TUCSON, ARIZONA | SEPTEMBER 10-11, 2026

EVENT IS SOLD OUT

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Southern Arizona Development Finance Summit

The Southern Arizona Development Finance Summit helps developers and nonprofits move projects from concept to closing by connecting them with the financing tools, development expertise, and capital partners needed to get projects built.

Over two days, developers, lenders, investors, local governments, housing organizations, nonprofits, and economic development professionals will explore innovative approaches to financing affordable housing, community facilities, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and economic growth.

Our grand-finale will be a shark-tank style pitch competition highlighting innovative development projects seeking funding in our community.

01.

Discover insights from industry experts and explore real-life case studies

Connect with industry experts and experienced developers through keynotes, panels, case studies, and more to acquire actionable strategies for ensuring the financial viability of your projects.

02.

Dedicated Bootcamps for Emerging and Nonprofit Developers

The event will include two extended bootcamps for nonprofit developers and emerging developers to grasp the fundamentals of estate development.

03.

Innovative Project "Shark Tank" Pitch Competition

Pitch your innovative project in just three minutes for a chance to win a grand prize. Receive immediate feedback from investors and financiers to enhance your project's success.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

GENE KANSAS

Gene Kansas is a nationally recognized developer, preservationist, placemaking expert, and author of Civil Sights, based out of Atlanta, Georgia.

Kansas, a cultural developer focused on people, place, and program, is known for transforming overlooked historic properties into vibrant economic and community assets, among other award-winning preservation and development projects — including the historic Atlanta Daily World Building, which he redeveloped in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn neighborhood, birthplace of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. The project was named the #2 Win nationally in Historic Preservation by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2014.

He is also the founder of Constellations, a civic and socially based shared workspace that has helped host more than 1,000 culturally oriented events and brought more than 60 new businesses to downtown Atlanta since opening in 2018.

Through his work revitalizing neighborhoods and iconic buildings like these, Gene has demonstrated that successful development involves more than financing and construction; it involves creating places that attract investment, foster community identity, and generate lasting civic and social value.

Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of real estate, culture, and economic development, Gene challenges developers to think beyond the pro forma and consider how great projects shape the future of a city. His work offers a compelling model for how thoughtful development can deliver both strong financial returns and meaningful community impact.

Learn More

EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Ticket Price - $150
Non-Profit Bootcamp - $25 add-on
Emerging Developer Bootcamp - $25 add-on
PNC Happy Hour - FREE
Pitch Submission - FREE

A Note About Parking

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Our building is located in a historic neighborhood so street parking is available but limited. Carpooling, biking, and ride share is encouraged.

Please respect our neighbors and park at the Tucson Convention Center Parking Garage.

While it is a short walk, transport will be available throughout the conference to shuttle guests between the garage and the venue.

Interested in Volunteering?
We would love a hand to make this event shine.

Volunteer Form

Located an easy walk 5 minute walk from the Summit, the Doubletree By Hilton Tucson Downtown Convention Center is offering block rate discounts for Summit attendees.

Room rates available September 9 -12, 2026

Please use the link below to reserve your room and use code 90V.

Book a Room >

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$1,000
Prize

Development Project Pitch Competition

Get ready to dive into our "shark-tank" style pitch competition where you can showcase your groundbreaking project to funders, partners, and collaborators.

You’ll have an exciting three minutes to shine a light on your project, its incredible impact, and your game plan to bring it to life.

The winner will snag a cash prize and, even better, receive instant feedback eager funders and investors!

Ideas. Experience. Impact.

Learn from nationally recognized experts, industry leaders, and practitioners who are shaping the future of development finance, real estate, economic development, and community investment.

Gene Kansas

Gene Kansas is the founder and CEO of Gene Kansas Commercial Real Estate, an Atlanta-based developer, broker, historic preservationist, and author whose work uses real estate to celebrate history, culture, and community.

Marc Schultz

Marc Schultz’s practice is concentrated in complex federal, local, and state taxation matters, including transactions involving tax exempt entities, and tax advantaged entities. Marc regularly engages in advising clients with respect to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, like-kind exchanges, formation of private investment funds, tax credit financing, and energy transactions. Marc is the co-chair of the firm’s Renewable Energy and Opportunity Zone and Funds Practice Group. Marc also chairs the firm’s Tax Credit Finance Practice Group. Marc has a national practice representing investors, sponsors, lenders, and developers with respect to the Opportunity Zone incentive, and has served as an expert witness with respect litigation involving compliance with the Opportunity Zone incentive.

Sarah Simms

Sarah Simms is community development finance manager in Community Engagement and Analysis at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In this role, Sarah is responsible for engaging communities across the Twelfth Federal Reserve district to identify financial and credit needs of local communities. She works to elevate emerging issues and innovative approaches that promote economic opportunity through shared learning, community conversations, and cross-sector partnerships.

Joan Serviss

Joan Serviss is the Director of Affordable Housing & Homelessness at the Arizona Community Foundation. She oversees ACF’s Impact Investing Program, the Affordable Housing Predevelopment Loan Fund, and the Metro Phoenix Housing Collaborative Fund. Prior to ACF, Joan was the Director and Deputy Director for the Arizona Department of Housing, where she was responsible for creating, preserving, and funding statewide affordable housing solutions. Earlier roles in her career include Executive Director for the Arizona Housing Coalition, formerly the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, and Executive Director for the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans.

Peter Anadranistakis

Peter Anadranistakis is Founder and CEO of Circle Stone Capital, a Tucson-based real estate investment firm focused on innovative development and community revitalization. With more than 30 years of experience in real estate investment, technology, and business transformation, he is recognized for advancing creative housing solutions and catalytic investment projects throughout Arizona.

Mike Czechowski

Mike Czechowski is the Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Tucson's Office of Community & Economic Impact and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). He leads business attraction, expansion, development agreements, and strategic economic development initiatives. Recognized as the Arizona Association for Economic Development's 2025 Economic Developer of the Year, Mike has helped facilitate more than $1.5 billion in capital investment while advancing transformative projects that strengthen Tucson's economy.

Kyle Koupal

Kyle Koupal oversees tax credit syndication, investment sourcing, underwriting, and transaction closings. He manages all stages of tax credit deals—from complex structuring to assessing community impact—while coordinating internal teams and third-party professionals. Previously, he worked in commercial real estate lending and tax credit programs in Kansas City and Phoenix. He earned his Finance degree from SMU’s Cox School of Business and holds the FINRA Investment Banking Representative designation.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Join our growing list of partners to bring this critical event to Southern Arizona, getting your organization in front of developers, non-profits, real estate investors and community builders.

Sponsorship Opportunities