Save the Date!
Local First Arizona hosts a variety of events throughout the state every year. From food festivals to educational conferences, all of our events work to build a better Arizona that we're all proud to call home.
ARIZONA GOOD BUSINESS SUMMIT
The Arizona Good Business Summit is the premier event to build a lasting legacy in our community. For entrepreneurs, small businesses, and long lasting enterprises, the unique event features national and local leading experts presenting effective strategies that guide you to bolster your business as a force for good.
ARIZONA GOOD FOOD FORUM + EXPO
Local First Arizona's signature event, The Good Food Forum + Expo, is a celebration of Arizona’s local food system. Aiming to unite Arizona’s local food economy, the combined conference and food exhibition welcomes all participants in our local food system to connect, share educational insights, broaden local food relationships and business connections while strengthening communities across the state.
ARIZONA FALL FESTIVAL
The Arizona Fall Festival is a free annual celebration of all things local to Arizona. The family-friendly event for all ages features over 200 local vendors, live music, kids activities, an Arizona beverage garden, a silent auction and much more.
ARIZONA RURAL POLICY FORUM
The Arizona Rural Policy Forum, presented by Local First Arizona and the Arizona Rural Development Council, connects rural economic development professionals, nonprofits, community leaders, business owners, and other rural stakeholders who are interested in sustaining rural communities. Our goal is to hear strategies from national experts as well as learn about success stories around Arizona that will give our rural leaders the tools, resources and relationships they need to face current challenges.
DEVOUR WEEK
Devour Week is the region’s premier annual week of culinary events hosted by Desert Botanical Garden, Local First Arizona, and the Arizona Business Committee for the Arts. Our goal is to showcase the fine food and drink purveyors of Arizona while furthering metro Phoenix as a dining destination worthy of international prestige. Featuring the Devour The World, Seven Chefs Dinner and ending with the 2-day Devour Culinary Classic.
DINING FOR DREAMS
Twice a year, Local First Arizona hosts Dining for Dreams, an event that embodies our belief that through food, we can cultivate inclusive and creative communities. An intimate evening of comradery and conversation, the three-course dinner showcases the transformational work of Local First’s entrepreneur development programs designed to teach under-resourced micro-entrepreneurs important basics for financial literacy and business development.
INDEPENDENTS WEEK
During Independents Week, we encourage Arizonans to “go local” by supporting as many locally owned businesses as possible. We host fun events all over the state to engage Arizonans with the local businesses in their neighborhoods. This campaign drives new and returning customers into Arizona’s local businesses.
MOVE YOUR MONEY
When your money is deposited in locally owned and operated community banks and credit unions, it's invested right back into our local economy. Yet 91% of Arizona's total deposits are put into non-local, out of state banks. Join us as we recognize Community Banking Month, #MoveYourMoney and invest in Arizona.
SAVOR Southern Arizona Food & Wine Festival
Southern Arizona's most revered celebration of the culinary arts, the SAVOR Southern Arizona Food & Wine Festival features more than 50 of the region’s finest chefs, wineries, breweries, local foods and restaurants. A creative collaboration with Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, Local First Arizona and Tucson Botanical Gardens, this foodie festival showcases the diversity of the heritage foods and ingredients throughout the Southwest region.