Skip to Content

Cap-to-Cap 2025 Highlights from Valley Vision Staff

The Valley Vision team at the Tuesday Cap-to-Cap gala

Valley Vision has a long history of participating in the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Capitol-to-Capitol program, which serves as our region’s premier federal advocacy opportunity each year. This program provides opportunities to meet with the Sacramento Region’s federal legislators and encourages participants to meet with federal agencies, many of whom oversee competitive funding programs.

This year’s 53rd annual “Cap-to-Cap” was the largest on record, with 450+ leaders participating. Valley Vision staff led and supported many of the topic-based teams and, in keeping with tradition, have documented their experiences below.

Evan Schmidt, CEO (Business Climate Team): “As always, it is great to see our region coming together for common purpose. There really is nothing like travelling with 400+ regional leaders to make new connections across people and issues that help us all get things done! While funding constraints and rapid change in agencies are presenting challenges for the region, it is also clear that our regional elected leaders in DC are committed to creating wins for our region whenever possible. Our ability to lean in together on key asks and aligned goals will be critically important – Valley Vision is committed to helping shape that cohesive vision through our work.”

The 2025 Food & Ag team had a surprise dinner guest in former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

Trish Kelly, Managing Director (Food & Agriculture Team): “The 2025 Cap-to-Cap program was a different experience for our Food and Agriculture team from previous years given the intensity of budget negotiations; recent and pending program funding terminations that are affecting our region; changes and gaps in agency staffing; and overall uncertainty. It was a timely visit for us to communicate our priorities to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees which are negotiating the passage of the Farm Bill and facing difficult decisions to reach targeted budget cuts, especially for SNAP food security programs that also provide important revenues for our farmers, grocers and food producers. It’s very special to join our dedicated partners as we elevate the assets of our food system and break bread together in shared purpose.”

The 2025 Business Climate team met with officials from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to discuss the key industry sectors poised for growth in the Sacramento region

Renee John, Managing Director (Business Climate Team): “Cap to Cap provides a unique opportunity to connect with decision makers on key issues facing our region. From meetings on Capitol Hill, to networking events, and the spontaneous “walk and talk” that happens as we are hustling between meetings and events, the shared experience of this program encourages deeper conversations that can really move the needle on regional economic prosperity.”

The 2025 Cap-to-Cap Air Quality team huddling before meetings on the Hill

Adrian Rehn, Director (Air Quality Team): “It was a very interesting year in D.C. I’ve been participating in Cap-to-Cap since 2019 and have not experienced the “vibe” of scarcity that we saw in 2025. Offices told us that there was little money for our programs, or – as in the case of U.S. EPA – that they would not be enforcing basic functions that business, government, and community members rely on. That said, there were some opportunities that became apparent to our Air Quality Team members – energy resilience is still a priority, and there is bipartisan interest in biomass utilization solutions that protect our landscapes from wildfire, create rural jobs, and generate high-value products. We look forward to pursuing these threads through the year through the Cleaner Air Partnership and other avenues.”