IDEASF 2026

On June 2nd and 3rd, 2026, over 300 San Franciscans gathered at Gap Inc.’s waterfront Headquarters in Downtown San Francisco for the inaugural IDEASF Forum. Across the two days, leaders and innovators from every sector came together to discuss the factors that will shape the city’s future. Arts, tech, philanthropy, education, research, AI—it was all on the table.

The event was kicked off by discussions on leadership led by Mayor Daniel Lurie, Richard Dickson, President & CEO of Gap Inc., and Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers. On day two, one panel brought together arts innovators from every medium, including Gap Inc.’s Zac Posen, to discuss the future of the arts in San Francisco. Other programming included a conversation on building a more affordable city, a presentation by McKinsey’s Saurabh Sanghvi on the data shaping the city, and a closing interview with TPG co-founder Jim Coulter about the practical steps the city will need to take in order to secure its economic future.

So what makes IDEASF different? What aRE we hoping to achieve?

• Attendee participation:

  The event allowed audience members to learn from experts, but also to share their own experience and expertise in small group discussions.

• Prioritizing ideas, imagination, and creativity alongside practical solutions:

  Throughout the conference, speakers presented 5 minute “spark talks,” mini-presentations focused on imagining the city’s future.

• Next-gen leaders:

  Accompanying these discussions, we saw the next generation of San Francisco leaders bring their energy to the stage. Students from ODC performed a dance, and two young filmmakers from 48 Hills film camp presented their imaginative vision for a better city.

• Networking and relationship building:

  Lunch discussions and dedicated receptions provided opportunities for networking, allowing guests to forge connections that will last beyond the conference.

• The conference reflects the city:

  The Bay Area is a hub for arts, culture, tech, AI, entrepreneurship, and so much more. IDEASF sits in the intersection of each of these industries, examining how they have historically worked together, and how they can continue doing so in the future. The city needs every one of these industries in order to thrive—IDEASF aims to help sustain and build this collaboration.

• Prioritizing ideas, imagination, and creativity alongside practical solutions:

  Throughout the conference, speakers presented 5 minute “spark talks,” mini-presentations focused on imagining the city’s future.

• It doesn’t end here:

  IDEASF is committed to building this momentum at free exchanges, discussions which will continue to take place all over San Francisco in the upcoming months.