CENTRL Regional Connection
Ajo, AZ 

Friday February 9 - Saturday February 10, 2024

Join us in Ajo, AZ February 9 & 10th. Explore the unique history of a former rural Arizona copper mining town that has redefined itself in order to not only survive, but thrive. Discover how current town leaders and influencers are connecting the cultural past to the present and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to build resilient and sustainable communities across the broader Sonoran desert region.

This is the first time we are traveling to Ajo and we do not have any Alumni in the region. This is a great opportunity to both learn about a different part of the state and share with the local community what CENTRL meant to you! 

There is very limited lodging in Ajo; but we have booked all the rooms at the crown gem: Sonoran Desert Inn featured here in Arizona Highways Magazine. To maximize the number of people who can attend, consider going back full "Project CENTRL Style" and sharing a room! It's a great way to get to know a fellow alumni or reconnect with a classmate. There are registration options where we can help pair you with a roommate! Programming and meals are complimentary, but registration still is required. Lodging prices range from $72.50 for a shared room - $200 for a suite. 

Please do NOT call the hotel; for this CRC, CENTRL is coordinating all payment and reservations and rooming list. Since this is the first time we’ve done it this way, if you have questions – no problem – call Niki at 602-339-7258 or niki@centrl.org.

Registration WITH lodging is required before 1/5/24

Registration with NO lodging is required before 1/26/24

Friday 5pm-7pm
Networking Dinner

Saturday 8am - 1:30pm

• Breakfast at Oasis Coffee 
  Discussion with Owner on Helping Youth Develop in Ajo

• Walking Tour of Ajo 
• • Historic Ajo Plaza - Artisans Mercado 
  • Curley School - Artists in Residency Apartments 
  • Sonoran Desert Inn & Conference Center
• Introduction to International Sonoran Desert Alliance
• • Aaron Cooper, Executive Director & Loraine Eiler, Board President & Founding Member 
• Lunch with Community Leaders
• • Introduction to Project CENTRL 
  • Principals of Leadership Discussion

Optional Activities Before or After CRC:

• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument – Driving/Biking/Hiking/Camping Options - https://www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/index.htm
• New Cornelia Mine Lookout
• Ajo Historical Society Museum

Thanks to past CENTRL Alumni Committee Chair, Doug Norton, Class 18 and Aaron Cooper, Executive Director of International Sonoran Desert Alliance for coordinating this exclusive event.