DISCOVER TENWEST
Your Guide to Get the Most Out of TENWEST
Buying the right pass. Staying at the coolest place. Enjoying the best food (and some of the best Mexican food in America). We’ll help you navigate your six days of TENWEST awesomeness so you can make the most out of time at the Fest.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT TENWEST
We got you covered from morning to night with
lots of ways to get connected and stay inspired.
Here’s what makes up our week:
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TENWEST EDU
A dedicated time for professional learning and certifications. Tenwest EDU is all about trainings, workshops, and industry intensives in partnership with education and workforce leaders.
TENWEST CONFERENCE
The heart of our festival. Our three-day conference helps you connect the dots across industries and perspectives. 2026 shared themes that unify all summits and keep TENWEST on the pulse of what’s next include:
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AI & Emerging Tech
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Marketing & Branding
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Wellness & Resilience
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Consumer Products Spotlight
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Navigating a Changing Economy / World
Founder's Summit
Designed for builders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Focuses on growth strategy, access to capital, leadership, and innovation. Includes IdeaFunding, the Southwest’s largest pitch competition.
Creator's Summit
Tailored for creative entrepreneurs, digital storytellers, and designers. Explores monetization, brand strategy, community building, and the intersection of creativity and technology.
Culinary Innovator's Summit
Focused on food and consumer product founders, this summit covers brand building, food innovation, sustainability, and scaling products from concept to market.
TENWEST EXPLORES
Explore the art, culture, food, and innovation that makes Southern Arizona so amazing through our curated and partner-led experiences.
TENWEST CONNECTS
Themed networking happy hours that bridge the day’s sessions and evening experiences. Relaxed, topic-aligned gatherings for conversation and collaboration.
TENWESTx EXPERIENCES
Immersive evening events that bring the festival to life — concerts, culinary showcases, pitch competitions, and creative performances that celebrate innovation and community. That includes our community wide celebration at the Made in Tucson market to close our our week together in true Tucson style.
The Indigenize TENWEST initiative, in partnership with the Indigenous Community Collaborative and aligned with Startup Tucson’s Rooted in Arizona Indigenous Loan Program, is committed to empowering Native American communities in Arizona. By showcasing the expertise of Native entrepreneurs and providing resources to support their growth, the initiative aims to increase representation, highlight Indigenous innovation, and build lasting partnerships that create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Indigenous Empowerment Initiative offers discounted or complimentary passes to Indigenous attendees, prioritizing first-time attendees, small business owners, community leaders, and entrepreneurs.
The Community Access Initiative provides scholarships to ensure the Fest remains accessible, with priority for early-stage entrepreneurs, creatives, non-profit professionals, teachers, and first-time attendees.
Students play a vital role in the TENWEST experience, bringing fresh ideas, curiosity, and energy to the festival. Whether attending panels, volunteering, or showcasing their own projects, students have the opportunity to learn from local leaders, connect with professionals, and explore real-world pathways in innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. TENWEST is proud to create space for the next generation of changemakers.