May 12, 2025
A Reflection on the 2025 Statewide Symposium
Fifteen years ago, we launched the Statewide Symposium with a simple goal: to create a place where people across Arizona could come together to strengthen how we collectively support service members, veterans, and their families. What began as a modest gathering has grown into Arizona’s largest and most impactful convening of its kind, and this year, that spirit of connection and collaboration was stronger than ever.
On April 16–17, 2025, more than 500 attendees and 40 exhibitors joined us at the Desert Willow Conference Center for the 15th Annual Statewide Symposium in Support of Service Members, Veterans & Their Families. We spent two days learning from each other, sharing insights, and building skills, knowledge, and partnership.
A Milestone Marked by Meaningful Voices
Our fifteenth year was marked by powerful moments that underscored the importance of this work. We were honored to hear from distinguished leaders who have championed service members and veterans at every level.
- Ambassador Cindy McCain shared heartfelt remarks, thanking the Coalition members for their compassion and collaboration.
- Representative Juan Ciscomani highlighted Arizona’s commitment to veterans.
- Governor Katie Hobbs affirmed the state’s dedication to building strong, connected systems of care for those who serve and have served.
- Bailey McCray shared her experience as a survivor of the suicide of her beloved husband, Dr. Adam McCray, reminding us why postvention matters so deeply.
- Michael Childs and Col Jeremy Pfeifer sat down for an evocative fireside chat that provided a command-level perspective on readiness, community, and care.
- Jack McCain offered a personal and insightful reflection on the meaning of service and how communities can better support the next generation of military leaders.
These remarks grounded the Symposium in real-world experience and heartfelt conviction, reinforcing why this gathering continues to matter.
Ambassador Cindy McCain
Ambassador Cindy McCain shared heartfelt remarks, thanking the Coalition members for their compassion and collaboration.
Congressman Juan Ciscomani
Representative Juan Ciscomani highlighted Arizona’s commitment to lead by example.
Governor Katie Hobbs
Governor Katie Hobbs affirmed the state’s dedication to building strong, connected systems of care for those who serve and have served.
Day 1: General Session
Arizona’s VA Healthcare leadership participated in a Director Round Robin (35:15).
Bailey McCray (59:49) shared her experience as a survivor of the suicide of her beloved husband, Dr. Adam McCray, reminding us why postvention matters so deeply.
Day 2: General Session
Michael Childs and Col Jeremy Pfeifer (35:25) sat down for an evocative fireside chat that provided a command-level perspective on readiness, community, and care.
Jack McCain (1:06:15) offered a personal and insightful reflection on the meaning of service and how communities can better support the next generation of military leaders.
Learning Across Systems and Sectors
The strength of the Symposium lies in its practical learning opportunities, and this year’s 36 breakout sessions across 12 tracks delivered just that. Day 1 featured timely sessions on housing support for veterans in crisis, tribal healing practices, reducing risk for women veterans, and Be Connected’s upstream prevention model. These sessions allowed attendees to explore real challenges and leave with new tools, strategies, and partnerships.
Day 2 expanded the conversation into whole health, peer support, PTSD, lethal means safety, and postvention strategies. The session “Postvention is Prevention” resonated strongly with many attendees, offering a compassionate roadmap for how to walk alongside individuals, families, and communities after the suicide loss of a service member or veteran.
The mix of research-based frameworks, real-life stories, and actionable next steps reflected what we’ve come to expect from the Symposium: learning that leads to change.
From Connection to Action
In between sessions, attendees visited with 40 exhibitors, shared meals, and joined our 15th Anniversary Networking Reception. The reception was a celebration of the people and partnerships that power our collective mission, a reminder that collaboration is more than a value; it’s the method that drives everything we do.
For those who were not able to join us in person, we’ve made the videos from our general sessions available on our digital resource hub: ACMFEventCenter.org.
Looking Ahead to 2026
We’re incredibly grateful to every individual who joined us this year, whether on stage, in the audience, or behind the scenes. Your commitment is what makes the Symposium not just a gathering, but a statewide assembly of those dedicated to supporting service members, veterans, and their families.
As we look to the future, we invite you to save the date for next year: April 15 & 16, 2026, in Phoenix. We’ll continue to build on this legacy with you, our partners in Arizona’s ecosystem of support for service members, veterans, and their families.
