Friday, December 1, 2023 | Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU
The Avenues to Opportunity (A2O) Conference is a one-day policy conference focusing on how to remove the barriers entrepreneurs face and provide a context for thinking about policy reform to advance human betterment and contribute to the understanding of which regulatory environments can produce the best economic outcomes for the largest number of people.
The conference is rooted on the idea of our Doing Business North America (DBNA) report which provides objective measures of business regulations in the United States across 83 cities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC. The 4th edition 2022 report was released in April 2022 and comprises over 7,700 datapoints and uses 93 variables to create 30 data indicators spread over six categories to score and rank cities in regard to how easy it is to set up, operate, and shut down a business.
This conference is supported by a gift from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation through the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.
Thank you for your interest in the Avenues to Opportunity (A2O) Conference.
Through generous support, student registrations are now complimentary!
Registration includes breakfast, lunch, and complimentary hotel valet parking.
Conference registration for the A2O Conference will not be confirmed until the registration process has been completed and the full payment has been received and processed.
We encourage attendees to register online so that they can receive the best registration rate and expedited check-in experience. Please have a photo ID ready for expedited check-in. Photo ID is required to confirm registration.
| Attendee Category | Early Bird Rate | Regular Rate | On-Site Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ends Oct 20 | Oct 21–Nov 30 | Dec 1 | |
| General Public | $79 | $99 | $149 |
| ASU Faculty/Staff | $79 | $99 | $149 |
| ASU Student* |
*Individuals that register as an ASU Student will have their enrollment confirmed to ensure registrants have selected the most appropriate registration option. Payment amount may be adjusted to reflect the correct registration type and rate associated.
Registrations canceled prior to 11:59 PM AZ MST November 1, 2023 are subject to a $10 cancellation fee. Registrations are non-refundable after 11:59 PM AZ MST November 1, 2023.
To cancel your registration, email [email protected]. A refund will be manually issued based on the policy above. Please allow 2–5 business days to process depending on the respective bank.
Agenda is tentative and subject to change.
| 7:30 a.m. | Check-in, Registration, and Breakfast |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Opening Keynote |
| 9:15 a.m. | Session 1 — Doing Business North America: History of Economic Freedom Indices |
| 10:30 a.m. | Session 2 — Parking Minimums: Regulation that Reduces Efficiency and Unnecessarily Increases Costs for Entrepreneurs |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. | Session 3 — Light Beer Dark Money LIVE Podcast Show |
| 2:00 p.m. | Session 4 — Starting a Business: Opportunities to Bolster Minority Business Ownership |
| 3:30 p.m. | Session 5 — Economic Competitiveness: Unleashing the Power of Free Enterprise |
Keynotes
David R. Henderson, Research Fellow
Hoover Institution
Juan Ciscomani, Arizona's 6th congressional district
United States House of Representatives
Panelists
Danny Seiden, President and CEO
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Derek Miller, President and CEO
Salt Lake Chamber
Sandra Watson, President and CEO
Arizona Commerce Authority
Jorge L. Rodriguez, Founder and CEO
Puerto Rico Institute for Economic Liberty
Robert Lawson, Director
Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom
Chris Clements and Sean Noble, Podcast Hosts
Light Beer Dark Money
Alicia Plemmons, Assistant Professor
West Virginia University
Joseph M. Guzman, Associate Superintendent
Arizona Department of Education
Jose-Benito Rosales Chavez, Assistant Professor
Arizona State University
David King, Associate Professor
Arizona State University
Tony Jordan, President
Parking Reform Network
Yassamin Ansari, Vice Mayor
City of Phoenix
Stephen Slivinski, Deputy Director of Strategic Research
Pacific Legal Foundation
Teniqua Broughton, Executive Director
The State of Black Arizona
Additional speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
The Avenues to Opportunity Conference will be hosted at the Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU.
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU is located in the heart of downtown Tempe, on the north part of Arizona State University campus. The physical address is 7 East University Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85281.
Book your Preferred ASU Rate and receive the following benefits:
- Destination Fee Waived ($25 per night value) which includes:
- Deluxe Guestroom WI-FI
- Hydration Stations Available on all Guestroom Floors
- Complimentary Digital Version of Wall Street Journal Daily
- Access to 24-Hour Health and Fitness Center with Amenities
- Restful Sleep Kit Amenities (Upon Request)
- Complimentary Notary Services
What is the Avenues to Opportunity Conference?
The Avenues to Opportunity (A2O) Conference is a one-day policy conference focusing on how to remove the barriers entrepreneurs face and provide a context for thinking about policy reform to advance human betterment and contribute to the understanding of which regulatory environments can produce the best economic outcomes for the largest number of people.
The conference is rooted on the idea of our Doing Business North America (DBNA) report which provides objective measures of business regulations in the United States across 83 cities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC. The 4th edition 2022 report was released in April 2022 and comprises over 7,700 datapoints and uses 93 variables to create 30 data indicators spread over six categories to score and rank cities in regard to how easy it is to set up, operate, and shut down a business.
Who can attend the conference?
We welcome everyone! The conference is geared towards entrepreneurs, grassroot advocates, policymakers, students and community members.
When and where is the conference?
The A2O conference will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU.
Do I have to register to attend?
Yes, registration is required.
How much is registration?
The regular rate is $99. The early bird rate is $79 and ends Friday, October 20, 2023.
ASU Student registration is complimentary thanks to generous support.
What is included in my registration?
All events, sessions, and meals listed in the agenda, and complimentary valet parking at the hotel.
Will I be able to register on-site?
Yes, but you will pay the full regular rate plus a $50 on-site registration fee. We encourage attendees to register online so that they can receive the best registration rate and expedited check-in experience.
What is the cancelation and refund policy?
Registrations cancelled prior to 11:59 PM AZ MST November 1, 2023 are subject to a $10 cancellation fee. Registrations are non-refundable after 11:59 PM AZ MST November 1, 2023.
To cancel your registration, email [email protected]. A refund will be manually issued based on the policy above. Please allow 2–5 business days to process depending on the respective bank.
Will the conference be recorded?
Yes. After the conference, the keynote and session recordings will be posted to our YouTube channel.
Where can I park and how much is parking?
Complimentary valet parking at the hotel will be validated for individuals with confirmed registrations.
Attendees that wish to self-park may park at the Mill Avenue Parking Structure. Visit the ASU Parking and Transit Services website for information on daily, hourly and visitor parking.
Only hotel valet parking will be validated for confirmed attendees.
Are there sponsorship opportunities?
Yes, please email [email protected].
I have more questions!
For any additional questions, email [email protected].