InBusiness Magazine – February 2011

FEB. 2011

Diminishing Access: The Business Side of Arizona's Medicaid

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Selling Value in a Price-Driven Economy Who Benefits from Bank Incentives?

100 Years: Celebrating Arizona's Business

Power Lunch By the Numbers Business Calendar

This Issue Valley Chambers Profiled

Healthcare Reform How Does It Hit Your Bottom Line?

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February 2011

www.inbusinessmag.com In Business Magazine is a collaboration of many business organizations and entities throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area and Arizona. Our mission is to inform and energize business in this community by communicating content that will build business and enrich the economic picture for all of us vested in commerce.

Partner Organizations

Donna Davis, CEO Arizona Small Business Association Central Office (602) 306-4000 Southern Arizona (520) 327-0222 www.asba.com

Steven G. Zylstra, President & CEO Arizona Technology Council One Renaissance Square (602) 343-8324 • www.aztechcouncil.org

Cindy Hynes, President NAWBO Phoenix Metro Chapter (602) 772-4985 • www.nawbophx.org

Rick Kidder, President & CEO Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce (480) 355-2700 • www.scottsdalechamber.com

Mary Ann Miller, President & CEO Tempe Chamber of Commerce (480) 967-7891 • www.tempechamber.org Our Partner Organizations are vested business organizations focused on building and improving business in the Valley or throughout Arizona.

As Partners, each will receive three insert publications each year to showcase all that they are doing for business and businesspeople within our community. We encourage you to join these and other organizations to better your business opportunities. The members of these and other Associate Partner Organizations receive a subscription to In Business Magazine each month. For more information on becoming an Associate Partner, please contact our publisher at info@inbusinessmag.com.

Associate Partners Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

S AT U R DAY, F E B R UA RY 19, 2011 7pm to 11pm

Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry www.azchamber.com Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce www.azhcc.com Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com Economic Club of Phoenix www.econclubphx.org Glendale Chamber of Commerce www.glendaleazchamber.org Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixblackchamber.com Mesa Chamber of Commerce www.mesachamber.org

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North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce www.northphoenixchamber.com North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce www.northscottsdalechamber.org Peoria Chamber of Commerce www.peoriachamber.com Westmarc www.westmarc.org

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Contents

February 2011

24 Healthcare Reform:

How Does It Hit Your Bottom Line?

As business shoulders increased responsibility in assuring every American has healthcare coverage, the patchwork of provisions and regulations has many business owners and CEOs wondering how to comply — and what the effect will be on their companies. RaeAnne Marsh goes to industry experts to explore the issue’s many facets.

Departments

11 Guest Editor

Features

Victor F. Trastek, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic

18 100 Years Strong: Gearing Up

for Arizona’s Centennial

With a nostalgic peek back and a hopeful look forward, it’s time to get serious about how you and your business can get involved with

in Arizona, introduces the “Healthcare and Valley Chambers” issue.

12 Feedback

Top executives Mark F. Eberle, Gayle

an Arizona Centennial activity. Sue Kern-Fleischer catches up with

Henderson and Kristine Kassel respond

the Centennial Commission.

to IBM’s burning business question of

29 Arizona’s ‘Access’

the month.

The state’s Medicaid agency is besieged from all sides as it

“Media: Will Local TV Make a Comeback?”

to Healthcare

struggles to provide care and meet the new federal laws. Assistant Director Monica Coury shares with RaeAnne Marsh the business side of the operation.

18

14 Briefs

“Arizona in Crisis: Report Reveals What is Behind the Curtain,” “Practice a Growing Population,” “Attract & Retain: A Push to Build Scottsdale Business,” “Economy

30

Down, Postage Up: Business Services Affected” and “Unemployment Insurance: Leaning on Business to Stabilize Fund”

18 By the Numbers

What the latest census means for Arizona; Key Economic Indicators provide a sense of

30 Boosting Sales and Profits in

the health of the local economy.

How do you maintain high profit margins and closing rates when so

Mobile apps are hot, but is one right for

a Price-Driven Economy

many prospects are dealing with cost cuts, budget freezes, and/ or mandatory approval on all new purchases? Max Kipling looks at some answers.

32 Tempting Bank Incentives:

A lure for business banking?

Banks are getting more creative in their efforts to attract small businesses. Sue Kern-Fleischer takes a look at the approaches taken by a variety of financial institutions in our community and asks, “Will this really help?”

20 Tech

your business? Plus: Apps open questions on security.

24 Trickle Up

View from the top looks at how John Musil compounded customer service and specialized pharmaceutical expertise into a multi-state enterprise.

31 Books

New releases on Sales and Marketing

34 Nonprofits Phoenix Suns Charities

Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children

42 Assets

“Future Assets: The Tablet PC Is Your Next Device,” “A Portrait of Success” and “Low Tech: The Business Card Best Asset”

43 Power Lunch

Hillstone serves up local flavor with a sushi upgrade. Plus: “It’s All in the Delivery”

66 Roundtable

Social Security: A brief review for business owners in the retirement zone

Networking

35 On the Agenda

February’s calendar of business events presented by our partners

Special Feature

45 Valley

Valley Chamb Your Guide

ers Profiled

to Valley Chamb

ers of Comm

Chambers Guide

Valley chambers of commerce profiled

Doing business

Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Carefree - Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce Chandler Chamber of Commerce Gilbert Chamber of Phoenix Glendale Chamber of Commerce Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Mesa Chamber of Commerce North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Peoria Chamber of Commerce Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce Tempe Chamber of Commerce

that makes a Sponsored by:

INBUSINES

erce

difference…

SMAG.COM

IN BUSINE SS

MAGAZINE

45

On the cover: Illustration by Laura Tedeschi

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F e b r u a r y 2011

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Our version of a monster drive.

Family owned.

Family atmosphere.

Family pride.

Your Mercedes-Benz Super Center Scottsdale Road & Loop 101 480.991.1155 • DriveTheBest.com

February 2010

Publisher Rick McCartney Editor RaeAnne Marsh

Art Director Benjamin Little

Contributing Writers Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell Mike Hunter Sue Kern-Fleischer Max Kipling Alison Stanton

Photographer-at-large Dan Vermillion

Market Leadership in Action

Editorial Intern Kayla Karp

COVER ILLUSTRATION Images.com

Advertising

Operations Louise Ferrari

lferrari@inmediacompany.com

Account Executives Louise Ferrari

lferrari@inmediacompany.com

Cami Shore

cshore@inmediacompany.com

René Tello

rené@inmediacompany.com More: Visit your one-stop resource for everything business at www.inbusinessmag.com. For a full monthly calendar of businessrelated events, please visit our website.

Inform Us: Send press releases and your editorial ideas to editor@inbusinessmag.com.

President & CEO Rick McCartney Financial Manager Ryan Cope Editorial Director RaeAnne Marsh Senior Art Director Benjamin Little

Corporate Offices 6360 E. Thomas Road, Suite 210 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 T: (480) 588-9505 F: (480) 584-3751 info@inmediacompany.com www.inmediacompany.com

Vol. 2, No. 2. In Business Magazine is published 12 times per year by InMedia Company. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: To subscribe to In Business Magazine, please send check or money order for one-year subscription of $24.95 to InMedia Company, 6360 E. Thomas Road, Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 or visit inbusinessmag.com. We appreciate your editorial submissions, news and photos for review by our editorial staff. You may send to editor@inbusinessmag.com or mail to the address above. All letters sent to In Business Magazine will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication, copyright purposes and use in any publication, website or brochure. InMedia accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other artwork. Submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. InMedia Company, LLC reserves the right to refuse certain advertising and is not liable for advertisers’ claims and/or errors. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of InMedia. InMedia Company considers its sources reliable and verifies as much data as possible, although reporting inaccuracies can occur; consequently, readers using this information do so at their own risk. Each business opportunity and/or investment inherently contains certain risks, and it is suggested that the prospective investors consult their attorney and/or financial professional. © 2011 InMedia Company, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission by the publisher.

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F e b r u a r y 2011

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Victor F. Trastek, M.D., Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Guest Editor

A Wellness Program of Our Own

Victor F. Trastek, M.D., vice president of Mayo Clinic, is CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Dr. Trastek’s previous positions with the Mayo Clinic include head of the General Thoracic Surgery section, chair of the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery division and chair of the Department of Surgery.

Arizona has certainly been in the news over these last several months and it is more apparent than ever that we are a community of people who are working to build a better life for ourselves and our neighbors. The issue of healthcare and where we find ourselves with recent recommendations to cut state healthcare budgets, comply with the federal legislation and bring costs down for business have left us not knowing just where we stand as business owners and employees of Arizona’s companies.

At Mayo Clinic, we are pleased to play an important role in Arizona’s vibrant business community, providing Mayo’s unique team model of specialized healthcare for patients in the Valley and beyond. Mayo has a long tradition as a place of hope and healing for patients and their families. Our commitment to Arizona continues to deepen and broaden as we work to develop solutions that bring health and wellness to our community and our employees.

In Business Magazine editor RaeAnne Marsh has worked to remove some of the complexities of the healthcare issue and focused on how recent changes and laws may affect businesses and the people they cover. With interviews from Senator Jon Kyl to local insurance brokers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona to AHCCCS (our state Medicaid services agency), Ms. Marsh has broken down the scaffolding to uncover where we are, what we will need to do and what this may cost business owners.

Arizona’s Centennial celebration is upon us and Sue Kern-Fleischer has checked in on the Arizona Centennial Commission as this month marks the beginning of a full year of events and planning before our 100th birthday, Feb. 14, 2012. With budgets what they are, the Commission, headed by Karen Churchard, is working to partner with businesses and other statewide entities to empower the celebration and include our history and milestones.

Valley banks and credit unions have certainly taken it on the chin over the last several years, so Sue KernFleischer takes a look at what banks, large and small, are doing within our market to help businesses with credit opportunities, fee cuts and more. The incentives are still sparse, and the effort to build business by our banking partners is becoming increasingly innovative.

In Business Magazine focuses each month on exposing many business organizations and relevant programs that will help to build business within our community. In this issue, they have profiled more than 15 Valley chambers of commerce to showcase the incredible efforts and achievements they, with their membership, continue to contribute to our area business owners and the economy as a whole. Sponsored by In Business Magazine and SCF Arizona, this guide will be available to each of the chambers so that they may further promote their efforts.

I know you will enjoy this issue. Please take a moment to reflect on your health and well-being as we are closer than ever to coming together as a community to better who we are as Arizonans.

Victor F. Trastek, M.D. CEO • Mayo Clinic in Arizona

A Weight on Our Shoulders As a business owner myself, I have been very interested in the debate over federal legislation on healthcare and how it will truly affect my company and the bottom line of businesses throughout Arizona. The questions for business — and all of us, for that matter — have more to do with the weight that healthcare will place on business owners than it does with coverage. However, the debate on who should be covered and how it is managed is equally confusing at this point. Will regulation and legislation truly fix what is wrong with our system? It is a complex issue and business stands to be affected as we determine what we need to do to “cover” our employees and families. Arizona is

inbusinessmag.com

going through its own budget woes, and healthcare benefits — which are mandated by our constitution for the poor — are going unfunded.

RaeAnne Marsh does a great job of defining these issues and putting into perspective the effect on business here in Arizona.

I want to thank Dr. Trastek. I could not think of a better Guest Editor for this issue than the CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He is a local and national leader on healthcare and is a businessman himself. Incredible experience, knowledge and community involvement have made him a true asset to us as Arizonans, and we look to him for some expertise and direction for this issue of In Business Magazine. —Rick McCartney, Publisher

In Business Magazine

11

Feedback

Q:

Valley Leaders Sound Off

Executives Answer As a member of a Valley chamber of commerce, what do you feel is the greatest benefit your membership provides to you and your business?

Mark F. Eberle

Kristine Kassel

Mark F. Eberle is a partner at Henry & Horne and a member of the firm’s executive committee. Eberle has been honored with the Small Business Administration Accountant Advocate of the Year (1992) and the Segner Business Volunteer Award (2003) and Legacy Award for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement (2007) from the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce.

Kristine Kassel is past president of the Arizona Small Business Association. She has also served as the president of the Arizona and Phoenix Association of Health Underwriters Association and was awarded their National Distinguished Service Award. She has worked on several Arizona Department of Insurance committees, was named one of the Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2007, and is the 2011 president of the Phoenix NAWBO chapter.

Henry & Horne, LLP

Benefits By Design

Partner Henry & Horne, LLP Sector: Accounting Chamber: Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce Member Since: 1985 There are a number of meaningful overlapping benefits that we continue to receive from our Chamber. Our partners and associates have had the opportunity to meet and build relationships with many of the top business leaders in the community. By becoming involved with the Chamber and its various committees, each participant has the opportunity to observe leadership skills exhibited by respected business executives and entrepreneurs.

In turn, each person can take these experiences and use them to enhance their own leadership skills. As should be expected, the Chamber encourages its members to participate in its events, which rounds out the business growth experience. The opportunity to build, maintain and enhance business relationships in such a meaningful and productive manner while at the same time honing one’s leadership acumen is the greatest benefit that the Chamber provides to all of those who choose to get involved.

www.hhcpa.com

Gayle Henderson

Realtor, RE/MAX Excalibur Sector: Real Estate Chamber: Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Member Since: 2010 You can’t sell what you can’t see! When selling a house, it means freshen up the home’s exterior, prune trees and shrubbery, plant flowers and make the curb appeal a wow! In general business, it means that the visibility of “YOU” and your business contributes to your branding.

That doesn’t mean more billboards. It does mean more involvement in making your community something people want to be a part of.

Taking time to step out of daily operations of my business to become

12

F e b r u a r y 2011

President Benefits By Design Sector: Employee Benefits Chamber: Tempe Chamber of Commerce Member Since: 2005 In the 13 years that I have had my business, Benefits By Design, I have been located in three different cities around the Valley. Tempe is the first city where I really felt at home, and that is thanks to the Tempe Chamber. We joined the Tempe Chamber when we first moved to Tempe five years ago and instantly we became part of the community.

Because we are active in the Tempe Chamber, I have received several referrals and met several prospecting contacts through the events the Chamber offers. Not only are some of these relationships business contacts, but they have also become great friends.

The leadership opportunities have helped me personally, and I have enjoyed getting to know and learn from the staff, other members and businesses that participate. Our business is constantly recognized by the Chamber through many of the awards that they present, such as the Business Excellence Awards and the Business Woman of the Year Award.

We were finalists for both of these awards.

www.benefitsbydesigninc.com

more a part of my community is very energizing — meeting new acquaintances, sharing ideas and finding opportunities to grow my circle of influence. The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has afforded me those benefits. I have made new professional friends, have helped connect other people to one another and have found that my membership has helped to validate me as a serious business partner with my community, someone whom others see as committed to making a difference. I appreciate the business I have developed through chamber associations, but, more importantly, the people I have met who inspire me to continue to strive to make our hometowns a better place to live.

A real estate practitioner since 1993, Gayle Henderson, PC - RE/MAX Excalibur Realty demonstrates that a serious commitment to education combined with valuable experience results in success regardless of market conditions. Henderson holds numerous certifications; perhaps the most critical in current market conditions are the CDPE as a short sale specialist and the 5-Star REO Certification for representing bank-owned properties.

The Gayle Henderson Group

www.thegaylehendersongroup.com

inbusinessmag.com

Quick and To the Point

Media: Will Local TV Make a Comeback?

KPNX-TV 12 News launched a new “Today Show”-style studio complete with a “Plaza,” fans, scheduled concerts and events. Is this the beginning of a boost in our local television industry? Will the television media be transformed?

Phoenix has long been a sub-market to watch and a launching pad for newscasters who later move onto the national stage. Sean McLaughlin actually moved from 12 News to NBC in New York, where he pinch-hit for Al Roker at times and appeared on “Weekend Today.” Christi Paul, an anchor on “Headline News” for CNN, is better known locally from KTVK 3 TV. Our market is saturated with local programming, including “Valley Dish,” an afternoon half-hour local cooking and lifestyle show that has been met with mixed reviews.

Ratings and market share are what the five local stations (KTVK Channel 3, KPHO CBS 5, KSAZ Fox 10, KPNX NBC 12, and KNXV ABC 15) are after. With 12 News’ dramatic launch of a local version of the "Today Show," we are certain to expect the team at Fox 10 “Arizona Morning” to step up to the plate and give us something new. “Good Morning Arizona,” the longtime Valley favorite that launched in place of “Good Morning America” in 1994, has reformatted multiple times and is due for a recharge.

The lightweight KPHO, Arizona’s oldest station, has been gaining ground, but will surely concede it needs to do something more to gain its share.

—Mike Hunter KTVK Channel 3

www.azfamily.com

KPHO CBS 5

www.kpho.com

KSAZ Fox 10

www.myfoxphoenix.com

KPNX NBC 12

www.azcentral.com

KNXV ABC 15

www.abc15.com

Practice a Growing Population The baby business is booming even as the incidence of impaired fertility is likewise increasing. Fertility Treatment Center starts 2011 by adding a third office to its practice. In business more than 20 years, FTC targets a growing population in the United States that is now estimated at 10.2 percent of women between the ages of 15 to 44, or about 6.2 million women, and reports a steady 10 percent to 18 percent annual increase in number of patients over the past four years regardless of economic conditions. The practice provides diagnosis and treatment for women and men with infertility problems.

Sites are chosen and developed with an eye to the patients’ emotions as well as their medical needs. “We built a new facility [in 2006] because our patients are usually coping with a great deal of stress, and their needs go beyond providing stating-of-the-art medical care,” says H. Randall Craig, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., referring to FTC’s Tempe location in the tranquil landscaping of the 320-acre ASU Research Park, and the new Scottsdale addition that opened in January features the spa-like décor FTC debuted at the Tempe site. Now with three locations Valleywide, FTC is already in plans to open a fourth in the far East Valley.

