Message from the CEO October 2013

Time to Stand Up for Scottsdale

Yes on the Bonds

On Thursday, October 10, 2013 the voters of Scottsdale will start to receive their early ballots for a November election that will, in several key ways, help determine Scottsdale’s future. It is vital that the business community voice be heard on several key issues.

First, the city of Scottsdale placed on the ballot four bond questions, all of which the Chamber supports strongly and all of which take a no-frills and measured approach to helping our city address some aging infrastructure challenges. People can’t reach your business if the streets are flooded. We have firehouses in trailers in parts of our city. Many of our traffic signals have thirty-year old switchboxes that require constant and expensive maintenance and challenge our pol8ice and fire personnel to divert their attention away from much-needed activities so that your customers can get through an intersection.

Upgrading our infrastructure protects the value of our city, just as fixing your home increases and protects its value. The Chamber supports this $212 million package of improvements to our city, culled from over $1 billion in defined needs and wants by a citizen task force, because our future depends on it. We, as business owners pay our taxes, expect quality services and value this great city as one of the finest places to live, work, learn and play. Scottsdale’s AAA Bond rating from all three bond rating agencies points to our fiscal management and prudence, and investing in our key infrastructure will keep our city among the finest in the nation.

Please vote YES on all Questions 1, 2, 3, & 4 on the ballot! For more information, please visit www.preservescottsdalesfuture.com for more information.

Yes on the SUSD Override

In addition to the Bonds, there is another important ballot issues - an override request from the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUDS). With the exception of voter-approved overrides (which are severely limited) school districts may only access the same levels of funding as any school district in the state. The override is our only option for providing incremental funding for our A rated schools.

Scottsdale Unified is one of the finest school districts in the state, and they function on a level of funding that ranks near the bottom of school funding in the United States. You, the voter, can help them continue their excellent reputation and results by approving this important override.

What will the override do?
• Preserve free all-day Kindergarten
• Keep our music and arts programs
• Reduce class sizes through the hiring of more than 70 teachers
• Save the jobs of 129 of our current teachers

Nothing can be more important to the business community than the training of our workforce for their future lives. Our district has met with great success, despite massive cuts brought on by the recession and challenges at the state. For an average homeowner the cost is $7 per month, less than most of us spend on coffee a week, to improve Scottsdale’s schools, keep our teachers on the job, preserve the depth of our schools’ programs and prepare students for the workforce.

Please let your voice be heard. Give the city and SUSD the financial tools they need to keep Scottsdale the finest city in the southwest!

Welcome to our newest Partner Council members!

Alliance Bank of Arizona

Alliance Bank is Arizona's largest locally owned and headquartered bank and is uniquely positioned as a "super community" bank with a larger credit capacity than a traditional community bank.

CenturyLink

CenturyLink is a provider of local and long distance telephone, high-speed internet, digital cable television & wireless solutions for business & residential customers.

Chicago Title

Chicago Title is a leader in title insurance and escrow services, with expertise, innovative tools and Fortune 500 credentials.

Johnson Bank

Johnson Bank is part of a comprehensive financial services company with a reputation for making a positive impact in the communities it serves and in the lives of its clients and associates.

First American Title Bank

First American Title serves home buyers and sellers, real estate professionals, loan originators and servicers, commercial property professionals, homebuilders and others involved in commercial property transactions with products and services specific to their needs. First American Title was our first new Partner Council member for the 2013-14 fiscal year. 

 

Thanks to our 2013-14 Partner Council Title Sponsor

We would like to thank Arizona Bank & Trust for its generous sponsorship of our Partner Council for 2013-14.  This generosity will help ensure we are able to provide high quality events for the benefit of all Partner Council members.  Please join us in saying thanks by expressing your appreciation when you see members of the Arizona Bank & Trust team. 

