2025 FEST
TUESDAY, MARCH 25TH
KICKOFF MEGA-MIXER
Tues. March 25th | 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Highwire
Join us on March 25th from 5:00 to 7:30pm at Highwire & The Grand (TENWEST HQ) for the TENWEST Mega Mixer, marking the official start of the TENWEST Festival and the launch of our Indigenize TENWEST initiative. The Mega Mixer, first introduced in 2023, was created as a way to bring together business and community organizations in one place to kick off the TENWEST experience.
In its inaugural year, the event attracted 15 partner organizations from across Southern Arizona and the state, setting the stage for meaningful networking, collaboration, and growth. After its successful debut, we’re excited to expand this vision in 2025, with more partners and a renewed focus on inclusion and representation for Indigenous communities. ​This year, the Mega Mixer, presented by the City of Tucson will also highlight the importance of Indigenous participation within the TENWEST Festival, celebrating the contributions of Native American entrepreneurs and creatives. The event will feature a special meetup, connecting leaders, community members, and innovators from Arizona’s Tribal Nations alongside our existing and new partner organizations. We are thrilled to feature DJ Tribal Touch and The Originativ Project, showcasing Native artists and their vibrant expressions of culture, creativity, and innovation.
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This evening promises a chance to network, forge new partnerships, and lay the foundation for potential collaborations during TENWEST and beyond.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26TH
TRENDS: CONFERENCE DAY 1
Weds. March 26th | 9:00AM - 4:00PM
TENWEST will kick off the 3-day conference with a deep dive into the newest technologies and trends we see every day - and how they affect the future of our communities and careers. Join us to learn about the latest trends affecting your career or enhance your skill set to become a more valuable leader.
Themes: Technology, Innovation, AI and the Future of Work, Social Impact, Economic/Workforce Development, Sustainability
​​Audience: Community Builders, Technologists, Educators, Innovators, Government and Community Leaders, and Young Professionals
LUNCH LINKS VIA
12:00pm - 2:00pm| Various Downtown Restaurants
TENWEST VIP CONNECTIONS
VIP Meet & Greet with Guy Raz
Weds. March 26th | 5:00pm - 6:30pm | On-Stage Centennial Hall
All-Access Passholders have the exclusive opportunity to join a limited group of people on-stage at Centennial Hall to meet our keynote speaker, Guy Raz, in-person! Join other TENWEST VIPs and true Guy fans. Limited food and drinks included.
TENWEST CONNECTS DAY 1
Weds. March 26th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm | UA Women’s Plaza
Kick off your evening outdoors at the UA Women’s Plaza as we set the stage for an incredible night of storytelling and inspiration with TENWESTx Talks, featuring keynote speaker Guy Raz. This happy hour is the perfect warm-up to one of the week’s most anticipated events—grab a drink, meet fellow attendees, and get ready to soak in the wisdom of world-class thinkers and innovators.
TENWEST xEVENT
TENWESTx TALKS feat. Guy Raz
Weds. March 26th | 7:30pm | Centennial Hall
Some insights stick with you forever. Guy Raz, the award-winning author and host of How I Built This, has spent years uncovering the stories behind the world’s most successful entrepreneurs—distilling their biggest lessons into strategies anyone can use.
For our featured festival Keynote, join us on March 26th for TENWESTx TALKS, in partnership with Arizona Arts Live, as Guy Raz as takes the stage to share 7 Lessons I’ve Learned From the World’s Greatest Entrepreneurs—a keynote designed to spark ideas, shift perspectives, and equip you with the mindset to turn inspiration into action.​
​Keynote included in All-Access and All-Conference Tickets.​
THURSDAY, MARCH 27TH
ENTREPRENEURSHIP: CONFERENCE DAY 2
Thurs. March 27th | 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Our love of entrepreneurship and innovation is at the core of the TENWEST Festival. This year, you can enjoy a jam-packed day full of breakout sessions and panels, culminating in the high-stakes IdeaFunding Pitch Competition where future entrepreneurs compete for over $50K in prizes. Whether you're a startup founder, small business owner, investor, or freelancer, this is your chance to gain game-changing insights, practical skills, and powerful connections to fuel your success.
Themes: Investing, Entrepreneurship, Business & Leadership Development
​​Audience: Corporate Professionals, Small Business Owners, Freelancers, Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Coaches/Consultants, Mentors, Investors, Startup Enthusiasts/Supporters
LUNCH LINKS VIA
12:00 - 2:00pm | Various Downtown Restaurants
TENWEST CONNECTS DAY 2
Thurs. March 27th | 5:30pm - 7:00pm | R Bar
Get energized for TENWESTx Pitch: The Ideafunding Pitch Competition with a happy hour designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and big thinkers. Mingle with local founders, potential partners, and industry leaders at R Bar, just steps away from the mainstage. Whether you’re pitching, investing, or just soaking in the excitement of Tucson’s startup scene, this is the place to connect before the big event.
TENWEST xEVENT
TENWESTx PITCH: IdeaFunding 2025
Thurs. March 27th | 7:00pm | Rialto Theatre
Big ideas deserve a big stage. On March 27th, join us for TENWESTx PITCH: TENWEST’s annual pitch competition, IdeaFunding, where Arizona’s boldest entrepreneurs bring their visions to life—competing for over $50,000 in cash and prizes. Think of it as Tucson’s own Shark Tank, where you’ll get a front-row seat to the energy, creativity, and game-changing ideas shaping the future.
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It’s an experience designed for anyone who loves innovation—founders refining their craft, investors scouting the next big thing, and curious minds eager to see fresh ideas take flight. Come for the pitches, stay for the inspiration, and leave with a fresh perspective on what’s possible.