—RaeAnne Marsh Fertility Treatment Center

inbusinessmag.com

Briefs

Arizona in Crisis: Report Reveals What Is Behind the Curtain The Morrison Institute for Public Policy and Brookings Mountain West released a report just after the first of the year that insists Arizona is in crisis. It cites the sudden drop in annual revenues after the real estate crash and during the prolonged recession; and the complex and less understood structural imbalance, which is being blamed on policy choices made during the growth years.

When the structural deficit of $2.1 billion is factored in, Arizona in fiscal year 2011 faces a $3.4 billion deficit — an incredible 21 percent of stable expenditures. “The budget gaps in Arizona cannot be realistically resolved by spending cuts alone without creating extraordinary hardship for residents,” says the report’s chief author, Dr. Matthew N. Murray, a professor of economics and associate director of the Center for Business & Economics Research at the University of Tennessee. “A balanced approach that uses a mix of spending cuts, tax increases, and focuses on the long-term economic development needs of the state would be a superior solution.”

According to Susan Clark-Johnson, executive director of Morrison Institute, the impetus of the report is to raise awareness about the “often hidden component” of Arizona’s budgetary challenges. “Our goal is to educate and hopefully engage all Arizonans in the critical decisions that lie ahead.”

The crisis is compounded, according to the report, as the current deficit is $2.1 billion, nearly triple the $825 million cited by the legislature and Gov. Jan Brewer. The new calculations are based on analysis of the recent recession and also the projected revenue losses due to cuts in income tax enacted over the past 15 years. While officials do not agree with the numbers estimated in the Institute’s report, few are confident that the $825 million deficit is a plausible starting point to fix Arizona’s crisis.

The report, titled “Structurally Unbalanced: Cyclical and Structural Deficits in Arizona,” can be read at the Morrison Institute website.

—Mike Hunter Brookings Mountain West brookingsmtnwest.unlv.edu Center for Business & Economics, University of Tennessee cber.bus.utk.edu Morrison Institute morrisoninstitute.asu.edu

www.fertilitytreatmentcenter.com

In Business Magazine

13

Briefs

Quick and To the Point

Attract & Retain: A Push to Build Scottsdale Business The Economic Development Advisory Council of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce has created two new subcommittees that are charged with retaining and attracting business to Scottsdale. The Business Retention Subcommittee, chaired by Scottsdale City Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp, owner of Fast Frame in North Scottsdale, will work to connect with local businesses to assess and investigate opportunity for existing companies. The Business Attraction Subcommittee, chaired by former Scottsdale City Councilman Wayne Ecton, will identify benefits and market attributes that will attract business to the Scottsdale area.

“Business owners know that to grow business, it is better to satisfy and find opportunity for your existing businesses than it is to mine for new ones,” says Klapp of her committee’s efforts. “The same is true for our group. We will talk to businesses right here in Scottsdale to identify what may be holding back their growth and identify their needs.” The committee will identify opportunities and other help through the City of Scottsdale, universities and services available to them to empower their success and ensure growth. “The outcome of building existing businesses here is job growth over the next few years, and that is good for Scottsdale.”

Ecton, like Klapp, is in the beginning stages of organizing the private committee made up of business owners, educators and partners who will energize the business community aggressively. “We have a strong amount of support and leadership by the Scottsdale Area Chamber and the business leaders of this community,” says Ecton. “So I am confident that this push to grow business will be very beneficial in a short amount of time to draw all sizes of business to Scottsdale.”

Though it’s a tougher task to draw new companies than to work with existing businesses to identify their needs, the outcome for both committees is to develop relationships to network and identify the opportunities through the city and business community in training, licensing, permits, signage approvals and other obstacles that may hamper growth for existing businesses, relocating companies or start-ups. “We are invested in improving economic life in Scottsdale,” Klapp insists.

—Mike Hunter Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce

www.scottdalechamber.com

Unemployment Insurance: Leaning on Business Arizona lawmakers are considering adopting special measures to keep the state’s Unemployment Insurance program working. Early indications are they will adopt a new bill (HB2025) that will establish a special assessment on employers through the creation of a Special Assessment Fund in order to return the now-broke Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which finances the program, to solvency.

First order of business will be repaying the principal and the interest on monies Arizona borrowed from the United States Department of Labor to fund unemployment benefits. The state’s Department of Economic Security began borrowing last March, but the loan’s interest-free status changed as of Jan. 1, 2011.

The Trust Fund is funded by state and federal taxes on employers (on which they also receive a tax credit), but interest on USDOL loans cannot be repaid from regular Trust Fund collections.

—RaeAnne Marsh Arizona State Legislature

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F e b r u a r y 2011

Economy Down, Postage Up: Business Services Affected In an expected move by the United States Postal Service, prices will go up for mailers and most businesses effective April 17, 2011. Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe met with key industry association representatives, who have been concerned about the changes, and agreed to give a more than 90 day notice of the increased prices to allow businesses to make the necessary technology and system changes to accurately handle the new prices.

“Working together as an industry, we can address continuing economic challenges in a way that allows the Postal Service to generate much-needed revenue while being more responsive to ongoing customer needs,” Donahoe said.

Single-piece, 1-ounce First-Class letters will remain 44 cents, with additional ounces increased to 20 cents. The price for mailing a postcard will increase one cent. The overall increase is capped at 1.741 percent — at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. More detailed pricing information is available online at www.usps.com/prices. The price increases do not affect Express Mail and Priority Mail prices.

Prices for other mailing services, including Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services, also will change. Business mailers will see price increases in a variety of categories. The proposed price changes are expected to generate $340 million for the balance of the fiscal year and $720 million if implemented for a 12-month period. In July 2010, the Postal Service filed an exigent price proposal that was rejected by the Postal Regulatory Commission in September.

The urgency of the Postal Service’s current financial challenges requires this price change even as it waits for a decision from the federal courts on the exigent case.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

—Mike Hunter United States Postal Service

www.usps.com

www.azleg.gov inbusinessmag.com

By the numbers

Metrics & Measurements

Census Shows Economic Drivers Move Key Indicators People: Arizona Below Expectations Arizona was second in the nation in population growth percentages, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 data. At a 24.6-percent increase in population, behind only Nevada at 35.1 percent according to Bureau officials, Arizona is truly growing — but not as expected.

Long-running population trends showed that Arizona was expected to grow at higher rates.

Census data shows that there were significant changes in that pattern due to the 2007-2009 recession, and that people are migrating to states with job growth and business is following the people. Year 2010 showed the second-lowest percentage increase since we became a State in 1912; 1940 showed the lowest, at 14.6 percent growth. High unemployment and the housing trauma are to blame.

We have approximately 200,000 to 300,000 fewer residents in Arizona than the State and Bureau projected. “We were beginning to see the signs as births slowed and other factors,” said Bill Schooling, state demographer and labor market information director of the Department of Commerce. During poor economic times “people tend to delay having children and delay migration. When the

economy generates more jobs, we will attract more migrants.”

Arizona is growing and will bounce back from the current recession better than most states according to many analysts who see our recovery on the horizon, but it will not be fast.

“This recession shows how much Phoenix relies on in-migration to grow,” says Elliott D. Pollack, chief executive officer of Elliott D. Pollack & Company, a real estate and economic consulting firm in Scottsdale. Citing advantages for companies, employees and retirees, Schooling believes “we will get back to sustained growth because we are still an attractive place to live.”

Arizona gains one additional Congress­ional seat through Apportionment, which is the process of dividing the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the 50 states. We have gained one seat each decade since 1930, with two exceptions: 1950, when there was no change, and 2000, when we gained two seats.

—Mike Hunter Arizona Department of Commerce www.azcommerce.com Elliott D. Pollack & Company U.S. Census Bureau

www.edpco.com

www.census.gov

1910

AZ

US

204,354

92,228,531

66.2

US

AZ

21.0

1.8

US 26.0

YOY %Change

8.9%

3.1

1740.8

1.5

Housing Permits (Nov. 2010)

494.0

-31.8

Consumer Confidence (Q4 2010 REV)

56.3%

2.0

Consumer Price Index* (US) (Oct. 2010 REV)

218.7

1.2

Job Growth (Nov. 2010) in thousands

Eller Business Research

Retail Sales (Metro Phoenix) Retail Sales (in thousands) Total Sales

October 2010

YOY %Change

$3,916,066

4.7

Retail

2,368,706

1.0

Food

641,256

13.3

Restaurants & Bars

529,848

5.5

Gasoline

376,256

15.2

Contracting

507,697

-7.4

Vacancy Rate Net Absorption

AZ

US n/a

Apportionment Seats Reassigned AZ

210,328

US

n/a

47

1920

334,162 106,021,568

63.5

15.0

2.9

29.9

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1930

435,573 123,202,660

30.3

16.2

3.8

34.7

389,375

280,675

+1

+27

Rental Rates (Class A)

Commercial: Indust.*** Vacancy Rate Net Absorption Rental Rates (Class A)

Residential Total Sales Volume

Q4 2010

Q4 2009

28%

18.6%

100,127)

(61,651)

$24.72

$26.25

Q4 2010

Q4 2009

14.5%

15.2%

105,408

1,318,152

$0.53

$0.53

Dec. 2010

Dec. 2009

6,991

7,820

1940

499,261 132,165,129

14.6

7.3

4.4

37.2

249,631

301,164

+1

+9

1950

749,587 151,325,798

50.1

14.5

6.6

42.6

374,794

344,587

0

+14

Total Median Sale Price

$122,000

$140,000

New Build Sales Volume

462

734

$228,422

$227,026

6,529

7,086

$115,000

$130,000

1960

1,302,161 179,323,175

73.7

18.5

11.5

50.6

434,054

410,481

+1

+21

1970

1,770,900 203,211,926

36.0

13.3

15.6

57.5

446,905

469,088

+1

+11

New Median Sale Price

1980

2,718,215 226,545,805

53.5

11.5

23.9

64.1

543,573

519,235

+1

+17

Resale Sales Volume

1990

3,665,228 248,709,873

34.8

9.8

32.3

70.4

612,998

572,466

+1

+19

Resale Median Sale Price

2000

5,130,632 281,421,906

40.0

13.2

45.2

79.7

642,585

646,952

+2

+12

2010

6,392,017 308,745,538

24.6

9.7

56.3

87.4

712,522

710,767

+1

+12

U.S. Census Bureau

16

Unemployment (Nov. 2010)

Commercial: Office***

Population Change Population Density Apportionment People over Previous Decade per Square Mile per Representative AZ

Number

Real Estate

Here are some key metrics for the State of Arizona since we were founded.

Population

Economic Indicators (Metro Phoenix)

Eller Business Research

Arizona Census Numbers Year

Key indicators for the Metro Phoenix economy are provided in each issue to identify those key numbers that give readers a sense of the health of our local economy.

F e b r u a r y 2011

* Consumer Price Index refers to the increase or decrease of certain consumer goods priced month over month. ** Sales Tax refers to Arizona Transaction Privilege, Severance and Use Taxes. *** Cassidy Turley/BRE

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Statewide

The Bigger Picture

100 Years Strong: Gearing up for Arizona’s Centennial

by Sue Kern-Fleischer

Timing Is Everything Arizona’s birthday was originally set for Feb. 12, 1912, but President Taft didn’t want to make Arizona a state on President Lincoln’s birthday.

The 13th was considered to be bad luck, so Arizona officially became our nation’s 48th state on Feb. 14.

Known as the “Valentine State,” Arizona built its economy primarily on cotton farming and copper mining. But not many people know that Flagstaff had a shot at being the movie capital of the world. As luck would have it, pioneer filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille traveled to Flagstaff

Original sign out front of the Stockyards

18

F e b r u a r y 2011

to make his first film, and arrived there in the middle of a storm. He decided to move operations further west, to Hollywood. His film, The Squaw Man (1914), was a blockbuster hit, launching the fledgling movie industry, and the rest is history. But that’s okay; Flagstaff has too much charm to be Tinseltown.

Seize the Moment Don Cardon, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, believes the Centennial events will bolster our economy as it recovers from the recession, and that the true value of the Centennial lies with its lasting impressions.

“The Arizona Commerce Authority is making an historical change with a mission to create quality jobs and to advance growth of the base industries critical to sustaining and progressing Arizona’s economic future for its next 100 years,” he says. Observing that the achievements of Arizona entrepreneurs, inventors and researchers have helped Arizona rank high in polls as a “most desirable” state for corporations, he says, “It’s a time to celebrate the dynamic mix of corporations in our state: Intel, Boeing, Raytheon, Honeywell, U.S. Airways, Freeport-McMoRan and others. Whether on business travel or vacation, during our Centennial celebrations, we want business executives to see, hear and experience why Arizona is a prime location for their company or expansion.”

Sherry Henry, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, is equally excited about Arizona’s Centennial. “The Arizona Office of Tourism is thrilled to be a part of the promotional efforts of this once-in-alifetime event,” Henry says. “From our advertising efforts and social media activities to reaching out to both our travel trade and media representatives, we have incorporated Centennial promotion efforts into all aspects of the agency.”

Countdown to Feb. 14, 2012 The official countdown to Arizona’s 100th birthday has started, with the first official “Countdown to Centennial” event taking place on Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Capitol. The event will highlight signature events and feature exhibits from those already sanctioned to host an event or a legacy project. The main focus for Commissionsponsored events will take place September 2011 through February 2012.

At press time, the Arizona Centennial Commission had 22 signature projects and events planned, 26 sanctioned events, and the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission had approved 86 legacy projects.

Karen Churchard, director of the Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation, and her staff of three full-timers, one part-timer and an intern are in sprint mode, but it’s been tough gearing up and they have more hurdles ahead of them. Churchard stepped into her role on Dec. 31, 2007, and spent her first six months working with Governor

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Photo: The Stockyards

You’ve been hearing about it on and off for a few years, and now that Arizona’s Centennial is a year away, it is time to get serious about how you and your business can get involved as a sponsor, donor or host of an Arizona Centennial-sanctioned event or legacy project.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that celebrates our state’s rich history and culture, honors our accomplishments and allows us to dream about what Arizona will be like 100 years from now.

For 100 reasons why your business should get on board now to support Arizona’s Centennial, logon to www.Arizona100.org, click on “Your Arizona” and again on “Fun Facts.” You’ll find 100 fascinating facts about Arizona, compiled and researched by the Arizona Office of Tourism and the Arizona Centennial Commission staff with the assistance of Marshall Trimble, Arizona’s Official State Historian. Who knows? You or your business may be highlighted when Arizona celebrates its bicentennial!

Napolitano’s staff to establish the Centennial Commission. By June 2008, the first Centennial Commission meeting took place, and the strategic plan and logo were approved and in place, but, just as momentum began to build, the 2008 Election got in the way. Says Churchard, “When Governor Napolitano left to head up Homeland Security, there were, understandably, several months of transition with Governor Brewer and her staff before we once again regained momentum.” But the financial challenges continue: Although the Centennial’s budget is $30.5 million, there are no state-appropriated funds so Churchard and board members still need to raise $23 million through private funding and grants.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold is a major Centennial sponsor, contributing $1 million. The Commission is partnering with several media outlets, including KTVK-Channel 3, a major sponsor of the popular “Copper Chopper” motorcycle custom-built by Paul Yaffe.

Valued at more than $100,000, the “Copper Chopper” is touring the state complete with a traveling exhibit made possible by a federal Motorcycle Safety Council grant. The Centennial Commission is selling raffle tickets for $5 with the final drawing at the Arizona Centennial Best Fest, set for Feb. 10 – 12, 2012.

The Arizona Centennial Commission is also collaborating with Union Pacific and the New Mexico Centennial Commission to bring the Union Pacific Steam Engine #844 to several cities in both states. With several whistle stops planned throughout southern Arizona, it will be the first time an historic steam locomotive train has visited Phoenix since the nation’s bicentennial celebration in 1976.

Camelback Inn, nestled below Mummy Mountain, opened in 1936 and attracted an elite clientele. During WWII, it was popular with soldiers and civilian war workers. Frequent guest Bill Marriott bought the property from founding owner Jack Stewart in 1967, making it the Marriott Company’s first resort property.

Jodi Delaney, director of New Mexico’s Centennial, says their state has encountered many of the same fiscal challenges that Arizona faces.

“When you are planning a Centennial celebration in tough economic times, you have to make it scalable. We’re seeing communities coming up with innovative events that don’t cost a lot of money. It’s also a grand opportunity for businesses to tell their stories,” Delaney says.

As for Arizona Centennial-sanctioned events, Churchard says she has been impressed with the creativity she has seen thus far. “The City of Peoria is hosting a sanctioned event each quarter starting with their ’Bravo Peoria 100’ event on March 12,” she shares. “The Stockyards restaurant in Phoenix has already started their ’Celebrating Arizona’s Influencers’ series that recognizes deserving Arizonans for shaping history. They have dedicated booths to the Tovrea family [in whose once-sprawling stockyards the restaurant has its roots] and former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, with more to come. And they’ll introduce their Centennial Menu on Feb. 14, which will include recipes from Arizonans statewide.”

Churchard emphasizes that it is not too late for municipalities and businesses to get involved. “We want towns and businesses to participate in a way that is meaningful to them,” she says. “You can review our criteria and apply online. Our next application deadline to host a sanctioned event or legacy project is March 30, and we’ll review submissions shortly thereafter.”

