Question: How does your co-working space fit in the ecosystem for economic development of startup businesses and what was the attraction of the Greater Phoenix area? Francisco Aguirre Founder The Office Pile Sector: Economic Development The Office Pile is the first culturally diverse co-working space in the nation. Along with its not-for-profit arm, The TOP … [More]
We’re not in charge of the weather, but we do impact the climate
While we’ll all enjoy the “Chamber of Commerce Weather” during Spring Training this month, we can’t take any credit for it. What we will take some credit for is having a community that people want to visit, a welcoming place for living and working, and a healthy economic climate for starting and growing a business. For more than a century, the Tempe Chamber has worked to … [More]
Kickstarting Your Business
The Tempe Chamber has implemented a program for new members known as the Chamber Kickstart. Understanding why a member joined the Chamber and what their expectations are is key to helping them utilize all the benefits the Chamber has to offer. Sitting down with new members and fully understanding their business model and their vision helps our team steer them in the right … [More]
Government Relations
The mission of the Government Relations and Transportation Committee is to make a bottom-line impact for members by advocating for a favorable business climate through interactive public policy engagement, and providing ongoing representation at, and information about, government at the city, county, state and federal levels. The greatest value that the Government Relations … [More]
March 2015 President’s Message
As president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, I often am asked to help shape public policy affecting the state’s tech industry. (If you want to know more about two measures that are part of our focus in this legislative session, see Page 3 in this section.) But it’s my work as chairman of Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) that takes me to Capitol Hill to … [More]
Common Ground
Arizona universities have experienced an increase in the number of degrees granted in high-demand fields, including those requiring emphases in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). According to the Arizona Board of Regents, credentials in the fields grew from 4 percent in the 2009-2010 academic year to 47 percent in 2013-2014 school year. An interest in STEM … [More]
ROI Worth Raves
As the Arizona Technology Council tries to get the Arizona Legislature in the 2015 session to recapitalize one tax credit program and expand another, two reports authored by the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) show substantial return on both so far that make proposed changes worth pursuing. Included in the Council’s legislative priorities are recapitalization of the Angel … [More]
Business Essentials
Finding cost-effective ways to get the products and services needed to keep a business operating is a challenge for any company. When they also are essential to help retain quality employees, they can become mission critical. But when the competition is made up of goliaths with deep pockets, the challenge can seem even larger to small businesses, especially tech firms trying to … [More]
At the Top
Ron Thompson Jr. has been named the new chair of the Arizona Technology Council’s Phoenix CEO Network. In his regular career, Thompson is Senior Vice President – Western US at DataBank IMX, one of the largest enterprise document management solution companies in North America. “Ron is a genuine, down-to-earth business leader with a passion for helping organizations, employees … [More]
Welcome Aboard
Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy is senior vice president for research at The University of Arizona. As the university’s chief research officer and a member of the president’s senior executive team, Espy is charged with advancing transformative excellence in research across the campus toward achievement of the goals articulated in Never Settle, the … [More]
Giving Back
STEM Drive In partnership with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Arizona Technology Council’s Phoenix Ambassador Committee launched and promoted a STEM Drive leading up to the Jobing.com-presented After5 Networking Event/Tech the Hall Holiday Party. Council member companies were encouraged to donate STEM-related items for use in 1 Darn Cool School, the school … [More]
