New TV Ad Campaign Touts Scottsdale

A television advertising campaign is under way to promote Scottsdale's scenic golf courses and balmy nights, all for a discounted price.

The Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau rolled out the trial campaign this month, featuring two, 30-second TV commercials aimed at attracting well-to-do visitors.

An estimated 24 million people are expected to view the spots during the monthlong campaign through November 6.

One ad features the bureau's chic urban cowgirl - nicknamed "Camelback Kate" - roping diamonds in a twilight sky with Pinnacle Peak Park in the background.

The other ad shows a golfer teeing off as the sun rises over a cactus-studded golf course. The commercials are available on the tourism bureau's website, ExperienceScottsdale.com.

"They both leverage our current brand campaign and bring two of our print ads to life," bureau spokesman Rachel Pearson said.

Read the full article HERE.

 

Prompt Care from Scottsdale Healthcare is a FREE, exclusive benefit of your Chamber Membership

Finally, An Affordable Health Care Option for Small Business!

PROMPT CARE is an exclusive program provided through Scottsdale Healthcare Occupational Health Clinics that provides limited, immediate care for minor illnesses or injuries for employees of enrolled member companies.

This exclusive program has no up-front costs for any business. Employees of enrolled Scottsdale Ara Chamber member companies can be seen during normal Occupational Health Clinic business hours on a walk-in basis.

Scottsdale Chamber member companies interested in enrolling in the new PROMPT CARE service can register HERE. Once registration is complete, the Scottsdale Area Chamber will send the appropriate contact a Referral Form. When an employee needs the service, this contact will complete the PROMPT CARE referral form on behalf of the employee, and the employee in need will bring the form to one of the three Occupational Health Clinics.

For employees who are not insured, the cost is $35.00 for the assessment and treatment of their minor ailments. In the case of insured individuals, their insurance will be processed as normal with the appropriate co-pay.

Typical complaints that may be seen under PROMPT CARE include minor respiratory illnesses, minor dermatologic complaints such as minor burns or rashes, sprains and strains, mild gastrointestinal ills, minor ophthalmologic complaints, vaccinations and blood pressure monitoring.

Breakfast With a Side of... is a series of forums that provides Chamber Members an excellent opportunity to learn about the issues affecting the Scottsdale area business community. The forum is structured on dialogue between those leaders making policy decisions and Chamber Members. Each forum will feature a conversation with influential leaders in Scottsdale. Forums will be highlighted by a guest speaker, a moderator and will allow plenty of time for questions and answers. 

Please join us for our first program:

Meet the Women of the Scottsdale City Council

Meet the city's Councilwomen and hear their feedback on the city's biggest issues, the major projects they are working on, and what the future holds in store for them in politics.

Event Details

Where: DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Paradise Valley - Scottsdale

5401 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona, United States 85250

When: Friday, October 28th, 2011

Time:  7:15-7:30am - Registration

7:30-9:00 - Breakfast & Forum

Cost:

Members $20 ($25 Day of Event),

Guests $30 ($35 Day of Event) 

REGISTER HERE

Check Out the October Issue of InBusiness Magazine!

Don’t miss the October 2011 issue of In Business Magazine. The "Finding Our Path" cover story has generated quite a response as readers and local experts learn more about the issue of real estate and how it will affect our recovery in the Valley. Also check out two educational series, one by branding guru Kathy Heasley and the other by sales miracle-worker Mike Toney., plus lots more!

This months featured articles:

·         Finding Our Path: Is Arizona real estate leading us to recovery?

·         Branding: Shoot for the Heart

·         Sales Is Not a Bad Word

·         And much more.

See full issue by clicking the magazine cover above.

Airpark Committee Update

Andrew Bourne, Chair – The September 21 committee meeting was held at the Scottsdale Republic offices. Updates were provided by Scottsdale City representatives from the Airport and economic development on the Air Fair and the various projects underway for business expansion and community events. The Airpark Volunteer Committee will need at least 175 volunteers to assist at the Air Fair scheduled for November 5 - 6.  All members are encouraged to participate by signing up at the Air Fair website at www.scottsdaleairfair.com. 

The September Meet-Your-Neighbors event was a success with more than 85 people attending. The next event will be held later this year promoting the connecting of businesses in the Airpark. 

The new Airpark Forum event, which replaces the First Friday Airpark Breakfast, is scheduled for its inaugural event on November 9 at the Xona Resort. 

A steering committee has been formed for the Airpark to participate in the first annual SciTech Festival in Arizona. The Festival will showcase Arizona and the Airpark as national leaders in science, technology and innovation through a series of events taking place during the month of March 2012. More details will be provided in the coming months on how individuals and businesses can assist the Airpark Committee and participate in the event. 