Arizona Centennial Commission/Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation www.arizona100.org

Photos: Scottsdale Public Library

Arizona Commerce Authority Arizona Office of Tourism City of Peoria

www.azcommerce.com

www.azot.gov

www.peoriaaz.com

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold

Cotton was the biggest cash crop, beginning in 1913, sustaining Arizona’s economy and allowing Scottsdale farmers to thrive. Located on Second Street near Scottsdale Road, the Scottsdale Cotton Gin was established in 1920 and remained in operation into the 1930s.

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KTVK Channel 3

New Mexico Centennial The Stockyards Union Pacific

www.fcx.com

www.azfamily.com www.nmcentennial.org

www.stockyardssteakhouse.com www.up.com

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19

Tech

Innovations for Business

Ready to Jump on the Apps Bandwagon?

by Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell They range from silly — Angry Birds, anyone? — to sublime, like the one that informs you instantaneously which constellations you are seeing in the nighttime sky.

Along with providing information, amusement and entertainment, apps — or software applications, which are downloaded to your Smartphone, computer, iPad or iPod — can be a profitable way to reach customers. Sometimes, they’re straightforward. For example, Fiesta Bowl committee member and mobile app developer Eric Pilnock recently created a free iPhone app for the Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade that featured route maps, parade entries and an opportunity to vote on a favorite entry.

Other firms succeed with a quirky approach, as in the case of the Virtual Zippo Lighter app. The image of a flame appears on the phone’s screen and actually gives off light. While the image can’t light your smoke or start a fire, it can — when combined with a lot of other people using the same app and holding their cell phones in the air — create a “lighter moment,” like what happens during a slow song at a rock concert. While all this may seem a bit absurd, consider this: The Virtual Zippo Lighter has become the most popular branded app on the iTunes App Store, according to Zippo’s website, with more than 10 million downloads.

Now, think what that app has done for Zippo … and how that could translate into dollars. And the question you’re wondering at this point is, “Does my business need an app, too?”

More than Recycled Website Content Determining whether your business needs an app takes thought. Ken Colburn, founder and president of Data Doctors, a computer repair firm headquartered in Tempe, says there are a lot of variables to address. But one thing’s for sure: “It’s got to have utility,” he says. “It’s a big mistake to

just take information on your website and put it onto an app. And just writing [an app] to write it is kind of a waste of time.”

So, Colburn says, ask, “What am I trying to accomplish?” and “How will my app help the user?” Speaking of users, remember that apps are typically downloaded onto Smartphones. Folks with Smartphones are a highly desirable demographic, typically technologically savvy and likely to have, and spend, money, he adds. But are Smartphone users your customer base? If not, Colburn suggests you might be better off with a Facebook page. Then again, he notes, Smartphones are becoming cheaper and more prevalent, so pay attention to how your customers get information.

Incidentally, Colburn says Data Doctors doesn’t have an app yet, although he is working on one. He has been taking his own advice, being careful to do research and to not rush any old app into the marketplace. He advises others to do the same.

App Development Costs If you’re absolutely convinced an app is right for your business, ask around to find a reputable developer. Vet all prospects because there are

Mobile Apps: How Secure Is My Data?

No one doubts the appeal of apps — most of them, anyway — but do they pose any security risks?

In a word, yes. Then again, notes Eric Pilnock, the act of merely going online is fraught with security risks. But the Valley-based app developer and owner of 8bit Development says anyone wishing to create an app must consider the liability they could be exposed to when producing a mobile app, which can differ depending upon the app’s function or purpose. A reputable developer, for example, will follow security best practices and design an app with encryption technology, passwords, login procedures and other security measures like “captchas.”

“Information privacy is a big concern right now,” Pilnock says, “and businesses need to make sure they disclose what user information they are collecting and how they store and protect any consumer information

20

F e b r u a r y 2011

collected. For example, if you handle credit card information, there are regulations in place that require you to encrypt data.”

He points out that Apple was recently sued for sending some users’ personal information to a third-party website without the users’ knowledge. Although Pilnock assumes Apple did that for marketingrelated purposes, the fact is that the outcome isn’t known at this point.

And even though he’s in the business of making apps — and thinks Smartphones are the Web of the next generation — some apps fail to make the grade with him even though they may seem helpful and secure and are touted by trustworthy institutions. They just invite too much risk, he adds.

—Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell 8bit Development www.8bitdev.com

inbusinessmag.com

myriad fly-by-night firms, Colburn says. He is impressed with the work of Russ Haan, the owner of a Phoenix advertising agency and an almost accidental app consultant.

Haan says FLASHiPEDIA, a sideline venture he co-founded two years ago, was created to serve the media industry. One of the firm’s early successes was an app for Hot Rod Magazine that quizzed users about muscle cars. Since word of good work spreads quickly, businesses from outside the media industry now seek out Haan, wanting to learn how an app can benefit them.

Of course, the work that Haan does leads to another issue, one that may need to be examined early on: fees. After all, app development isn’t free. Nevertheless, a simple app can be inexpensive — less than $5,000 — but that may be too steep for a small business.

There are, of course, build-it-yourself programs for those interested in a very basic app.

Colburn and Haan agree, however, that most apps run $5,000 to $20,000. Haan says $20,000 to $30,000 will snag “a pretty neat app, top to bottom.”

Avoid ’Feature Creep’ No matter the price tag of their app, Haan urges clients to keep things streamlined. Bad things happen, he says, when you keep asking an app to do more and more procedures. “The best apps are incredibly simple, easy to use and very focused on what they do,” he says.

“Most people get engrossed with what we call ’feature creep.’ ” Finally, promote your app. For it to be useful, after all, the public has to know it’s available.

According to Pilnock, the Fiesta Bowl Parade app developer, the committee used online advertising and social media (the Fiesta Bowl Parade has a Facebook page, naturally) to entice folks to download its app. Although he cannot reveal the number of downloads, Pilnock says in an e-mail response that “the buzz leading up to [the] parade was reflected in the increased number of downloads and number of votes coming in each day.”

That means the app will be coming back.

“Comments we received have been very positive,” Pilnock writes, “and we have already [begun] discussing how we can make the experience even better.”

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Trickle Up

A View from the Top

by Alison Stanton

Prescription for Success John Musil takes a compound approach to pharmacy

Snapshot Perspective F ounder John Musil, Pharm.D., is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy and an adjunct faculty member at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy.

T he Apothecary Shops opened for business on May 1, 1996.

The Apothecary Shops employs 250 people.

In addition to residency-trained clinical pharmacists, certified menopausal educators, a government affairs liaison, compounding experts and reimbursement support staff, the business also employs information technology staff, call center specialists and delivery and shipping professionals and maintains a quality assurance department, a managed care department and a sales and marketing department.

In 2009, The Apothecary Shops completed construction of a 5,000-square-foot clean room and expanded its state-of-the-art mail-order fulfillment center in Phoenix to 19,000 square feet to generate sales in all 50 states.

T here are currently 18 locations.

In 2010, The Apothecary Shops opened retail locations in Sacramento, Calif.; St. Louis; Albuquerque, N.M.; and a second pharmacy in Las Vegas.

In January 2011, Bayer Onyx named The Apothecary Shops a Tier 1 Specialty Provider for retail sales of the cancer drug Nexavar; the pharmacy is one of a handful selected to help the pharmaceutical company collect data on patient use.

22

F e b r u a r y 2011

As John Musil, Pharm.D., founder, president and chief executive officer of The Apothecary Shops, has learned first-hand, the key to creating a successful company is positioning it in a unique niche in a crowded market.

With that in mind, when Musil opened his company on May 1, 1996, he focused on one main goal: to provide his customers with knowledgeable and approachable pharmacists who are specialists in their field or fields of medicine. This, he thought, would set them apart from most other pharmacies in Arizona.

Almost 15 years later, this is still the mission of The Apothecary Shops, an independent chain that has grown to comprise 18 free-standing pharmacies throughout Arizona as well as in several other states, including Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Ohio.

The company specializes in distinct service areas: compounding, oncology, ophthalmology, fertility, women’s health, infectious disease, animal health, pain management and transplants. Each location is staffed by pharmacists who are trained in one or another of those particular areas.

For Musil, watching his company flourish is the culmination of a dream that began when he was in fourth grade. “My soccer coach was a pharmacist, and I eventually went to work for him when I was in high school,” he says. “I always knew I wanted to be a pharmacist.”

Musil graduated from the University of Arizona with a Doctor of Pharmacy in 1994. After graduation, Musil hired on as a clinical pharmacist at Georgetown University Medical Center in the Washington, D.C., area. Although he loved his work, Musil says the politics that came along with it were not to his liking. About a year later, Musil came back to Arizona and worked as the managing director of a pharmacy in Scottsdale. “I figured that in about five years or so I would buy the company, but 14 months later, the owner offered to sell his company to me,” he says. “So at the ripe old age of 25, I bought it.”

It was important to him from the start to set his company apart from other pharmacies by staffing it with pharmacists who are experts in their field, so that patients will reach out to them, have confidence in their work and knowledge, and think “my pharmacist is a

specialist.” Explains Musil, “In medicine, you have physicians who go in for specialty training, but pharmacists have been seen as generalists, not specialists, who you can ask about diabetes or HIV or oncology or anything else. You are supposed to know all of it, and it’s not really fair or a good use of pharmacists.”

Musil also knows that for many people, pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals. All the more reason, he says, for his staff to become knowledgeable in certain areas. “As generalists, many pharmacists like to sit behind the counter and not come out and talk to people. Or maybe they want to, but they just don’t have the time. For us, it’s getting away from the counter, getting in the lobby and talking to people.” It has taken 10 years to build confidence among both physicians and the public, Musil says, but now patients seek out the pharmacy and doctors recommend it to their patients who are dealing with one of the areas in which his staff specializes.

In addition to working with traditional physicians, The Apothecary Shops also works with naturopaths and veterinarians.

“Animal health is a unique element; very, very few pharmacies in the United States have a pharmacist on staff who knows about this topic,” Musil says. “We can consult with veterinarians and create solutions. We want to be the center of knowledge for them.”

Compounding, which involves taking existing medications and creating a mix of ingredients that is just right for a particular patient, is an important part of Musil’s business. “It allows us to treat individual patients for individual needs,” he says. “Like, if a child has to take tablets [but] can’t swallow them, we can make it liquid. Or if someone has to take 23 milligrams of a medication and it’s only available in 100 milligrams, we can make it be that dose.”

Acknowledging the troubled economic times our country is experiencing, Musil says, “Knock on wood, we have had the complete opposite experience. We are in our largest time of growth right now.”

The Apothecary Shops www.theapothecaryshop.com

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“life is about relationships” Daniel F. Rychlik, MD, Fertility Centers of Arizona, PC Alerus Bank & Trust Commercial Banking Customer

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Healthcare Reform:

24

F e b r u a r y 2011

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How Does It Hit Your Bottom Line?

by RaeAnne Marsh

The economy is the lifeblood of a society, and business is its backbone.

This anatomical analogy gains greater legs as the nation’s new healthcare reforms, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka Health Care Reform Act), take effect over the next four years.

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25

It fell to business, already a safety net across the landscape, to reach most Americans for healthcare coverage when the notion of a national single-payer system was squashed.

But businesses come in many sizes and types, and attempts to create a system that would be fair to all of them has resulted in a patchwork of provisions and regulations that has many a business owner and CEO wondering how to comply — and what the effect will be on his or her company. Senator Jon Kyl (R – Ariz.) relates that, among the businesspeople he talks to, “The uncertainty of how they will have to deal with the various requirements of healthcare legislation has all of them very worried.”

One of the biggest changes businesses need to address concerns who they will cover.

“Many businesses have only had management coverage; now they have to offer it to everyone,” says Henry GrosJean, insurance broker and owner of GrosJean & Associates, Inc., who’s been an independent benefit advisor since 1979.

It is a non-discrimination feature that went into effect Jan. 1 whose intent was to eliminate the practice of providing plans that pay 100 percent of the healthcare coverage for a business owner and select others but nothing for anyone else in the company, according to Bill Weaver, managing partner of Focus Benefits Group, LLC, who also has decades of experience in the industry. But, he points out, “it wasn’t crafted to do that.”

As written, the law defines a plan as not in

Timeline and More These sites provide more information about the timeline when various provisions of the Health Care Reform Act go into effect.

•w ww.healthcare.gov (U.S. Health & Human Services) • healthreform.kff.org (The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation) • healthreform.azblue.com (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona)

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compliance if too high a percentage of those enrolled are at the higher end of the pay scale no matter what the actual pay range is. “You could have a plan that only the rank-and-file be part of … a plan with minimum benefits.

But the really low-paid could not afford it, so it ends up with too many of the higher paid employees.” Even if a company’s top management opts out in an effort to keep the average pay scale at a lower figure, Weaver explains, “a plan still may not qualify if the lowest paid don’t opt in.”

grandfathered plans (plans that were in effect on March 23, 2010). If a business already has a plan in place, the new rules might not apply.

But other factors might compel a business to change. Says Weaver, “If an insurance company raised its premiums, the business might be better off going to a new plan. But it would have to implement the new rules.” He has known of many instances of a business doing this, and then Congress changing the law such that the business’ original health plan would have been better — but once

The continual changes to the legislation is where much of the chaos comes in, … especially as they impact grandfathered plans (plans that were in effect on March 23, 2010). If a business already has a plan in place, the new rules might not apply. But other factors might compel a business to change.

By 2014, for businesses with 50 or more employees, “the employer will be obligated to enroll the employee [in a healthcare plan] whether he wants it or not,” says Richard Hannon, senior vice president of Marketing and Provider Affairs with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. At 50 employees, the employer must offer healthcare coverage; at 200 employees, the employer must automatically enroll them. If an individual employee opts out, the employer would then give the employee a voucher to use at a health exchange. Businesses that don’t offer healthcare coverage will face a penalty of $2,000 per employee not covered.

The Health Care Reform Act does not levy the penalty on businesses of fewer than 50 employees, and Hannon says he’s heard some business owners talk of trying to cut their employee numbers to get under that 50-employee limit. “I don’t know if they would really do it,” he adds, observing that he sees “businesses trying to do the right thing.”

The continual changes to the legislation is where much of the chaos comes in, Weaver has found, especially as they impact

the business leaves its grandfathered plan, it cannot go back.

For employers to maintain their plan’s grandfathered status, they must keep the same plan with the same carrier. If they try to keep the same plan but change the carrier, it is considered a new policy, and the new rules apply. For large companies whose healthcare policies are self-insured, a move would be considered a change of administrator rather than change of carrier; the policies would not be considered new, and grandfathered status would remain. “If two plans are offered [by the business], an employee can probably move from one to another” without affecting the coverage status, Hannon says.

Insurance companies have their own hurdles with respect to grandfathered plans.

They must comply with required actuarial value and medical loss ratio (the amount spent on medical care compared to the amount spent on administrative cost, which includes income tax and property tax). “It’s an administrative challenge to preserve the grandfathered product while administering new products,” says Hannon.

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A Closer Look He also describes a new challenge to businesses: determining the amount of a subsidy or voucher for an employee who opts out of the company plan. “Individuals can’t spend more than a given percentage of their family income, but there’s no provision for [the business] to be entitled to know that information.” The employer, Hannon explains, will know what the employee earns but not necessarily the employee’s spouse’s income.

GrosJean sees the reform bill putting an administrative burden on small businesses, and points out W-2 forms will change next year. “They’ll have to put in the W-2 what the employer is providing the employee.” A draft of the new W-2 form was issued in October 2010, although the IRS has made reporting the cost of coverage optional this year. (The requirement is intended to be informational only, to give employees greater awareness of the healthcare costs, according to the IRS.) The new law may also impact the amount of health history information an employer provides the insurance company. Whereas previously, businesses with 2 to 25 employees were required to submit complete health histories to the insurance provider while those with more than 25 employees might not need to, that information will now be required for all. The employer, however, is not allowed to know the health of an employee, says Weaver, even though claims on the insurance will affect the cost of the premium.

“Insurance is based on about 20 percent of the people having claims,” Weaver explains, noting that people often overlook the fact that insurance can’t work as a business if the companies took only sick people. (Size of the pool is also a factor, as the risk of claims is spread over a larger population. For insurance companies, the big change is not at 50 employees but at 100; a business of 2 to 99 employees is considered a “small group employer.”) “So if you have a large group of young and healthy people,” says Weaver, “you can charge a lower rate.” A construction company he worked with, for example, employed 60 people in the field building houses and 12 key people in the office. Rates to insure the 12, who were men with an average age of 27, were very high. Weaver suggested the company insure everyone and put in a high

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Health Savings Accounts — IRAs on a Health Plan A Health Savings Account is, basically, an IRA from which its owner can withdraw money to use for medically necessary expenses. The funds deposited in it are pre-tax dollars, and if the money is withdrawn to use for approved expenses, it is not taxed at that time, either.

“It’s an IRA you can use right now,” explains Bill Weaver, managing partner of Focus Benefits Group, LLC. But the greater tax benefit accrues when the money stays in longer — what Weaver calls “getting ahead of the plan.”

An HSA is usually attached to a high-deductible health insurance plan. Since the individual must pay the deductible anyway before being able to make a claim to the insurance company, Weaver notes there is an advantage to leaving the money in the HSA and paying the deductible out of pocket. The hardest year would be the first; the money put into the account the second year could be used if necessary to meet the deductible, but the money from the first year would be in the IRA-like account and able to be invested in “pretty much any place you invest funds in any other IRA,” explains Weaver. And each year, new funds would be deposited to use for that year’s deductible, while the previous years’ funds could continue to be used for investment.

Currently, the maximum yearly contribution is $5,000; Weaver notes there has been discussion in Congress to reduce the amount to $2,500. “It draws a lot of money out of the tax base,” he observes. He points out that young people, especially, can do well with an HSA because they rarely have claims.

