Victorville, CA – High Desert Opportunity, which for 37 years existed to annually put on the popular High Desert Opportunity Conference, voted last year to dissolve and hand over control of the annual conference to the Victor Valley College Foundation. In doing so, High Desert Opportunity also voted to invest over $100,000 towards an endowment that will start awarding five, $1,000 scholarships to deserving students in 2019.
“It is with great honor and ultimate respect for the years of service of thousands of volunteers, that we accept this responsibility to continue the tradition of not only putting on a great annual conference, but promoting the greatness of the High Desert far and wide,” said Mike Nutter, Victor Valley College Foundation Board President.
In 2018, after two years holding the conference in Rancho Cucamonga, the High Desert Opportunity Conference returned to the SBC Fair, this time merging the Victor Valley College Foundation’s annual High Desert Economic Summit into the event. The 2018 summit, featuring The Pursuit of HappYness author Chris Gardner and Wells Fargo economist Sarah House, was a hit with 600 attendees back in the High Desert to learn about and promote business and opportunity in the High Desert.
Throughout the 37 years, speakers ranged from politicians like former President Gerald Ford, to sports and entertainment moguls like former Laker Magic Johnson. The year which featured Magic Johnson was one of the most well attended, with over 1,200 guests.
“The partnership with the Victor Valley College Foundation was more successful than we could have imagined,” stated Cari Thomas, the 2017/2018 High Desert Opportunity President. “We are confident that the Foundation will continue to carry on the mission of High Desert Opportunity, which is to support economic growth by showcasing our amazing region.”
The Victor Valley College Foundation is already well under way in planning the 2019 conference presented by Desert Valley Hospital/Desert Valley Medical Group and will be held October 24, 2019 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, California.
About the Victor Valley College Foundation.
The Victor Valley College Foundation is a charitable organization that makes friends and raises funds to help Victor Valley College better serve its students and community. For over 40 years, the Foundation has served as the alumni relations, community outreach and resource development partner of VVC. Visit www.vvcfoundation.com or find us on Facebook to join the growing number of people and organizations who contribute to support our mission. For more information about Victor Valley College and the programs available, visit www.vvc.edu.
