$581 million. That’s the amount of revenue generated by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Arizona in 2010 — a time when the economy was still reeling from the recession — according to the Americans for the Arts’ Economic Prosperity Study released last year. In Phoenix alone, the arts and culture sector contributed more than $300 million to the economy, and Brendan … [More]
Jim Ward, The Phoenix Symphony
Culture is what defines us as a people, as a community. Here in the Valley of the Sun, culture surrounds us in great variety — including performances by world-class artists and paintings that sell for millions of dollars. This issue of In Business Magazine takes a look at how arts and culture live in the fabric of our community. Whether or not you enjoy the aesthetic benefit … [More]
GPS Finds Its Way in Business
As fleet manager for Pink Jeep Tours, Greg McCallum deals with his share of questions: Did a jeep make it to the Grand Canyon yet? When is the Trekker getting to the hotel to pick up guests? Just where is that jeep that left not long ago? To find the answers, McCallum turns to the heavens. If you think he’s guided by the stars, you’re close. His fleet relies on on-board … [More]
What Works and What Doesn’t in Leadership Style
The best CEOs are always learning. The certainties of today — whether it’s relying on a particular business model or banking on a “category killer” or operating under a particular regulatory framework — can be up-ended and disrupted tomorrow. Corporate chiefs who internalize this reality are best equipped to steer their companies through disruption. Executives and directors … [More]
Overcome Autocorrect
“Theirs a new project I’d like to discuss with you. Its a weigh to catch misspellings but to long to go into hear. Lets meet.” It’s unlikely you’ve ever received an email or other written message with that many spelling problems. But there are surely words in those three sentences that you’ve seen misspelled, and most probably you have misspelled some of them … [More]
Tourism Makes Economic Indicators Travel in Right Direction
Tourism provides a significant counterbalance to economic shortfalls. Even as the nation’s trade deficit for May swelled by $4.9 billion to $45 billion, the U.S. Travel Association reports that travel was doing more than its share to increase total exports for the U.S. While exports fell by $500 million, travel exports (all purchases by international visitors, including … [More]
Retailer Expands by Closing Its Shop
Nine months into breaking into retail with Amerisleep’s new design in beds, founder Firas Kittaneh added an online sales site to the company’s brick-and-mortar store in Tempe. The next step he considered was opening a second location — but within six months of launching the website, he made the reverse decision and closed the Tempe store. Online in the three years since then, … [More]
New Life for Chandler Event Venue
Newly reopened under a name intended to evoke a hip and historic cultural vibe, SoHo63 takes Chandler’s long-standing weekend venue at 63 E. Boston Street and expands its use to attract events all week long. Building a customer base beyond what had been primarily weddings, SoHo63 will accommodate corporate customers as a meeting and workshop site with upgraded technology such … [More]
County Procurement
Do business with the county through the Procurement Office. Maricopa County and the City of Phoenix actively solicit vendors to participate and benefit from doing business with state and federal civic entities. Find out more. … [More]
Healthcare Mandate: Deadline Looms
The clock is ticking for U.S. businesses with more than $500,000 in annual revenues to comply with a new requirement created by Section 1512 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This requirement mandates that employers provide a notice to employees of coverage options available through the Health Insurance Marketplace (i.e., “Exchange”) no later than Oct. 1, 2013. … [More]
You Sent It
The well-known file transferrer has changed its name and gone mobile, touting that “your working life doesn’t require you to be chained to your desk from 9–5.” Hightail, formerly YouSendIt, is a mobile app that will help you work from anywhere by downloading the free app for iPhone, iPad or Android to access your Hightail folders wherever you are. You can send files, share … [More]
Sedona Helicopters Now Fly Out of Scottsdale Airpark
A new Scottsdale Airpark location is the first expansion out of Sedona for 28-year-old Arizona Helicopter Adventures. Jake Austin, who, with partner Floyd Ingram, purchased the business in 2010, notes, “A lot of our business comes through the Metro Phoenix area visiting Sedona.” Timing the move to the Airpark now, in the summer, gives Arizona Helicopter Tours time to get ramped … [More]
Office Entertainment
For seven years, attorneys at FordHarrison have amused and enlightened weekly readers of their employment blog “That’s What She Said” through references to NBC’s “The Office.” While the series finale of “The Office” marked an end to “That’s What She Said,” FordHarrison is adopting the entertainment-industry maxim and launching “EntertainHR.” The blog will offer a lighthearted … [More]
Local Produce Is a Growing Market
Queen Creek Olive Mill recently expanded its olive grove “to support our new stores and the demand in Queen Creek,” says owner Perry Rea. Rea purchased the 4,000 new trees from a nursery near Yuma rather than out of state because they are hardened to the climate. He anticipates two years to first harvest, with full production at the third year. “We are investing in Arizona’s … [More]
Billy Malkovich: Fit for the Job
When Mountainside Fitness CEO Billy Malkovich graduated high school, he says he hardly celebrated. He attended his college graduation from Arizona State University only because his parents wanted to see it happen. It’s not that Malkovich doesn’t appreciate those milestones in his life, but for him “the chase has always been better than the catch. Once I accomplish something, I … [More]
Lunch in the District — District American Kitchen & Wine Bar
Be in the know; be in the moment; be in the District. The District American Kitchen and Wine Bar has been serving lunch just off the lobby of the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown since the hotel’s opening in 2008. This lunch spot has been hopping with executives, deal makers, sports stars and independent small-business owners who see this location at Third and Van Buren streets as the … [More]
Why Stay When You Can Eat and Run?
The Valley is known as home to some of the world’s best accommodations, but there’s no need to spend the night to enjoy their hospitality. With resorts and hotels just about everywhere, we suggest some great hotel lunch spots for the noon-time meal. Bistro 24 Located in the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix at the intersection of 24th Street and Camelback Road, this lunch spot will … [More]
Membership Has Its Privileges
We value our assets and we like to ensure we are getting the best for our dollars. When it comes to spending money on spending money, here are some top-rated credit cards that make sense for all of the cents we expend. Discover It CardThe zero-percent APR for initial purchases and no annual fee add to the cash-back rewards that cardholders get on purchases. Other perks, like … [More]
