At the PMI Phoenix Chapter, outreach is a key contributor to how we enhance the experience and network of our local profession. It all starts with molding future project professionals through Academic Outreach, which supports programs for students from middle school through the collegiate level. One such program that engages directly with students early on in middle school is the Future City Competition.
Every year, the competition provides students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade the opportunity to envision a “city of the future” by submitting various deliverables to be judged. This past year, over 70 teams of 3 students each competed in the Arizona Regional Finals on January 18, 2025. This culminated in the selection of one team to represent the region in the National Finals located in Washington D.C. in mid-February. This year’s theme was entitled “Above the Current,” which called for students to “design a floating city and provide two innovative examples of how [their] floating city works and keeps its citizens healthy and safe.”
PMI Phoenix Chapter contributes to the regional competition in several ways. First, volunteer judges from active chapter members are called upon to review and provide feedback on the team’s Project Plan deliverable. Our judges are currently led by our Co-Directors under Academic Outreach for the chapter, Christopher Downey and Robin Watkins. The chapter also shares volunteer opportunities to judge other deliverables and provide logistical support to the region’s Executive Committee. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our Co-Directors if you are interested in supporting upcoming Future City Competitions and the various ways in which chapter members or non-members can support. Project Plan judging typically kicks off in early fall and has split parts to review in November and December that is entirely remote. The regional competition always occurs on a Saturday in mid-January at a pre-selected venue in the valley. We would like to thank Mark Plihcik, Edwina-Sampler Wright, Ronnie Watley, Erica Husted, Taylor Nielson, and Danile Merahbi from within the chapter for their support in this past year’s competition.
The Phoenix Chapter also recognizes students at the Regional Finals with awards that exemplify outstanding use of project management principles. The first is the Outstanding Project Plan Award, which is sponsored by the PMI Educational Foundation. This is for the team our judges determined best capture a basic understanding of project planning and use of tools (objectives, schedules, resources, etc.). We would like to take this opportunity to recognize teams from the last two competition seasons: Team Cliste from Esmond Station K-8 School for the 2023-24 competition and Team Maselan from Desert Wind Middle School for the 2024-25 competition.
The second is the Outstanding Project Manager Award, which is sponsored by the PMI Phoenix Chapter and is specific to the AZ Regional Competition. Students who were selected and nominated by their educator and team members, sit with one of our Chapter Member for a brief interview. The individual students are asked to share their experience leading their team through the project deliverables. Christopher Downey interviewed students during the 2023-24 competition and Ana Nunez-Prieto from Desert Willow was recognized. Robin Watkins interviewed students during the 2024-25 competition and Kajya Bender from Mesa Accelerated and Gifted Academy was recognized.
Teams have been represented from all over the state including Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. This year, we would like to congratulate Team Marasana for winning the AZ Regional Finals of the 2024-25 Future City Competition, and representing the state at the National Finals in Washington D.C. The team achieved 4th Place finish overall at the National Finals in mid-February 2025. A great testament to the hard work and dedication that all students show every year.
As the Arizona Regional Competition approaches its 30th Anniversary this upcoming season, at PMI Phoenix, we want to thank all of the volunteers that support Academic Outreach to enhance programs like these for future project managers. If you have any interest at any point throughout the year, don’t hesitate to contact us to understand more about what the competition entails and how you can support. This also includes organizations and other societies that have a desire to sponsor the event in a variety of ways. Feel free to also contact members of the Arizona Regional Executive Committee (https://futurecity.org/future-city-regions/arizona/) if you would like further information about the competition.
Contacts for the current PMI PHX Co-Directors for Future City:
- Robin Watkins (
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- Christopher Downey (
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Team Cliste (above) was selected for their Outstanding Project Plan, sponsored by PMIEF and judged by the PMI PHX Chapter during the 2023-24 Regional Finals.
Anna-Nunez-Prieto (above) was selected as the Outstanding Project Manager by the PMI PHX Chapter in the 2023-24 Regional Finals.
Steve Poessnecker, PMI PHX Board Director, speaks with teams (above) at the 2024-25 Future City AZ Regional Finals at Casteel HS.
Robin Watkins, Co-Director for PMI PHX, presents Kajya Bender with the Outstanding Project Manager Award at the 2024-25 Future City AZ Regional Finals.
Christopher Downey, Co-Director for PMI PHX, is recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the Executive Committee at the Future City 2024-25 AZ Regional Finals.
Team Marasana from the AZ Region is recognized by PMIEF for their Outstanding Use of Project Planning at the 2024-25 Future City National Finals in Washington D.C.
Team Marasana is awarded 4th Place overall at the 2024-25 Future City National Finals in Washington D.C.