The 17th Annual Conference on Sustainability Strategies took place on October 15-16, 2009. This year's conference was designed to help nonprofit organizations address the challenges of the current economy. Over 250 participants attended the two-day event to learn hands-on strategies aimed at enabling nonprofit organizations not only to sustain themselves, but to thrive during this difficult time and into the future.

Keynote speakers included Ruth McCambridge, Editor in Chief, The Nonprofit Quarterly, Art Taylor, President and CEO, Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and Dick Bowers, President and CEO, Herberger Theater.

Fifteen workshops were presented, offering an impressive portfolio of instructors representing various nonprofits throughout the state of Arizona. A host of networking opportunities were facilitated, including several moderated affinity groups which encouraged interaction and support among such niche groups as senior-level professionals, emerging leaders, fundraisers, and more.

The conference was held in conjunction with the Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) "Essentials of Fundraising" training, also held at the Desert Willow Conference Center.