Tag Archives: Ignite Phoenix

DPJ Article: An Unexpected Connection: Jeff Moriarty & the Phoenix Community Alliance

Originally posted in the Downtown Phoenix Journal on December 21, 2009

On Thursday, December 17, the Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA) held its annual membership meeting at the recently renovated Phoenix Country Club. The PCA is a private sector, not-for-profit organization launched in 1983 by local business leaders to create a dynamic Downtown Phoenix. This year, it has 145 corporate members and 70 adjunct members representing a variety of stakeholder organizations.

DPJ Article: An Unexpected Connection: Jeff Moriarty & the Phoenix Community AllianceThe PCA advocates for solutions to the critical needs of Central Phoenix and provides technical assistance and support to parties interested in developing in and around Downtown Phoenix. It is involved in several projects, including supporting the Downtown Phoenix Urban Form Project, incubating the Discovery Triangle Corporation and championing the emerging health and bioscience sector. The PCA also helps businesses of all sizes interested in locating in Central Phoenix.

The guest speaker at the luncheon was Jeff Moriarty. Among his many other hats, Moriarty is the President of the Phoenix Innovation Foundation (PIF). The PIF’s mission is to educate and promote the Phoenix metro community through community-based art, science and technology events. It sponsors free, public and community-run events — those whose missions parallel its own — through the donation of logistical and legal support, as well as with some charitable funds.

bio6 DPJ Article: An Unexpected Connection: Jeff Moriarty & the Phoenix Community Alliance

Jeff Moriarty

During his comments, Moriarty focused on what community means to him and the implications for Phoenix. He discussed his experiences with Ignite Phoenix, and ImprovAZ and his passion for uncovering Phoenix’s “unique personality.” Moriarty also talked about how social media can get around both the “Dilbertarian controls” of traditional corporations and the sprawling geography of Phoenix. Another thread of his discussion was connecting people in unexpected ways to increase community and innovation throughout the Valley. His presentation before the mainly corporate crowd, many of whom had little exposure to social media, was a great example of creating these unconventional connections.

The Phoenix Community Alliance offices are in the historic Security Building at 234 N. Central Ave. in Copper Square. The alliance can be reached at 602.254.7477 or through President Don Keuth. Jeff Moriarty can be found on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. He blogs here, here and sometimes here.

DPJ Article: An Unexpected Connection: Jeff Moriarty & the Phoenix Community Alliance
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Downtown Phoenix: Don't Hate the Haters

Recently there has been a lot of discussion in the blogosphere on the shortcomings of downtown Phoenix, my adopted hometown. First, there was some consternation that events like Ignite Phoenix and TEDxPhoenix, were in fact not held in Phoenix at all and therefore not to be attended by ‘true Phoenicians.’

In addition, there have been posts from bloggers like Derek Neighbors, Tyler Hurst, and the Downtown Devil explaining what they see as downtown Phoenix’s shortcomings. And of course there is Jon Talton, the ‘exiled’ Arizona Republic journalist who doesn’t pull punches when describing what has happened to his beloved home town. All of these people and their writings have raised the hackles of some downtown Phoenix cheerleaders. However, all of these people are deeply engaged in their communities in their own ways, something that many cheerleaders are not (Hint to cheerleaders: eating dinner at a local restaurant does not make you active in the community).

As an incurable urbanist, I am excited by what’s going on downtown, and have been one of the area’s biggest boosters. I am a firm believer that the only thing worse than unconstructive criticism however, is blind boosterism. As such, I am not blind to the fact that downtown Phoenix is a work in progress that still has a long way to go before it becomes a truly vibrant urban hub and I’m grateful that the above people are willing to point out its flaws.

Yes downtown has come a long way over the past 10 years (and especially the last 5 years). However, all this work has barely laid the foundation for a ‘real’ downtown; an urban space that offers a mixture of opportunities to live, work and play. It is far to early to sit back and proclaim that downtown Phoenix has arrived, and definitely too early to castigate those who dare to point out the remaining shortcomings and hurdles that the downtown core faces.

Boycotting events or ignoring those you disagree with is no way to help the city or region grow. So rather than write of the comments of Derek, Tyler or Jon, why not listen to them and learn how others see the city? Sure you may disagree with some, or all of their points, but chances are you will re-examine your perspectives and may even find some common ground with the critics to work with. By simply writing the critics writing them off as negative cranks, however, you are missing an opportunity to improve your city.

There are plenty of opportunities to share your opinions and ideas. To begin with, share your opinions in the comment section of this post, or TD‚ Derek‚ or others. Better yet, invite the critics out for lunch coffee or a beer (we are extremely social people) or start up a conversation at your local coffee shop or pub; downtowners are more than willing to share their impressions on what is going on in the communities and engage in constructive debates on where the city is heading.

The point is to get involved and get engaged in your community and neighborhood. Sitting back and cheering is just as bad as sitting back and complaining. After-all, it is only by acknowledging our shortcomings that we care able to address them and help realize downtown Phoenix’s full potential.

Downtown Phoenix: Don't Hate the Haters
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It's Christmas for Creatives: TEDxPhoenix is Tonight!