An HSA is sometimes confused with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and the two do share one aspect of the tax advantage: Taxes are not paid on the money in either type of account. FSA funds can be legally used for a broader array of expenses (day care, for example), but the funds must be used by the end of the year or the money reverts to the employer who put the account in place. “With an HSA, the money is yours once it’s in there, no matter who put it in.”

deductible and co-pay. “The net premium on all 72 was less than the premium on the 12.”

Since September 2010, employers must allow employees to cover their children up to age 26 (even if they’re married, Hannon points out, although that child’s spouse would not be included), and policies cannot exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions in children younger than 19 nor put any lifetime limit on benefits. Addressing issues at the other end of the employment spectrum is early retiree reinsurance. “It’s an effort to encourage employers to offer early retiree insurance benefits to those retiring pre-Medicare age,” Hannon explains. This program, whereby the federal government would reinsure claims of a certain value, was designed to bring down that insurance cost to employers. Premium costs

are driven up by the other mandated benefits.

“After Sept. 23, 2010, employers have to provide health insurance, but no one has determined what the ’essential benefits’ are,” Weaver says. In fact, he points out that the definition of a “Cadillac plan,” per the rules that will be fully in effect in 2014, “is based on expense rather than what it provides.” For older employees with a $10,000 deductible, premiums will be more expensive; those with an average age of 20 may have no deductible, yet their plan would not be considered a Cadillac plan because their premium would be less.

Due to the healthcare Act in general, says Hannon, “The coverage will be richer than what businesses typically bought.” And there will be a more limited array of products.

>>

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27

GrosJean points out there is an additional factor, unrelated to the healthcare reform, that affects insurance premium rates in Arizona.

“The rating model is the crux of the problem,” he says, noting Arizona’s model is unique in the country. “The companies can go 60 percent above the index for rating purposes.

Most states are 25 percent.” Small businesses are rated by their demographics: gender, age, health history. Insurance companies file their base rate and their index rate (which is an average) with the Arizona Department of Insurance. “I’ve been told by the Department that they don’t have the formulas to calculate if the [insurance] company is in compliance with the 60 percent.”

Wellness 3:1 Starting this year, programs that promote wellness and prevention are given greater emphasis under the reform act than they’ve had in the past — and this is an area that yields a $3 return for every $1 invested.

Large companies that have self-insurance programs can benefit by maintaining a wellness clinic onsite, says Frances Ducar, owner of Healthcare Solutions Centers, LLC. Staffed by a nurse practitioner — who can prescribe, diagnose, treat, do disease management and refer to a specialist immediately if needed — the wellness program would generate no claims that would raise rates.

Self-insurance programs are an option for companies with 500 or more employees; they are exempt from the requirement to enroll employees in a healthcare insurance plan.

They self-insure and thus take on the risk themselves, Ducar observes, because writing a monthly check to an insurance provider for that many employees would be too costly.

(Weaver’s earlier explanation of the need for insurance companies to spread their risk over a large population — and not cover only the sick — underscores the complicated nature of the debate around exempting large employers.)

These large corporations often have healthcare budgets, Ducar explains, so there is little or no cost to the employee to participate in the wellness program. Employees are more likely to take part in preventive and educational programs, and even office visits incur less time off from work since the clinic is

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onsite. One employer she’s worked with, who achieved 79 percent employee utilization, had emergency room claims 39 percent lower than the national average.

While the wellness clinics will yield the greatest savings with self-insured programs, Ducar sees potential for smaller businesses to contract with clinics for a designated day, or create co-ops as a bargaining group such as the United Dairymen of Arizona have done.

efficiency and availability of healthcare, and give more value to policyholders,” says Shanley.

Shanley points out the healthcare rules enable employers to offer incentives to engage their employees. This may include gift cards to employees for working with a wellness coach or completing an at-home assessment, efforts that can lead to earlier detection of illness.

Such programs can result in up to a 30-percent reduction in the cost of insurance premiums.

Starting this year, programs that promote wellness and prevention are given greater emphasis under the reform act than they’ve had in the past — and this is an area that yields a $3 return for every $1 invested.

Will Shanley, spokesman for United Healthcare, also notes the advantages to employers of encouraging greater engagement of their employees in wellness programs, and points out, “Improving the way care is delivered is going to be that much more important moving forward. … The health reform legislation is promoting a patient-centered medical home model and accountable-care organizations.” In fact, United Healthcare has made Arizona its test market for these models. Under the patientcentered medical home model, primary care physicians would be reimbursed for focusing more on prevention, and helping to coordinate care among various healthcare providers for conditions that require it.

One marketplace innovation is the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, with Walgreens and the YMCA, providing assistance for those with diabetes or who are pre-diabetic to better manage the condition.

Walgreens’ pharmacists supplement the primary care physician by taking a more active role in working with patients, and the YMCA offers education and fitness classes. “The idea is to think strategically and leverage resources available in the community to improve

Large companies have used this patientcentered medical home model, “and we’re seeing smaller companies show an interest in it,” Shanley says.

As long as the healthcare debate roars on, businesses — the small company to the large corporation, those buying health insurance and those providing it — will continue to work through the confusion. Hannon says Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is “assuming it’s happening just as written. There’s no way to be ready if we wait till they work it out.”

And Weaver believes businesses, regardless of their feelings about the law, “will adjust if [Congress] will just settle on it.” ­ Arizona Department of Insurance www.id.state.az.us Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona www.azblue.com Focus Benefits Group, LLC www.focusbenefits.com GrosJean & Associates, Inc. www.grosjean.com Healthcare Solutions Centers, LLC www.hcsonsite.com United Healthcare www.uhc.com

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Our Subject In-Depth

Arizona’s ’Access’ to Healthcare

by RaeAnne Marsh In 2000, Arizona voters approved an expansion of AHCCCS (known phonetically as “Access”), the state Medicaid program. Now, a decade later, budget issues for the state threaten to make the agency severely cut back its services — at the same time that federal healthcare legislation exerts pressure on it to expand.

“There are so many things related to healthcare that will impact our agency,” says Monica Coury, assistant director of AHCCCS. Eligibility is one of the big issues. The federal healthcare reform, she notes, is “mandating that Medicaid add people, but no funding is provided to the states. And there’s no state money.” In fact, when the federal stimulus

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funds end at the end of fiscal year 2011 (June 30), AHCCCS will face a $1 billion budget shortfall. “There are not enough benefits to eliminate to get to that number,” Coury notes.

Arizona is unique among the 50 States in having a Medicaid-managed model, says Coury. “We partner with the private sector, and enroll with contracted health plans.” What that allows the agency to achieve is a highquality healthcare at one of the lowest costs in the country. “We’ve been cited as the lowest per-member cost nationally.”

So where can the budget shortfall be made up? “Provider rates,” says Coury, also pointing out that reimbursements to physicians

Focus

and hospitals have already been dropped significantly. Regarding eligibility, she says, “We can’t do any population roll-backs, per the federal government.” AHCCCS, which covers every Arizonan up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level — including nontraditional Medicare categories such as adults without dependent children — no longer has the option to drop eligibility.

Those on the AHCCCS rolls include employees of businesses who staff with a lot of low-wage and/or part-time employees, such as school districts and some grocery chains. The agency produced a report on this in 2007. “Walmart was one of the top 10,” Coury recalls. And Coury says AHCCCS expects to add 22,000 people in 2014, when the federal government’s individual mandate takes effect.

“There’s talk of a provider tax,” says Coury, explaining this would be assessed on the hospitals, with the funds run through Medicaid and matched with federal dollars.

Not surprisingly, the idea is not finding support among the hospitals, but Coury says it’s the only revenue-raising option she’s heard being discussed at the capitol.

“We’re in the information-gathering stage now,” Coury reports. “We’re researching what systems we have, where there are gaps, and where there might be opportunities to leverage existing systems.” With the creation of the health exchanges that will be part of the federal Health Care Reform Act, it will be important for Medicaid agencies to have systems that are interoperable with the exchanges so that when a consumer goes online to review options with the exchange, it will automatically screen for Medicaid eligibility.

While the state government continues to keep AHCCCS in the forefront of discussions around its budget crisis, Coury says, “We have done all that’s in our power to do: We’ve made changes to benefits; lowered provider rates; and increased efforts in program integrity, maximizing efficiency and eliminating waste.”

The bottom line: “We’re trying to find ways to manage through these times while still being in compliance with the new federal laws,” says Coury. ­

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29

Sales

Business Development

Boosting Sales and Profits in a PriceDriven Economy

by Max Kipling More than half of small business owners say the biggest challenge they face right now is finding ways to maintain or boost revenues in a down economy, according to Forbes’ 2010 U.S. Small Business survey.

Boosting revenues has always been a challenge for small to mid-sized business owners. But the recession and subsequent economic hangover have added a whole new layer of complexity. The big question: How do you maintain high profit margins and closing rates when so many prospects are dealing with cost cuts, budget freezes and/or mandatory approval on all new purchases?

Some organizations resort to quick-fix strategies like lowering their prices or offering major discounts. But price-based selling is a short-term solution that often causes customers to question whether the original asking price was meant to gouge them (or if the company actually stands behind the value of its products).

To wit: A recent McKinsey & Company study revealed the average company suffers a 13-percent loss in profits for every 1 percent it drops its prices.

Example: In 2010, Walmart implemented a strategy by which it slashed already-low prices on all in-store food items to the point where profit margins were almost non-existent. The idea was to boost market share and revenues by compensating for small profits on food sales with increased margins on other products. In other words, attract a captive audience with low prices on one product line in the hopes they’ll also purchase other products.

How’d that work out? Walmart was forced to raise its food prices again (to the highest level in more than two years) less than six months after it had lowered them.

This chart demonstrates the top five challenges today’s sales organizations The strategy backfired when shoppers came to take face when it comes to closing deals (respondents were allowed to choose more advantage of the bargain-basement food prices, then than one answer). left without buying anything else.

It demonstrates the disparity between what prospects say is their biggest issue, The reality is, regardless of which industry you’re in, and what really motivates them to buy. While a high percentage of prospects tell the one proven key to boosting (and sustaining) high salespeople price is a major issue, numerous studies have proven superior value profit margins in today’s economic climate is finding and consistent ROI are the keys to earning customers’ loyalty (and business). new and consistent ways to add value to the customer • Competitors’ prices & terms: 79.6% (of companies) relationship. How are high-performance companies • Competitors’ existing relationships: 55.6% doing that? In many cases, it boils down to one or more • Competitors’ brand equity/reputation: 37% of these five underutilized tactics: • Competitors’ product superiority: 22% Quantifying the absence of value: Most execs • Competitors’ marketing message: 20% understand the importance of focusing on return rather than investment. But the best in the business use Source: CSO Insights’ 2010 Sales Compensation & Performance Management survey a combination of metrics (e.g., customers’ quarterly profit statements, balance sheets, etc.) and anecdotal CSO Insights www.csoinsights.com evidence to demonstrate how much money prospects

The Top Five Reasons Salespeople Lose Deals:

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Books stand to lose every week, month or year they put off an eventual buying decision. Approaching the sale from that perspective not only forces customers to focus on return, it creates an immediate sense of urgency to boot.

Engage buyers as often as possible: More than 97 percent of world-class sales organizations place a strong emphasis on understanding how customers’ needs are changing at all times, according to national sales training firm Miller Heiman. They use that feedback to sharpen their value propositions, based on which obstacles and solutions prospects are responding to most. Eliciting constant feedback (via e-mail surveys, social media, one-on-one interviews, etc.) also leads to higher levels of satisfaction, loyalty and engagement.

Construct your own competitive analysis: It’s a buyer’s market out there, and it’s natural to assume customers are doing their own competitive shopping online prior to making a final decision. Maintaining and updating an in-house analysis of competitors’ prices and key selling points helps salespeople anticipate objections, counter low-ball offers and present their products in a way that highlights all the areas in which their company can provide superior ROI. Offer solutions, not services: Over the past decade, a lot of industries have experienced unprecedented levels of saturation, as the one-two punch of big business and online selling have transformed most industries into a global marketplace. That being the case, it’s no longer enough for salespeople to present a generic list of features and benefits.

Companies need to translate value in terms of how their offer can help prospects overcome their biggest obstacles.

The key: Drill down deep to uncover hidden needs, then reframe your selling points as strategies for eliminating those obstacles.

Focus on starting relationships instead of closing deals: Competitors have never been more eager to steal away loyal customers. Meanwhile, most customers need to consider buying decisions more carefully, which means the majority of those who are willing to consider a change are probably interested in doing so for the long term. From a managerial perspective, it’s worth considering how you can increase the average buyer relationship without adding costs. In many cases, it’s as simple as ensuring your company maintains a regular cycle of contact with each customer, providing the type of partnership that keeps customers from taking their business elsewhere.

Incorporating these strategies into a company’s sales and marketing approach is a great way to maintain a competitive edge in any economy. But it’s also an effective way to let prospects and customers know you’re an advocate for their business when they need a helping hand the most.

Forbes

www.images.forbes.com

McKinsey & Company Miller Heiman

www.mckinsey.com

www.millerheiman.com

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Sales & Marketing

Selling In Tough Times: Secrets to Selling When No One Is Buying World-renowned selling expert Tom Hopkins (How to Master the Art of Selling) puts his real-world, in-the-trenches experience to work and shares his plan to reverse the momentum of tough times — and even capitalize on them. With exercises to help you discover previously overlooked opportunities and eliminate waste, along with out-of-the-box methods for recruiting new customers and key tips on how to solidify your existing business, Hopkins gives you powerful ways to spur sales now and for years to come.

Tom Hopkins $14.99 • Paperback • Grand Central Publishing • February 2011

The Relationship Edge: The Key to Strategic Influence and Selling Success, 3rd Edition A proven three-step process for building and leveraging vital business relationships, this book shows you exactly how to build powerful, profitable business relationships. Jerry Acuff provides real-world principles for developing strong and lasting personal relationships with the key people in your business life, helping you become more effective and persuasive while maintaining meaningful, truthful dialogues with those around you.

He shows you how to really connect with those important people in your life who are not easy to connect with.

Jerry Acuff $21.95 • Paperback • Wiley • February 2011

Consultative Selling: The Hanan Formula for High-Margin Sales at High Levels Accelerated business growth consultant Mack Hanan presents his formula for achieving sales success. Known as “consultative selling,” this approach is based upon the repositioning of the salesman as a consultant who helps his clients to be more competitive in business. Topics include, for example, making the switch from vending to consultative selling, sidestepping purchasing “gatekeepers” and avoiding the delays inherent in traditional price negotiation.

Mack Hanan $29.95 • Hardcover • AMACOM • March 2011

Key Account Management: The Definitive Guide, 3rd Edition Malcolm McDonald and Diana Woodburn provide tools and processes for success honed by tough consultancy projects with the boards of some of the world’s leading companies. The book stresses the elements that really matter — from developing a customer categorization system that really works and analyzing the needs of key accounts, to understanding the new skills required by key account managers and ensuring that key account plans are implemented.

Malcolm McDonald and Diana Woodburn $55.00 • Paperback • Wiley • March 2011

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31

Finance

Fundamentals of Funding

Tempting Bank Incentives:

A lure for business banking?

by Sue Kern-Fleischer

When it comes to doing business with your bank, how important are incentives to you?

The free toaster, gift card or cash might work to lure in new customers opening personal accounts, but banks are getting more creative in their efforts to attract small businesses.

Big Box Banking “Small businesses play a crucial role in strengthening our economy, so we’re doing whatever possible to serve their needs,” says Jeffrey Kunkel, JPMorgan Chase senior vice president and west region manager of business banking, noting his bank is working harder to cultivate new clients and maintain its more than 177,000 small business customers in Arizona. JPMorgan Chase recently introduced two unique programs to support small businesses.

The “Loan for Hire” program, launched in June 2010, lowers the interest rate on a new business line of credit by half a percentage point for each new hire, up to three, for the life of the loan. Counting the discount for a new business checking account, a small business owner could save about $4,000 over three years on an outstanding balance of about $65,000.

The bank’s “Second Look” program essentially gives businesses a second chance to apply for a loan. “With our Loan for Hire program, we want to help fuel employment levels and reinforce growth. With Second Look, our underwriting team works together to explore creative solutions so we can approve lending whenever possible. For example, we may look at leasing alternatives or a different structure. We broaden the spectrum to find alternate ways to approve lending,” Kunkel says.

Chase’s incentive programs may have contributed to the bank’s growth in Arizona. In the past year, new account relationships increased by 15 percent. Kunkel says Chase also ranks as the number one SBA

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lender in Arizona and in the nation. “We’ve increased the amount of national loan dollars from $6 billion to over $10 billion last year, and we expect that amount to increase this year,” he says. “Here in Arizona, our lending is up by more than 80 percent and we have increased our small business banker staff by 20 percent to better accommodate our customers’ needs.”

Connecting with Community While Chase’s programs seem impressive, small and medium-sized banks are also stepping up to the plate to find innovative ways to help business customers. Donna Davis, CEO of Arizona Small Business Association, observes, “From our perspective, we see the mid-sized and smaller banks working very hard to accommodate the needs of qualified business owners. These banks are listening and actively seeking out solid businesses poised for growth.” She believes businesspeople may be pleasantly surprised at how these banks are competing to win their business. “It is definitely a much more consultative, resourceful approach than we have seen in the past,” she says.

Candace Wiest, president and CEO of West Valley National Bank, thinks Chase’s “Loan for Hire” program may get people in the door, but she cautions customers to look at the whole package. “They have a limit as to the amount they discount and their best rate is very similar to our everyday pricing,” she says. And her bank offers several perks to its small business customers.

