Yesterday, 210 local government leaders, technology innovators, and community stakeholders gathered for CONNECTED 2025! We kicked off the evening with opening remarks from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego who spoke about the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping Phoenix into a technology leader. From there, we dove into the State of the Smart Region, where leaders from across Greater Phoenix—including Mesa, Chandler, Avondale, Gilbert, Surprise, and more—shared major wins and impactful smart city projects that are enhancing quality of life and transforming how our cities operate. Attendees explored 25+ real-world initiatives at the CITI Expo, showcasing how departments are leveraging technology to improve everything from water management and GIS to public safety and community services. Tech Demos offered a hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools like AI-powered mapping and augmented reality planning, showing how innovation is meeting the public square in exciting new ways. We wrapped up the night with collaborative sessions on Digital Twins, the 2025 Citizen Survey on AI, and Pioneering in the Public Square, highlighting how cross-sector partnerships are driving regional resilience and impact. A huge thank you to The Connective our regional smart city consortium, for making CONNECTED 2025 possible. The momentum is real—and the future of our region is being built today. 🚀🌆 #CONNECTED2025 #SmartRegion #SmartCities #GreaterPhoenix #UrbanInnovation #TheConnective https://www.instagram.com/p/DHwGauAvttM