Arizona’s early economy was based on the strength of what it famously called the “5 C’s”: Climate, Cattle, Copper, Cotton and Citrus. Some of those continue to infuse strength to the state’s economy, some have morphed into a broader category, and some have had their elite spot usurped by a newcomer. In Business Magazine offers a 2024 take on the 5 C’s economy for Arizona … [More]
January Guest Editor: Rick McCartney, InMedia Company
The Changing C’s – It Is More Than a Case of ‘Then and Now’
Arizona’s economy was once known for Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus and Climate — or the “5 C’s,” as they were known. Our economy has transformed in recent decades to one dependent on cycles. Thanks to a concerted, collaborative effort among economic development agencies and the business community, we now again have a diversified economy — and one based on components that … [More]
5 B2B Marketing Trends for 2024
What a difference a year makes
This time a year ago, marketers planning their 2023 budgets were bracing for a recession. A common motto might have been, “Fasten your seatbelts, folks, we’re going to be in for a bumpy ride.” The same passengers now might be viewing blue skies ahead, or at least expecting some turbulence. Either way, it's time to get airborne. The industry motto for 2024 might be: “How do we … [More]
Tech for Good: Emerging Sustainable Growth Markets
As Tech for Good becomes a wider field with broader applications, the related sustainable growth markets are being unlocked and discovered. New sustainable tech areas are popping up and growing rapidly where solutions are urgently needed. Tech areas that were not traditionally associated with sustainable objectives are now beginning to turn their focus toward Tech for Good. … [More]
Cybersecurity Risk Controls Remain Key to Risk Mitigation, Resilience & Insurability
Proactive cybersecurity strategies for business owners and C-level executives
With technology increasing in sophistication year after year, business owners and executives must stay more vigilant than ever when it comes to preventing data breaches and cybersecurity threats. A cyber-attack can cost a company millions of dollars — and, with many businesses operating on razor-thin margins in today's economy, such a large financial hit could be devastating. … [More]
Shapiro Law Team’s Commitment to Community
Embracing altruism as an integral part of its mission
In the dynamic world of business, where success is often measured in profit margins and market dominance, the story of Shapiro Law Team stands out as a beacon of corporate citizenship. This Arizona-based personal injury firm, formerly known as David Shapiro Law, has not only carved a niche for itself in the legal arena but has also made altruism an integral part of its … [More]
Women Are Changing Jobs Left and Right to Access IVF Coverage
Family-building matters as an employee benefit
Businesses are talking about it. People are changing jobs, and even taking on second jobs, in order to access family-building coverage. Talent is looking for employers that offer benefits like IVF (invitro fertilization), egg freezing, adoption and surrogacy, and they are willing to change jobs to find it. The Costs of Offering Fertility Benefits to Workers One in six … [More]
Food as Medicine: Venture Capital’s Appetite for a Healthier Future
Startups in the nutritional food space are gaining increased traction
For decades, venture capital chased the next tech innovation or disruptive platform. Today, a new wellness sector is garnering attention: the intersection of food and medicine. This “food-as-medicine” movement is reimagining what it means to be “healthy,” and venture investors’ palates are lathering at the prospect of savory returns. However, deploying venture capital to … [More]
New Year, New … Privacy Program?
Businesses are invited to celebrate this year’s Data Privacy Day in style, with a refresh of their privacy program
January is a time of renewal, providing an opportunity for new focus. With Data Privacy Day almost upon us, and the expansion of data privacy legislation in the United States, now is the ideal time for businesses to update their data privacy program with best practices and plan for the next stage. How? Go back to the basics. For the skeptics, Data Privacy Day is an actual … [More]
If You Build It, They Will Give
Creating an effective employee engagement program
An effective employee engagement program is a vital component of any company’s corporate social responsibility strategy. According to re:Charity, 71% of employees believe it’s important to work at companies that choose to give back to the community. With competitive advantage in the marketplace top of mind, now may be a good time for organizations to establish or evaluate their … [More]
Global Conversations
Students get chance to make their case with leaders
When it comes to having conversations about important topics including sustainability, tech for good, aerospace engineering and artificial intelligence, the appropriate forum that quickly comes to mind is the United Nations. That might seem too limiting to the SciTech Institute, a nonprofit whose parent is the Arizona Technology Council. Instead, the Institute envisions … [More]
Council Adds 2 New Professionals to Team
Two new team members have joined the staff of the Arizona Technology Council. Chris O’Neal serves as chief of staff, responsible for partnering with the president and CEO to represent the Council with external constituency groups and the board of directors. As a member of the executive team, he provides resources and support with an emphasis on strategy, operations and … [More]
Awards Recognize Efforts to Make a Difference
The Arizona Technology Council recently was named the I-Squared Ecosystem Impact Award winner by Tech Launch Arizona at The University of Arizona (UArizona). The award is reserved for a person or entity outside UArizona whose contributions have generated maximum success for university inventions and startups during the past year, as well as an extended period of time. The … [More]
Dynamic Duo
VPs from PayPal and ASU join board of directors
Experts in finance and higher education are the latest additions to the Arizona Technology Council board of directors. The new board members are Art Taylor, PayPal’s vice president of Global Compliance Investigations, and Grace O’Sullivan, vice president of corporate engagement and partnerships at Arizona State University. Both were elected unanimously to serve three-year … [More]
New Year, New Members for CEO Networks
The Arizona Technology Council is committed to equipping technology company CEOs with the resources, network and support they need to lead with purpose and confidence. To help, the Council’s CEO Networks in Phoenix and Tucson were created to help grow members’ leadership, recognize their big wins, share their most frustrating obstacles, and problem solve with other CEOs … [More]
Public Policy Guide
Recommendations to lawmakers shared in annual publication
When it comes to helping shape public policy, Arizona Technology Council staff and members of its Public Policy Committee are no strangers to walking the halls of the Arizona Capitol and even Congress. While securing legislation that supports the technology community is cause for celebration, building upon those successes is even longer lasting. Examples of what lies ahead … [More]
Keeping Connected
Podcasts help spread Council’s message to widespread audience
With Arizona’s size measuring just under 114,000 square miles, it’s a massive task for the Arizona Technology Council to keep the state’s technology community connected. After all, with a reputation built on in-person events, having a presence from border to border is impossible. Or is it? The Council has incorporated two podcasts to help build a personal connection and … [More]
President’s Message: Winter 2024
When news came from Capitol Hill that the Inflation Reduction Act passed into law, we at the Arizona Technology Council were more than a little excited. With the inclusion of a clean energy component in the legislation, the Council predicted new opportunities were possible for this segment of our membership and their peers. The results tell us we had reason to be … [More]
