

Annual Summit

February 10-12, 2025

San Diego

We're heading back to the beautiful city of San Diego

Join us at Kona Kai Resort & Spa

The 2025 Annual Summit is back at Kona Kai Resort & Spa – an inspiring location for the First 5 Network to connect and explore the future of early childhood development. This can’t miss event is an incredible opportunity to collaboratively map out a vision for families across our state.

Registration Options

Registration Opens November 4

Event Only

$685

Covers registration fee and meals

2-Night Immersive

$1,270

Covers registration fee, 2-night stay, and meals

Extra Nights

$295

/night

Add extra nights to your stay and enjoy Kona Kai a little longer

featured Speaker

Isabelle Hau

Author. Impact Investor. Education Thought Leader, Executive Director, Stanford Accelerator for Learning

This event’s kickoff session, “How AI Impacts the Early Childhood Development Field and What to Prepare For,” promises to be both enlightening and forward-thinking as we explore the future of California’s children. 

Isabelle C. Hau is a visionary leader who is dedicated to transforming the way we nurture and educate our children. As executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, she leverages brain science and technology to champion innovative, effective, and inclusive learning solutions. 

As a successful impact investor, Isabelle previously led the US education practice at Omidyar Network and Imaginable Futures, where she invested in mission-driven organizations. 

Recognized as 100 most innovative Harvard Business School Women, Isabelle has also received distinctions in early childhood education and human-centered artificial intelligence. 

A mother of two, she co-starred with Grover of Sesame Street. Her lifelong professional goal is to bring the love of learning to each and every child.

Get a sneak peak of what's to come

2025 Annual Summit Agenda

*Agenda subject to change*

Time

Session type

Session Information

1:00 p.m.

Solution Salon

Principles in Practice: An Interactive REDI Workshop

The REDI Core Team will connect participants across six dynamic themes, each with a fresh perspective, every 30 minutes.

4:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception

First 5 Network

Join us for a vibrant welcome reception designed to foster connection and networking among First 5 county staff members.

Time

Session type

Session Information

8:00 a.m.

Breakfast

9:00 a.m.

Welcome Message

9:30 a.m.

Plenary Session

How AI Impacts the ECD Field and What to Prepare For

Isabelle Hau

Author. Impact Investor. Education Thought Leader, Executive Director, Stanford Accelerator for Learning

10:30 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.

Breakouts

Medi-Cal Learning Community

The Future of Medi-Cal: Updates and Innovations

Investments and Evaluation

Empowering Early Childhood: Movements and Power Building Through Investments and Evaluation

12:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 p.m.

Breakouts

Policy/Advocacy

Aligning State Systems

Community Collaboration

From Participation to Leadership: Utilizing the Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership

2:00 p.m.

Break

2:15 p.m.

Breakouts

Policy/Advocacy

Navigating the Federal Policy Landscape: Impacts on California’s Children

Community Collaboration

Partnering with Families: Lessons from First 5s Across California

3:15 p.m.

Break

3:30 p.m.

State of the Association

Presentation of our Strategic Framework, an update on the First 5 Association, and recognition of the committee members supporting our work.

6:00 p.m.

Dinner

Time

Session type

Session Information

8:00 a.m.

Breakfast

9:00 a.m.

Breakouts

Policy/Advocacy

Choose Children: 2026 Gubernatorial Election and Engaging Candidates Now

Investments and Evaluation

Evaluating with Equity: Best Practices for First 5 Commissions

12:00 p.m.

Grab and Go Lunch

Hotels Near Kona Kai Resort & Spa

Check out three hotels that are within walking distance to Kona Kai on Shelter Island! 

Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina

2051 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Reservations - 800.780.7234

The Bay Club Hotel Marina

2131 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Reservations - 800.672.0800

Humphreys Half Moon Inn

2303 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Reservations - 619.224.3411

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Registration Process & Fees

When is the last date I can register to attend?

January 6, 2025 is the last day to register for the First 5 Annual Summit.

What is the registration fee for the Annual Summit?

$685 
Event only registration (registration fee and meals)

$1,270
2-night Immersive Package (includes registration fee, 2-night stay, and meals)

$295/night
Add extra nights to your stay and enjoy Kona Kai a little longer

Can I pay the registration fee by check?

No. The registration fee for the Annual Summit must be paid by credit card when you register to attend. 

What does the registration fee include?

