The Tempe Chamber of Commerce started the year with a thought-provoking economic forecast on Friday, January 26th, at Grace Community Church. The Economic Outlook started with a panel discussion on arts & tourism, presented by Tempe Tourism. Tempe Tourism President and CEO Michael Martin moderated the discussion between Theresa Dickerson, director of marketing and communications for ASU Gammage; Brendan Ross, City of Tempe deputy community services director for arts and culture; and Paula Tayor, chief development and marketing officer for the Arizona Theatre Company.
The second panel, moderated by Tempe Chamber Director of Business Development David Key, discussed the importance of access to capital for growing businesses and entrepreneurs. The discussion featured key collaborators in the community; Cecelia Ashe, vice president and COO of Landings Credit Union; Ashley Mapes, vice president of Arizona Capital Source; and Aarin Shah, director of finance of Arizona Microcredit Initiative.
Mike DiDomenico, the City of Tempe’s economic development director, then took the stage to highlight projects such as the renovations planned for the historic mill downtown and described Tempe as a city that people travel to for employment and entertainment, opposed to cities that see their population travel out for work or play. Tempe Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Colin Diaz then joined economist and featured keynote speaker Jim Rounds of Rounds Consulting Group and Mayor Corey Woods on stage for the final panel discussion. The trio covered a comprehensive set of topics that included housing, workforce development, pro-business policy and the future of development in Tempe. Jim Rounds proceeded to close out the event with a powerful keynote lending insight from the preceding discussion and sharing a vision for the future of the economy of the East Valley.
Photo by Paulette Pacioni
