The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce resumed its popular bus tour of the Scottsdale Airpark Area on Oct. 29, 2014.
Nearly 60 businesspeople climbed aboard Scottsdale’s iconic trolleys for an informative tour highlighting the Airpark’s history and to learn more about the companies that currently call the area home.
Inside a mere 8.6-square-mile area, Scottsdale Airpark packs in more than 3,000 businesses, and is one of the largest employment centers in Arizona.
The tour started with breakfast and beverages at the nearby WestWorld, known for its world-class equestrian facilities and home to some of the most premiere events in the nation. Then it was all aboard the trolleys to visit key businesses throughout the area as well as to learn more about future plans for the Airpark.
Rick Kidder, president and CEO of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, and Bob Tunis, economic development manager for the City of Scottsdale, were cast as tour guides on the buses and shared valuable information about the area — including public art, sales taxes and state land as well as current and upcoming businesses.
“Six of the 13 Arizona businesses listed on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies are based in the Scottsdale Airpark,” said Kidder. “It’s companies like these that add to the strong economic fabric of not only the Airpark but to the city as well.”
The annual bus tour went on hiatus in 2008 when the challenging economic climate brought about rapid business turnover in the area.
With a vibrant economy returning to the Valley, the chamber felt it was a great time to put the Airpark and its businesses back in the spotlight with the return of the bus tour.
On the heels of the successful 2014 bus tour, plans are already underway for the 2015 event.