The registration fee includes participation in Annual Summit sessions, breakfast on Tuesday, lunch on Tuesday, dinner on Tuesday, breakfast on Wednesday, lunch on Wednesday, and access to the hotel’s amenities (see the question related to resort fee below).

Does the registration fee include hotel rooms?

No. The Event Only registration fee does not include hotel rooms. The Immersive Package includes a standard room for Monday and Tuesday nights.

How much are hotel rooms?

Hotel rooms reserved through the First 5 Association block will be $295 per night, plus tax and fees. 

Do I book my hotel room nights through First 5 Association registration or through the hotel directly?

To stay at Kona Kai for this event, guests must choose the Immersive Package through the event’s registration page. Kona Kai will not be accepting reservations directly.

What does the Immersive Package include?

The Immersive Package includes your Annual Summit registration fee plus 2-night stay (Mon 2/10 and Tue 2/11) at Kona Kai Resort & Spa (which includes taxes and fees) and a registration service fee. 

Can I stay additional nights before or after the Annual Summit?

Yes, subject to hotel availability, attendees are welcome to extend their stay at Kona Kai Resort & Spa up to 2 nights before and/or 1 night after the event. You can add extra nights during registration.

Are there discount codes available?

No.

Is parking included in my registration fee?

No. Parking costs are not covered by First 5 Association. Kona Kai Resort & Spa offers self-parking at a daily rate of $20. Unlimited ins and outs are included.

Does the registration fee include the resort fee?

There is a resort fee in connection with your stay; however, First 5 Association has paid your resort fee for Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon. The resort fee covers Wi-Fi access, complimentary cruiser bikes, private beach access, beach cabana access, nightly bonfires, pool towel service, access to the fitness center and locker room, more than 25 weekly fitness classes, eucalyptus steam rooms, priority reservations at SpaTerre, a complimentary add-on service valued at $25 or more for any SpaTerre treatment with a glass of bubbly, access to Tesla charging stations, assorted lawn games, select access to The Club at Kona Kai member events, morning coffee and signature infused water in the lobby living room, water refill stations, discounted tickets to the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park, 25% off the signature S’mores Kit, 20% off the purchase of the plush Kona Kai mascot ‘Kona,’ 20% off cabana rentals, and 15% off action sports rentals.

Will I be required to put my credit card on file when I check in to the hotel?

Yes, attendees will need to use their own credit card upon check in for incidental holds. The hold for incidentals is $100 per day on your credit/debit card. This amount gets released at check out and takes roughly 3-5 business days for it to appear back onto your account.

Can a reservation be transferred to someone else?

Reservations can be transferred to another person at no charge. Please reach out to F5events@F5ac.org, Siana or Kristine if you need to transfer a reservation.

What is the last date to cancel and receive a refund?

Cancellations received on/before January 6, 2025 will receive a refund in the amount of the cost of their order, minus the processing fees (3.9% plus $1.29). Cancellations received on/after January 7, 2025 are non-refundable. 

Who is invited to attend the Summit?

Everyone in the First 5 Network! We would love to see First 5 staff, First 5 Commissioners, and First 5 partners join us.

Scholarships

What are First 5 Association Summit Travel Scholarships in support of?

The costs to travel to San Diego vary greatly depending on where you are traveling from. We researched the costs to travel from outlying counties as compared to major cities and found the costs to be twice as high. The scholarships are intended to offset the expense that small, outlying counties face when traveling to San Diego.

How much financial support does a First 5 Association Summit Travel Scholarship offer?

Scholarships will be awarded to individual attendees in an amount up to $270.

How do I apply for a First 5 Summit Travel Scholarship?
Please complete the First 5 Annual Summit Travel Scholarship request form. *DO NOT REGISTER for the event until you have received the results of your application. If you are awarded a scholarship, we will provide you with a discount code for Humanitix’s registration to our event.
When is the deadline to apply for a First 5 Summit Travel Scholarship?
11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 15.
When will I be notified of the results of my scholarship request?
Applicants will be notified by Wednesday, November 27 if they have been awarded a scholarship.

Travel To/From

What is the address of Kona Kai Resort & Spa?

1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106

What is the nearest airport?

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is located less than 10 minutes from Kona Kai Resort & Spa.

Do I need a rental car to travel to the hotel from the nearest airport?

No. Kona Kai Resort & Spa is a short Uber/Lyft/Taxi ride from the airport. Attendees driving to the hotel will be subject to parking fees ($20/day) so ride options will be less costly than renting a car.