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Upcoming Invitation-Only Partner Council Events:

Leaders Dialogue Series Lunch 
Wednesday, October 23, 2013

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

ASU Skysong
Building 1, Room #301 - Ingenuity
1475 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ  85257

Our next Leaders Dialogue Series Lunch will be held on Wednesday, October 23 and will feature our special guest Christine Jones, former General Counsel for Go Daddy and a member of the LA District Attorney’s team during the OJ Simpson trial.   Ms. Jones is now a GOP candidate for Arizona governor.

Limited to 50 Partner Council members, this intimate lunch will provide the opportunity for a candid dialogue with Christine regarding issues of importance to the business community and her aspirations to lead our state.

A light sandwich lunch will be provided.  RSVP to Terry Finch or call 480.355.2704.

 

Luncheon with President/CEO of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee

November 21, 2013

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

The Venue Scottsdale
7117 E. 3rd Avenue
Scottsdale, AZ  85251

Join us on November 21st to hear Jay Parry, President/CEO of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, talk about the fundraising efforts to date, the economic impact on our community and the organization, goals and aspirations of the Super Bowl Host Committee. 

RSVP to Terry Finch or call 480.355.2704.

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2013-14 Partner Council Title Sponsor:

Economic Development Update October 2013

The FIGS Have Spoken and the Board Approves

While many folks were basking in the cool air and waters outside Arizona this summer, many of our members were hard at work participating in the follow-up to the Chamber’s landmark Scottsdale Forward 2013 event, held in the spring of last year. One day symposia all too often result in a group attending, feeling charged up, and then heading out to conduct the rest of their lives largely unchanged by what they heard. Work and life get in the way unless there is planned activity to take the wonderful ideas and put them into actionable steps.
 
Such was the role of our Focus Initiative Groups, or FIGS, comprised of volunteers charged with the development of action steps building from the great energy of Scottsdale Forward. Four groups were formed, chaired by volunteers, and they met through the summer to set a new economic development agenda, rife with energy and a strong, positive sense of the future. They presented their ideas first to the Business Attraction Sub-Committee of EDAC who has coordinated the Scottsdale Forward program, then on to the Chamber’s Economic Development Advisory Council for their feedback, suggestions and prioritization and then on to the Chamber’s Board of Directors who formally adopted the results and approved the priorities recommended from EDAC.The results were impressive, including:

Supporting Local Business in Scottsdale
Chaired by Councilperson Suzanne Klapp, Owner of Fast Frame and Member of Scottsdale City Council

• Recommendation 1: Identify and execute opportunities to partner with Local First Arizona
• Recommendation 2: Work with the City’s Communication Department to enhance and develop programming regarding local business
• Recommendation 3: Encourage Chamber members to support one another through increased business to business relationships; and ways to explore purchasing locally

Making Scottsdale a Center for Entrepreneurship

Chaired by Chris Cole, Realtor, Cole Team, Realty ONE Group

• Recommendation 1: Encourage the City to expand and improve on existing ChooseScottsdale.com web site for new businesses
• Recommendation 2: Develop a new business welcome program in collaboration with City of Scottsdale Economic Development department
• Recommendation 3: Work with Tourism consultant and tourism strategic plan task force to help brand Scottsdale as a social hub and entrepreneur destination
• Recommendation 4: Allocate City and Chamber resources and funding for a Choose Scottsdale initiative aimed at entrepreneurs in print, radio and social media

Reinvesting in Scottsdale – Redevelopment Issues

Chaired by David Gulino, Land Development Services, LLC

• Recommendation 1: Chamber to lead effort to review and update city policies related to the use of Special Taxing Districts (as approved by the Legislature) to enhance financing of infrastructure and to ensure continued economic growth
• Recommendation 2: Revise City Zoning Ordinance Section 1.706-Legal Protest Requirements to facilitate advanced notification of legal protest filings for zoning amendments
• Recommendation 3: Revise and update the Planned Unit Development (PUD) District – Section 5.500 of the zoning code to allow heights greater than 48 feet, remove restrictions on parcel size eligibility and provide incentives for mixed-use projects
• Recommendation 4: Create a reference manual to make available to interested parties information on fiber optics infrastructure, location, cost and performance.

