2025 Recap: A Spring Festival Downtown
After a fall schedule in 2022 and 2023, TENWEST moved to spring. In 2025 it also moved out of the convention center and into the heart of downtown Tucson. It was TENWEST's 10th anniversary year, and it felt like the festival we'd been building toward all along: walkable, local, and full of energy.
Over six days, more than 4,500 people came together for three days of conference programming, packed evening shows, a wellness summit, and a Sunday takeover of Made in Tucson Market. "It helped me find my place in Tucson," one attendee told us. Another called it "the best investment I've made in myself this year."
By the numbers
4,500+ attendees
150+ speakers
85+ sessions
23 local venues
25% of attendees from outside the region
Standout moments
Guy Raz at Centennial Hall. The host of "How I Built This" shared seven lessons from the world's greatest entrepreneurs at TENWESTx TALKS. "Guy Raz was the reason I came — and it was worth it."
Reggie Watts at 191 Toole. He gave a one-of-a-kind TENWESTx LIVE performance. "Completely original."
IdeaFunding's biggest year yet. 130 applicants went through three pitch rounds, and 25 finalists pitched across five tracks in front of 35 judges and 300+ attendees at the Rialto. Ten founders shared $50K in prizes.
The launch of Indigenize TENWEST. In partnership with the Indigenous Community Collaborative, the initiative brought four panels featuring 12 Indigenous panelists, 50 scholarships, and an Indigenous networking experience at the Mega Mixer, which drew 250 people.
Small moments, big impact. LunchLinks paired attendees for small-group lunches at downtown restaurants, and the TENWEST Wellness Summit was led by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.
A grand finale. TENWEST closed at Made in Tucson Market with Startup Alley, live music, a community art project, and a Corbett's takeover that drew 2,500 people.
Announcements from 2025
Arizona Commerce Authority returned as title sponsor
Guy Raz named headline keynote, in partnership with Arizona Arts Live
Reggie Watts announced for TENWESTx LIVE
Indigenize TENWEST launched
The festival moved to March and into walkable downtown venues