Thank you for joining us at Visit Santa Barbara’s Annual General Meeting, held at the beautiful Santa Barbara Historical Museum. We hope you enjoyed this year’s event and came away with a deeper appreciation for our city’s rich architectural heritage.
It was a privilege to welcome local historian Neal Graffy for a fascinating conversation with Andrew Firestone, commemorating the centennial of the 1925 earthquake that helped shape Santa Barbara’s iconic Spanish Colonial Revival aesthetic. Neal shared valuable insights on how intentional design has played a key role in defining Santa Barbara as a world-class destination.
Guests also had the opportunity to network during the Courtyard Sip & Social, explore the Arts & Culture Marketplace, and take part in a guided historical walking tour led by Neal Graffy himself.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors who made this event possible and a special acknowledgment to our beverage sponsors — Tyler Winery, Grassini Family Vineyards, Longoria Wines, Fess Parker Winery and Tilden Non-Alcoholic Cocktails.
Congratulations to our raffle winners! Prizes included:
• Season tickets to State Street Ballet
• A “Dinner for Two” gift card to La Paloma Cafe
• A VIP ticket package from the Santa Barbara Symphony
• Dodgers vs. Giants game tickets courtesy of Santa Barbara Airbus
• A curated 6-pack of Santa Barbara County wines from Santa Barbara Vintners
• Tickets to the Ensemble Theatre Company
• A candle-making class at Candle Bar 111
speakers
Kathy Janega-Dykes Visit Santa Barbara
Kathy Janega-Dykes is the President & CEO of Visit Santa Barbara, where she has led the organization for over two decades. A recognized leader in destination marketing and tourism advocacy, Kathy serves on numerous state and national boards, championing economic vitality and community impact through travel and hospitality.
Neal Graffy (Keynote Speaker) Author & Historian
Neal Graffy is an accomplished author and historian. He has written many monographs and books on Santa Barbara history and is a guest lecturer at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Active in our historical community, Neal has served as a board member of the Historical Museum, chairman of the Santa Barbara County Landmarks Commission and president of the Santa Barbara Corral of Westerners.
Andrew Firestone (Moderator) StonePark Capital Andrew Firestone is a hospitality entrepreneur and principal of StonePark Capital, specializing in hotel development and investment. He is also a current Board member of Visit Santa Barbara, helping to guide strategic tourism initiatives for the region.