Improving Access to and within Scottsdale

Chaired by Matt Wright, Landmark Aviation

• Recommendation 1: Move forward with the Tier 2, High Capacity Transit Study to follow up on the Tier 1 HCT work previously completed and recommended within the City’s Transportation Master Plan, approved by the City Council in 2008
• Recommendation 2:  Re-purpose the existing and unoccupied new car dealerships at the intersection of McDowell Road and 64th Street (Galvin Parkway) to create a Scottsdale Rental Car Center, with dedicated high-end shuttle service from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport serving that center

 The Board of Directors, like EDAC before it, found all recommendations worthy of exploration and implementation. As a result, the Board voted to accept the EDAC recommendation that the following six recommendations receive the highest priority as directives for staff and continued committee work:

• McDowell Road/Galvin Parkway Gateway Visitor and Rental Car Center
• Update policies on Special Taxing Districts
• Work to establish local business to business relationships
• Work with City to advocate for completing Tier 2 HCT study
• Work with City’s ED office to enhance Choose Scottsdale web site
• Revise zoning ordinance regarding legal protests

Congratulations and many thanks to Pete Klute, Pam Kelly and the sub-committee who worked so hard to bring this process forward -- especially to our chairs and volunteers who showed that the power of great ideas often come as a result of caring people choosing to come together for the benefit of the business community.

2013 September Ribbon Cuttings

As a service to our members at the Classic level and above, the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize new businesses with a ribbon cutting ceremony. In addition to helping promote your business, a team of Chamber Ambassadors will arrive to welcome you to the business community and help you officially cut the ribbon on your new enterprise. For more information about Scottsdale Area Chamber Ribbon Cutting opportunities, please contact Kelly Rich.  

Congratulations and welcome to our new Scottsdale businesses!

Buffalo Wild Wings
July 29, 2013

Jason's DeliJuly 16, 2013

Mail and Copy Center
September 17, 2013

Partner Council

The Partner Council is pleased to recognize its newest member, First American Title, as well as our new Partner Council Title Sponsor, Arizona Bank & Trust. Plus, save the date for upcoming Partner Council events, including a Leaders Dialogue Series, Luncheon with Senator Jeff Flake and Partner Council Wine Reception.

Welcome to our newest Partner Council member

First American Title

First American Title serves home buyers and sellers, real estate professionals, loan originators and servicers, commercial property professionals, homebuilders and others involved in commercial property transactions with products and services specific to their needs.  First American Title is our first new Partner Council member for the 2013-14 fiscal year.  Please join us in welcoming them to the Chamber and the Partner Council.

Chairman’s Corner

The fiscal year 2012-2013 will be remembered as a significant year at the Chamber. It will be remembered as the year we got things under way quickly, and profitably, with a move to new “right sized” offices. It will be remembered as a year when the recession induced philosophy of “doing more with less” felt like the right answer. And it will be remembered as a year when the Chamber’s financial operations were on budget and in the black. So overall, fiscal year 2013 will go down in the Chamber’s recent history as an exceptionally good operational year that I sense is a measure of great ones soon to follow.

I believe the Chamber’s year can be perceived as a reflection of the current economic conditions in Scottsdale and the region; a bellwether of the economy if you will. We can be positive because the business community as a whole reports both picking up steam and an optimistic attitude. Member companies are largely in this camp.  While this recovery is still fragile no doubt, there is a growing confidence that builds as momentum mounts. Surviving challenging times allows us to emerge stronger.

The Chamber is working hard to retool in the midst of these challenges. With a small, dedicated team, our staff continues to create new innovative programs and events while providing exceptional “value add” for a diverse membership.  This Chamber continues to be recognized as a quality organization made up of exceptional companies.

Economic Development

The final Economic Development Advisory Council (EDAC) meeting of the fiscal year took place on June 11th at DMB Associates. Members of the EDAC or future members of the Council should be aware that the group goes “dark” in July and August, with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 10th, 7:30 am at DMB. Please contact Terry Finch for additional information. Before going dark, members of the EDAC committee met with the new Scottsdale Economic Development Director and a national expert on light rail and transit-oriented development and travel.

