“Building Advocacy to Heal Our Community”
About The UNITY Midyear Conference
The UNITY Midyear Conference is a three-day youth-led annual event held every February in Phoenix-metro, Arizona designed to empower Native youth and adults. About 500 youth and advisors safely attended the last in-person conference in 2020. The UNITY Midyear Conference is training focused and provides an opportunity for male and female reps of the National UNITY Council to meet to discuss its annual initiative.UNITY Trainers and peer leaders have utilized a proven UNITY YOUth Can! curriculum to challenge youth and advisors to come up with youth-led community service projects as a way to address social issues in their communities. Action plans can help guide people and groups, including youth councils, on what it takes to complete a project, task, initiative or strategy. The YOUth Can! curriculum involves 10 steps, allowing participants to determine objectives, goals, review milestones, measure progress, as well as responsibilities, specific assignments, and a timeline. Action plans are an important part of strategic planning. In this period of social distancing, youth can still develop Action Plans through video conferencing or conference calls.
Affiliated Youth Councils and individual members are eligible for registration discounts. Become a member today!
December 1 through January 31, 2022: $375 Advance Registration
February 1 through onsite registration: $450 full rate
UNITY Announces Speakers for the
Annual Midyear Leadership Conference
James W. Anderson, an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe, is one of the nation’s leading authorities on peak performance and personal development. Over his 20 years of leadership development, he has worked with businesses, tribal organizations, universities, and high schools sharing the skills it takes to succeed in today’s world. The Oprah Winfrey Show featured James’ Training company, LifeSkills Center. He has been named twice one of the 40 Outstanding Native Americans in Business under age 40 by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. He owns and operates the award-winning Old Southern BBQ restaurants in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Old Southern BBQ has been named one of the 20 BEST BBQ Restaurants in the country by the BBQ News.
Amber Midthunder, an enrolled member in the Fort Peck Sioux tribe, was recently named one of Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch for her critically acclaimed performance as the star in “PREY,” the prequel to the “Predator” franchise. She is one of a handful of Native Americans in the industry and one of the first to lead a franchise film. Next up, she will be seen in Netflix’s live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” as Princess Yue, the compassionate spiritual leader of the Northern Water Tribe. After uncovering a love for acting at a very young age, Midthunder began her onscreen career early in life. Her first speaking role was at the age of nine opposite Alan Arkin in the indie hit “Sunshine Cleaning.” Her philanthropic efforts focus on industry representation, environmentalism, and the humane treatment of animals.
Jhane Myers, a member of the Comanche Nation, is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker and Sundance Alumni recognized for her passion and dedication to films surrounding the Comanche and Blackfeet nations and preserving the legacies of the Native communities. After working with non-Native created projects about Native people, Myers began to seek out a producing career to support Native filmmakers and storytellers to help bring their stories to fruition. She served as the film project manager and special projects director at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she also developed a Native Youth Film Camp, and as the project manager for Native Cinema Showcase in Santa Fe and the SWAIA Class X division, both of which feature juried competitions for Native filmmakers and screenings of new Native films. Previously she served as the executive director of the American Indian National Center for Television and Film in Los Angeles, working to increase the representation and visibility of American Indian talent in all aspects of the entertainment industry.
Hailing from the Penneduckah (sugar eater) and Yappaducah (root eater) bands of the Comanche Nation in Oklahoma, Myers has achieved recognition as a world champion Women’s Southern Buckskin dancer. She is also an accomplished artist specializing in traditional arts, beadwork, and silversmithing and is a two-time People’s Fund Fellow for Culture Capital 2014.
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
⟐ An additional resort fee of $20 per room per day will include:
⟐ Unlimited high-speed Internet for up to two devices ($29.90 value)
⟐ Unlimited local and 1-800 phone calls ($1/call value)
⟐ Use of Fitness Centre for up to four people ($48 value)
⟐ One round of 18-hole miniature golf for up to four people ($20 value)
⟐ Admittance into the River Ranch for up to four people (maximum four people per suite, ($140 value )
Remember to mention "UNITY" when booking your hotel to take advantage of discounted rates
Exhibitors - Your involvement will enhance the experience for attendees!
Thursday, February 23 - Sunday, February 26, 2023
Package Rates
Exhibitor $400.00
Conference Bag Stuffing $250
Bag Stuffing Includes:
⟐ Limited to 10 per conference
⟐ Informational Items (brochures, flyers, booklets, etc.)
⟐ Promotional Items (pens, hand sanitizer, note pads, etc.)
Each Exhibitor/Vendor Booth Will Include
⟐ One (1) 6-ft table
⟐ Two (2) Chairs-ft table
⟐ Two (2) non-transferable registrations
Outreach Opportunity
⟐ Meet up to 500 Native Youth, ages 14-24 and their adult advisor
⟐ College & Career Day – Saturday
⟐ Speed workshop presentations
⟐ All day and evening activities
⟐ Cultural Sharing Night open to the community and public
Set up information and schedule coming soon.
