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.

Spring Training Mixer for Downtown Scottsdale Merchants

Downtown Scottsdale Merchants are invited to join us as our friends at Blind Society talk spring training in Scottsdale and how you can best market your business to the 200,000 fans who will visit Scottsdale Stadium during the 2013 spring training season! Plus! Mix and mingle alongside other Downtown Scottsdale businesses, bar and restaurant owners, hotel concierges, group sales associates and the Scottsdale Charros.
Blind Society, a unique Scottsdale marketing agency founded by advertising executives who specialize in consumer connections for brands like Mojo Yogurt and ASU Football, will discuss social media, cross promotion and marketing ideas. Darren Wilson, Blind Society visionary and national marketing entrepreneur, will help you find your best customer! Darren's businesses include Blind Society, Cultivator Content Labs and bluemedia.
SPRING TRAINING MIXER
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
5:30-7:30pm

 

The Venue of Scottsdale
7177 E. 3rd Avenue
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Appetizers, Drinks, Music & Marketing!
2013 Spring Training in Downtown Scottsdale
Its Gonna Be Big!

Space is limited, RSVP today:

http://springtrainingmarketing.eventbrite.com/