Airpark Marketing and Branding Subcommittee Update

Wayne Rowan, Chair – The meeting scheduled for September was cancelled. The preliminary agenda for the next scheduled meeting, Friday, October 14, at 8:15am, at the airport terminal building conference room incudes: 1) Report on meeting with the City’s Business and Economic Vitality Department; 2) Results from initial survey; 3) Discussion – working in concert with the City; 4) Discussion – developing a plan; 5) Questions/discussion; 6)  Adjournment.

Ambassador Committee Update

Dale & Linda Fingersh, Chairs – The committee met on September 6 at the STARS Osborn Campus. The meeting was hosted by STARS to acknowledge their designation as the charity chosen by “Give it Forward,” a subsidiary committee of the Ambassadors, for the next six months. A tour of the facility followed the meeting. The committee was impressed by the facility and especially enjoyed the art work which adorns the walls. The talent of the clients is amazing. 


The Trade Show registration sign up was completed. There was coverage for all the shifts. 


Quick Start Calls are completed by the Ambassador committee. These calls have seven items of discussion and are made to new members. The process was reviewed and it was decided that a Steering Committee headed by Mary Christmas would review the process, the script and discuss how to make the calls more effective. They were also charged with developing an action plan for the new process. It was decided that the Chamber Sales force would do the first call to remind the new member about the upcoming “New Member Orientation” and encourage them to attend. The new committee will follow up with a call and Mary will report monthly at the Ambassador meeting regarding the contacts made. 


There were five new committee members. 


The next meeting is October 4.

EDAC Business Retention Subcommittee Update

Suzanne Klapp, Chair – The Committee is focused on nurturing and growing Scottsdale’s existing businesses. A collaboration of public officials, business people and the education community has been formed to strategically help the business community survive and flourish. In the current economic climate, it’s even more important to recognize the needs of businesses and provide advice and connections to aid them to overcome obstacles and assist with their plans for growth.

Board of Directors Update

Kurt Zitzer, Chair – The Board of Directors met in September at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. It was the board’s first opportunity to meet Dr. Wyatt Decker, the new head of Mayo in Arizona. An ER physician by training, Dr. Decker and his family moved to Arizona this summer. The Board is discussing a number of different governance models for the Chamber to be reviewed at later meetings. The Chamber is governed currently by 44 Board members representing a mix of large and small companies.

Membership Value Advisory Council Update

Steve Helm, Chair – It appears that our membership level is finally stabilizing after the first couple of months of the current fiscal year. The program with Scottsdale Healthcare has been launched and a report on results will follow after we have had a few months of history. Our next area of focus will be to enhance the member discount program, to be known as "Shop Members".

Workforce Development Task Force Update

Ted Tyler, Chair – The SUSD STEM After-Hours & Summer Programs subcommittee of the Scottsdale Workforce Development Committee continues to encourage employers to offer internships for 10 students attending Scottsdale Math & Science Academy at Saguaro High School. A copy of a memorandum prepared by Chris Brandt of the Academy has been widely distributed. Our reputation for developing and advocating unique STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) after-hours and summer programs continues to be recognized throughout the Valley. On September 26 the initial meeting was held at SkySong with representatives of the Mosaic Arts Center from the West Valley to help them develop an after-hours program using the Arts as a catalyst for children's’ learning, using hands-on artistic expression and linking it to math, science, reading and language curriculum. 

Economic Development Advisory Council Update

Bryce Lloyd, Chair – The EDAC meeting for September included a presentation from Scottsdale City Manager David Richert on the re-organization of the city's Business and Economic Vitality Department. Additionally, Ross Cromarty was on hand to give a presentation to the council on the proposed General Plan update that is due to go to the City Council very soon and if approved, to the voters next spring. EDAC voted to recommend to the Chamber Board that the Chamber support the general plan update. A presentation was also given to the council on a proposed luxury rental apartment community proposed in the Airpark area on the old Barcelona site. The project would include around 240 units of rental housing. The developer would be sure to properly mitigate and disclose to potential residents the proximity to the airport. EDAC passed a motion recommending to the Board its general support of residential housing done properly in the Airpark area. There were also updates to the council from the Business Attraction and Retention sub-committees, which are now in full swing. 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 11, at the Chamber at 7:30 am. 

Airpark Advocacy Subcommittee Update

Jim Walker, Chair – The committee members provided encouraging comments to the Scottsdale City Planning Commission which resulted in the approval of the City General Plan. It will be forwarded to the City Council for approval in October. Current projects and issues underway include: promoting the approval of several residential and mixed use projects within the Airpark; involvement in the Scottsdale Chamber and the city’s economic development by members serving in economic development, business retention and business attraction activities; volunteer recruitment for the November 5 - 6, 2011, Scottsdale Airport Air Fair event; and planning of the inaugural Airpark Sci-Tech Festival to be held in early 2012.