Tonight is my Christmas. It’s a night I’ve been waiting for a long time. That special day when a red and white icon enters your life and leaves you with gifts beyond your imagination. Yes, I know that Christmas is almost two months away (although judging by the number of displays in the big box stores already you’d think it is a lot sooner). The icon in red and white I’m excited about is not Santa Claus, but rather TED logo and the gifts are amazing ideas that will be shared at tonight’s TEDxPhoenix.

ted logo It's Christmas for Creatives: TEDxPhoenix is Tonight!

TED stands for Technology, Education and Design. It is an non-profit organization dedicated to “Ideas Work Spreading”  Starting in 1984, they have held high-profile annual conferences in Long Beach California and Oxford, UK, each year, as well as a new TED India conference that is occurring now in Mysore, India.  At these event,  some of the best and brightest in their fields gather to share their ideas and spread their passions.  For those of us not able to attend the events in person, TED has a great website where you can watch the  best of talks and performances from these (and other) events.

A more recent addition to they TED repertoire are the TEDx community events. TEDx enables local communities organizations such as schools, businesses, libraries, neighborhoods or just groups of friends to organize, design and host their own independent, TED-like events. Ever since I heard about the TEDx concept, I have dreamed that it would come to Phoenix. Well my dreams are answered.  TEDxPhoenix is happening TONIGHT at 6 pm in the Ikeda Theater at the Mesa Center for the Arts.

I can’t wait to attend. TEDxPhoenix represents a “dream team” of 6 of Arizona’s leading thinkers and doers brought together to “inspire, enlighten, and entertain via ideas worth spreading.” In 18 minutes, each speaker will give the talk of their lifetime as they share their newest and most unique ideas in plain English. Local organizer, Tomas Carrillo has described TEDxPhoenix as a “Cirque du Soleil for the mind,” One presentation I‚Äôm especially looking forward to, given my interest in community gardens, is Urban Farm founder and sustainability guru, Greg Peterson. A full list of speakers can be found here or here.

But the main reason I‚Äôm looking forward to tonight is not the presentations (afterall, anyone can watch TED talks online), but a rather the opportunity to hang out with the creative, innovative and community oriented people who TED attracts. It is events like this that illustrate that Phoenix is more than strip malls and golf courses. Indeed Phoenix is becoming know as an “opportunity oasis‚” a city that encourages people to follow their passions and create. As a result the city has some amazing talent. Alas, given the sprawling geography, it is sometimes hard to connect with each other. Events like TEDxPhoenix help overcome this geography.

Moreover, as an acquaintance of mine, Pamela Slim wrote in her Escape from Cubicle Nation blog: “When you come to a place where people are sharing good ideas, you will ask yourself‚ ‘what good ideas do I have to share?’” This has been my experience.

4077072542 b71502cc72 b It's Christmas for Creatives: TEDxPhoenix is Tonight!

It was through watching hundreds of TED talks online, as well as hanging out with passionate creative people at events such as Social Media Club that I got the idea and courage to submit an idea to Ignite Phoenix. Watching people share their passions to a receptive audience inspired me to do the same. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had the opportunity to share my passions for urban space and social media earlier this week at Ignite Phoenix 5.

At this time, I believe there are still a few tickets left for tonight’s event.  If you are inquisitive at all, or want to connect with passionate, enterprise people, I suggest you go buy tickets now and come out to tonight’s event. (Don’t worry, the First Friday festivities will still be going strong after the event is over!)

If you are still unsure, you can check out the TEDxPhoenix Beginners Guide, or better yet, watch a few of my favorite TED talks to get an idea of what is in store for you this evening:

Sir Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

Bill Strickland makes change with a slide show

Hans Rosling: Let my dataset change your mindset

Hope to see you there!

The Mesa Arts Center is located at One East Main Street Mesa, AZ 85201 (Google map).  Tickets are $5

It's Christmas for Creatives: TEDxPhoenix is Tonight!
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My Experience at Ignite Phoenix 5

Well, it’s all over now! And all I can say is that it was an experience that I won’t soon forget. Presenting at Ignite Phoenix was memorable not because of the size of the audience, but rather the format. Keeping up to slides that changed every 15 seconds was challenging‚ even after rehearsing my presentation dozens of times! Now that it’s all over, and I’ve had a few beers to celebrate (and a good nights sleep to reflect) I can honestly say it was an amazing opportunity, and one that I strongly recommend that everybody with a passion attempts.

I have attached my slide set and video for posterity:

Slides:

Urban Space: The old skool interactive platform

Video is here.

I must say however, that making my presentation was only a small part of the evening. Sharing the stage with 16 other amazing and passionate people was in and of itself an amazing experience. To see so much talent and energy on the same stage and to share in their pre-show nerves and rituals‚ as well as their and post show humility‚ was an invaluable part of the evening. Those of you who only saw our 5 minutes on stage missed an important part of what makes Ignite such a fantastic experience.

For those looking to join in on the fun, Ignite Phoenix 6 will be held on March 30th at the Mesa Art Center.  The #IgnitePhx crew are already accepting submissions (I’ve heard through the grape vine that several keeners have already sent in their ideas). If you have an idea you’d like to share, or a passion that you can no longer contain, I highly recommend to share your idea, so you to can experience the phenomenon that is Ignite.

My Experience at Ignite Phoenix 5
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