The SCUP Pacific Conference theme, “Convergence: Turning Challenges into Oases of Innovation,” invites attendees to engage with “intentionally aligned ecosystems,” including innovation districts that unite academia and industry. A short light rail ride from Arizona State University’s main Tempe campus, an evolving innovation district at the heart of downtown Mesa is home to both established and new environments for creativity and technology. On a conference tour of downtown Mesa on Friday, May 29th, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about new developments, including the ASU Media and Immersive eXperience Center, a three-story mixed-use academic and community building housing programs in media arts, film production, and entrepreneurship.

A SCUP Excellence Award honoree, the MIX Center has become a creative hub for students and the broader Mesa community since it opened in 2022. On the tour, led by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Holly Street Studio, and DPR, attendees will learn about strategies for balancing highly technical, light-sensitive educational environments for students while also creating opportunities for civic engagement and exploration. The tour will also visit the adjacent Studios at Mesa City Center, nearby Mesa Convention and Arts Centers, and provide insight into the growth of downtown Mesa as a hub for education, creativity, and technology. Learn more about the conference and register at the link below.