“When a loan is referred by one of our community board members, we make a donation to the nonprofit of their choice. Last year, we donated $3,000,” Wiest explains. “We also work with Southwestern Business Development Corporation to fund SBA loans. They donate to a nonprofit of our choice for each loan they fund and we match their donation. In addition, we give away remote deposit capture

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“Healthy Employees Are Productive Employees” machines to compensate for our lack of locations. And we feature our largest clients on our website.”

Luring with Local Gary Sneed, chief lending officer of Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, says attractive banking incentives can’t replace exceptional customer service. “We don’t offer incentives, but we have been in the marketplace for 71 years and our clients like that decisions are made on the local level,” Sneed says. “As a credit union, we also provide competitive pricing and fewer fees than what you see at banking institutions.”

Mark Olague, Desert Schools assistant vice president of the business loan division agrees, stating that it is important to read the fine print and consider what really matters to you.

“For our clients, it is the relationship,” Olague says. “You are not just calling a phone number and talking to someone in San Francisco to get a credit decision. We understand the local market. If we have a loan request, the decision is made here, and it is done quickly.”

Olague points out that when it comes to commercial real estate loans, many banks will have prepayment penalties. “Not so at Desert Schools,” he says. As for the timeliness of loan approvals, Sneed says Desert Schools’ process is much faster than larger banks. “We promise that once we get a package, we will tell the applicant within three to five days if we are interested and can approve it.”

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Still Intrigued by Banking Incentives?

Before opening a new account or switching to a new financial institution, it is probably best to do your homework. “I think incentives are meaningful to clients if they are worthwhile,” Wiest says. “Consumers are smarter than ever. This recession was an eyeopener for most small businesses. The model that offered cheap fees, lots of gimmicks and locations in exchange for an 800 number, rather than a local banker, hasn’t exactly worked out when the going got tough!” ­ Arizona Small Business Association www.asba.com Desert Schools Federal Credit Union www.desertschools.org JPMorgan Chase www.jpmorganchase.com West Valley National Bank www.westvalleynationalbank.com

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33

NonProfit

Investing in Community

by Alison Stanton

Phoenix Suns Charities Scores Support for Arizona’s Kids Phoenix Suns Charities’ mission is Phoenix Suns Charities to use the resources of the NBA basketball host a slumber party in the Suns locker team to benefit organizations that assist room along with a basketball clinic with the needs of children in Arizona. The Jared Dudley! nonprofit organization, which was incorporated in 1987, was the brainchild of Phoenix Suns chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo. After he purchased the team in 1987, Colangelo put together a board of leaders from the community who would oversee the formation and operation of a charitable organization.

Thanks to underwriting by the team as well as generous donations by fans and sponsors, Phoenix Suns Charities has grown steadily over the years and now distributes more than $1.2 million every year to more than 150 local charities. Since its founding, the organization has donated upwards of $10 million.

Funds are raised through special events like the Suns & Stars Gala and the Suns Charities Golf Tournament, through scoreboard messages at Suns home games and through online and game night auctions, as well as other special projects.

“Phoenix Suns Charities is proud to be able to support a record number of deserving charitable organizations throughout Arizona,” says Executive Director Kathy Pidgeon. ­ Phoenix Suns Charities

www.nba.com/suns/news/charities_index.html

EVENT: Suns & Stars Gala will be held on March 11, 2011, at Talking Stick Resort.

The fundraiser will feature appearances by the entire Phoenix Suns team and music by Grammy Award-winning rock band Huey Lewis and the News.

Grant requests for the organization are accepted throughout the basketball season, beginning Nov. 1 and ending April 1.

In addition to an annual grant process, funds are distributed through a variety of programs, including SunStudent Scholarships, Suns Nite Hoops and directed donations.

In 2010, program grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000.

Among the dozens of 2010 grant recipients were Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona and Hospice of the Valley.

Since March 1996, Rosie’s House has given underserved Valley youth ages 5-18 the chance to have music education by providing them free professional music instruction and loaned instrument. The commitment required in return to practice regularly teaches an additional skill — discipline. Some of its students have earned awards and scholarships, all have earned their high-school diploma — this although its students come from schools with high drop-out rates.

Located in Central Phoenix, Rosie’s House teaches 320 music classes a week and loans out more than 150 instruments to students every year. An annual budget of $300,000 keeps the nonprofit afloat. The organization is transitioning its fundraising approach from a reliance on grants to a more sustainable donor-based model.

While volunteers do help at fundraisers and oncampus during events, the classes are taught by professional music educators. Faculty members have EVENT

: Rosie’s House Anniversary Celebration, March 5, 2011, at the Gebert advanced degrees from a wide variety of universities and Contemporary Art Gallery in Scottsdale. many perform in the Phoenix Symphony.

R osie’s House was founded by Rosebell Schurz, a German immigrant whose dreams of being a musician were dashed by World War II. “One thing that sets our program apart from many other afterschool programs is the caliber of our teaching faculty,” A nnual enrollment has grown over the years from 45 to 300 students. says Becky Bell, artistic and executive director. “Most of A vailable classes are in strings, wind instruments, classical guitar, piano and voice. our faculty has advanced degrees and each teacher is a T he student body is 61 percent Hispanic, 22 percent African American, 11 percent specialist on the instrument that they teach.” ­ Caucasian, 1 percent Asian/Pacific and 5 percent mixed heritage.

T he majority of students come from households in which the annual family income is less than $26,000.

R osie’s House has 16 faculty members and two full-time staff members.

Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children www.rosieshouse.org

In business to do good for the community, nonprofits enrich the lives of those who contribute as well as those who receive. In Business Magazine showcases two nonprofits in each issue, focusing on their business organization and spotlighting an upcoming fundraising event.

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Photos: Phoenix Suns Charities (top), Bruce Racine (bottom)

Rosie’s House Enriches Lives One Note at a Time

www.inbusinessmag.com

February 2011

O n t h e Ag e n D a

A listing of Greater Phoenix business organizations and their events. Visit www.inbusinessmag.com for an expanded monthly calendar of educational, networking and special business events.

Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce

12th Annual Awards Fri., Feb. 18 — 6:00p – 9:00p Each year for the last twelve years, the GPBCC has recognized local businesses for their contribution to the community.

This year, they are honoring SanTrac Technologies as the 2011 Small Business of the Year. SanTrac Technologies, Inc. is a nationally known computer systems integration company based in Phoenix.

SanTrac serves multiple industries, such as education, retail, financial, construction, industrial, residential and commercial.

The Chamber is also recognizing Health Choice Arizona as the 2011 Corporation of the Year. Health Choice Arizona is a managed care organization that provides healthcare to people in Arizona’s Medicaid Program, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Health Choice provides services for members who live in the counties of Maricopa, Pima, Yuma, La Paz, Santa Cruz, Apache, Coconino, Mohave and Navajo. Health Choice Arizona is owned by Iasis Healthcare, which owns and operates 16 general, acute-care hospitals, one behavioral hospital and three ambulatory surgery centers in Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, Texas and Utah.

The mission of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economic development of our entrepreneurs and their communities.

The GPBCC serves as the cornerstone for educational training, resource programs, resources and economic growth opportunities with a specific emphasis on “Business in Action.”

Innovation Coalition Fly-In Day Wed., Feb. 16 Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. Executives from the member companies of the Arizona Technology Council will share viewpoints on innovation with Arizona’s congressional delegation in a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. This event will provide attendees with the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and their staffs to discuss the importance of innovation to the economy.

Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, will lead his group’s members at the event organized by the national trade association Technology Councils of North America.

The Angel Capital Association, Association of University Research Parks, Technology Councils of North America, National Business Incubation Association, National Association of Seed and Venture Funds and the State Science and Technology Institute are joining forces to educate the new Congress about innovation, and each of these associations extends a cordial invitation to you to attend the 2011 Innovation Coalition Legislative Fly-In in Washington, D.C. Innovation leaders will meet with the members of the 112th Congress, learn from each other, and share with Congress their viewpoints on innovation and its importance in a growing economy.

The day begins with breakfast on Capitol Hill, where participants will hear from Rep. Steny Hoyer (D – Md.) (invited) and other lawmakers. Lawmakers and their staffs will

then be briefed about the innovation process and why innovation is so important in creating a thriving economy. The afternoon can then be spent in individual meetings with legislative representatives and their staffs. A Welcome Reception on Capitol Hill will be held at 4:30 p.m.

Attendees are responsible for their own travel. Please contact the Arizona Technology Council staff if you are interested in attending or becoming a member of the council. Activities begin at 7:30a.

Arizona Technology Council

www.aztechcouncil.org

Notable Dates This Month Wed., Feb 2 Groundhog Day Sun., Feb. 6 Super Bowl

Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixblackchamber.com Health Choice Arizona www.healthchoiceaz.com SanTrac Technologies www. santractechnologies.com

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Mon., Feb 14 Valentine’s Day Mon., Feb. 21 Washington’s Birthday Agenda events are submitted by the organizations and are subject to change. Please check with the organization to ensure accuracy. www.inbusinessmag.com.

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AHWATUKEE Foothills CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LeadszSmart Leads Group

Wednesdays throughout the month 8:00a – 9:00a

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Ahwatukee Chamber Professionals Networking Group Mondays throughout the month 12:00 noon – 1:00p

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Rumpelstiltskin: Turn Your Clients into Gold

Mondays throughout the month 5:30p – 6:45p

Seminar Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Dinner Club

Tues., Feb. 1 5:30p

Secreto 4232 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Ambassador Committee Meeting Wed., Feb. 2 9:00a – 10:00a

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Chamber Day of Champions Fri., Feb. 4 8:00a – 10:00a

Members: $30; guests: $35 AZ Grand Resort 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Ahwatukee’s Financial & Executives Networking Group Fri., Feb. 4 8:00a – 9:00a

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Morning Mixer Tues., Feb. 8 8:00a – 9:00a

Members: $5; non-members: $15 Ahwatukee Carpets/AZ Blinds 5215 S. 48th Street, Phoenix www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Business Builders Leads Group Tues., Feb. 8 12:00 noon – 1:00p

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Free One-on-One Business Counseling Thurs., Feb. 10 9:00a – 12:00 noon

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce (480) 753-7676; call for appointment

Evening Mixer Wed., Feb. 16 5:30p

Members: $5; non-members: $15 Sonoran Mountain Realty Le Ragazze 1334 E Chandler Blvd., Phoenix www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Women in Business Committee Meeting Thurs., Feb. 17 12:00 noon – 1:00p

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Business Builders Leads Group Tues., Feb. 22 12:00 noon – 1:00p

Q&A session. Open to members and non-members.

Free Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce www.azhcc.com

fast-paced format. Bring your business cards and brush up on your 30-second commercial.

Members: free; non-members: $10 ASBA Business Education Center www.asba.com/events

Contactos

ASBA QuickBooks Training – Level 1

Tues., Feb. 8 5:30p - 7:30p

Networking Mixer Members: free, non-members: $5 Location – TBD www.azhcc.com

Buenos Dias Networking Event Thurs., Feb. 24 8:00a - 10:00a

New Member Orientation, information on the benefits of becoming a member, Q&A session.

Open to members and non-members.

Free Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce www.azhcc.com

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

ARIZONA SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Get to Know Your Chamber

ASBA Sales Exchange – Sales in the International Workplace

Thurs., Feb. 24 8:00a – 9:00a

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Free One-on-One Business Counseling Thurs., Feb. 24 9:00a – 12:00 noon

Free Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce (480) 753-7676; call for appointment

ARIZONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & Industry A Night with the Phoenix Coyotes Sat., Feb. 5 6:00p

Special night with our hometown hockey team. Coyotes vs. Minnesota Wild.

Tickets range in price. Password: azchamber Jobing.com Arena www.phoenixcoyotes.com/azchamber

ARIZONA HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE New Member Orientation What’s New at the AZHCC Wed., Feb. 16 9:00a – 10:00a

New Member Orientation, information on the benefits of becoming a member,

Thurs., Feb. 10 9:00a – 4:00p

This course is an introduction on how to use QuickBooks to best meet the needs of your business. The main objective is to introduce you to QuickBooks’ basic features and give you an opportunity for hands-on practice. You will learn about the types of information you need to track in your business, and how to enter that information and track it in QuickBooks.

Members: $235; non-members: $295 Executive Training Solutions 4926 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix www.executivetrainingsolutions.com

ASBA Energy + Environment Forum - Money Saving Utility Rebates + Programs Wed., Feb. 16 9:00a – 10:30a

Regardless of whether you are a seasoned sales professional, just beginning, or need a refresher, you will take away valuable tips and tools to increase your sales skills. Facilitated by: Mike Leeds, Pro Sales Coaching Members: free; non-members: $25 ASBA Business Education Center www.asba.com/events

Whether you are working from home or a commercial building, energy costs can be an area of concern when it comes to managing your expenses.

Learn about money saving rebates and programs available through local energy companies, including APS. Representatives will also be available for Q&A during and after the program.

Members & BNI Arizona members: $10; non-members: $25 ASBA Business Education Center www.asba.com/events

ASBA Entrepreneurial Development Exchange

ASBA Fast & Curious Speed Networking™- NE/Scottsdale

Wed., Feb. 2 8:30a – 10:00a

Tues., Feb. 8 9:00a – 10:30a

Join other small business owners and entrepreneurs to discuss the latest opportunities to grow out a business from the grassroots level and problem solve, share best practices and ideas to successfully run a small business.

Connect and network on a monthly basis with other businesses owners that share interests and needs along with ways to best solve common problems.

Members: free; non-members: $25 ASBA Business Education Center www.asba.com/events

ASBA Fast & Curious Speed Networking™- Central Tues., Feb. 8 3:00p – 4:30p

Tues., Feb. 22 3:00p – 4:30p

This is a “ready-set-go” style of networking that allows members to meet other members in 3-minute intervals, maximizing participants’ time and gaining them many valuable contacts in 90 minutes. This is a fun, fast-paced format. Bring your business cards and brush up on your 30-second commercial.

Members: free; non-members: $10 ASBA Business Education Center www.asba.com/events

ASBA + GoDaddy: An Introduction to Social Media Thurs., Feb. 24 8:00a – 10:00a

This is a “ready-set-go” style of networking that allows members to meet other members in 3-minute intervals, maximizing participants’ time and gaining them many valuable contacts in 90 minutes. This is a fun,

Join ASBA and the social media team from GoDaddy, local internet gurus, for an introduction to social media through a three part program.

The first part covers the terms and service of Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, and Foursquare, showing you what

Please confirm, as dates & times are subject to change.

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is allowed and can be done. The second part is a discussion of legal concerns, particularly arising from use of endorsements and testimonials on social media.

Members: $10; non-members: $25 ASBA Business Education Center www.asba.com/events

ASBA + BNI Arizona Referral Success 101 Fri., Feb. 25 8:00a – 10:00a

Business owners understand the value of referrals but often don’t invest the time it takes to get them. This session will give you specific tactics to use to increase your referral business. This class will open your eyes to networking in a way that creates more referrals.

Unless you can find more time and work harder than you already are, you can’t afford to miss this class.

Members & BNI Arizona members: free; non-members: $99 ASBA Business Education Center www.asba.com/events

ARIZONA SOCIAL NETWORKING AZ Social Networking Thurs., Feb. 17 9:00a – 10:00a

Hosted by Marketing Director of KFNX News Talk Radio. Meet other small business owners to network, find new customers, get advice and avoid costly mistakes. Bring your business cards, flyers and brochures. Do your 30-second commercial and promote your business. Hear how others have overcome hurdles and achieved success. All are welcome!

Free Aloft Hotel Tempe 951 E. Playa Del Norte Drive, Tempe www.meetup.com/azsocialnetworking

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL Women in the Workforce Committee: Kicking Off 2011 Wed., Feb. 2 12:00p – 1:00p

Featured speaker is Trish Bear, founder, president and CEO of I-ology, Inc. Members: free; non-members: $15 Telesphere 9237 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale www.aztechcouncil.org

surrounded by inspiring technology.

Each month, a guest speaker will present on an informative topic. A light breakfast and Starbucks coffee will be served.

Free Microsoft Store Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, Nordstrom wing (480) 308-0800

Executive Committee Meeting

CENTRAL PHOENIX WOMEN

Members: $5; non-members: $15 Wells Fargo Bank Chandler Fashion Center www.chandlerchamber.com

Central Phoenix Women Monthly Meeting Thurs., Feb. 24 11:30a – 1:00p

$75 per person The Ritz Carlton 2401 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix www.centralphoenixwomen.org

CHANDLER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Women’s Council Meeting Tues., Feb. 1 8:00a – 9:30a

Free Courtyard Marriott 1221 South Westwood, Mesa www.chandlerchamber.com

Ambassador’s Meeting Tues., Feb. 1 12:00p – 1:00p

Committee members only.

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Parade Committee Meeting Wed., Feb. 2 4:00p – 5:00p

Committee members only.

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Technology Committee Meeting Thurs., Feb. 3 12:00p – 1:00p

Committee members only.

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Networking @9 Fri., Feb. 4 8:45a – 10:30a

Business Professionals

Free Western International University 55 N. Arizona Place, Chandler www.chandlerchamber.com

Business Professionals Breakfast Mixer

Leadership Steering Committee Meeting

This networking event is open to business professionals and is a great way to connect and share ideas

Committee members only.

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Thurs., Feb. 10 8:30a – 10:00a

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Mon., Feb. 7 3:30p – 4:30p

Tues., Feb. 8 8:00a – 9:00a

Committee members only.