Sponsorship Opportunties
• In-person or pre-taped welcome message
• Logo on event promotions (digital and printed) with “Presenting Sponsor” designation
• Logo on program cover (digital and printed)
• Verbal thank you and mention during the event
• One exhibitor booth/table
• Item in conference bag (provided by sponsor)
• Welcome letter in printed and digital event program
• Back Page Full-page Ad in printed and digital event program
• Mention in pre- and post-conference Press Release
• “Thank you to our presenting sponsor” message with a digital ad posted on social media channels
• Digital Ad to be included in one upcoming UNITY Newsletter)
• Ticker Ad (name on scroll across the screen during live streamed general sessions)
• Web Banner Ad on the UNITY Website (for a two-month period)
• 30 National UNITY Conference VIP registrations (Includes reserved seating in general session and UNITY Banquet)
• Full-size Tribal Leader cutout
• Logo on event promotions and program (digital and printed)
• Verbal thank you and mention during the event
• One exhibitor booth/table
• Full-page Ad in printed and digtial event program
• Mention in post-conference Press Release
• Mention in “thank you sponsors” message on social media channels (Facebook and Instagram
• Digital Ad to be included in one upcoming UNITY Newsletter)
• Ticker Ad (name on scroll across the screen during live streamed general sessions)
• 10 National UNITY Conference VIP registrations (Includes reserved seating in general session and
UNITY Banquet)
• Half-size Tribal Leader cutout
• Verbal thank you and mention during the event
• One exhibitor booth/table
• Half-page Ad in printed and digital event program
• Mention in post-conference Press Release
• Mention in “thank you sponsors” message on social media channels (Facebook and Instagram
• Ticker Ad (name on scroll across the screen during live streamed general sessions)
• 6 National UNITY Conference VIP registrations (Includes reserved seating in general session and UNITY Banquet)
• Verbal thank you and mention during the event
• One exhibitor booth/table
• Ticker Ad (name on scroll across the screen during live streamed general sessions)
• Mention in post-conference Press Release
• Mention in “thank you sponsors” message on social media channels (Facebook and Instagram
• 2 National UNITY Conference VIP registrations (Includes reserved seating in general session and
UNITY Banquet)
(digital and printed)
• Verbal thank you and mention during the event
• Mention in post-conference Press Release
• Mention in “thank you sponsors” message on social media channels (Facebook and Instagram)
• Mention in post-conference Press Release
• Mention in “thank you sponsors” message on social media channels (Facebook and Instagram)
$500
• Half-page
$1,000
• Full-page
$500
• Name to scroll across the screen during
live streamed general sessions
$2,500
• Exclusive sponsor name on event lanyard
$5,000
• Exclusive name and logo on
conference totes
$15,000
• Logo watermark on screen
during all general live stream general
session (for virutal audience)
FAQ
No, COVID-19 vaccines are not required for attendance. UNITY will abide by CDC guidelines for the duration of the conference. If you received a COVID-19 vaccine, you may consider keeping proof of your vaccination with you.
The banquet fee is included for each registration. If a registered attendee wishes to bring a guest, you can pay for an additional banquet ticket online.
Yes, when registering please note the Purchase Order or indicate a pending purchase order. A purchase order will hold the current rate until payment is received for a fee of $25 and must be paid within 60 days.
Yes, casual to business casual. The dress code is similar to a school dress code.
All rooms at the Hilton Resort are Suites that come with double beds and a sofa with a pull out bed, which can accommodate 4 – 6 people. However, there is only one bathroom. A King bed Suite includes a sofa sleeper (2 -4 people).
No other host hotel will be available with a conference rate.
There are limited hotel rooms available prior to and after the conference on a first come first served basis.
There is no free hotel shuttle service. You may try ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft or Taxi service. Depending on the time of day, the cost one-way may be $20 – $30 depending on the type of vehicle you require.
The Hilton at the Peak is approximately almost 10 miles from Sky Harbor Airport.
No, you are welcome to attend as an individual. We encourage all youth councils to find out how to become affiliated and take advantage of the benefits, otherwise you are welcome to attend as a group or individual, affiliated or not.
Yes, however, parents and advisors must consider whether topics and length of sessions are age appropriate.
Yes, you can participate in our conference, however, per the National UNITY Council Constitution and Bylaws, youth participants who wish to vote in the business meeting are required to be a U.S. citizen. You may be an observer if you are not a U.S. citizen.
The weather will be very pleasant with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s.
Exhibitors and workshop presenters must specify ahead of time if they have any audio or visual needs. A charge may apply.
Chairs and a podium will be provided.
Parking is free at the hotel site.
Attractions include:
Phoenix Zoo https://www.phoenixzoo.org/
Biltmore Fashion Mall https://www.shopbiltmore.com/
Heard Museum https://heard.org/
Desert Botanical Garden https://dbg.org/
Pueblo Grande Museum https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/arts-culture-history/pueblo-grande
Butterfly Wonderland https://butterflywonderland.com/
Odysea Aquarium https://www.odyseaaquarium.com/
The Hotel will offer indoor dining and grab and go options. There are some fast food places within walking distance but some are limited to weekday and business hours. The nearest mall, Biltmore Fashion Mall is 2.6 miles away, which offers fast food options.
Phoenix Indian Medical Center https://www.ihs.gov/phoenix/healthcarefacilities/phoenix/ is an Indian Health Service facility. It is located 4.5 miles away from the hotel. The nearest medical facility to the hotel is the John C. Lincoln Medical Center, which is 2 miles away.