​Pitch included in All-Access, All-Conference & Thurs. Day Tickets.​
FRIDAY, MARCH 28TH
CREATIVITY & MARKETING: CONFERENCE DAY 3
Fri. March 28th | 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Creativity touches every aspect of our career, and our Creative Day is a vibrant celebration of arts, music, design, storytelling, and brand-building - showcasing all the ways it inspires us to expand our impact. Even if you don’t think your specific career is creative, we’re confident that after a day of our hands-on workshops and inspiring workshops, you will see the creativity in all you do. This year's Creative day will feature a Mini-Marketing Summit with 2 full tracks devoted entirely to the nitty-gritty side of today's marketing world.
Themes: Marketing & Branding, Design, Arts, Music, Building Culture, Placemaking, Storytelling
​​Audience: Graphic Designers, Musicians, Artists, Makers, Marketers, Foodies, Photographers, Videographers, Content Creators, all Entrepreneurs that want to improve their marketing!
LUNCH LINKS VIA
12:00 - 2:00pm | Various Downtown Restaurants
TENWEST CONNECTS DAY 3
Fri. March 28th | 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Playground Rooftop
End the week on a high note—literally! Join us on the rooftop of Playground for an exciting happy hour that leads straight into our TENWEST Partner Event. Enjoy stunning city views, great company, and lively conversation as we celebrate a week of connection and innovation. This event is also the perfect launchpad into TENWEST’s final weekend, where creativity, relaxation, and personal growth take center stage. Don’t miss this chance to wrap up the workweek and kickstart an inspiring weekend!
TENWEST PARTNER EVENTS
Collective Community Vision feat. Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Fri. March 28th | 6:00 - 7:00pm | Centennial Hall4th Ave.
TENWEST is proud to support the University of Arizona's 2025 Black Faculty Speaker Series in bringing renowned historian Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. to Tucson for a free public talk at Centennial Hall. This talk is part of their 2025 theme of Collective Community Vision featuring and aims to give a powerful exploration of community building as a collective practice, guided by an inclusive vision that often transcends societal expectations. Based on his groundbreaking PBS series "Finding Your Roots", Dr. Gates will share insights from his influential series about genealogy, genetics, and history’s impact on our lives today. His keynote will feature a stunning visual presentation, including Professor Gates’ favorite moments from the show, such as the memorable appearance of the late Congressman John Lewis.
TENWEST xEVENT
TENWESTx LIVE with Reggie Watts
Fri. March 28th | 8:00pm | 191 Toole
Creativity, comedy, and music collide in a way only Reggie Watts can deliver. Come out on March 28 at 191 Toole, for TENWESTx LIVE, as the internationally renowned musician, comedian, writer, and actor takes the stage for a one-of-a-kind performance that defies expectations.
Best known as the bandleader for The Late Late Show with James Corden, Reggie’s mind-blowing mix of improvisation, beatboxing, and sharp-witted humor will keep you on your toes—laughing, vibing, and wondering how he does it all in real-time. Get ready for an unforgettable experience where anything can happen, and probably will.
Included in All-Access Pass (RSVP Required).​
SATURDAY, MARCH 29TH
TENWEST WELLNESS SUMMIT
led by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
Sat. March 29 | 10am - 3pm @ Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
The TENWEST Wellness Summit led by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine invites creatives, entrepreneurs, and high achievers to explore the intersection of health, wellness, innovation, and self-care. This day of learning, movement, and connection offers a practical antidote to burnout and a path toward resilience.
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Through expert-led lectures on fascinating topics, interactive sessions, and hands-on experiences, attendees will gain knowledge and evidence-based tools to optimize health and drive sustainable success.
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By uniting TENWEST’s legacy of innovation with AWCIM’s expertise in whole-person health, this initiative positions wellness as a key pillar of performance and creativity.
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*This is an add-on opportunity with limited tickets available. The Wellness Summit is included in the All-Access pass (RSVP Required).
SUNDAY, MARCH 30TH
TENWEST PARTNER EVENT
TENWEST Collab with Made in Tucson
Sun. March 30th | 10:00am - 4:00pm | 7th St. & 4th Ave.
Tucson’s boldest ideas and brightest creatives are coming together for something bigger than a market—it’s a celebration of the city’s unmistakable energy and innovation. This spring, Made in Tucson Market and TENWEST are teaming up to bring you an experience that blends artistry, entrepreneurship, and community like never before.​​
​​More than just shopping, this is where local makers, artists, and big thinkers collide to showcase Tucson’s one-of-a-kind spirit.
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Wander through a marketplace filled with inspiring local talent
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Connect with the creative minds driving our economy forward
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Explore cutting-edge ideas in technology, entrepreneurship, and art
It’s a space for collaboration, discovery, and the kind of electric energy that only Tucson can create. Don’t miss this powerful fusion of professional growth and creative expression—be part of the movement!
TENWEST xEVENT
TENWESTx Community: Corbett's Takeover
Sun. March 30th | 10am - 6pm | Corbett's
& VIP CONNECTIONS
As Made in Tucson Market fills the streets with creativity, we’re closing out TENWEST Festival with one final party—TENWESTx CORBETT’S: The Grand Finale. In partnership with Corbett’s, this immersive celebration will bring the festival’s energy to a vibrant close with live music, interactive art, family-friendly activations, a silent disco, and a paint-by-number community mural, and more!
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After a week of inspiration and big ideas, this is your chance to kick back, celebrate, and experience the creative spirit of Tucson in full force. Don’t just watch—jump in, dance, create, and connect as we wrap up TENWEST Festival in true Tucson style!
All-Access Passholders will have access to a special reserved seating and networking area to relax while enjoying the Made in Tucson Market and TENWEST wrap-show.