Public Policy

The Legislative Session

While we did not get everything we wanted, this was a strong year for the business community at the State Capitol. At times it appeared as though the session (traditionally 100 days, but this year closer to 160 days plus special sessions) would never end. There were entrenched battles regarding Medicaid. The budget debate prompted everything from television ads with the Governor to vetoes of key legislation to threats of ballot initiatives to overturn the Governor’s preferred legislative outcomes. And all of this came from within her own party! We are grateful to be represented at the State Capitol by the Dorn policy Group, who have worked for many years with the East Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT sales tax)

A Governor’s task force on TPT reform made several recommendations for improving and simplifying Arizona’s arcane sales tax laws, most of which were not controversial and add greatly to the goal of simplification. Other aspects were very controversial and caused substantial consternation among many of the cities and towns – among them Scottsdale.

2013 June Ribbon Cuttings

As a service to our members at the Classic level and above, the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize new businesses with a ribbon cutting ceremony. In addition to helping promote your business, a team of Chamber Ambassadors will arrive to welcome you to the business community and help you officially cut the ribbon on your new enterprise. For more information about Scottsdale Area Chamber Ribbon Cutting opportunities, please contact Kelly Rich.

Congratulations and welcome to our new Scottsdale businesses!

Chop and Wok
June 6, 2013

Potbelly Sandwich Shop
June 25, 2013

2013 May Ribbon Cuttings

As a service to our members at the Classic level and above, the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize new businesses with a ribbon cutting ceremony. In addition to helping promote your business, a team of Chamber Ambassadors will arrive to welcome you to the business community and help you officially cut the ribbon on your new enterprise. For more information about Scottsdale Area Chamber Ribbon Cutting program, please contact Kelly Rich.

Congratulations and welcome to our new June businesses!

OEI Design

May 2, 2013

Apricot Lane Boutique
May 18, 2013

Message from CEO June 2013

Business Volunteer and Annual Meeting

On May 21st, the Chamber held its first annual meeting of the membership in conjunction with the presentation of the yearly Business Volunteer Awards. More than 150 members enjoyed breakfast at The Venue Scottsdale to hear about the current fiscal year and the new Chamber year, which begins on July 1, 2013.

Business Volunteer Awards (BVA)

Eric Larson, Chairman of the Board of Directors, presented the Business Volunteer Awards to four deserving individuals and surprised the audience (and the recipients!) with two special presentations -- The Chairman’s Award and the renaming of the Rising Star Award, in honor of Mark Eberle from Henry & Horne who served for nearly two decades on the Chamber's Board of Directors. In the process, he honored and thanked the more than 200 individuals who volunteer with the Chamber each year, serving on committees and dedicating themselves to the collective success of the business community.

Chairman's Corner

Each year the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce honors a few of the hundreds of volunteers who work to make the business community stronger through our Business Volunteer Awards (BVA). The BVA were created to acknowledge the incredible debt of gratitude the Chamber feels for the many hours of work business leaders choose to give.

I have said many times that without our volunteers this organization would be unable to fulfill its mission to build a vibrant and prosperous community. Every volunteer who devotes time to the Chamber could choose to volunteer elsewhere and many do. They conduct their business but, like me, see a real value in involvement and a sense of accomplishment in helping the organization succeed.

A committee of members selects the Business Volunteer Awards recipients following a nomination process that includes all members and staff of the Chamber. This year’s honorees are indeed deserving of recognition, and they will receive their awards at the Chamber’s first annual meeting to be held on May 21st at 7:30 in the morning at The Venue of Scottsdale. I would like to encourage all members of the Chamber to attend this exciting event where Rick Kidder will also outline the year ahead for the Chamber.

Public Policy Advisory Council Update

City Hall
The Public Policy Advisory Council did not meet this month due to scheduling challenges, but there was a great deal going on at the State Capitol and at City Hall.