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Wake Up Chandler Wed., Feb. 9 7:30a – 10:00a

Parade Committee Meeting Wed., Feb. 9 4:00p – 5:00p

Committee members only Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Technology Corner Lunch Seminar Series Thurs., Feb. 10 11:30a – 1:00p

Members: $5; non-members: $10 Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

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Schmoozapalooza Networking Business Expo & Trade Show Thurs., Feb. 17 4:00p – 7:00p

Free Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort One San Marcos Place, Chandler www.chandlerchamber.com

Leadership Institute Fri., Feb. 18 7:45a – 8:45a

Committee members only.

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Lunch Club

Mon., Feb. 21 11:30a – 1:00p

Free to attend; no-host lunch Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar 3163 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler www.chandlerchamber.com

Employers’ Council Meeting Tues., Feb. 22 8:15a – 9:30a

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Public Policy Committee Meeting

Diversity Committee Meeting

Free; RSVP to attend Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Fri., Feb. 11 8:00a – 9:00a

Tues., Feb. 22 12:00p – 1:00p

Workplace Safety Meeting

Coffee & Conversation

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Mon., Feb. 14 12:00p – 1:00p

Wed., Feb. 23 8:00a – 9:30a

Business Work Shop

Member Welcome Breakfast

More information to come. www.chandlerchamber.com

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Tues., Feb. 15 8:00a – 10:00a

Board Meeting Wed., Feb. 16 12:00p – 1:00p

Committee members only.

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Parade Committee Meeting Wed., Feb. 16 4:00p – 5:00p

Committee members only.

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Green Committee Meeting Thurs., Feb. 17 8:00a – 9:00a

Free Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

Thurs., Feb. 24 7:30a – 9:30

Public Policy Committee Meeting Fri., Feb. 25 8:00a – 9:00a

Free; RSVP to attend Chandler Chamber of Commerce www.chandlerchamber.com

ECONOMIC CLUB OF PHOENIX Economic Club of Phoenix Luncheon Thurs., Feb. 17 11:30a – 1:30p

The Economic Club of Phoenix presents James O’Connor, Chairman (former CEO) of Republic Services. Visitors are welcome to attend this speaker luncheon; advance registration and payment is required. See our website at www. econclubphx.org for further details.

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Members: free; Intro members: $60; non-members: $80 The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale www.wpcarey.asu.edu/economic-club

Greater PHOENIX BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GILBERT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Fri., Feb. 18 6:00p – 9:00p

Celebrity Waiter Dinner Gilbert Goes Hollywood Thurs., Feb. 3 6:00p – 9:30p

Sponsored by Southwest Ambulance, this formal event features an exciting evening of great food and live entertainment while guests are waited on by VIP’s, including elected officials from Town Council and District 22 and other community leaders.

Participate in the silent auction to win great prizes — including two roundtrip tickets from Southwest Airlines, golf passes, gift baskets and more.

Members: $60, non-members: $75 Villa Siena 890 W .Elliot Rd, Gilbert www.gilbertaz.com

Early Edition Networking Event Wed., Feb. 16 7:30a – 9:30a

Attend this special panel discussion to learn more about your benefits as a member of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. Learn how you can take full advantage of your membership to engage the community, connect with others, and advance your business.

Members: $5, non-members: $25 Gilbert Chamber of Commerce 119 N. Gilbert Rd., 101, Gilbert www.gilbertaz.com

Luncheon: Mayor’s Annual Address Tues., Feb. 22 11:00a – 1:00p

The Mayor’s 2011 State of the Town will feature a review of 2010 highlights including portions of our 90th birthday celebration, and strategic views into our future based on our General Plan and the Town Strategic Plan for 2011-16. Our “Open to Business” culture will continue to be emphasized, as well as Gilbert’s “great place to live” status.

Members: $20, non-members: $35 SanTan Elegante and Legado Hotel & Conference Center 1800 S. SanTan Village Parkway, Gilbert www.gilbertaz.com

12th Annual Awards Banquet A New Generation Of Business Honoring SanTrac Technologies, 2011 Small Business of Year and Health Choice Arizona, 2011 Corporation of the Year.

Attend: $125 individual ticket, $100 2 or more tickets The Wyndham Phoenix Hotel 50 E. Adams Street, Phoenix www.phoenixblackchamber.com

GREATER PHOENIX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Professional Women’s Roundtable Developing Women Leaders within the Business Community Tues., Feb. 1 11:30a – 1:00p

Speaker: Deborah Bateman, Exec. VP, Specialty Banking/Marketing, National Bank of Arizona Free Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixchamber.com

Business for Breakfast Deer Valley Mini Trade Show Tues., Feb. 8 7:15a – 8:30a

Attend this free event and enjoy a light breakfast, great business leads and an opportunity to network with representatives from many industries – there will also be door prize giveaways!

Parking is available on site.

Free for our members and guests Costco 19001 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix www.phoenixchamber.com

Economic Development Committee Meeting Tues., Feb. 8 11:00a – 12:30p

Works on efforts at all levels of government to ensure the retention of existing, and expansion of new businesses in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area.

Free Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixchamber.com

Anthem Business for Breakfast Thurs., Feb. 10 7:00a – 8:15a

Join us to network with a variety of Chamber members! Attendees will get a chance to give a 30 second commercial about their business.

Enjoy a continental breakfast and great business leads. Bring a business card to enter into a drawing for member door prizes!

Free Hampton Inn at Anthem 42415 N. 41st Drive, Anthem www.phoenixchamber.com

Valley Young Professionals Climbing to the Top Tues., Feb. 22 5:30p – 7:00p

Health Care Issue Committee Meeting Thurs., Feb. 10 4:00p – 5:00p

Advocates for affordable, costeffective and quality health care options for businesses and individuals — void of cost increases brought by unnecessary government regulation, cost-shifting and coverage requirements, and is supportive of individuals’ privacy rights.

Free Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixchamber.com

Public Affairs Committee Meeting Fri., Feb. 11 12:00p – 1:00p

This committee considers recommendations from the GPCC’s 6 issue committees, and acts to make position recommendations on public policy and legislation to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. At this meeting, the Issue Committees will present their guiding principles for the 2011 to the full Public Affairs Committee.

Free; lunch will be served at this meeting to those who have RSVP’d in advance.

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixchamber.com

Women Entrepreneurs’ Small Business Boot Camp

Presenter: Pamela Conboy, Regional President, AZ Regional Banking, Wells Fargo Bank Free Wells Fargo Bank 100 W. Washington Street, Phoenix www.phoenixchamber.com

Bridging the Gap Luncheon The Upside of a Down Economy: Buying Locally Wed., Feb. 23 11:30a – 1:00p

Speaker: Kimber Lanning, Founder/Executive Director of Local First Arizona Local First Arizona is dedicated to raising public awareness for the positive economic and environmental impacts of supporting locally owned businesses. Participate in this lively discussion with Kimber as she explains the power of buying local and the impact it can have on our community.

Learn what you can do to in your own neighborhood and in your day to day life to help Phoenix stay world-class. $20, includes lunch Wyndham Phoenix 50 E. Adams Street, Phoenix www.phoenixchamber.com

Transportation Committee Meeting Thurs., Feb. 24 3:00p – 4:00p

Network with hundreds of successful business owners, speak to prominent corporate sponsors, mingle with dynamic industry experts and meet women you can relate to.

Attend: $89 Chaparrel Suites Resort 5001 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale www.womensbusinessbootcamp.com

Works to increase the versatility of our regional transit system, enhance airports, and improve mobility for the region’s employers, goods, residents and visitors alike. The committee analyzes proposed transportation projects and advocates for investments that will improve mobility and contribute to economic development of the region.

Free Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixchamber.com

New Member Orientation: GPCC 101

Spirit of South Mountain Awards Dinner

Sat., Feb. 12 7:00a – 5:00p

Wed., Feb. 16 8:00a – 9:00a

Now that you are a GPCC member, it’s time to learn more about all the value the Chamber has to offer you and your business. Please join us in the Chamber’s board room for our New Member Orientation titled: GPCC 101.

This hour-long session provides you with the basics on how to best utilize your membership.

Free Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixchamber.com

Thurs., Feb. 24 5:30p – 8:30p (5:30p: Patio Reception; 6:30p: Dinner Seating)

Join the South Mountain/Laveen Chapter to celebrate the rich history and cultural diversity of South Mountain at the 6th Annual Spirit of South Mountain Awards Dinner.

The event will celebrate successful community partnering between entities that contribute to our quality of life.

Individual: $75; table of 8: $560 The Secret Garden 2501 E. Baseline Road, Phoenix www.phoenixchamber.com

Please confirm, as dates & times are subject to change.

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Public Affairs Committee Meeting

Taste of Mesa

Peoria Spring Festival

This committee considers recommendations from the GPCC’s 6 issue committees, and acts to make position recommendations on public policy and legislation to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. At this meeting, the Issue Committees will present their guiding principles for the 2011 to the full Public Affairs Committee.

Free; lunch will be served at this meeting to those who have RSVP’d in advance Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce www.phoenixchamber.com

The evening event is held the third Tuesday of the month, aimed at giving Chamber members a place to showcase their business. Refreshments and door prizes.

Members: $15; general admission: $25 Location: TBD www.mesachamber.org

Members: TBD Arrowhead Fountains 83rd Avenue and Stadium Way, Peoria www.peoriachamber.com

Fri., Feb. 25 12:00p – 1:00p

MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Morning Mixer Tues., Feb. 1 7:30a – 8:30a

Networking and continental breakfast.

Morning Mixers are hosted by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce to give you a chance to network and socialize with other business professionals from all over the Valley. If you are a “morning person” who enjoys networking, this event is for you!

Attend a Morning Mixer and you’ll get more done before 9 a.m. than some people do all day!

Members: $5; non-members: $15 Mesa Fire Department 360 E. 1st Street, Mesa www.mesachamber.org

Grow Your Business Tues., Feb. 8 11:30a – 1:00p

Help your business grow by attending Grow Your Business lunch at Buca di Beppo. Great food and good networking opportunity.

Members: $15; general admission: $25 Buca di Beppo 1730 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa www.mesachamber.org

Good Morning East Valley Fri., Feb. 11 6:30a – 9:00a

It’s a great way to start off a Friday morning by networking with other businesses! Enjoy the delicious hot buffet the Mesa Country Club serves and take advantage of the opportunity to promote your business. All this with a program and an opportunity to win great door prizes makes this one of the most popular events the Chamber has.

Members: $20 with reservation, $25 at the door; non-members: $30.00 Mesa Country Club 660 W. Fairway Drive, Mesa www.mesachamber.org

Tues., Feb. 15 5:30p – 7:30p

SCOTTSDALE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Senior Lifestyles Expo

Member Orientation

If your target market includes the estimated 300,000 seniors who call Mesa home at this time of year, you must be at this Expo. Take advantage of the Early Bird Special and reserve a booth before Jan. 31. Go to the website for booth discounts prices.

Mesa Convention Center 201 N. Center Street, Mesa www.mesachamber.org

New and renewing Chamber members are invited to join us at our monthly Member Orientation! Meet and network with other Chamber members, staff and volunteer leaders, learn about the resources available to you through your membership and identify specific strategies to help you reach your business goals.

Free Scottsdale Area Chamber www.scottsdalechamber.com

Wed., Feb. 16 9:00a – 1:00p

Women’s Business Council Wed., Feb. 23 11:30a – 1:00p

Lunch and Networking. Continuation on series about Social Media.

Members: $15; general admission: $25.00 Citadel Assisted Living Retirement Community 520 S. Higley Road, Mesa www.mesachamber.org

PEORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Ribbon Cutting – Salon 84 Thurs., Feb. 3 10:30a

Free Salon 84 8411 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria www.peoriachamber.com

Chamber Luncheon Wed., Feb. 9 11:30a

Members: $20 Rio Vista Recreation Center 8866-A W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria www.peoriachamber.com

Wed., Feb. 2 7:30a – 9:00a

Champions Breakfast — Mastermind Exchange Thurs., Feb. 3 7:15a – 9:00a

Solve your business challenges by using the collective brainpower of five other individuals focused exclusively on helping you!

Members: free; guests: $20 Microsoft Store Scottsdale Fashion Square, Nordstrom wing www.scottsdalechamber.com

Inspire Luncheon Wed., Feb. 16 11:30a – 1:15p

Connect to a community of businesswomen for personal and professional development and be inspired by guest speakers Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, founders of ChildHelp.

Members: $35; guests $45 (with advance registration) Gainey Ranch Golf Club 7600 Gainey Club Drive, Scottsdale www.scottsdalechamber.com

Connecting the Chamber & Community

Champions Breakfast — Business Card Bingo

Members: $5 The Tasting Room 28465 N. Vistancia Blvd., Peoria www.peoriachamber.com

A fun twist on business networking!

Gather business cards (and contacts) while trying to complete a business bingo card! Compete for great door prizes!

Members: free; guests: $20 TruWest Credit Union 7333 Via Paseo Del Sur, Scottsdale www.scottsdalechamber.com

Thurs., Feb. 10 5:30p – 6:30p

Breakfast Meeting Sponsored by Salt River Project Tues., Feb. 22 7:30a

Members: $10 Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery 7640 W. Bell Road, Peoria www.peoriachamber.com inbusinessmag.com

Sat., Feb. 26 11:00a – 3:00p

Thurs., Feb. 17 7:15a – 9:00a

Ag e n d a

Business After Hours “Arabian Horse Show” Mixer Thurs., Feb. 24 5:00p – 7:00p

Network with business professionals in celebration of the 56th Annual Arabian Horse Show.

Members: free; guests: $20 WestWorld 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale www.scottsdalechamber.com

SURPRISE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Capture a Customer Training for Members Wed., Feb. 2 6:00p – 7:00p

This class will be hosted by Jeanne Brovelli from Chamber Nation and will take our members through an online presentation about growing your business. The overview will take approximately 30 minutes, and after the presentation members will have an opportunity to ask questions about this program.

Free This is an Online Meeting; time listed is MST www.surpriseregionalchamber.com

Traffic Catcher Workshop Wed., Feb. 2 8:30a – 10:00a

Chamber members invited to a Traffic Catcher Website workshop for assistance in initial setup, or help to manage your existing traffic catcher website. Limited to first ten members.

Free Surprise Regional Chamber Conference Center Robin Potter, (623) 593-0692

Membership / Retention Committee Thurs., Feb. 3 1:00p – 2:30p

Membership / Retention Committee Meeting Free Surprise Regional Chamber Conference Center Heather Tripp, (623) 214-5640

Sam's Club Networking Event Thurs., Feb.r. 3 7:30a – 9:00a

Networking Group meets at Sam’s Club in Surprise on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month. This is sponsored by Sam’s Club and supported by the Surprise Regional Chamber. Bring those door prizes and business cards and join us for valuable networking time!

Free Sam’s Club 16573 W. Bell Road, Surprise Dee Baginski, (623) 583-0692

>>

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Ag e n d a

February 2011

Capture a Customer Training for Members Fri., Feb. 4 12:00p – 1:00p

This class will be hosted by Jeanne Brovelli from Chamber Nation and will take our members through an online presentation about growing your business. The overview will take approximately 30 minutes and after the presentation members will have an opportunity to ask questions about this program.

Free This is an Online Meeting; time listed is MST www.surpriseregionalchamber.com

Civic Affairs Committee Meeting Fri., Feb. 4 1:00p – 2:00p

Civic Affairs Committee Meeting Free Surprise Regional Chamber Conference Center Frank Dias, fcdias1@gmail.com

First Friday Brown Bag Lunch Fri., Feb. 4 12:00p – 1:00p

BYO Lunch and network with other chamber members at the Chamber Conference Center. Due to space limitations, this event is open to the first 30 registrants only. Each attendee will be given the opportunity to provide a 35-second commercial for their business.

Free Surprise Regional Chamber Conference Center www.surpriseregionalchamber.com

Communication Committee Meeting Mon., Feb. 7 9:30a – 10:30a

This Committee coordinates all external communication for the chamber. It issues press releases, oversees PR efforts and manages the chambers relationship with the media.

Free Location rotates; please contact committee member Charlene Bisson, (623) 972-6101

Monthly Chamber Breakfast Tues., Feb., 8 7:30a – 9:00a

Join us for our monthly Chamber Networking Breakfast. Bring your business collateral materials to share, and any gifts for the raffle.

Members: Early $15, regular $20; non-members: $25 The Colonnade at Surprise 19116 Colonnade Way, Surprise Mary Orta, (623) 583-0692

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F e b r u a r y 2011

Education Committee Meeting Wed., Feb. 9 1:00p – 2:00p

Free The Communiversity at Surprise 15950 N. Civic Center Drive, Surprise Todd Aakhus, (480) 384-9003

Military Affairs Committee Meeting Fri., Feb. 11 12:00p – 1:00p

Free Surprise Regional Chamber Conference Center Art Lampe, (623) 334-4726 x108

Small Business Council Meeting Tues., Feb. 15 3:00p – 4:00p

Free Surprise Regional Chamber Conference Center Stephen Wright, (623) 975-5900

Sam’s Club Networking Event Thurs., Feb. 17 7:30a – 9:00a

Networking Group meets at Sam’s Club in Surprise on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month. This is sponsored

by Sam’s Club and supported by the Surprise Regional Chamber. Bring those door prizes and business cards and join us for valuable networking time!

Free Sam’s Club 16573 W. Bell Road, Surprise Dee Baginski, (623) 583-0692

Monthly Newsmakers Luncheon Fri., Feb. 18 11:30a – 1:00p

Join us for this fun and informative networking opportunity, and great food to be enjoyed by all.

