SVCCI Brings Industry Leaders Together to Explore the Future of Silicon Valley at County Assessor’s Property Values Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   |   October 20, 2026

Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation Brings Industry Leaders Together to Explore the Future of Silicon Valley at County Assessor’s Property Values Event

SVCCI’s featured panel connected technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductor innovation, real estate, and economic trends shaping the region’s future.

SAN JOSE, CA — October 20, 2026 — The Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation (SVCCI) joined Santa Clara County Assessor Neysa Fligor and regional business and civic leaders on Monday, October 19, for the inaugural 2026 State of Property Values and the Future of Silicon Valley event in San Jose.

Hosted by the Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office, the event brought together public officials, industry experts, and community leaders to examine the county’s property assessment landscape, economic trends, and the changing forces influencing Silicon Valley’s growth and competitiveness.

The program highlighted Santa Clara County’s 2026–27 assessment roll, which reached a record $760.1 billion, a 4.74% increase over the previous year. The findings illustrated the region’s continued economic strength while highlighting the evolving dynamics of residential and commercial real estate markets.

SVCCI’s “Future of Silicon Valley” Panel Connects Innovation with Economic Realities

A key highlight of the event was the “Future of Silicon Valley” panel, presented by the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation, which brought together four industry leaders representing technology, semiconductor innovation, financial services, and real estate economics.

The featured panelists included:

•  Harbir Bhatia, Moderator: 

•  Shiwain Kaul — General Manager of the Design Ecosystem Sourcing Organization, Intel Central Engineering Group. With more than two decades of global technology procurement and operational leadership, Kaul brought expertise in semiconductor sourcing and the technology supply chains supporting Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem.

•  Swati Raju — Vice President of Engineering at ServiceNow. An accomplished technology leader with previous senior engineering experience at Atlassian, Raju brought expertise in artificial intelligence, enterprise software, cloud platforms, and digital transformation.

•  Troy Village — Producing Area Manager at KindLending. With extensive experience in direct lending and broker channels, Village contributed a perspective on mortgage financing, real estate lending, and the financial conditions influencing homeownership and housing markets.

•  Oscar Wei — Deputy Chief Economist at the California Association of Realtors (CAR). Wei brought expertise in economic analysis, housing market research, and real estate trends affecting California and Silicon Valley.

Together, the panelists represented important sectors shaping the region’s economic trajectory. Their collective expertise connected the continuing evolution of AI and semiconductor technologies with housing affordability, access to financing, property values, and long-term regional economic sustainability.

The panel reflected SVCCI’s commitment to convening diverse industry perspectives and fostering meaningful dialogue about the opportunities and challenges ahead for Silicon Valley.

“Silicon Valley’s strength comes from the intersection of innovation, talent, business leadership, and collaboration,” said Harbir K. Bhatia, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation. “Our Future of Silicon Valley panel brought together leaders from industries that are fundamentally shaping our economy. Understanding how technology, housing, investment, and economic conditions intersect is essential to building a resilient, competitive, and prosperous region where businesses and communities can thrive.”

Understanding Today’s Property Values to Shape Tomorrow’s Economy

The Assessor’s Office presentation offered important insights into how residential and commercial property markets, emerging technologies, inflation, and business investment are influencing property assessments across Santa Clara County.

The program also highlighted the growing significance of AI and data centers, alongside continued challenges in the commercial office market and shifting housing conditions.

By combining the Assessor’s analysis with SVCCI’s forward-looking industry panel, the event connected current economic indicators with the broader questions facing Silicon Valley’s future.

The gathering underscored the value of public-private collaboration and informed dialogue in helping regional leaders navigate economic change while supporting continued innovation, business growth, and community prosperity.

SVCCI extends its appreciation to Santa Clara County Assessor Neysa Fligor and the Assessor’s Office for organizing this important event, and to panelists Shiwain Kaul, Swati Raju, Troy Village, and Oscar Wei for sharing their expertise and contributing to the regional conversation.

Through partnerships with government agencies, technology leaders, financial institutions, and the broader business community, the Chamber remains committed to advancing a vibrant, inclusive, and innovation-driven Silicon Valley economy.

About the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation

The Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation (SVCCI) has served the regional business community for more than 75 years, supporting economic growth through advocacy, education, business connections, and collaborative initiatives. The Chamber convenes businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators, civic leaders, and community organizations to help shape a thriving Silicon Valley economy for all.

Website: www.TheSVCC.org

MEDIA CONTACT

Jaya Gautam

Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation

408-244-8244  |  staff@TheSVCC.org | info@TheSVCC.org