The great ice cream truck controversy was settled at long last as the Mayor’s proposal to lift Scottsdale’s ban on ice cream trucks in Scottsdale passed through the City Council after vigorous debate before a packed City Council chambers.

In the 1970’s ice cream trucks were banned in Scottsdale for reasons that never were made clear. There were stories of safety issues, worries about using ice cream trucks as a cover for selling illegal drugs to children and a clear lack of regulation. The Mayor was contacted by a young constituent and entrepreneur who was eager to sell ice cream from a truck which he had purchased with a loan from his father, only to discover that he could sell almost anywhere but his home town.

Economic Development Update

Change at the City’s Economic Development Office

Initial interviews, callbacks and final interviews have been held for the open position of Scottsdale’s Economic Development Director. Chair Eric Larson was recruited by city staff to serve as an interviewer in the first round and reports that he was pleased with the talent interested in the city’s highest economic development post.

Jim Mullin, who served the city in that capacity on a contract basis, was let go by the City Manager a couple of months ago. That departure has allowed the city to pursue an economic development senior staff position rather than a contract professional and the successful candidate will lead a seasoned staff of professionals who work hard to improve the economic base of our city. The appointment should be made and announced very soon, and the Chamber looks forward to working closely with the new director.

Focus Initiative Groups (FIGs)
Part of the ongoing work following Scottsdale Forward in March was the creation of four FIGs that will work from May through the summer in order to help focus Chamber initiatives on behalf of our membership and the city.

Partner Council Update

Welcome to our newest Partner Council members

AirSprint Private Aviation
Contact:  Orin Anderson
14600 N. Airport Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260-2420www.airsprint.com  AirSprint provides its clients fractional ownership programs which are structured to help them achieve the greatest possible return on their investment in private aviation.  From its US corporate headquarters at Scottsdale Municipal Airport, AirSprint delivers a unique brand of boutique customer service that facilitates the accomplishments of a very exclusive group of individuals.

Scottsdale AirCenter
Contact:  Troy Padilla
15290 N. 78th Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85260-2624
www.scottsdaleaircenter.com
Scottsdale AirCenter is a full service fixed base operator (FBO), based at Scottsdale Municipal Airport and serving the flying public of the Greater Phoenix Metro Area.   Its world-class facility includes a modern, uniquely designed terminal with over 10,000 square feet and four hangars totaling over 175,000 square feet of space.

Upcoming Invitation-Only Partner Council Events
For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Terry Finch at tfinch@scottsdalechamber.com.

2013 April Ribbon Cuttings

As a service to our members at the Classic level and above, the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize new businesses with a ribbon cutting ceremony. In addition to helping promote your business, a team of Chamber Ambassadors will arrive to welcome you to the business community and help you officially cut the ribbon on your new enterprise. For more information about Scottsdale Area Chamber Ribbon Cutting program, please contact Kelly Rich.

Congratulations and welcome to our new April businesses!

Saladworks

April 10, 2013

 

Hospice of the Valley

April 16, 2013 

 

TCBY

April 2, 2013 

Chairman's Corner

Scottsdale Forward

We had a wonderful turnout from the community and the membership for Scottsdale Forward. On March 21 at Scottsdale Community College’s Performing Arts Center, 200 business and civic leaders gathered to learn from a diverse group of speakers about some of the exciting and encouraging economic development initiatives in our city, region and state.

Following welcoming remarks from SCC President Dr. Jan Gehler and Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, Dr. Michael Crow, President of ASU, delivered an entertaining and power-packed keynote address about all the things that are right about Arizona and why this state is positioned to take a leadership position in several key areas of the new economy. Dr. Crow included biotech and biomed, engineering, software development, research and business start-ups as notable sectors that will lead the way. He pointed with pride to many of ASU’s accomplishments to aid in this explosion of new economy business, citing ASU’s #1 ranked Honors College, #1 ranking in number of Fulbright Scholars and many other significant benchmarks.

