The inaugural NaplesNEXT Ideas Festival, held in March 2019, drew more than 300 people to three days of enlightenment and entertainment as part of its “big thinking, big fun” theme. More than 50 renowned American thinkers and influencers took the stage in roundtables, panels and Q&As on policy, the environment, sports, social discourse and beyond, capped by an hour-long conversation with former First Lady Laura Bush. A portion of patron ticket proceeds benefited Guadalupe Center.