Arizona Rural Policy Forum 2023 tickets are now on sale
The most popular rural meetup of the year heads to Miami on Aug. 2-4, bringing Arizona leaders together to learn, collaborate and strengthen their communities
MIAMI, Ariz. (May 30, 2023) — Calling all rural and tribal leaders from across the state: It’s time for the most popular rural meetup of the year!
Join Local First Arizona and hundreds of changemakers for the 16th annual Arizona Rural Policy Forum, held this year at the historic Bullion Plaza in Miami, Ariz.
This sought-after conference attracts nearly 300 community leaders, so don’t wait to reserve your spot – both for the two-day forum and the add-on events in Globe and Miami where networking will go deep and participants will see firsthand why this part of the Copper Corridor is a special part of Arizona.
The theme this year is “Moving Strategy into Action.” Based on last year’s feedback, our program will include more interactive sessions and networking opportunities, with a focus on Strategic DoingTM. If you’re tired of talking and want to jump into action to advance the issues at hand, don’t miss your chance to attend.
“The Town of Miami welcomes all who are attending this forward-thinking event,” Miami, Ariz., Mayor Jose “Angel” Medina said. “I hope that everyone finds this ever-changing community with its rich mining heritage, new developments and ongoing beautification projects a perfect place to host this event.”
"Globe is excited to show the continued progress and momentum of our city over the past five years where our community spirit and local pride are going strong," Globe Mayor Al Gameros said. "We hope to inspire participants at the Arizona Rural Policy Forum and look forward to collaborating on moving rural economies forward."
When: Wednesday-Friday Aug. 2-4, 2023
Where: Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, 150 N. Plaza Circle, Miami, Ariz.
Cost: Early-bird tickets for the Aug. 3-4 forum cost $99 through June 30. Tickets after the early-bird deadline cost $135. Add-on activities are available for an additional charge.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch are included with Forum ticket price Aug. 3-4.
Tickets and details: www.localfirstaz.com/rural-policy-forum
Lodging: Discounted hotel rates are available here.
Media who wish to attend the forum can contact Local First Arizona Public Relations Manager Rebekah Sanders, preferably by Thursday, July 27, at rebekah@localfirstaz.com or 602-663-0045.
As the state’s Rural Development Council, Local First Arizona hosts the Arizona Rural Policy Forum to connect rural economic development professionals, tribes, community leaders, business owners, nonprofits and other advocates interested in sustaining rural communities.
The Rural Policy Forum provides strategies, skills-building, networking, relationship development, lessons learned and success stories from national experts as well as local communities in rural Arizona. Activities include capacity-building sessions, networking receptions and focused breakouts, such as the funders’ roundtable, where rural communities and nonprofits can connect their visionary projects to grant-makers who are potential future partners.
The forum’s goals are to:
Improve regional collaboration between nonprofits, small businesses, rural employers, government and public entities to enhance economic development
Build relationships and facilitate networking between rural stakeholders
Increase the economic capacity of rural towns
Develop advocates for rural Arizona
Create new strategies for building resilient communities
Forum speakers will include:
Arizona Office of Resiliency Director Maren Mahoney, who will share how the new state office is working to secure our water supply and advance a clean-energy economy.
Agile Strategy Lab Associate Director Liz Nilsen, who is passionate about helping teams become engines of innovation. She will lead attendees in an exercise in Strategic Doing,TM a practice that quickly guides people toward successful, collaborative solutions.
Arizona Rep. David Cook, who was elected in 2016 to represent Globe and the surrounding region in the state Legislature. A rancher and former Department of Corrections officer, he holds positions on the Gila County Cattle Growers' Board of Directors and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Advisory Board.
Breakout sessions will include:
Rural development reimagined
Infrastructure funding
Grassroots food systems for stronger communities
Rural funders’ roundtable
The rural workforce of the future
Add-on events:
Wednesday, Aug. 2
12-5 p.m. Regional Economic Development Tour: The real sites & stories of rural development ($35)
Spend the afternoon touring the destinations and projects that are boosting the Globe-Miami economy. From historic treasures to brand-new developments, our stops will include Globe’s new aquatic complex, Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park, Hill Street School Housing Project, Globe/Miami Regional Training Center, Pin Drop Travel Trailers and the Miami art scene. Tickets are limited to this “fan favorite” activity.
5:30-8 p.m. A kick-off party … Miami style! ($30)
That’s Miami, ARIZONA, of course, where the town is celebrating revitalization and renewal. Reunite with and expand your network at this festive event at the Cobre Valley Recreation Center. It’s the signature launch of our time together at the forum. Salina’s Smoke Street BBQ will treat us to their award-winning brisket, spare ribs, smoked mac-n-cheese and cornbread casserole! (Vegetarian options will also be available.)
Thursday, Aug. 3
5:30-9 p.m. This Globe is Shakin’ Forum Celebration Dinner ($35)
While we won’t see snow in this Globe, the city will be shaking things up on its one-of-a-kind Broad Street. New energy meets historic architecture at our annual forum dinner party in downtown Globe. From the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts, historic train depot and storied 1910 Gila County Jail to the thriving “Main Street” vibe of local restaurants, artists and shops, this part of the city has been reviewed as the “centerpiece of Globe.” With 5 food trucks, live music and a taste of the Copper Corridor’s best wines, we’ll have something for everyone
A special thank you to our title sponsor Growth Partners Arizona for their ongoing commitment and support of Arizona’s rural communities. As a Community Development Financial Institution, Growth Partners Arizona is committed to creating an inclusive economy by closing the racial wealth gap and delivering critical resources to underserved communities across the state.
About Local First Arizona
Founded in 2003, Local First Arizona is a community and economic development organization working to strengthen local economies. Local First’s areas of focus include developing entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action and food access. Local First is the largest local business coalition in the U.S. and advocates for independently owned businesses of all sizes by assisting local owners with technical assistance designed to help them compete and collaborate, which ultimately strengthens Arizona's economy and builds hometown pride. Visit www.localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 locally-owned businesses.