Economic Development Update

The Economic Development Advisory Council held its first meeting in the new training room at DMB Associates at 7600 E. Doubletree Ranch Road. Thank you DMB for letting us use your wonderful facility.

Scottsdale General Plan

Erin Perrault, Long Range Planning Manager for the City of Scottsdale, updated the group on the status of the new General Plan that is being developed for a voter ballot in November 2014. She shared the report of the Visioning Scottsdale Town Hall, a public outreach effort in which 100 community leaders were engaged to help guide the future of Scottsdale. The report represents the general consensus of the Town Hall participants. The report provides input in the broad areas of Scottsdale’s Best Features, Capitalizing on Scottsdale’s Best Features, Community Values and A Vision for the Future.

You can download a copy of the report at:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Public+Website/generalplan/Visioning+Scottsdale+Report.pdf

Partner Council Update

Steve Chucri, newly elected Maricopa County Supervisor for District 2, joined Partner Council members for a Leader’s Dialogue lunch on March 13. Partner Council member CCS Presentation Systems kindly provided the venue for the event.

Supervisor Steve Chucri shared his vision for enhancements at the county government level ranging from on-line licensing applications to a more streamlined approval process. He discussed the process now underway to appoint a new supervisor to fill the vacancy which resulted from the resignation of Supervisor Max Wilson on March 11. The informal gathering provided an opportunity for Partner Council attendees to receive candid answers to questions that ranged from the County Supervisors’ relationship with the Sheriff’s department to the problem of a limited workforce for the restaurant industry.

Public Policy Update

City of Scottsdale’s Public Policy Department

Scottsdale Bond 2013
There is never a dull moment in Scottsdale, and the City Council almost put a new Scottsdale Bond proposal on the November 2013 ballot. Made up of necessary infrastructure improvements that help keep our city safe and up to date, the 2013 bond program will ask voters to approve roughly $212 million in projects, assuming final ratification by the Council on April 9.

The Chamber ran the last major bond campaign, Bond 2000, which provided $360 million toward significant improvements to Scottsdale’s infrastructure, parks and public safety. Now the City is ready to come to the voters again, this time with a more modest approach, vetted by a citizen committee who devoted 900 hours to the winnowing of projects down to the essential needs.

Partner Council Update

The Partner Council Steering Committee, chaired by Kevin Sellers, has been hard at work to bring you meaningful, enjoyable events that provide opportunities to interact with your fellow Partner Council members, as well as content that is relevant to you and your businesses.
Our recent Partner Council lunch at The Charro Lodge at Scottsdale Stadium was well attended by nearly 80 members, and is now planned as an annual event.

Events planned in the near future include:

What:  Partner Council Leaders Dialogue Series
When: Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Time:  11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Where:      CCS Presentations Systems
                17350 N. Hartford Dr.
                Scottsdale, AZ  85255
                (Just off Princess Drive, between Hayden and the 101)
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Supervisor Steve Chucri share his vision for the Maricopa County Supervisors.

Economic Development Update

City of Scottsdale’s Economic Development Department

Scottsdale’s business attraction manager Bob Tunis reports that there continues to be robust interest in Scottsdale from a number of companies looking to relocate to Scottsdale.
While the vacancy rate in the Airpark continues to hover around 24%, Scottsdale has begun to see some positive absorption of space in Class A and B real estate and commercial real estate brokers report that business has begun to improve. Improvement does not imply a return to the glory days for property owners and a great deal of new development, but the market has seen some redevelopment of existing properties.

Scottsdale General Plan
Rick Kidder, representing the Chamber, was chosen to participate in the City sponsored town hall to work on the community values and vision statement for the General Plan. The previous version failed at the ballot for a number of reasons, among them charges from some members of the community that the General Plan had not received the appropriate level of community input and scrutiny prior to being placed on the ballot.
Roughly 100 members of the community from remarkably diverse backgrounds and perspectives under the leadership of the Arizona Town Hall gathered for three half-day sessions designed to come to consensus on the community values and vision statement, the basis for the General Plan document.
The consensus approach is challenging but is designed to filter out personal agendas and fringe concepts to arrive at place where essentially the group agrees. The Arizona Town Hall has no vested interest in the outcome and the process produced a widespread support from the attendees.
Documents and events related to the vision and values and other news and information related to the General Plan can be accessed through the city’s web site at www.scottsdalegp.com.