Members: Early $10, regular $15; non-members: $20 The Communiversity at Surprise 15950 W. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise Mary Orta, (623) 583-0692

Mutual of Omaha Bank Ribbon Cutting, Sun City West Wed., Feb. 23 10:00a – 1:00p

Ribbon Cutting (11:00a), Catered Luncheon, Sweepstakes Giveaway for Golf Cart Free Mutual of Omaha Bank 19432 N. RH Johnson Blvd., Sun City West Lisa Gill, (602) 214-6017

New Member Orientation Thurs., Feb. 24 3:30p – 4:45p

Join in this networking event and explore the full range of benefits available from your membership in The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. From networking events

to committee organization. Bring business cards and meet up with other new members.

Free Surprise Regional Chamber Conference Center Mary Orta, (623) 583-0692

NVCC: Member Mixer Thurs., Feb. 24 5:00p – 6:30p

Member mixer to follow the Member Orientation. Networking with your fellow chamber members and meet our newest members in an informal environment at the Chamber Conference Center.

Free Surprise Regional Chamber Conference Center Mary Orta, (623) 583-0692

Business After Hours Wed., Feb. 23 5:30p – 7:00p

This informal mixer provides a casual atmosphere where you can mingle with other members of the business community.

Members: free; non-members: $10 Telesphere 9237 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale www.tempechamber.org

WEST VALLEY WOMEN West Valley Women Monthly Luncheon Tues., Feb. 1 11:30a – 1:00p

TEMPE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

“Meet the Mayors” $35 per person Skye Fine Dining 16844 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive, Peoria www.westvalleuwomen.org

Networking @ Noon

WOMEN IN BUSINESS GROUP

Thurs., Feb. 10 11:30a – 1:00p

Learn the art of relationship building, enjoy a fantastic lunch and have fun promoting your services at this “speed dating for business” event.

Members: $25; non-members: $35 John Henry’s 909 E. Elliot, Tempe www.tempechamber.org

Business Before Hours Tues., Feb. 15 7:30a – 8:30a

Bring brochures and business cards and be ready to give a 30-second commercial about yourself or your business. A light breakfast is provided.

Members: free; non-members: $7 IKEA Tempe 2110 W. IKEA Way, Tempe www.tempechamber.org

Hot Topics and Lunch: Social Media Resolutions Thurs., Feb. 17 11:30a – 1:00p

Members: $25; non-members: $35 Twin Palms Hotel 225 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe www.tempechamber.org

Breakfast for Chamber Champions Fri., Feb. 18 7:30a – 9:00a

Members: $50; non-members: $60 Tempe Mission Palms Hotel 60 E. 5th Street, Tempe www.tempechamber.org

Women in Business Breakfast Social Tues., Feb. 22 8:30a – 10:00 a

This valuable networking event connects dynamic female business professionals and allows them an opportunity to share ideas surrounded by inspiring technology. Each month, a guest speaker will present on an informative topic. A light breakfast and Starbucks coffee will be served.

Free Microsoft Store Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, Nordstrom wing (480) 308-0800

WOMEN OF SCOTTSDALE Women of Scottsdale Monthly Luncheon Fri., Feb. 18 11:30a – 1:00p

“Woman of the Year Celebration” $35 per person The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale www.womenofscottsdale.org

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To get your Marketshare . . . Advertise with www.inbusinessmag.com • info@inbusinessmag.com • (480) 588-9505

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ASSETS

We Value What We Own

by Mike Hunter

Future Assets: The Tablet PC Is Your Next Device The Consumer Electronics Show dubbed 2011 “The Year of the Tablet.” Tablet PCs are what iPad made famous but others are making more useful. Hand-held, longer battery life, Flash®-compatible and a great eReader, these devices are sure to be a personal must. Here are what many contend will be the top for 2011.

Samsung Galaxy Tab LTE

This 7-inch display tablet has sold very well overseas and is weighing in with the LTE edition. Like the others, this hand-held device is equipped with a camera and flash, is Android®-compatible and available in both a 16GB and 32GB version. This Wi-Fi model is also boasting a lower price.

Dimensions: 7.5” x 4.75” x 0.47” Carrier: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile Due: Early 2011 Price: $200 to $300 www.galaxytab.samsungmobile.com

BlackBerry PlayBook

Unlike the iPad and the Xoom, this device has a smaller screen (7-inch), making it more compact but still a bulldog. Equipped with Wi-Fi, HD display, front and rear cameras and dual-core processor, the PlayBook wirelessly connects to the BlackBerry® smartphone for real-time access to emails, calendar, address book, task lists and BBM™.

Dimensions: 5.1” x 7.6” x 0.4” Carrier: Sprint Due: Early 2011 Price: $500 +/www.blackberry.com

Motorola Xoom

This is the first tablet with a dual-core processor and Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), the powerful Google software developed specifically for the tablet computers. Front and rearfacing cameras, a camcorder and an Adobe® Flash® Player, all in a 10.1-inch widescreen HD display. Accessories include a wireless keyboard, dock and portfolio case.

Dimensions: 9.81” x 6.61” x 0.51” Carrier: Verizon

A Portrait of Success It is true that many businesspeople go years or even a career without a professional photo of themselves. But selling your image as head of a small business or a major corporation is a huge asset. People want to know you, and the more you get engaged in your community, the more likely you are to need the professional “headshot.” This may be a rare occasion, but experts agree it’s nothing to entrust to the amateur no matter how many pixels are on his digital camera. It is, after all, marketing a key element of your brand: you.

CWLIFE Photography

cwlifephotography.com

Mark Lipczynski Photography Vermillion Photo

marklipczynski.com

vermillionphoto.com

Low Tech: The Business Card Best Asset It is not digital, it does not need to be plugged in, and it does not require too much instruction — yet it is the most widely accepted communication device we have in business. It is the business card.

Coming in all sizes, shapes (although there are some standards) and colors, the business card is what identifies you as a bona fide businessperson. “Always have your business card with you. It is professional, courteous and civilized to be prepared and know the etiquette of exchanging information in this ritual,” says Linda Herold, owner of Herold Enterprises and Linda Land. “Your business card may be the only thing you are remembered by. Information should be given fully and accurately and in a readable style.”

Experts say a business card that is professional and informative, concise and well made is the best business asset money can buy.

These days, one can print his or her own business card, and can be as creative as one likes. The experts, however, insist there are some fundamentals in making a great and effective business card.

While there are different standards for different industries, here are some tips to success.

Large enough to read – No matter what the design, be certain the important information is in a font size that can be read by your prospects.

Space to write on – While the cocktail napkin serves this purpose, you may want to ensure that the paper coating and coloring of the card make it easy to jot down a thing or two.

Eye-catching – Design matters, but more than that is the impression your card portrays when you pass it out. Logos, paper quality and simple design will impress.

Size matters – Think about who is taking the card and where it is going to be placed. Anything outside of standard sizes may be creative, but if it cannot fit into your prospect’s wallet, then it’ll get eighty-sixed.

Due: March 2011 Price: $1000 +/-

Herold Enterprises

www.lindaherold.com

www.motorola.com

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Meals that Matter

Power Lunch

It’s all in the Delivery: Valley restaurants come to your business “It never tastes right,” “It is not what I ordered” or “Who ordered the tuna?” are all too often heard in a company lunch room, but the bark is worth the bite.

These days, many of the Valley’s well-known eateries are more than happy to deliver their “classic” dishes or their “house favorite” to you, just in time for that hour break from it all. Here are some that you’ll be tempted to call now:

Delicious Deliveries

Yes, this is the company that will pick up from your favorite restaurant and deliver hot and fresh. While Applebee’s and Subway may be available to you, it is important to know that they can pull up with everything from California Pizza Kitchen to Nick’s Pinnacle Peak, RA Sushi to Yard House and more.

Visit online and plan ahead, but know that times are not guaranteed.

(602) 220-0000 • www.azfood.com

Hillstone Serves Up Local Flavor And a familiar menu gets a sushi upgrade

by Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell

Photo: Michael Weschler

Houston’s — that clubby-and-comfy longtime denizen of the Esplanade, that purveyor of the perfect noontime French dip — is no longer with us, having closed this past December. But, cheer up, already! Because if you glance up and across Camelback Road, your eyes can feast on a new eatery called Hillstone just east of swanky Biltmore Fashion Park. And while the restaurant’s name and distinctive architectural presence (where Chevy’s Fresh Mex once stood) are new, the menu is delightfully familiar.

In fact, Houston’s regulars, you’ll feel right at home. The Famous French Dip Au Jus is still there, as is the Thai Steak & Noodle Salad and all those delectable, beefy offerings. That’s because Hillstone is just one brand of the Beverly Hillsbased Hillstone Restaurant Group, which owns Houston’s and other restaurants — including Bandera in Scottsdale — around the country. One decidedly different addition, though, is sushi. Try a salmon mango roll or the combo plate.

You’ll also feel good knowing Hillstone’s uses local sources when possible, like beer from Oak Creek Brewery in Sedona and organic produce from McClendon’s Select in Peoria.

Like Houston’s, Hillstone is a great place to grab either a quick, substantial meal for one or a hearty repast for the entire team. It’s a tad more upscale than Houston’s, but still the kind of setting where you can mull over a ream-sized report or settle in for a spell in front of a laptop. Cell phones are not permitted in the dining room, but you’ll no doubt be relishing lunch so much that you won’t want to take calls anyway.

Hillstone 2650 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix (602) 957-9700

Einstein Bros.

Boasting delivery of hot breakfasts and lunches 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays (plus weekend hours), Einstein’s catering adds a new dimension to the bagel and coffee place. Set aside the incredible packaging and clever drawer-pull sandwich boxes and this joint has got some good eats for that office meal or lunch break. Delivery is extra and you’d better plan ahead.

(866) 568-7555 • www.ebcatering.com

Paradise Bakery & Café

Order the famous Chicken Walnut Salad with mayo, lettuce and tomato served on the Paradise Molasses bread and you will be thrilled you did. Paradise Bakery will deliver orders of everything on their menu as long as you give them enough notice. There may be minimums and fees involved, but it is fresh and right to your office door.

33 locations Valleywide www.paradisebakery.com

Streets of New York

Pizza, pasta and subs are the order of the day at this local pizza place. While everyone has his or her favorite pizza, the lunch specials, salads and desserts are also comin’ your way whether you order online or by phone. Fresh ingredients and locations near you make this an option for any team of employees or meeting of the minds.

25 locations Valleywide www.streetsofnewyork.com

www.hillstone.com

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Valley Chambers Profiled Your Guide to Valley Chambers of Commerce

Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Carefree - Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce Chandler Chamber of Commerce Gilbert Chamber of Phoenix Glendale Chamber of Commerce Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Mesa Chamber of Commerce North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Peoria Chamber of Commerce Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce Tempe Chamber of Commerce

Doing business that makes a difference‌ Sponsored by:

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Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce

Terri Kimble, President & CEO

Profile

Founded: 1994 Head of Organization: Terri Kimble, President and CEO Membership Contact: Tracy Doren Number of Members: 620 Number of Staff: 6 Largest Annual Event: Red, White & Boom Community Fireworks Awards Programs: Chamber Day of Champions, Women in Business Awards Gala Area of Specialty: Small Business Professional Development & Fast Track Networking

Chamber Staff Terri Kimble President and CEO

Paulette Pacioni VP of Marketing & Communications Christine Hamel Events Coordinator Tracy Doren Membership Services Specialist John Stokes Membership Services Specialist/IT Carol Blonder Membership Services Specialist Sheila Coonen Connecting to Serve Liaison

Contact Info

10235 S. 51st Street, Suite 185 Phoenix, AZ 85044 (480) 753-7676 info@ahwatukeechamber.com www.ahwatukeechamber.com

Why does Ahwatukee Foothills have its own chamber of commerce?

Even though the village of Ahwatukee Foothills is located within the Phoenix city limits and is recognized as one of the Phoenix urban villages, it is sometimes perceived as a separate town because of its distinct and strong identity supported by the area’s commerce and community. The newly formed Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation was created to distinctly meet various needs of the community.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber members utilize their networking opportunities to full capacity positioning their businesses for growth and success. The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber has been a driving force in the Ahwatukee area for more than 17 years, promoting success in the business community by fostering a supportive and diverse business environment.

Our members realize that you get what you give and they realize that makes the difference when building a business. Our heavily attended chamber activities are designed to connect our

members with potential clients and customers.

Chamber members meet at networking and leads groups, mixers, seminars, ribbon cuttings, workshops and more, bringing together an average of 70 business leaders each week. In addition, there are a host of chamber events and committees throughout the year that offer members a chance to make new contacts and friends, positioning their business to be the first choice for a customer’s needs.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce works hard for its members by strengthening the local economy, promoting the community, providing networking opportunities and representing the interest of businesses with government. We offer advocacy for our businesses at the city, county and state level through the chamber’s membership in the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance for the important issues that affect our business community. We are an all-encompassing resource for the community and, as the voice of commerce, we represent businesses working together to improve the quality of life for all who choose to reside in this beautiful community.

Did You Know?

Red, White & Boom Community Fireworks Our largest annual event, the Ahwatukee Red, White and Boom Fireworks, is hosted by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Ahwatukee business community and residents. Each year around July 4th, the Chamber Fireworks Committee, businesses and community donate their time and money to salute our country and make lasting memories for all who attend. The fireworks celebration reflects the family atmosphere Ahwatukee provides, offering games for the kids, great food, live music and a spectacular fireworks display rivaled by few.

Member Benefits We offer our members: • P rofessional Development • F ast Track Networking • F ree One-on-One Business Coaching • R eferrals • F ree Advertising • C redibility • V isibility • A dvocacy

To Join: Call (480) 753-7676 or www.ahwatukeechamber.com and follow us on Facebook.com/Ahwatukeecc & Twitter.com/Ahwatukeecc 46

F e b r u a r y 2011

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Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Glenn Hamer, President & CEO Arizona has endured several years of job losses and large budget deficits. Many economists believe that we are now on the cusp of a gradual recovery. The policy choices that our elected leaders make this year will help to determine the course of that recovery.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Arizona Manufacturers Council look forward to working with the legislature and governor to advance legislation that will aid in private-sector job creation. One of the most important policy components of a job creation strategy is a phased-in restructuring of our taxation system to make Arizona more competitive on a regional, national and even international basis.

Thoughtful tax policy changes will make Arizona a more attractive place for businesses to invest and to expand their operations.

The other critical component for economic recovery is a balanced budget that eliminates the structural deficit. No longer can the state government rely on temporary budget balancing techniques such as fund sweeps, federal stimulus funds or sale-leaseback financing of state-owned

Member Benefits Your Voice. The Arizona Chamber is your voice on state and federal issues.

Your Resource. Through our programs, events and committee meetings, you have direct access to the government policymakers whose decisions affect your bottom line.

Your Bottom Line. The legislative and regulatory measures that impact your profit centers are at the core of our public policy advocacy efforts.

buildings, because these options have been largely exhausted. Bold leadership is required to develop sustainable fiscal solutions that will provide necessary revenue for vital core services such as education, health care and infrastructure; eliminate or minimize any nonessential expenditures; and avoid actions that would jeopardize federal matching funds, which are an essential part of Arizona’s economy.

The Arizona Chamber provides thought leadership on policy issues ranging from regulatory reform to labor law to campaign finance. Our partners at the Arizona Manufacturers Council are strategically focused on moving forward policies targeted to sustain and grow manufacturing throughout Arizona.

Our Small Business policy agenda has been created in partnership with the Arizona Small Business Association to bring focus to the policy issues facing small employers. We invite you to join with us in advancing these policies to build a stronger economic future for our state.

Of Note

Your Advocate Nearly 800 individuals attended the Arizona Chamber’s 2011 Legislative Forecast Luncheon in January. We welcomed a packed house of elected officials and industry representatives who heard from Gov. Brewer, Senate President Russell Pearce, Senate Minority Leader David Schapira, House Minority Leadert Chad Campbell and Speaker of the House Kirk Adams.

Though Arizona finds itself in a challenging legislative environment, attendees were encouraged that. although they might disagree on the details, all of the event’s speakers agreed on the need to spark economic recovery in Arizona.

The event also presented the opportunity for the Chamber to formally roll out its 2011 edition of the Business Agenda. The document, available at www.azchamber.com, outlines the Chamber’s priorities at the legislature and highlights the short- and long-term goals for the Arizona Manufacturers Council and the Chamber’s issue committees.

Profile Founded: 1961 Head of Organization: Glenn Hamer, President and CEO Membership Contact: Garrick Taylor Number of Members: More than 400 members representing more than 250,000 Arizonans Number of Staff: 9 Largest Annual Event: Legislative Forecast Luncheon, every January before the opening of the legislative session.

Awards Program: Representative and Senator of the Year; Milton Friedman Award; Heritage Award Area of Specialty: Public Policy

Chamber Staff Glenn Hamer President and CEO Suzanne Taylor Senior Vice President of Public Policy Lorna Romero Director of Government Relations Garrick Taylor Director of Communications Katie Whitchurch Director of Events & Operations

Contact Info

1850 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1433 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 248-9172 www.azchamber.com

To Join: Please visit the membership tab at azchamber.com for more information on how to become a member inbusinessmag.com

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Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Gonzalo de la Melena, President & CEO

Profile Founded: 1948 Head of Organization: Gonzalo de la Melena, President and CEO Membership Contact: Carlos Velasco, Membership Services Number of Members: 445+ Number of Staff: 11 Largest Annual Event: Black & White Ball and Business Awards, April 2, 2011 Awards Program: Black & White Ball and Business Awards Area of Specialty: Economic Development, Capacity Building, Market Intelligence, Advocacy

Chamber Staff Gonzalo de la Melena President and CEO Susette Coumides Financial Officer James E. Garcia Director of Communications Carlos Velasco Membership Services Lorena Rodriguez Director of Events Alika Kumar Director-Minority Business Development Center Gustavo Costales Business Consultant

Contact Info 255 E. Osborn Road, Suite. 201 Phoenix, AZ 85012.

