Keep up with the latest in business trends and creative practices while looking to the future at Tucson’s TENWEST 2025, the Old Pueblo’s answer to SXSW.
From March 25 to March 30, speakers, panels and special guest Guy Raz, host of “How I Built This,” will explain “cutting-edge thought leadership In technology, entrepreneurship and creativity to help individuals ignite bold ideas, advance their careers, and make a lasting impact on their communities,” organizers said in a statement.
Liz Pocock — chief executive officer of Startup Tucson and organizer of TENWEST — said the event is a professional summit and a community festival.
Matt Baquet of Ranch House Media is co-producing the event.
“This year, we’re saying it’s a six-day festival and a three-day conference,” he said.
Two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions will be held each day.
The first of three days, Wednesday, March 26, will be devoted to the newest technologies and trends that affect the future of everyone’s careers. Look for talks about AI, economic and workforce development and sustainability. Anyone with a ticket may attend, but they’re geared toward community builders, technologists, educators, innovators, government and community leaders and young professionals.
Keynote speaker Guy Raz will discuss “7 Lessons I’ve Learned from the World’s Greatest Entrepreneurs” at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall.
“This is the biggest headliner we’ve ever had; (he’s) a pretty big deal in the (podcast) world,” Pocock said. “It’s a huge ‘get’ for us to have him come to Tucson. He doesn’t do a lot of these speaking engagements. I think that’s a huge opportunity for our larger community to interact with the festival.”
On Thursday, March 27, the theme is investing, business leadership and entrepreneurship. Panels and speakers will discuss practical skills and how to fuel success. This day's events will most benefit corporate professionals, small business owners, freelancers, aspiring entrepreneurs, coaches/consultants, mentors, investors and startup enthusiasts/supporters.
That evening’s event will leave some entrepreneurs better able to grow their companies. They will do it with a pitch competition.
“The ‘Shark Tank’-style pitch competition is called Idea Funding; this will be its 27th idea-funding,” Pocock said. “This year we’re giving away over $50,000 in total prizes. That includes a mix of cash prizes as well as in-kind support for businesses to get support with marketing, support with incubation, support with education services offered by Startup Tucson and a number of our partners and other sponsors.”
Last year about 120 companies applied to pitch. That number gets winnowed down reasonably significantly.
“They go through about a month of training,” Pocock said. Then, “there’s two different rounds of down-selects. Judges help us get to our 25 participants that pitch on that day and five main stage pitches for the big prize.”
Last year’s grand prize winner was Berry Cultured, which makes stickers and other fun kid stuff that look like the African American owner.
“She’s doing great; she launched into the Phoenix market,” Pocock added.
The second prize winner was Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea.
This year’s pitch competition will take place at the Rialto Theatre.
Finally, on Friday, March 28, look for talks about creativity, marketing and branding, design and building culture. This day features is about more than traditional arts, though that is important, but about music, design, storytelling and brand-building. Talks will showcase creative ways to be inspired to expand our work’s impact.
Graphic designers, musicians, artists, makers, marketers, foodies, photographers, videographers, content creators and all entrepreneurs who want to improve their marketing.
During the three days of the conference, a Mentor Zone will be available for 15-minute appointments. Participants can speak with experts in their field to advise on anything from sales and strategy to finance and legal matters.
Saturday, March 29, is a special add-on. Discover how wellness intersects with innovation, and self-care. The day offers a practical antidote to burnout and a path toward resilience.
The evenings will feature a performance by musician, comedian, writer and actor Reggie Watts, who will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, March 28, at 191 Toole. He is best known as the leader of the band on the “Late Late Show with James Corden.”
“We’re super excited about (having him here),” Pocock said.
Wind up the TENWEST experience on Sunday, March 30, at Corbetts, 340 N. Sixth Street, with live music, interactive art, family-friendly activities, a silent disco, and a paint-by-number community mural.
TENWEST
WHEN: Various times Wednesday, March 25, to Sunday, March 30
WHERE: Sessions will be held throughout Downtown, at Highwire, Brickbox, Playground, AC Hotel, the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and the Tucson Metro Chamber
PRICE: Ticket prices vary
INFO: tenwest.com