Public Policy Update

City of Scottsdale’s Public Policy Department


The Chamber’s commitment to advocating for policies that support the business community and the residents of Scottsdale, the region and the state is very strong. We are members of the East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance, a group of seven chambers in the east valley that allocate resources to work with our lobbyists from the Dorn Policy Group to support worthy bills or defeat challenging bills at the State legislature. The East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance is the largest business lobbying group in the state.
Chamber CEO Rick Kidder regularly testifies at City Hall on issues of importance before the City Council, Boards and Commissions on behalf of the business community. The Public Policy Advisory Council of the Chamber, chaired by Steve Helm, is the body through which most policy issues flow and serves as a recommending body to the Board of Directors on issues of significance.

Get 2 for 1 Season Pass to Celebration of Fine Art!

The 23^rd Annual Celebration of Fine Art is in full swing.  As a Chamber member, you are invited to enjoy a 2 for 1 Season Pass!  Purchase one Pass, bring a friend for FREE and you’ll both enjoy unlimited admission through March 24, 2013.  Open daily 10 am to 6 pm.  Located on the SW corner of Hayden Rd and Loop 101 in north Scottsdale.   The place where art lovers and artists connect!  Learn more at www.celebrateart.com.

In Business Magazine Presents: Education Means Business Event

The In Business Magazine Education Means Business Event is a gathering of business professionals, educators, decision makers and leaders. The program includes an in‐depth business discussion with our Panel, who are the top business and education leaders in the Valley. The symposium‐style event will include a gourmet lunch, a keynote speaker and participation by each Panelist in attendance. Attendees will have an opportunity to mingle with the Panelists at a VIP reception prior to the program.

The goal of the Symposium is to answer questions relative to the skills gap that Arizona is experiencing and what education and business are doing to fill that gap. Invited Panelists include: Ann Weaver Hart (University of Arizona), Robert Sarver (Western Alliance Bancorporation), Superintendent John Huppenthal (State of Arizona), Sue Clark‐Johnson (Morrison Institute), Patrick Burkhart (Mesa Community College), Dr. Eugene Giovannini (Gateway Community College), Glenn Hamer (Arizona Chamber), Susan Carlson (Arizona Business & Education Coalition), Don Smith (SCF Arizona), Steven Zylstra (Arizona Technology Council) and others.

Date: Friday, January 18, 2013

Location: Arizona Biltmore Resort, The Grand Ballroom

Time: 11:15am to 1:30pm

CLICK HERE for complete details

EVCCA Posts 2013 Legislative Priorities

The EVCCA, founded in 1999, is comprised of more than 7,000 businesses and seven local chambers: Apache Junction, led by Larry Johnson; Chandler, led by Terri Kimble; Gilbert, led by Kathy Tilque; Mesa, led by Peter Sterling; Queen Creek, led by Marquis Scott; Scottsdale, led by Rick Kidder; and Tempe, led by Mary Ann Miller. Business leaders representing each association meet monthly. Our purpose is to provide coordination in the advancement of common business interests.

Each year, EVCCA produces a report on the legislative priorities, which lists initiatives that have the most significance to East Valley businesses. The report outlines the legislative priorities for calendar ear 2013. The priorities include: Ballot Reform; Federal Health Care Implementation; Education Funding; Unemployment Benefit Reform; and Tort Reform.

CLICK HERE to download the full report.

Business owners in the East Valley need not feel helpless about government influence on their business. There is no excuse for ignorance. Each of us has the opportunity and responsibility to understand the issues and to get out and vote.

For additional info, please contact Terri Kimble, President/CEO of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce: (480) 963-4571.