Is there shuttle service for the guests?

No, Kona Kai Resort & Spa does not have a shuttle service to/from the airport.

Program & Annual Summit Content

What time does the Annual Summit start and end each day?

The event will kick off in the afternoon on Monday, February 10. First 5 Association will host a breakfast for all attendees on Tuesday, February 11. The Summit will begin around 9 a.m. on Tuesday with content sessions through the late afternoon. We will break from content sessions to host lunch on Tuesday. We will host a dinner reception, with dancing, on Tuesday evening. The Association will host breakfast on Wednesday, February 12 with the agenda kicking off around 9 a.m. Content sessions will run through early afternoon and will break for the day. The Association will provide grab-and-go lunches for attendees on Wednesday afternoon. We will share a full agenda/program for the event in coming weeks. 

Is the agenda/program for the event available?

The event program is coming soon. Please note that the program is subject to change. Please check back frequently for the most up-to-date information.

Will there be free time to enjoy Kona Kai Resort & Spa?

Yes!

Will the content from the Annual Summit be broadcast live?

No.

No.

Hotel

What time is check in and out?

Hotel guaranteed check in time is 4 p.m.; however, attendees are welcome to explore the property while they store your luggage until your room is ready. Checkout is at 11 a.m. and the hotel will store your luggage until you are ready to depart from your stay. 

Does Kona Kai Resort & Spa have a pool?

Yes, there are two pools on the property. There is an adult-only pool and a family pool. For those interested in extending their stay, for a fee, the property also offers pool cabanas with lounge chairs, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, snacks, and towels.

Does Kona Kai Resort & Spa have a restaurant on-site?

Yes, Vessel Restaurant & Bar is located on the property with a beautiful view of the beach and marina. The restaurant is open between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. 

What other amenities does Kona Kai Resort & Spa offer?
Complimentary amenities include 2-hour bicycle rental, a private beach, fire pits, assorted lawn games (ping pong, cornhole toss, etc.), a walking path around Shelter Island, fitness classes and a steam/sauna room. For an additional fee, Kai Resort & Spa offers spa treatments and action sports rentals (paddleboards, kayaks, Funcats, waverunners, etc.). Event attendees are eligible to receive up to 15% off spa treatments and 10% off retail in the Kona Kai spa shop. 
Is internet in my room included?

Yes, your room will include complimentary internet service.

Will my hotel room have a desk that I can work at in between Annual Summit sessions?

Yes, each room includes a desk (in addition to standard furniture).

Does the property require guests to wear masks?
While masks policies are subject to change based on local ordinances, at this time Kona Kai Resort & Spa can provide individual Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits upon request, containing disposable sanitizing wipes, gloves, disposable masks, and personal hand sanitizer. Please review their website as the event nears to check current mask policies.

COVID-19

Will First 5 Association be providing COVID rapid tests for attendees?

No. Attendees are encouraged to self-test as needed and take precautions to ensure the safety of their peers. While subject to change as the event nears, at this time, First 5 Association will not be requiring COVID testing or masks.

Does the property require guests to wear masks?
While masks policies are subject to change based on local ordinances, at this time Kona Kai Resort & Spa can provide individual Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits upon request, containing disposable sanitizing wipes, gloves, disposable masks, and personal hand sanitizer. Please review their website as the event nears to check current mask policies.
What precautions will First 5 Association be taking in relation to COVID?

While we will not be requiring masks and testing, we encourage attendees to take necessary precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19. We will have hand sanitizer and masks available in gathering rooms for guests to use as they choose.

Things To Do

What things are there to do in our free time?

We chose Kona Kai Resort & Spa because it offered the most in support of connection. We hope attendees can connect and enjoy their time in between, before and after Annual Summit sessions! Take a working meeting while walking the path around Shelter Island. Enjoy a bike ride around the island. Challenge a peer to a game of ping pong. Let the wind blow past your ears as you paddle around the marina. For those looking to escape the property, take a walk down Shelter Island with shops, coffee, restaurants, and beautiful views. For those wanting to extend their stay, visit the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, USS Midway, Legoland, San Diego Museum of Art, and/or explore the beautiful downtown and beaches.

For additional information or questions not answered here, please contact us at F5events@F5ac.org 

We'll see you soon in San Diego!

  • 00Days
  • 00Hours
  • 00Minutes
  • 00Seconds
  • 00Days
  • 00Hours
  • 00Minutes
  • 00Seconds