I went into the Housing California Conference this year with a mix of curiosity and expectation. We often work closely with organizations in homelessness and housing, but there is something different about being in the room with everyone at once — practitioners, operators, advocates, and people with lived experience all in one place. It felt like stepping into the real system we talk about building for.
A Booth Is More Than Just Setup
Organizing the exhibitor booth turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the conference.
It was great to have Doug and Chrissy from Salesforce with me at the conference. Having them there made the whole experience better.
There is a lot that goes into getting a booth ready, and seeing it all come together on the floor was genuinely satisfying.
When the banners went up and the printed materials were laid out, it finally felt real. The booth looked sharp. It drew attention. But more importantly, it became a space for meaningful conversations.
Conversations That Stay With You
I spoke with Abigail Backert from Alpha Project. She shared how things actually work on the ground, not in theory or system diagrams, but in real, day-to-day situations.
She explained that case managers are not just placing someone into housing and moving on. They make sure the basics are in place, that there is food for the night, running water, a working bathroom, and some certainty about the next meal, so people do not end up back on the streets.
It was both emotional and grounding. It reinforced our goal to make systems invisible so case managers can focus on people, not tools.
That conversation stayed with me long after.
The Value of Showing Up Early
Getting to the conference early made a bigger difference than I expected.
Before the crowd built up, I had the chance to speak with Vivian Wan from Abode Services, Amanda Bayard from Volunteers of America, and Joanne Price from DignityMoves.
Without the rush, the conversations were deeper. We spoke candidly about real challenges, what is working, what is not, and where systems are still slowing things down.
If you attend the conference in the future, show up early. Those quieter moments are where the real insights come from.
Day One: Energy and Intensity
The first day was intense.
There was constant footfall at the booth, with conversations happening back to back. People kept stopping by, curious about what we are building and how we approach coordinated entry, case management, and reporting.
It was a quiet reminder of how common these challenges are. Organizations across geographies are dealing with very similar problems.
Day Two: Slower, But Deeper
Day two felt different.
It was quieter, but in a good way. The pace slowed down enough to allow for more thoughtful conversations. We spent more time understanding the nuances of how different organizations operate.
Sometimes, those slower conversations are where clarity really emerges. Not just for them, but for us as well.
A Conversation That Put Everything in Perspective
Just before wrapping up, we met Martinez Dez from We Are Not Invisible.
She has lived experience and now actively speaks up about homelessness.
Listening to her story shifted the tone of the entire event for me. It brought everything back to what actually matters. Beyond systems, beyond workflows, beyond technology—to people.
Why In-Person Still Matters
One of the most valuable parts of the conference was spending time in person with Doug, my director of sales and client advocacy.
We had spent a lot of time talking over calls, but being in the same space brought a level of clarity and alignment we had not reached before. Some things just work better in person.
Should You Attend HCC?
Absolutely. Go for the conversations, not just the sessions.
Talk to people early. Stay present at your booth if you have one, and listen more than you pitch. Make time for the unexpected conversations too, those are often the most impactful.
For me, this conference brought me back to why we do what we do and who we are building for.
