Tempe, Arizona — best known as the home of Arizona State University — is quickly becoming a key location in the global semiconductor industry. While nearby cities like Chandler and Phoenix often grab headlines, Tempe quietly hosts several companies and research centers that are critical to the design, packaging and innovation of microchips used in everything from smartphones to … [More]
Tempe Chamber Presents the 2025 ASU Sun Devil Football Kickoff Luncheon
The Tempe Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the 2025 ASU Sun Devil Football Kickoff Luncheon presented by San Tan Ford. The Luncheon was held at the San Tan Ford Club perched high above the Mountain America Stadium. Amidst a sea of maroon and gold, the event was packed full of fun and special guests as Sun Devil Football builds momentum for the start of Coach Kenny … [More]
Tempe’s Business Community Shines at Annual Excellence Awards Luncheon
Tempe is more than just a city — it’s a thriving hub of innovation, resilience and community spirit. That energy was on full display at the sold-out Business Excellence Awards Annual Luncheon, hosted by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and presented by Southwest Airlines. Held at Culinary Dropout and emceed by AZFamily’s Nicole Crites, the event celebrated the incredible … [More]
Tempe Business License Applications Now Open
The City of Tempe Business License went into effect August 1, 2025. Applications for the license are now open. Businesses are encouraged to apply before the end of the year to receive waived fees through Jan. 1, 2027. Why did Tempe establish a business license? The license will provide a single point of intake for information and establish a more complete database to better … [More]
Leadership through the Tempe Chamber: Guiding Today, Leading Tomorrow
Tempe Chamber Mentorship Program The Tempe Chamber’s Mentoring Program, presented by the Women in Business Council, kicks off its 2025 cohort this October. Designed to support both women and men, the program empowers participants to achieve their personal and professional goals in a supportive, success-driven environment. Mentorship remains one of the most impactful ways to … [More]
Busch Group Expands with 60,000-Square-Foot Service Center in Tempe
Busch Group, a global manufacturer of vacuum and overpressure technology, is expanding its U.S. footprint with a new 60,000-square-foot service center in Tempe, scheduled to open in October 2025. The facility is designed to strengthen regional support for key industries, including semiconductors, industrial manufacturing, medical technology and environmental services. The … [More]
Advocacy in Action: A Strategic Playbook for Arizona’s Nonprofits and Business Leaders
In today's interconnected world, the expectation for organizations to engage with societal issues has evolved from a fringe concept to a mainstream imperative. Advocacy, once the exclusive domain of specialized activists, has become a strategic function essential for both mission fulfillment in the nonprofit sector and long-term resilience in the business community. … [More]
AI Wrote This Article. And It’s Obvious.
Artificial intelligence has burst onto the scene as a seemingly miraculous writing assistant. For nonprofit and business leaders — juggling countless responsibilities — the allure of AI churning out reports, articles and marketing copy is undeniable. And indeed, AI can be a powerful tool, helping with brainstorming, outlining and even drafting initial content. However, … [More]
Beyond the Bottom Line: Why Corporate-Nonprofit Partnerships Are a Perfect Match
For nonprofits across the country, the ground is shifting. The fiscal landscape of 2025 has been marked by a significant slowdown and reallocation of federal grant funding, leaving many organizations facing an uncertain future. While this presents a formidable challenge, it also creates a powerful opportunity for a new kind of leadership to emerge from the business community. … [More]
August 2025 President’s Message
Call it The 21st Century Renaissance. And Arizona is a key player in this phenomenon. Yes, we have an arts and culture scene that is growing beyond what many of us would have imagined not that long ago. But I’m also referring to the wave of innovation found in our technology and science sectors. Not a day goes by when there isn’t news involving fields such as … [More]
Taking an Early Lead
Chief Science Officers guide others even before careers begin
Facilitator Alexis Kelley leads an exercise that includes Anaíz Daniels (foreground). For many young people, considering whether to attend college is as big as the decision-making usually gets. And they often do it alone. But for a group of youths no older than 18, they upped the ante by leading discussions that ultimately could impact the entire state. More … [More]
A Living Document
Blog offers glimpse of Arizona tech ecosystem’s constant evolution
Few would dispute that technology is constantly evolving. Capturing the changes would be a daunting task for any historian trying to keep track of developments in order to relay the highlights to others. But people interested in the progress of Arizona’s tech scene have it a little easier. They have been keeping tabs on what’s new since spring 2018 by clicking on the blog … [More]
Government Relations Is Specialty of Latest Addition to Staff
Cepand Alizadeh has joined the staff of the Arizona Technology Council as its first government relations specialist to help ensure the state’s energy ecosystem remains innovative, sustainable and responsive to the increasing demands of residents and businesses. Alizadeh is responsible for connecting with policymakers, community leaders and industry stakeholders to advance … [More]
New Council Board Members Add to Mix of Expertise
The two newest members of the Arizona Technology Council’s board of directors bring expertise in global payment networks and technology, as well as information technology talent development. Cheryl Eckardt, vice president of Global Network Service Technology at American Express, and Craig Jackman, founder and president of Paragon IT Professionals, were unanimously elected to … [More]
A Multipronged Approach
Council works year-round when it comes to winning public policy efforts
When it comes to public policy, efforts by the Arizona Technology Council are continuous as the responsibility of promoting and protecting the state’s technology community never stops. The efforts are especially worth it when the successes can be tallied at the end of the legislative session of the Arizona Capitol. Case in point are noteworthy actions from the recently … [More]
Governor Names CEO to AI Steering Committee
Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Council and SciTech Institute, has been appointed by Gov. Katie Hobbs to serve on the state’s inaugural Artificial Intelligence Steering Committee. The committee brings together leaders and experts from across sectors to develop a statewide policy framework and governance strategy for the use of AI. The committee will guide the … [More]
From Boots on the Ground to Boardroom Strategy: How VALC Is Elevating the Future of Construction
The construction industry is at a crossroads. Amidst rising costs, workforce shortages and increasing project complexity, the pressure to deliver faster, smarter and with greater accountability has never been higher. Yet many of the issues we face are not new; they’re rooted in decades of fragmented communication, reactive risk management and siloed project delivery. I … [More]
Time Management Isn’t a Trait – It’s a Skill Set That Pays Dividends
If there’s one thing every professional says they need more of, it’s time. The tag line of my formerly burned-out and overloaded life was, “I don’t have time.” High achievers — especially in the demanding fields of sales, leadership, law and healthcare — often feel they’re running a race they didn’t sign up for. They’re productive, yes. But fulfilled? Not always. Time … [More]
