08:30 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 75min
Copper Ballroom, Tucson Convention Center

In 2015, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona began convening a network of partners including farms, school districts, healthcare institutions, food distributors, and advocates to develop a regional food value chain that gets fresh, local produce to people in large volumes through institutional buyers. The value chain network is innovating to develop and test new systems and markets—making tangible changes to the way our food system functions—while working to build inclusive, local ownership and control of our region’s natural, social, and financial resources and a regional food system that works for all. Join us for a panel discussion as we explore the collective impact – from a local economic development standpoint, a sustainable environmental standpoint, a civic engagement standpoint, and a cultural conservation standpoint – generated through this partnership.

10:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Gila, Tucson Convention Center

Food is an essential part of the identity and culture of Southern Arizona. This panel will explore the intersection of food and culture in the region, in the context of Tucson’s recent designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

10:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Graham, Tucson Convention Center

Health sciences workforce development for diverse and inclusive healthcare services locally and globally (this includes indigenous, under represented minorities, and the urban/rural components)

10:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Greenlee, Tucson Convention Center

The panelists will present a case study on how the Indigenous Governance Program (and a proposed School of Indigenous Governance and Development that is still in the planning phase) at the University of Arizona was created to address a growing need for education related to Indigenous governance best practices among tribal nations in the U.S. and Indigenous communities around the world. To date, our program has reached over 350 participants from over 30 Native nations on 6 continents.

Included in the presentation will be information and stories about how these programs have helped tribes to strengthen their governance, rebuild their nations, and demonstrate sovereignty in action. Panelists to include Professors and Students that are a part of the program.

10:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Coconino, Tucson Convention Center

Water and wheat — foundations of life for millennia. In the American Southwest’s arid Sonoran Desert, water flows across Arizona from more than 300 miles away to quench the thirsts of over four million people and sustain the food, economy, and livelihoods they rely on every day. Join us for a screening of Sonora Rising, a short film by environmental nonprofit, American Rivers which explores the thoughts of three visionaries — third-generation farmer Brian Wong, who grows a variety of low-water and heat tolerant organic heritage wheat in the arid plains northwest of Tucson, Don Guerra of Barrio Bread, who bakes 1,000 loaves of artisanal bread per day using local and indigenous wheat varieties, and Tim Thomure, the Director of Tucson Water who helps build and sustain a thriving city in the Sonoran Desert — creating and growing a circular economy of water, forging a sustainable future for a city that could have gone in another direction. And nearly did. The showing will be followed by an engaging panel discussion featuring Brian, Don, and Tim, joined by Jeff Odefey and filmmaker Sinjin Eberle, both with American Rivers.

10:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Apache/Cochise, Tucson Convention Center

You’ve done your strategic planning. You know how to talk to funders. But something’s nagging at you: The excitement you feel about your organization doesn’t come through in your marketing and communications. Your staff doesn’t know how to describe what you do beyond parroting your mission. What’s missing?

We’re here to explain why it’s a powerful and efficient way to advance your mission. Hint: A brand is not a logo. Branding is clarity and precision that can mobilize engagement and loyalty. We’ll get you thinking about the elements of a brand platform and how it can be so transformative. We’ll start with a short introduction, then you’ll work in small groups on key activities about audience needs and how to position your organization.

Key Take-Aways
1. An actionable methodology and framework so you can start getting to the heart of your organization’s brand identity.
2. How to create clear, targeted messaging that engages your audiences.

11:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Apache/Cochise, Tucson Convention Center

11:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Gila, Tucson Convention Center

While the food system often replicates structural and economic injustices across underserved communities, this panel will highlight an emerging project in Tucson between the Center for Regional Food Studies and the Dunbar Project to create a community-based health and wellness program.

11:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Graham, Tucson Convention Center

What’s old is new again, the value of integrative medicine and ensuring inclusivity of traditional healers for improving clinical outcomes.

11:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Coconino, Tucson Convention Center

Join us to explore what it means to create a livable city in the era of climate change! This panel, moderated by Gina Murphy-Darling, Founder and CEO of Mrs. Green’s World, will feature City of Tucson staff from Environmental and General Services, Planning and Development Services, and Tucson Department of Transportation, and Tucson Water. We’ll talk about what it takes to create bike and pedestrian lanes, increase renewable energy on City facilities (including our parks), create sustainable building policies, ensure a clean and abundant water supply, and plan for climate adaptation. We’ll learn what’s already been done, what’s in the works, and what the future holds!

11:00 am 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Greenlee, Tucson Convention Center

As a nascent technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surged across a variety of industries. Powerful companies, including Google, Microsoft and Amazon, as well as a plethora of small startups are undertaking major initiatives utilizing AI. AI has diversified into many uses and has taken on a variety of forms including, but not limited to, self-driving automobiles, voice command servers, navigation apps, virtual assistants, the internet of things (IoT), and facial recognition systems. The breakneck speed of AI advancements has fueled venture funding and acquisitions. While AI holds the promise of improving the human experience, it is also fraught with the perils of over-reliance on underdeveloped technologies. The session will examine how AI impacts various stakeholders and raises economic, legal, and ethical issues worthy of consideration.

