Arizona’s landscape is colored by rugged red rocks and cavernous canyons etched from millions of years of history. But alongside the age-old geography, a very modern future is being built. Explore the norm-breaking advances taking place in Arizona as Anna, Jonathan, and Shandiin—three college students—road trip across the state to talk to Arizonans pushing the frontiers of ingenuity. As the roadtrippers travel from revived old ghost towns to cutting-edge space companies, they realize that innovation isn’t limited to one place or one industry. The future can be built by anyone, anywhere.

Future West

INSIGHTS FROM THE FILM

Arizona State University

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Arizonans aren’t just adapting to change; they’re creating it. Discover the innovative spirit that’s pushing the state—and the world—into the future.

[MUSIC] My name is Shondane Gorman. &gt;&gt; I'm Jonathon. &gt;&gt; My name's Anna Mackey. For ten days, we're getting into a 37 foot RV and driving it around Arizona getting to meet a ton of really interesting different people. &gt;&gt; Like whether they're sending up to space from Arizona, or whether they're just preserving Arizona history. There's just so much here going on. &gt;&gt; A lot of people assume that there's nothing in Arizona besides desert, but there's actually a lot more to it. &gt;&gt; We fill about 1,000 jobs a year here in Arizona, and the talent is incredible. Being here, you could feel like the underdog and you can do innovative wonderful things. &gt;&gt; Everyone that we talk to we ask them, why Arizona? And they all said, it's really open to innovation. &gt;&gt; People, I think, too often think innovation, they go right to tech, but there's so much other innovation that's occurring. &gt;&gt; Advancing a subject forward, I think that's innovation. &gt;&gt; A good buddy of mine had a saying that you can measure a man's strength, by his ability to adapt to ever-changing things that occur in life. You have to adapt to things that come up, and you've got to be innovative. &gt;&gt; The world's changing, and we need to change. What am I going to do with tomorrow? Well you better be doing with tomorrow, Exactly what you would be doing if you only had a few days left. [MUSIC] &gt;&gt; I didn't realize how resourceful and beautiful this state really was. &gt;&gt; I would not have been here if not for the community here. Every time I raise my hand and say that I need help on something, I have ten people knocking on my door, coming and saying that they'd be happy to help. &gt;&gt; I think I've got really good pulse on why people care, just kind of an openness, this really innovative culture that's ingrained into the state. [MUSIC] 

Future West Trailer

Arizona’s spirit of adventure is shaping the future for all of us, and we’re sending three students on a road trip to find out what’s in store. We’re criss-crossing the state in our green RV to explore all the crazy-original ways people are pushing innovation to its limits, and seeking out the people who are blazing a trail for what’s next all over the country. Follow the journey to hear their stories and see Arizona like you’ve never seen it before.

Arizona Innovation Roadtrip

STOPS & INTERVIEWS

STOPS & INTERVIEWS

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