A.M. Connect Committee Update

Michele Greenberg, Chair – The committee had another successful AM Connect. We would like to give a huge shout out to Zoe’s Kitchen for hosting a wonderful event. We had over 70 attendees who participated in the “business card bingo” format. There were several new members and first time guests in attendance. We would like to say “THANK YOU” to Sam and Cid Merrill for an awesome 4-minute commercial.  They have so much passion for what they do! The survey results from the event confirmed that those in attendance thought it was a success. Our next AM Connect is on Thursday, October 20, at Mastro’s. Please go to the Chamber website to register and for more details! 

Sterling Awards Comittee Update

Mark Eberle and Dale Fingersh, Chairs – The Sterling committee met on September 12 for a judges training session. There were 23 Judges in attendance. All judges were issued the applications for the categories they were assigned. They were educated to go over these applications and choose the three finalists in their designated category. The four categories are: Big Business, Small Business, Micro Business and Non-Profit. Site visits were scheduled for the finalists in each category for the week of September 19. Honorees will be announced at the Sterling Awards Ceremony on November 29, 2011, to be held at Chaparral Suites. 

EDAC Business Attraction Subcommittee Update

Pete Klute, Chair – At the committee’s most recent meeting on September 22, Jim Mullin, Scottsdale’s Business and Economic Vitality Director, reviewed his organization’s new lineup and the various efforts his department has underway for economic development in Scottsdale. He and the committee discussed how the Chamber and the business community can support those efforts. A draft questionnaire to be used in collecting information on avocations and other information that Chamber members might want to share with prospects considering relocating to Scottsdale was distributed for review and input. Rick Kidder discussed the IDA grant program which might be used to underwrite the production of new marketing materials to be used to assist in attracting new businesses to Scottsdale. Work is underway to prepare a comprehensive proposal to be presented to the IDA board at an upcoming meeting. 

Public Policy Advisory Council Update

Bill Heckman, Chair – Public Policy Advisory Board met on Tuesday, September 20, and had another packed house. Ross Cromarty presented highlights of the upcoming General Plan Update changes. Passed by the City's Planning Commission it now moves in October for consideration by the City Council. PPAC voted to support all recommendations which include designating several higher density zones for future development. The City has already tightened the number of Character Areas from over 20 to now 6 and there is some community concern about having too few to accurately represent Scottsdale’s unique characteristics. 

Representatives of the Cave Creek Unified School District made their case to support their upcoming Bond Override. Charts of how CCUSD compares in testing proficiency and funds per student to other metro area school districts were very impressive pointing out the high quality of their students’ academic success at the lowest cost per pupil of any district including SUSD & PVUSD. PPAC strongly supported the CCUSD Override and it was subsequently endorsed by the entire Board of Directors. 

Rick Kidder covered the planning process and key agreements for the East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA) on policy. He noted that to be brought forward for lobbying efforts, all Chambers must vote to support the proposed legislation. If an individual Chamber does not support, it is dropped from the agenda. 

Bill Heckman reported as a member of the City’s 2012 Bond Task Force some history of recent Bond elections. Bond 2000 was voter approved unanimously and is nearly completed. This provided funding for many needed projects that were highly leveraged with County, State & Federal Funds. Total amount of Bond Funds was over $300 Million. Given the dire economy, Bond 2010 was much more conservative but even more leveraged with other funding and still failed. It is believed that combined with the negative economy, lack of marketing effort to explain and support the Bond 2010 caused its failure to resonate with voters. The City is presenting the Task Force with less than 30 out of more than 100 departmental needs as their most urgent and deserving projects that can be eligible for Bond funding. This initial process will be completed by mid-November and we will begin to sort and process our recommendations. He plans to engage PPAC with the specific request for input to take back in finalizing recommendations. Priorities will be to insure Bond projects benefit the entire City, have as much additional leveraged funds as possible, can be completed in three years and support planning priorities and objectives. 

Next meeting is Tuesday, October 18, at 7:30 a.m. in the Chamber Conference Room.

Young Professional Knowledge Council (GET Phoenix) Update

Ann Seiden, Chair – The energy of young professionals is exciting. The GET Knowledge Council continues to grow and strengthen. Several new individuals have stepped up to join the committee or take a leadership role. The breakfast panel about "navigating your career" started a great dialogue between seasoned HR professionals and those who are just getting started in their careers. In September, young professionals attended "GET to Meet" at the MINT in Scottsdale. The informal happy hour was a great way to meet the faces of GET and become involved in a community of young professionals.