Join Us!
Elevate Event 2026: “The Power of Belonging.”
January 7, 2026. 9am-12pm.
Hotel Paradox.
Registration Now Open and Reserve Your Spot.
$20 per person includes continental breakfast.
Purpose of the Event: The Elevate event empowers businesses to take meaningful steps toward creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces. It functions as a platform where participants will gain access to essential tools, resources, and inspiration needed to build a more inclusive business environment throughout Santa Cruz County.
At the event, attendees will:
* Hear from Monica Martinez, County Supervisor about the important business laws in Santa Cruz County
* Hear compelling stories from local consumers about inclusive practices.
* Network with leaders committed to building cultures of belonging.
* Understand the legal, social, and economic importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion.
* Help shape a more inclusive Santa Cruz County—starting with their own businesses.
Invite others to attend and share with others via your newsletters.
Use graphics from our media kit here.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Sponsorship Benefits: Joining us as an event sponsor offers various levels of visibility and acknowledgment:
$2,500: Recognition as a lead sponsor in all promotional materials, featured prominently on social media, website, and named at the event. Opportunity to speak from stage (only two available) and free admission for your whole team up to 6 people.
$1,000: Leadership sponsor acknowledgment in promotional materials, website listing, and event signage. Acknowledgement as sponsor from event stage. Free admission for your whole team up to 6 people.
$500: Supporter listing in promotional materials, website, and event signage. Acknowledgement as sponsor from event stage.
To be a sponsor or for more information, please contact contact Sharon Papo at Sharon@lgbtqelearning.com. or Rob Darrow at Robdarrow@SantaCruzPride.org.
What did we learn?
“Action Through Passion”
“Progress Not Perfection”
“The Power of the Pink Dollar”
“The Business of Stories”
“There are few places like Santa Cruz County for Queer Friendly Spaces”
Resources to support inclusive practices in your business:
Dusty Colyer-Worth, Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County, dusty.colyerworth@diversitycenter.org
Sharon Papo, LGBTQ eLearning, sharon@lgbtqelearning.com
Melissa Begin, Visit Santa Cruz, mbegin@santacruz.org
Thank you to our fabulous speakers
and Panel
Sharon Papo, Co-Founder and CEO of LGBTQ eLearning
Dusty Colyer-Worth, Manager of OUTreach, Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County
Our Business Panel Members:
Matt DeYoung, Executive Director, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship
Ivy Quirk, Head Children’s Book Buyer, Bookshop Santa Cruz
Sonja Brunner, Director of Operations, Downtown Santa Cruz Association
Event Agenda:
Welcome
The power of the Pink Dollar: The business case for LGBTQ+ Marketing: Dusty Colyer-Worth, The Diversity Center
Building LGBTQ+ Inclusive Workplaces- why it’s important and tangible steps you can take: Sharon Papo, LGBTQ eLearning
Panel of business owners and employees: local impact of inclusive workplaces and marketing
Closing
Tabling/Networking