Hannah Davis is the dynamic and nationally recognized founder and CEO of BANGS Shoes–a modern shoes company that gives 20% of net profits towards helping entrepreneurs start businesses around the world. During this luncheon you will learn how social-entrepreneurship provides an opportunity to have a sustainable social impact at home and abroad. Come have lunch, learn and be inspired! 

This is an add-on experience. To learn more, click here. 

14:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Apache/Cochise, Tucson Convention Center

The Tucson community is known for effective collaboration in all realms – business, community-based, neighborhoods, and nonprofits. Are they conflict free? No. However, the most effective collaborations know how to work successfully with conflict to meet their goals. Join us for up-to-date research, the three most effective skills, and practice to make your collaborations highly productive.

14:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Graham, Tucson Convention Center

Digital health innovations and their role in increasing equity in access to health services

14:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Coconino, Tucson Convention Center

Tucson Cooperative Network

14:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Gila, Tucson Convention Center

Building a sustainable regional food system requires creating local value chains that support farmers and our community. This panel will reflect on the progress made to create a value chain that connects local farmers to larger institutions in the health and education sphere in Tucson.

14:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Greenlee, Tucson Convention Center

Everyday, grassroots organizations organize, educate and empower themselves and their communities to force neighborhood change and sway municipalities to do the things they have failed to previously act on. This panel will look at the impact of social movements, grassroots organizations, and community organizers who have fulfilled the needs caused by systemic issues. From Sanctuary Cities, to Mass Liberation, reproductive health, and sustainability; these activists/organizers have empowered armies that have turned cities upside-down overnight.

15:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Apache/Cochise, Tucson Convention Center

Increase capacity to initiate, develop and sustain high functioning groups

15:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Gila, Tucson Convention Center

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that over 1/3 of food produced in the world goes to waste. Food waste produces methane gas, a more potent contributor to climate change than carbon. Get inspired and informed about the latest innovations happening in Tucson and Southern Arizona around food waste rescue and upcycling.

15:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Graham, Tucson Convention Center

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) is a way to use art to improve observation, communication, and comfort with ambiguity. In the last decade, it has increasingly been used to train doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists around the world. I will first lead a discussion about what VTS is and how it works, and then an audience-participation demonstration – using the same resources I use with first-year nurses at Tucson Medical Center.

15:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Coconino, Tucson Convention Center

At Local First Arizona, we’re passionate about sustainability, whether it be economic or environmental sustainability. Environmental sustainability goes hand in hand with economic sustainability in ensuring that our communities can look forward to prosperous futures for all of their citizens. Local First Arizona engages with businesses across the state to educate them about how sustainability can improve their business, and then we provide them with a variety of resources and programs to help make steps towards improving their sustainability. Out program covers topics from recycling to transportation efficiency, helping businesses to save money and reduce their environmental footprint. We plan to discuss how our different programs are tackling issues that Arizona based businesses are dealing with, and how businesses are preparing for our future with a changing environment.

15:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Greenlee, Tucson Convention Center

Arizona is home to 22 Native nations, many whom are major economic drivers. Panelists will provide an overview of Native nations including their socio-economic challenges, governmental form, authorities, laws, and economic environments. Representatives from two of Tucson’s indigenous communities, the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, will also share suggestions for building effective inter-governmental relationships.

16:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Graham, Tucson Convention Center

Autism diagnosis rates have skyrocketed over the last two decades. The economic, social, and emotional costs of this trend are felt in every community and in workplaces across the country. We’ll explore the depths of the challenges, highlight innovators and social entrepreneurs who are disrupting the industry, and discuss how the business community can be a catalyst for embracing and improving the lives of people with autism.

16:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Apache/Cochise, Tucson Convention Center

Join us for a skill building workshop focused on measuring impact and outcomes for nonprofit professionals.

16:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Coconino, Tucson Convention Center

16:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Gila, Tucson Convention Center

As our climate changes, technology will play an even more critical role in the adaptation process for the food system. Learn from this panel about some of the cutting edge technologies emerging in the agricultural sector to address issues ranging from pollinator collapse to water scarcity.

16:00 pm 10/14/2019
Duration: 45min
Greenlee, Tucson Convention Center

The Innovation for Justice (i4J) Program exposes students to the justice gap, engages students in thinking critically about the power of technology and innovation to close that gap, and empowers students to be disruptive problem-solvers. Students work across disciplines and with government, private and community partners, implementing design thinking and systems thinking to create new models of legal empowerment. Over 200 community members have engaged with the program since it launched in August 2018.

Join us! Find out what we’ve been working on, interact with some of our ongoing projects, and learn how you can take solution-oriented action regarding urgent social issues in our community, including human trafficking, domestic violence, and eviction.