Sedona, AZ – November 7, 2025 – The inaugural Sedona Innovation Summit wrapped up yesterday amid Sedona's iconic red rock canyons. Hosted at the Enchantment Resort, the event united Arizona leaders for a day of keynotes, panels, and networking focused on economic growth and community resilience.

Organized by the Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, the November 6 gathering ran from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Boynton Canyon. Themes included workforce development, AI, sustainable communities, and hospitality evolution. Attendees praised the "fantastic venue filled with thought-provoking speakers and engaging panelists," organizers said, hailing it as a launchpad for "forward-looking policy and development."

Keynotes kicked off the energy. Elite coach Chris Carlisle, ex-Seattle Seahawks trainer and author of Move or Die, shared "Building a Culture of Success" and "Beast Mode Leadership" strategies for resilience. Dr. Sybil Francis, CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona, followed with "The Arizona We Want," stressing education, workforce readiness, and civic engagement.

The "Investing in the Future: Sustainable Communities" panel, moderated by Greater Phoenix Chamber CEO Todd Sanders, featured ASU's Katie Pettinger, Verde Valley's Mary Chicoine, housing advocate Mimi Maher, and Arizona Talks founder Carlos Alfaro. They discussed blending entrepreneurship, education, and housing for equitable growth.

Next, the "Future of Hospitality" panel—led by NAU's Dr. Mark Molinaro—explored tech and design shifts in tourism. Panelists included chef Mercer Mohr, Cliff Castle's Christopher McGahey, gallery co-founder Brett Labit, and El Portal owner Steve Segner, focusing on personalized, authentic experiences post-pandemic.

The afternoon peaked with the 2025 Sedona Innovation Award announcement, sponsored by Untethered. Winners Kathleen Ventura and Brock Delinski of Compost Crowd were honored for transforming food scraps into nutrient-rich soil, diverting nearly 700 tons of waste from landfills through a community composting network. Notable finalists included Jaime Dugan of Relentless Batteries for modular EV tech; Radhika Jen Marie of ChocolaTree Organic Oasis for sustainable vegan cuisine; Tyler Carson of Fiddler on the Rock for immersive red rock performances; Ilchi Lee of Sedona Mago Retreat Center for global wellness initiatives; Jennifer May and Colleen TeBrake of Ambiente: A Landscape Hotel for eco-luxury design; and Julie Lapidus of Autism Evolution for neurodiversity research.

Coffee breaks, a catered lunch, and optional Jeep tours fueled connections in the intimate setting. Feedback lauded the event's scale for meaningful interactions.

Organizers envision an annual tradition, positioning the Verde Valley as an innovation hub. "Thrilled with the energy and ideas," a Chamber spokesperson noted. "This is the start of tackling challenges and seizing opportunities."