Where Innovation and Culture Meet in San Diego This September

Every so often, there is a moment that is a promise of a spark. A convergence of minds, movements, and ideas that not only marks progress but actually creates it. One such moment is coming this September in San Diego.

September 18 to 21, the AVANCE Global conference will host ProXimo, a game-changing business and innovation conference designed to bring increased diversity of voice to media, technology, finance, sports, and arts. The venue is vibrant San Diego, but the reach of this event will be felt far beyond the Golden State's borders.

With more than 7,000 idea-forward leaders, innovators, and creatives in attendance, ProXimo is not only a conference. It is a cultural awakening.

A New Standard for Multicultural Excellence

ProXimo is the creation of two visionaries who see the power of representation and access. NAHREP CEO and Founder of the Hispanic Wealth Project Gary Acosta and media executive and New York Times best-selling author Nely Galán unite to drive this ambitious effort.

Together, they are creating a space where stories count, legacies are celebrated, and the future of business is reimagined. ProXimo provides entrepreneurs, industry innovators, and global professionals with a common space to share their stories and inspire the next generation.

What distinguishes this event is its intentional emphasis on diversity. Not as a marketing tool but as a framework by which all sessions, performances, and panels are organized.

Voices That Shape the Conversation

Early speaker lineup is a who's who of cultural leaders. Ten-time world champion boxer and founder of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya will discuss how he made the leap from athlete to entrepreneur.

Presidential Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco, whose voice once rang out on the Capitol steps, will give a keynote address rooted in resilience and beauty.

The festival also features Sandra Cisneros, celebrated author of The House on Mango Street, who will share the same platform as MacArthur Genius Awardees and Rhodes Scholars in a session on cultural excellence and intellectual heritage.

Also participating are:

Varun Krishna, CEO of Rocket Companies, on the future of finance and AI

Paul Rodriguez Jr., legendary Nike skateboarder and Primitive Lifestyle founder

Michelle Sobrino-Stearns, CEO of Variety

Lavinia Errico, founder of Equinox

Gabriel de Alba, Cirque du Soleil Chairman

Ron Rivera, ex-NFL head coach and Cal Berkeley Golden Bears General Manager

The pool of talent is as broad as it is deep. Each of the speakers presents a unique vision of leadership, resilience, and self-reinvention.

Something Beyond a Lineup

It is not names that set ProXimo apart, but what it provides in experience. Among the highlight sessions is astronaut José Hernández, who will recount an inspiring odyssey from migrant farm laborer to NASA space explorer.

Another conversation discusses how new technologies such as AI and robotics will reshape the housing and financial future. These are not imaginary concepts but real observations from innovators who are building that future.

Look forward to electric power, live performances, unexpected moments, and unforgettable interactions between legacy builders and emerging stars. Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, artist, or anyone who adores community and creativity, there is something for you here.

A Vision Rooted in Empowerment

ProXimo’s mission is bold but clear. To unlock opportunity by placing diverse excellence at the center of business and culture. In a world often slow to evolve, this event moves with purpose and pace.

Its founders understand that success is not just an issue of access but of who gets to have their voice heard. That is why the conference highlights voices that are too often overlooked.

The Latino community, in particular, is center stage at ProXimo. Century 21, Breaking Barriers workshops feature the best speakers of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, including future and past presidents Nora Aguirre, Oralia Herrera, and Edwin Acevedo. Not only are they building wealth. They are reshaping the definition of legacy in America.

Why San Diego Matters

Situated along the shimmering Pacific, San Diego provides the ideal setting for an international event. Renowned for its cultural refinement and beachfront sophistication, the city is a mirror of the conference's image world, vibrant and full of promise.

For attendees, the experience will extend far beyond the convention center floor. Expect refined dining, genuine networking moments, and spontaneous gatherings where long-standing relationships are forged.

From event mixers to closing ceremonies, the city itself is a stage. One where identity, ambition, and innovation are brought to life.

A Call to Be a Part of Something Greater

ProXimo is not a conference for those who are already standing at the mountaintop. It is a conference for those who are headed that way. For the dreamers who know they are meant to be there. For the disruptors who will not wait for permission. Whether you're being there in person or tuning in from afar, this is something you'll want to mark in your calendar. Because when you bring 7,000 mission-driven visionaries and leaders together in the same room, not only is change possible it's unavoidable. We're all heading to San Diego this September. And the future starts at ProXimo.