Blog
Arena Summit Recap
May 14, 2024
We just wrapped up Arena Summit 2024, and the vibes were immaculate ✨. We’re proud to have created a space for learning that put community building and joy at its center.
From April 18-21, at Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia, we held our largest convening to date, with more than 500 people attending to learn, connect, and plan for the challenges ahead. Participants joined us from as far as Puerto Rico to as near as the Georgia State University campus, with a vibrant cohort representing the South. They ranged from experienced politicians to those brand new to the space but shared a common commitment to winning in 2024 and building progressive power for decades to come.
Arena Summit by the numbers
Our impact was local and national
While our largest contingent was from the fabulous host state of Georgia, Arena Summit participants joined us from 40 states.
The diverse geographies represented weren’t by chance; they represented Arena’s strategic reach.
- We trained campaign staff hailing from five of the Presidential battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
- Participants from six Senate battleground states joined us, including Ohio, Arizona, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
- Large contingents of campaign staff joined us from New York and California, states critical to taking back the House.
- And because Arena looks to build power, not just contest battlegrounds, we also welcomed participants from states where we are eyeing the future, from Alabama, to Mississippi, to Oklahoma, and beyond.
Arena is More than a training—we’re a community
Our team worked tirelessly to ensure participants left Arena Summit with hard skills and a new community of support. Participants attended sessions with best-in-class trainers and dove into topics like developing a pathway to victory, running effective paid media campaigns, and budgeting. Some even learned to write their first line of code! They also connected with others and energized themselves for the year ahead. They attend panels like Organizing Marginalized Communities, The South’s Got Something to Say, and Bob Ross, Whale Kites, and Voting by Horseback: How to Use Creativity and Culture to Build Campaigns that Win. There were self-organized meet ups, a Careers Fair and Happy Hour, and even late night karaoke.
Here’s some of what our participants had to say:
- This was a phenomenal experience! The panels were empowering, and it was so great to network with like-minded, mission-focused people that are looking to effect positive change across the country.
- I met so many people! Filled up my contact sheet. Both people that want help find jobs as well as people that I may be able to work with.
- It was truly such an amazing four days!!! I learned so much about myself and the work we do!!! It was extra special being back in the South and being around people who feel the same way I do!!
- Great experience, this was the first time in my life stepping out of my comfort zone and this space did a great job at helping me do that.
- Thank you for creating this space and for making the arena of politics more accessible for all!
- It was AMAZING!!!!! I really can’t put into words how reaffirming this journey has been and I’m so glad that this opportunity found its way to me.
- Usually there’s an air of exhaustion by the end of a long conference, but each day I was still connecting with people and learning more in each session. I was sad to leave!
See it to believe it!
From the incredible keynote speeches, to the engaging panels, to the buzz in the Loudermilk Center halls, Arena Summit was full of energy, learning, and excitement. Scroll through the photos (or relive your memories) below.
hot off the press
We aren’t the only ones raving about Arena Summit. Reporters took notice of the importance and impact of the event. Check out the incredible coverage of the event in the Georgia Recorder and WABE (NPR).
Press
An incredible coalition of state and local partners
We had an incredible team of in-state partners who supported Arena Summit from planning to execution. Partners helped us tailor programming to the needs of Georgians, recruited talent from across the state, lent us their expertise as trainers, speakers, and panelists, and welcomed us into their vibrant community. We are grateful to our new friends not only for their guidance and support during this event, but most importantly for the work they are doing on the ground to drive progress in Georgia and beyond.
Run For Something
A hearty thank you to our sponsors
Arena is incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors who are leaders in Democratic data, tech, consulting, and more. We were proud to showcase their organizations, products, brands, and services to our community and help them build lasting connections with key decision-makers across the country. Their generous support made Arena Summit possible.
The team behind the scenes
From Team Arena, thank you to everyone who joined us at Arena Summit and supported our work to make this incredible event possible.
