March 3-4, 2020, Sacramento

A gathering
of people who
make places

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ABOUT


Why do you do what you do?

What keeps you going when others would have stopped, or cut corners, or made it beiger, or opted for the path of least (or lesser) resistance?

Why do difficult work that’s likely to be misunderstood by the many for the sake of the passionate few?

Because you can see it.
Because others will be fed by it.
Because it’s inside of you yearning to be expressed.
Because more-bigger-faster is ultimately a hollow pursuit.

Each year in March, an eclectic mix of creative, restless souls gather for a time of quiet contemplation and expansive thinking, fueled by stirring speakers sharing provocative, vulnerable stories.

On March 3-4, 2020, we’ll hold our third annual gathering — this time in Sacramento, in a performing arts theatre located in the heart of the culture-rich midtown district.

Who attends? Developers, musicians, makers, planners, writers, architects, artists, activists, teachers, agitators. In short, the people who together, altogether, make places. Who take matter and make it matter.

For two days, this small, eclectic and highly potent brew of speakers and participants will wrestle with difficult questions, engage in rich conversations, and share meals, stories, ideas, and human experiences.

It’s why we do what we do.

—

Matter is created and curated by Greg Fuson as a project of the Plan Be Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that celebrates and supports people whose work fosters community and connectedness.

PROGRAM

What can you expect at Matter? Stirring speakers in an intimate setting sharing vulnerable stories. Be prepared to laugh, cry, be provoked, be inspired, and feel something.

Here’s an early preview of some the special guests who’ll be joining us in 2020.

The full program will be unveiled in January (with more sneak peaks along the way).

Tiffany Shlain

Founder of the Webby Awards, Tiffany Shlain is an Internet pioneer who's calling for a healthier balance between our online and offline selves.
Founder of the Webby Awards, Tiffany Shlain is an Internet pioneer who's calling for a healthier balance between our online and offline selves.

Kate Canales

Kate Canales is a former IDEO designer who's now shaping future innovators at the School of Design & Creative Technologies at UT Austin.
Kate Canales is a former IDEO designer who's now shaping future innovators at the School of Design & Creative Technologies at UT Austin.

John Francis

In the early '70s, John Francis embarked on a walking pilgrimage across North and South America that would last 22 years — 17 of those years without speaking.
In the early '70s, John Francis embarked on a walking pilgrimage across North and South America that would last 22 years — 17 of those years without speaking.

Pamela Slim

Pamela Slim is a business coach and bestselling author whose next book is about forming business models as ecosystems, not empires.
Pamela Slim is a business coach and bestselling author whose next book is about forming business models as ecosystems, not empires.

Daron Babcock

Daron Babcock started an urban farm in a South Dallas food desert. Bonton Farms now provides healthy food, jobs and hope to a once forgotten neighborhood.
Daron Babcock started an urban farm in a South Dallas food desert. Bonton Farms now provides healthy food, jobs and hope to a once forgotten neighborhood.

Jinahie

Jinahie is a performance artist, educator, social justice advocate, and collector of Potluck Poems—a collaboration among strangers performed live.
Jinahie is a performance artist, educator, social justice advocate, and collector of Potluck Poems—a collaboration among strangers performed live.

Dee Williams

For tiny house pioneer Dee Williams, building an 84 s.f. house—on her own, from the ground up—was just the beginning of building a whole new life.
For tiny house pioneer Dee Williams, building an 84 s.f. house—on her own, from the ground up—was just the beginning of building a whole new life.

Drew Shaw

Drew Shaw is the founder of Voyce Threads, a socially conscious lifestyle brand that designs mismatched socks to “cause a conversation” around meaningful issues.
Drew Shaw is the founder of Voyce Threads, a socially conscious lifestyle brand that designs mismatched socks to “cause a conversation” around meaningful issues.

Ivan Cash

Ivan Cash is an artist and filmmaker whose work sparks cultural conversations, celebrates human connection, and inspires strangers to interact.
Ivan Cash is an artist and filmmaker whose work sparks cultural conversations, celebrates human connection, and inspires strangers to interact.

LOCATION & LOGISTICS

m20 sofia exterior circle
m20 sofia interior circle
m20 tower bridge circle

SETTING

The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for The Arts (affectionately known as “The Sofia”), is home to Sacramento’s beloved B Street Theatre. Located in the heart of the culture-rich midtown district, it’s an inspired setting for unconventional thinking.

ACCOMMODATION

We recommend these options for your stay during Matter. For reservations, contact the properties directly.

Residence Inn Sacramento Downtown (1.2 miles) – group discount

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel (1.9 miles)

Airbnb listings

AIRPORT

The venue is 13.7 miles from Sacramento International Airport (SMF).

PARKING

Sutter Community Garage is just around the corner ($15/day).

ATTIRE

Relaxed and comfortable. Like you’d dress to hang out with close friends. Jeans? Shorts? Parachute pants? It’s all good.

PARTNERS

FRESH PAINT

TST INK.

DMB COMMUNITY LIFE

DMB COMMUNITY LIFE

GUNN | JERKENS

STONEBRIDGE PROPERTIES

MY TRENDY TRAILER

MIDTOWN ASSOCIATION

Matter 2020 is generously supported by these organizations. Interested in joining them? Sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more >

REGISTER

Matter is a purposefully small gathering, with attendance capped at 200 people in order to preserve a personal and connective environment.

A limited number of nonprofit discounts and scholarship registrations are available. To inquire about them, send a note to hello@mattergathering.com.

REGISTER

If you’re not on Matter’s invitation list and would like to be added, tell us a little about you. We’ll send you info about future gatherings.

CONTACT US