THE LAND OF
ENCHANTMENT
RETURNING TO AUSTIN
March 16th, 2026 ✳︎ The Courtyard ATX
Innovation
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Film
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Space
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Quantum
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Art
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Investment
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Culture
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Advanced Energy
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Tourism
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Aerospace
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Innovation ✳︎ Film ✳︎ Space ✳︎ Quantum ✳︎ Art ✳︎ Investment ✳︎ Culture ✳︎ Advanced Energy ✳︎ Tourism ✳︎ Aerospace ✳︎
“New Mexico was not an area I had thought of often, but after all of the innovators I met, I can see how it’s a place to watch!”
THE FUTURE IS BEING BUILT IN NEW MEXICO
In 2025, we launched the inaugural New Mexico House at SXSW. It was a grassroots effort that put our state on the map. For 2026, we are going big.
The New Mexico House is a curated ecosystem where founders, investors, visionary filmmakers, and artists converge. From quantum computing and the energy transition to cinematic world-building and an Indigenous fashion showcase. This is where the next economy is defined.
POWERED BY
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
Wise Pies Pizza, J2 Ventures, Vamos Ventures, Cornivore popcorn
2026 AGENDA
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2026 AGENDA ✳︎
AGENDA
📍 The Courtyard ATX Live Music & Event Venue | Austin, TX
📅 Monday, Mar 16 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Step inside the Land of Enchantment. Arrive early to check in, grab lunch, and connect with fellow attendees before the programming begins.
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
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A quick welcome from our hosts to kick off the New Mexico House activation and set the stage for the day's conversations.
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Dr. Shanna Sasser, Deputy Secretary of New Mexico Department of Tourism
Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
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As quantum technologies move closer to market readiness, New Mexico is positioning itself at the center of this transition. This panel brings together state leaders, founders, and venture builders to discuss how strategic capital deployment, lab partnerships, and a growing investor network are enabling quantum startups to scale. Learn how New Mexico’s quantum ecosystem is being intentionally designed to support company formation, workforce development, and long-term industry growth.
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Moderator: Nora Sackett, Director, NM Economic Development Department Technology and Innovation Office
Noel Goddard, CEO, Qunnect
Maggie Newman, Senior Manager, Community, Roadrunner Venture Studios
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
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A fireside chat with the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and Pattern Energy examining New Mexico’s Comprehensive Energy Transition Strategy and the infrastructure and transmission investments required to deliver it. The discussion will focus on how state leadership and private developers are working together to scale clean energy, modernize the grid, and position New Mexico as a national leader in the energy transition.
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Allison Holly, Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Pattern Energy
Anna Aguilera, Senior Policy Advisor, New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
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Discover how visual storytellers are leveraging New Mexico’s unique light, diverse landscapes, and world-class cast and crews to build immersive, high-concept cinematic worlds where every frame counts. In modern filmmaking, a location is more than a setting; it’s a character. This session explores how New Mexico’s iconic geography meets a sophisticated production ecosystem. Join industry leaders and visionary filmmakers as they discuss bringing their story to life. Learn why top creators choose New Mexico for its stability, expertise, competitive incentive structure, and creative freedom.
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Moderator: Steve Graham, Director, New Mexico Film Office
Drew Kirsch, Film Director & Entrepreneur
Nate Bolotin, Co-founder, XYZ Films
Lucan Toh, Film Producer & Co-founder, Two & Two Pictures
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
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A new generation of Indigenous innovators is stepping forward and shaping emerging industries as global leaders. Innovation brings opportunity, but it also raises important questions about representation, ownership, and the respectful use of Indigenous knowledge, making thoughtful engagement between culture bearers and technologists essential, especially as AI becomes more relevant across so many sectors.
More than a conversation about opportunity, this session reframes Indigenous innovators as architects of the next economy, designing ventures and collaborations that reflect both forward-thinking innovation and deep cultural grounding. The panelists will explore the intersection of cultural identity across various sectors of technology, media, finance, and fashion, and how that unlocks new economic pathways and builds ventures that balance growth with community impact. Attendees will gain insight into how emerging Native leaders are redefining what innovation, ownership, and economic leadership can look like today.
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Moderator: Nicole Johnny, VC Founder, 1st Sovereign Capital
Cecilia Meadows, CEO and Founder, Prados Beauty
Norma Baker-Flying Horse, Founder & Designer, Red Berry Woman
Goldie Tom, Salon Owner & Film Producer, Goldie Luxe Studio
Cameron Ward, Creative Entrepreneur and Founder of Art Off the Rails, from the Pueblo of Isleta, and Co-Host of Leaders of Enchantment
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
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This discussion highlights how New Mexico’s coordinated approach to economic development, institutional investment, and venture-backed entrepreneurship is creating a durable platform for innovation. Leaders from state government, investment, and frontier tech startups share insights on what it takes to build and scale companies in New Mexico — and why the state is increasingly on the national innovation map.
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Moderator: Nora Sackett, Director, NM Economic Development Department Technology and Innovation Office
Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department
Chris Cassidy, Director of Private Equity and Venture Capital, New Mexico State Investment Council (SIC)
Carrie von Muench, Co-Founder & COO, Pacific Fusion
David Ellmann, General Partner, UP.Abundance, UP.Partners
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Join us for an evening of networking and fireside chats with some of New Mexico’s frontier innovators and the investors backing them, each sharing their “Why New Mexico” story.
Opening Remarks:
Tony Aldaz, Vice President, New Mexico Partnership
Chris Cassidy, Director of Private Equity and Venture Capital, New Mexico State Investment Council (SIC)
Featuring:
UbiQD | Phoenix Venture Partners
Atolla Tech | NM LEEP
Mantis Space | City of Albuquerque Economic Development
Qunnect | Airbus Ventures
Ashbrook Technologies Inc. | Builders VC
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM
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At the intersection of heritage and futurism, Indigenous fashion takes center stage at the New Mexico House during SXSW, transforming the runway into an expression of culture, identity, and creative sovereignty. The runway experience will blend fashion, performance, and storytelling to create an immersive cultural experience. The show features designers whose work reflects the diversity and evolution of Indigenous fashion. The event will include live performances and a headline model reveal (TBA). Designers Red Berry Woman, JG Indie, and Sage Mountainflower will debut collections that span couture, urban Native fashion, artistry, and contemporary Indigenous design, demonstrating how Indigenous designers are building creative economies grounded in community, heritage, and innovation.
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM
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Max Gomez @ 11:15 PM – The Taos-raised Americana singer-songwriter whose debut album earned critical acclaim and whose song “Make It Me” has surpassed four million streams on Spotify. Gomez has shared stages with artists including Patty Griffin, John Hiatt, and Buddy Miller and represents the next generation of Western folk voices.
Def-i @ 10:30 PM – A Diné hip-hop artist and poet from Albuquerque, Def-i is one of the country’s most active touring Indigenous performers. Known for blending hip-hop, spoken word, and contemporary Native acoustic styles, he is recognized nationally for both his artistry and cultural advocacy.
Camilo Quiñones (CQ) @ 10:00 PM – A Grammy-winning percussionist who contributed to Los Lobos’ Grammy Award-winning album Native Sons. A producer and multi-genre performer, CQ represents the evolving sound of Americana and Latin-influenced roots music.
12:00 AM
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That’s a wrap!