The NAPAMA Retreat is a 3-day gathering, open to anyone in the touring performing arts industry, that offers a chance to connect with colleagues outside of the usual sales-focused booking conference and to share information and resources that can help elevate and strengthen your work. Whether you are an agent, manager, artist, presenter, producer, vendor, service organization, student or other arts worker, this retreat is for you. 
 

This year’s theme is “Oasis of Innovation” - The arts industry often feels like a challenging landscape, especially with funding drying up and shifting audiences and economic influences. To survive and grow in such an “arid” environment, ingenuity and adaptability is key.  Join us in Tucson, AZ, a vibrant cultural mecca in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, as we explore creative solutions, develop deeper or new skills, connect with collaborative colleagues across the touring community, and rejuvenate our passion and commitment to the arts.

 

The Retreat will be at the beautiful Fox Tucson Theatre and runs from Sunday, May 31st at 2:00pm MT to Tuesday, June 2nd at 2:00pm MT. Each day includes professional development and networking opportunities - with a good balance of focused work and free time to explore the city. From roundtables to dine-arounds, from panel speakers to happy house, from sharing stories to sharing our time, this gathering will impact you both personally and professionally.



Pricing

Early bird registration up through April 30th is $299 for members and $399 for non-members. After April 30, registration is $350 for members and $450 for non-members. Registration includes an opening reception, one breakfast, and one lunch. Optional excursions available for separate fees.

 

Want to save $100 off of registration? Become a NAPAMA member! Join before registering to avail this discount, along with receiving all the other benefits NAPAMA has to offer. Join as a... Agent/Manager | Artist/Artist Ensemble: Represented| Artist/Artist Ensemble: Self-Represented | Other | Presenter | Service Organization | Student/Retiree | Vendor

Already a NAPAMA member? Be sure to sign in to the membership portal* before registering to get your discount.

Save $51 by registering before May 1!

Thank you to our Host Venue and all of our Retreat Sponsors whose generous support makes it possible for us to offer this experience at this price.

 

Cancellation and Refund Policy | NAPAMA RETREAT

  • If you have to cancel anytime up to 30 days prior to the event your registration fees are able to be refunded less any processing fees incurred. Unfortunately NAPAMA is not able to refund the processing fees.
  • However, if you cancel up to 30 days in advance and prefer to, you can defer your registration to the next retreat at no additional cost. Please remember that this deferral holds no cash value and cannot be refunded, applied to membership fees. If prices increase you will be required to make up the difference for that year's conference.
  • OR, you are able to convert all or part of your registration fee into a tax-free donation to NAPAMA.
  • All refunds, deferrals, or cancellations must be received in writing 30 days prior to the event.
  • Unfortunately we are not able to issue any refunds, deferrals, or cancellations within 30 days of the event, including cancellation due to illness or weather.
  • No-shows for the event will not receive a refund or credit for a future event.
     

 

Here is our preliminary schedule and possible PD topics:

Schedule subject to change.

 

Sunday, May 31st

8:00 AM-2:00PM            Optional Nature Excursion to Sonora Desert Museum

2:00-3:00 PM                  Welcome/Overview

3:00-4:00 PM                  Introductory PD session/Round Table Discussions

4:00-5:00 PM                  Venue Tour of the Fox Tucson

6:00-8:00PM                   Opening Reception!

8:00-9:30PM                   Dinner on your own or Optional excursion (TBA)

 

Monday, June 1st

9:30-10:30 AM                 Venue Tour of U of A

11:00 AM-12:00 PM          PD SESSION at Fox Tucson

12:00 -1:00 PM                Lunch at Fox Tucson

1:00-2:00 PM                   Round Table Discussions

2:15-3:45 PM                   PD SESSION

4:00-5:00 PM                   PD SESSION

5:30-6:30 PM                   Happy our

6:30-9:30 PM                   Optional Dine-arounds

 

Tuesday, June 2nd

9:00-10:30 AM                 Breakfast & Hot Topic Round Table Discussions

10:30-10:45 AM               Break

10:45-11:45 AM               PD SESSION

12:00-1:00 PM                 Retreat Recap & Wrap Up Discussion

3:00-5:30 PM                   Optional Closing Night hang (TBA) for those staying another night!

 

**PD sessions being considered:

Intersection of Arts & Civic Engagement
Marketing Dos & Don'ts
Social Media
AI tools for the Arts
Advancements in Accessibility
Conference Updates

 

Other ideas? Email retreat@napama.org

 

Retreat 2026

Register Now

  • May 31 - June 2, 2026
  • Fox Tucson Theatre
    17 W Congress St
    Tucson, Arizona
    United States
    85701

Event Workshops

Nature Excursion To The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

May 31, 2026  07:45 - 12:00
Fee: $15.00
Seats Remaining:27

 

Sunday 8am-12pm

The Desert Museum is a fusion experience: Nature trails, zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum, and more. Explore the half-mile “Desert Loop” and learn about the region’s most iconic native plants and animals through immersive environments and exhibits.

 

Please note that the Desert Museum is 85% outdoors with approximately half of the paths being paved and half unpaved with compacted materials. More information is here. https://www.desertmuseum.org/

 

Entrance fee for the museum is $35 (paid directly to Museum upon entrance.)  Shuttle fee (subsidized by NAPAMA) is only $15

 

The Desert Museum is an approximately 30-minute drive from downtown. Public Transportation is not available to the museum and ride-shares are unreliable in the Sonoran Desert, so NAPAMA will arrange shuttle transportation. Shuttle space will be limited to 27 people, on a first come first serve basis. Pick up and drop off would be at the Leo Kent hotel. (Please gather at 7:45am for a sharp 8am departure! The shuttle will leave the museum at 11:30am for a 12pm return.)

 

By selecting this workshop, you are affirming that you want to go on this nature excursion and will pay the $15 shuttle fee now.