Events

On November 12, SATEC hosted a Fireside Chat with entrepreneur and U.S. Navy veteran Johanna O’Dell. Ten participants explored how military experience supports entrepreneurship, emphasizing resilience and adaptability. Johanna described how early business exposure, global Navy service, and aviation supply training built her confidence, and how military benefits—education, training, and service-connected support—helped her launch a successful Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.

Inspiring Quotes from Johanna O’Dell:

• “Invest in yourself and be your biggest cheerleader.”
• “Let people help you be successful; people want to help.”
• “Give yourself grace; it takes time to run a successful business.”

SATEC and the Pima ARTS Center of Excellence hosted an Entrepreneurs Panel at West Campus, attracting over 70 attendees—students, instructors, business owners, and community members. The event was widely described as inspiring, informative, and motivating. Students said hearing directly from entrepreneurs made launching a venture feel achievable, while instructors emphasized the importance of exposing learners to creative professionals.

Panelists shared practical guidance on innovation, resilience, and diverse entrepreneurial pathways, highlighting the impact of authentic storytelling and strong outreach.

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship feels tangible and attainable when grounded in real experiences.

• Personal stories, interactive Q&A, and a welcoming atmosphere were the most valued aspects of the event.

• “Imagination fuels innovation, failure fuels growth, and bold ideas build real businesses.” — Jessica Wenger

• “Combine your passions with projects that attract the kind of work you want.” — Julie Bonner

On October 22nd, SATEC hosted its first Expert Entrepreneur Exchange with business leader Johanna O’Dell—an intimate session where she drew on her own entrepreneurial journey to guide emerging founders, sharing lessons and strategies to smooth the way for those starting their own ventures.

Key Takeaways & Quotes:

• “Exactly what the entrepreneurial community in Tucson needs—real conversations with real people doing the work.” — Participant
• Depth over scale: small, intimate gatherings create meaningful connections and actionable insights.
• Participants left inspired, informed, and eager for future exchanges.

More than 60 attendees and 13 exhibitors participated in SATEC’s biannual Open House, which celebrated curiosity, creativity, and community. Guests explored resources, connected with staff and students, and enjoyed a warm, welcoming environment.

The event received strong feedback, with an average satisfaction score of 4.6/5 and 71% rating it “excellent.” Popular features included interactive exhibits, enthusiastic staff, and networking opportunities.

Special Acknowledgments:
Thanks to sponsors Vantage West and Vector Reports, as well as exhibitors, speakers, and collaborators—including Dean Greg Wilson and Vivian Knight—for their contributions, food, and expertise.

Key Takeaways:

• Hospitality and event flow have a significant impact on attendee engagement.

• Faculty and staff outreach is essential: 57% of attendees learned about the event directly from instructors or staff.

• Attendee testimonial highlights SATEC’s impact on supporting entrepreneurs: Crystal, a PCC staff member and business owner, successfully completed key steps to launch her business during the event.

On May 6, 2025, the Southern Arizona Technology & Entrepreneurship Center (SATEC) hosted its inaugural Juntos B2B Expo, drawing over 85 registrants for a dynamic day of connection and collaboration. The event featured 13 diverse exhibitors, a high-energy speed networking session, and a powerful keynote from Melody Lewis that emphasized the value of relationships in growing a business. Attendees explored SATEC’s business incubation and prototyping services and engaged with PCC’s Applied Tech, Manufacturing, and IT programs. With strong participation from students, faculty, and community members, and generous hospitality from El Brunch Bistro & La Estrella Bakery, the expo showcased SATEC’s commitment to building an inclusive, thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.  See comments below:

“What a great event! SATEC delivered beyond expectations—I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but they really came through. It wasn’t just another marketing event. This was about building community and supporting entrepreneurship.”
— Thomas Schwieters, Chief Technologist | BC Automation

“Best networking expo ever—at least in Tucson! I've been to a lot of events, and SATEC's got it down. Come by, build your business. This is the place to do it!”
— Gavin Gigstad, Founder & CEO | Gigstride Corporation

“I made valuable connections and discovered local businesses I didn’t even know were in Tucson. The keynote speaker was excellent. I highly recommend visiting SATEC to see the great work happening there.”
— Jennifer Yamnitz, ADance Marketing

SATEC's Fireside Chat with Breathe Easy Auto on 3/7/25 had over 10 participants and learned about real world entrepreneur experiences, solutions, financial preparedness, smart & strategic relationships, timing, networking and adaptability is key in a fast changing industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Front-loading the innovation process for faster, more efficient execution.
• Techniques to develop impactful ideas at the right time.
• Increasing Implementation efficiency by 500%.

Participants learned how to identify new opportunities for growth and innovate effectively in today's competitive market.

All participants from both events received a complimentary 7-part audio and PDF series titled Becoming Distraction-Proof, designed to enhance focus and productivity.

This insightful workshop, led by Dr. Donna Hover, CEO of Leaders Laboratory and Founder of Mighty Underdogs, focused on helping businesses overcome common barriers to growth. With over 35 years of experience and a legacy of mentoring more than 50,000 executives, Dr. Hover shared tools and strategies to help leadership teams achieve sustainable success.

Key Topics Covered:

• Identifying leadership opportunities as businesses scale.
• Effective delegation, prioritization, and feedback strategies.
• Workflow tools and systems for accessibility.
• Adapting structures and systems for team expansion.
• Integrating networks and market dynamics for growth.

Attendees left with actionable insights to navigate growth challenges and align their teams for success.