(602) 279-1800 info@azhcc.com www.azhcc.com.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded more than 60 years ago. I have been associated with the association for more than 10 years ­— as a corporate partner and investor, small business owner, board member and, now, as the new president & CEO beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

Among my top goals, I am committed to contributing new ideas and efficiencies to help the AZHCC continue its proud legacy.

In addition to my appointment, our board has chosen a new chairman for 2011. Tony Astorga is CFO, SVP & Chief Business Development Officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and brings decades of executive level leadership skills to his new post. This team promises to bring transformational change to the AZHCC in what many say is a transformational era in the history of our organization and our community.

Consider the changing marketplace in Arizona: 1. Phoenix is now a minority-majority city (joining the likes of Los Angeles, San Antonio,

Miami and Chicago). The purchasing power of Hispanics in Arizona is $34 billion a year, 20 percent of Arizona’s total consumer buying power, with a growth rate three to five times faster than the general market.

2. Fifty-six percent of Arizona K-12 students are minority (Hispanic represents 46 percent of the total), which means the state’s pipeline of talent and labor will overwhelmingly come from communities of color.

3. The great majority of business activity in Arizona and nationwide is generated by small businesses. There are an estimated 60,000plus Hispanic business enterprises that account for approximately 15 percent of the state’s business activity, and our market segment is growing at a rate two to three times faster than the general market.

Arizona’s economic future greatly depends on the growth and progress of its diverse communities. That means that in order for Arizona to increase its competitive advantage, we must nurture and unlock the potential of the state’s minority business communities.

Of Note

AZHCC Chairman pledges to build value As chair of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2011, Tony Astorga plans to help transform the organization by bringing greater value to its members and the state’s business community.

"I want to build upon the chamber’s growing reputation as an economic development organization and advocate for small business owners,” said Astorga.

A certified public accountant, Astorga earned a B.S. in accounting with high honors from Arizona State University. He is senior vice president and chief business development officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBS), and he was president of BCBS of Mexico from 1994 to 1999.

Astorga serves on the boards of directors for the Arizona Community • E conomic Development Foundation, ASU Foundation, Phoenix Art Museum, Valley of the • M arket Intelligence & Research Sun United Way Foundation and other major groups. He has received • C apacity Building numerous civic and business awards, including the "2008 Centers of • A dvocacy Influence Award.”

Member Benefits

To Join: Call Carlos Velasco at (602) 294-6083, email membership@azhcc.com or visit www.azhcc.com 48

F e b r u a r y 2011

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Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce

Noah Kendrick, Chairman of the Board As we celebrate our 46th year as the CarefreeCave Creek Chamber of Commerce, let’s take a moment to share why we should be looking forward to the future and what the Chamber has to offer our businesses, visitors and residents.

Currently, we have a number of projects underway, including the renovation of our Visitor’s Center and the upgrading of our website. This will provide improved communication to the visitors of our community and provide additional resources to our local residents. The Chamber strives to be the local resource for what’s happening in Carefree and Cave Creek. We remain committed to the organization and support of local art festivals and special events for our community throughout the year. We welcome your ideas and suggestions on how we can improve our level of support.

Within the Chamber, we continue to have a dynamic committee structure that provides our membership the opportunity to give back to the communities that support them. The spirit of volunteerism, a major part of our culture, is alive and well. Our members volunteer countless hours working alongside local nonprofits and supporting community events. Over the past year, the accomplishments of these committees have

ranged from supporting the local food bank to awarding a college scholarship. The talents, time and energy of committee members are given without the expectation of receiving anything in return. Their generous donation of time and resources strengthens our community ties.

The majority of the businesses and organizations that make up our local business community do not have marketing and sales departments with large budgets. These businesses and organizations choose to partner with the Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber as an additional means of business planning, marketing and networking. The Chamber provides a full-time staff and invaluable resources to assist them in growing their business. The question asked most often is, “What is the Chamber up to?” The best response I can think of is, “The Chamber is doing what it’s always done, enhancing the economic vitality of the communities it serves.” The strength of small business is vitally important to the health of our overall economy. We thank you for supporting the local businesses that you find in the pages of our business directory.

Profile Founded: 1965 Head of the Organization: Noah Kendrick President of the Board of Directors Membership Contact: Marry Livingston Number of Members: 270 Number of Staff: 3 Largest Annual Event: Carefree Christmas Festival, Dec. 9 – 11, 2011 Awards Program: Annual Awards Night Area of specialty: Business networking and referrals

Chamber Staff Noah Kendrick President of the Board of Directors Marry Livingston Director of Membership Services Bobbi Keene Administrative Assistant

Of Note

Contact Info

Fun, Festivals & More Carefree and Cave Creek are known for their unique and fun festivals. Our festivals include everything from Wild West Days to Fiesta Days, from Wicked to SCarefree, from Thunderbird Art Festival to the Taste of Cave Creek. We have something for everyone throughout the year. We recently completed our third annual Carefree Christmas Festival. Carefree has a population of about 2,800. On Saturday during the festival, the population swelled to about 20,000 people. Attendees enjoyed fabulous food from local restaurants, unbelievable art from galleries, and great shopping from retail shops and our outdoor Christmas Market.

• E vents, Advertising & Marketing Children enjoyed inflatable toys to bounce in, visits from Santa and a 50-foot Opportunities snow slide made from real snow. All of the visitors enjoyed entertainment from • B usiness Referrals roving carolers, ballroom dancers, choirs and the Electric Light Parade, which • S upport and Information through S.C.O.R.E, was sponsored by Carefree Resort and Conference Center and produced by the Small Business Administration, etc.

Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber. Plan to attend the festival Dec. 9 – 11, 2011.

748 Easy Street, Carefree, AZ 85377 (480) 488-3381 www.carefreecavecreek.org

Member Benefits

• F ree listings on the Chamber website and in our printed Chamber Guide • M onthly Networking Breakfast and Business Breakfast

To Join: Any business is encouraged to join by calling the Chamber at (480) 488-3381 or by visiting www.carefreecavecreek.org inbusinessmag.com

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Chandler Chamber of Commerce

Dave Warkentin, President & CEO

Profile Founded: 1912 Head of Organization: Dave Warkentin, President and CEO Membership Contact: Mary Ann Przybylski, Director of Membership Development Number of Members: 899 Number of Staff: 9 Largest Annual Event: Chandler Ostrich Festival March 11 – 13, 2011 Awards Program: Annual Awards Dinner and the Chandler 100 Reception Area of Specialty: Business Advocacy, Public Policy, Business Networking

Chamber Staff

Policy Group, ensures we have a consistent and active voice at the Arizona State Legislature.

In addition to our advocacy work, we provide you unparalleled opportunities to engage with other businesspeople and promote your business through our myriad of networking and education events. Our top-notch staff orchestrates more than 100 such events per year through pure networking events, leads groups, education seminars with guest speakers and various receptions.

Our newly designed Web site is yet another avenue whereby you can promote your business through our business directory or through targeted advertising on the Web site. Visitors to our Web site include our membership, people doing business or looking to do business in the Chandler area, and people looking to visit or relocate to Chandler.

If you are looking to have a voice with policy­ makers or are simply looking for new ways to promote your business, look no further than the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, connecting you to the voice of business.

Of Note

Dave Warkentin President and CEO Karen Hall Vice President, Programs & Events Brad Ness Director of Member Services Mary Ann Przybylski Director of Membership Development Rota Venners Director of Public Policy & Business Development

Contact Info

As the voice of business, we work hard to bring to the attention of policy­ makers the trials and tribulations of doing business in the city, state and nation. We lobby actively at all levels of government and enjoy strong and constructive relationships with our policymakers.

As a chamber, we are moderate and understand the delicate balance between economy, social equity and environment. Our emphasis on this sustainability model helps our voice to be heard as we focus on the economic leg of this three-legged stool. We provide many opportunities for our membership to engage in policy work, including biweekly public policy committee meetings, legislative receptions and our new advocacy blog (www. chandlerchamber.com/advocacy).

Our voice of business is further strengthened through our East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance (EVCCA), where we join together with six other chambers to bring our issues forward as a unified voice. Our paid lobbyist, the Dorn

25 S. Arizona Place, Suite 201 Chandler, AZ 85225 (480) 963-4571 www.chandlerchamber.com

Employers Council

Member Benefits

Human resource management is a challenge for any size of organization and can be particularly challenging for smaller employers who don’t have dedicated HR professionals on staff.

Responding to this ongoing challenge for small employers, the Chamber has started an Employers Council. This Council will impart information and guidance to our membership and the community at large and help employers stay up to date with the always-changing area of HR policy and employment law.

Our Employers Council Steering Committee involves a selection of our members most interested in HR policy. The Steering Committee will design a speaker series and roundtable discussions that are relevant and timely. They will also design a member-only tool kit that will be available to members on our Web site.

• W e are an advocate for our member businesses.

• We provide access to city and state legislators by connecting members to important community issues.

• We offer a wide variety of business programs, events and education opportunities that help grow business.

• W e leverage the talents and resources of our members to improve economic opportunities.

• W e provide many opportunities for business-to-business networking.

To Join: Contact Mary Ann Przybylski at (480) 963-4571, or join.chandlerchamber.com 50

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Gilbert Chamber of Commerce

J.W. Rayhons, Chairman of the Board By becoming a member of a chamber of commerce, you are making an important and definitive statement about your business as you take an active role in the support of your local business community. When you join the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, you demonstrate your desire to engage your community, connect with others and advance your business.

At the Gilbert Chamber, we challenge our members to engage with the community through opportunities that include helping one another through a business-to-business mentoring program, honoring others at the Gilbert Community Excellence Awards and raising funds for local students at this year’s Scholars Golf Tournament. Perhaps the path to community service has been blazed by the Chamber’s Gilbert Leadership program, an incredible journey of building leadership skills and lasting relationships while identifying needs and serving the community. This year, the program will celebrate its 19th year with more than 350 alumni.

We challenge our members to connect with others to build successful business relationships.

We make good use of our members’ time by presenting fewer events each month but ones

that bring incredible value, including our quarterly Referral Institute, Early Edition (morning) Networking Events, a luncheon series that includes an economic forecast and mayor’s annual address, our “What Women Want…” luncheons and even speed networking opportunities. Evening networking events include larger-scaled, fun-filled events to meet our members’ socializing and business connection needs.

Finally, we challenge our members to advance their businesses by improving their bottom line and solving issues that impact them.

Members have access to discounts on workers’ compensation and healthcare benefits. The Partners for Progress program brings together large businesses with the Town of Gilbert and the Chamber to identify issues and solutions impacting their business, and members are asked to support the process of candidate endorsements for local and state elections.

Whether or not you join the Gilbert Chamber, it is important for you to get involved — the possibilities to your Chamber experience are endless. Will you take the opportunity to engage, connect and advance your business?

Profile Founded: 1979 Head of Organization: J.W. Rayhons, Chairman of the Board Membership Contact: Annette Sellers, Director of Sales Number of Members: 550 Number of Staff: 7 Largest Annual Event: Scholars Golf Tournament, April 7, 2011 Awards Program: Annual Awards Luncheon, June 28, 2011

Chamber Staff Kathy Tilque President and CEO Sarah Watts Executive Assistant Annette Sellers Director of Sales Marty Tomljenovic VP Special Events Grace Hodges VP Programs and Services

Of Note

Committee Laying Groundwork

Kristin Saiz Communication Coordinator Adrianne Lynch IT Director

Gilbert residents and tourists have a new tool at their fingertips with the launch of the community’s first kiosk system and other tourism-related materials to promote the town’s amenities.

Five touch-screen, paperless kiosks have been installed in locations throughout Gilbert and feature categories such as Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Do and Community Resources.

In addition to the installation of kiosks, the Chamber has published and • L eads Clubs Referral Institute distributed its first tourism map highlighting different areas of interest and • M ember Mentoring recently launched visitgilbertaz.com, Gilbert’s first tourism website. The • W hat Women Want…In Business Chamber also partnered with the Mesa Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and • B usiness Advocacy the Town of Queen Creek to launch visitgateway.com, a landing site that is marketed to different regions throughout the country.

Contact Info P.O. Box 527 Gilbert, AZ 85299 (480) 892-0056 www.gilbertaz.com

Member Benefits

To Join: Contact Annette Sellers at (480) 926-6020 or visit us at www.gilbertaz.com inbusinessmag.com

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Glendale Chamber of Commerce

Don Rinehart, President & CEO

Profile Founded: 1951 Head of Organization: Don Rinehart, President and CEO Membership Contact: Harry Shapiro Number of Members: 702 Number of Staff: 5 Largest Annual Event: Glendale Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair — Annual Chamber-sponsored event providing members exhibit space to give exposure to other members and business owners.

Awards Program: Annual Awards Luncheon and Mayor’s State of the City Address Area of Specialty: Networking, Public Policy, Business Enrichment

Chamber Staff Don Rinehart President and CEO Harry B. Shapiro V.P. Chamber Operations Ray W. Goulding V.P. Marketing & Events Monika Nylund Director of Admin. Services Jaclyn Herzog Administrative and Communications Assistant

Contact Info 7105 N. 59th Avenue Glendale, AZ 85311 (623) 937-4754 info@glendaleazchamber.org www.glendaleazchamber.org

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce is a business association consisting of voluntary membership and a professional staff.

In the greater Glendale area, the Chamber represents more than 900 area businesses, from local retail, trade and professional services to manufacturing and exporting. Chamber member businesses provide goods and services, jobs and tax revenue to benefit the area’s economy.

The Chamber serves the business community as the voice of commerce, provides programs and services to improve the economic environment for its members and supplies leadership for improving the quality of life. For area residents and newcomers, the Chamber is a reliable source of community information and a dependable resource for business referrals.

In addition to committees and networking, the Chamber focuses on enriching Glendale, Ariz.

Economic Development, Government Relations, Community Development, Military Affairs and Member Benefits are among our attributes that member businesses benefit from.

The Chamber of Commerce works in cooperation with the City of Glendale Economic

Development Department, the Service Corp. of Retired Executives (SCORE) and the Maricopa Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide assistance to new and existing businesses.

The Chamber’s website provides information to members and individuals about the Glendale business community. The site includes a member directory and buyers guide, which provides referrals to member businesses. Members are provided a free webpage and a link to their own website and may purchase additional banner advertising at a nominal fee.

The community map and relocation guide is an actual street map with an index for users to find specific destinations and also includes valuable relocation and tourism information.

Advertising space is available to members wishing to heighten their visibility to tourists, relocation inquiries and new residents.

Our Chamber newsletter is mailed monthly to member businesses. The Pulse offers our members the opportunity to increase their visibility through advertising and is inserted into the Glendale Star, which has a circulation of 12,000, and keeps the membership informed of member issues, events and other important business news.

Of Note

Glendale Chamber Foundation RAAD Grant Program (Raising Awareness About Diversity) grants are made possible by gifts from supporters and fundraising activities of the Glendale Chamber Foundation. We offer grants up to $750 to K-12 classroom teachers for implementing diversity and youth activism projects in their schools and communities. Proposals from other educators such as community organizations and churches will be considered on the basis of direct student impact. Projects funded by the Glendale Chamber • M arketing Foundation tend to be small-scale, resourceful and student-focused, • N etworking promoting acceptance of diversity, peacemaking, community service • S avings Plans or any other aspect of tolerance education. Projects should be clearly • I nternet & Publications defined, well integrated and tailored to the specified needs and interests of • I nsurance Programs particular learners and their communities. They need to be economically • E ntertainment & Recreation responsible, involving staff participation, community volunteers and in• M ember Services kind contributions wherever possible.

Member Benefits

To Join: Visit us online at www.glendaleazchamber.org 52

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Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce

Jeff Cleveland, President & CEO As the new year begins, the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce sets out on a new path under new leadership and a renewed focus aimed at growing a new generation of business leaders. The GPBCC serves as the cornerstone for educational training, resource programs, resource and economic growth opportunities.

To meet the growing challenges of an increasingly competitive business environment, GPBCC provides a strong support system and network to ensure success to African American entrepreneurs and business owners. The GPBCC continues its tradition of advocacy, education and meaningful relationships for our members and Arizona businesses overall.

Expanding member relationship networks and educational opportunities to improve entrepreneurial business skills tops the list of 2011 efforts. Learning how to be successful is the first step to becoming successful, so the Chamber will launch a new partnership with the University of Phoenix and the United States Black Chamber to provide valuable workshops

on business management and other crucial topics for business success.

Workshops will include instruction on small business basics, financing strategies for growth and strategic investing for expansion.

Complimenting the new educational curriculum, the Chamber will also create real-time learning and growth opportunities by pairing members in a mentor/mentee relationship to enhance their membership experience. Finally, as we look to the future, we will work to develop our youngest entrepreneurs by creating an entrepreneurship outreach program aimed at youth. I started my own lawn business at age 13, so I know how important it is to begin early and sow the seeds of success early.

The Chamber is poised for growth, new opportunity and growing our new generation of business leaders and business owners, and I invite you to join us as we work toward a more prosperous Arizona.

Of Note

Annual Dinner Honors Corporate and Small Business Partners of the Year

Profile Founded: 1999 Head of Organization: Jeffrey C. Cleveland, President and CEO Membership Contact: Heather Holmes, Director Number of Members: 108 Number of Staff: 3 Largest Annual Event: 12th Annual Awards Banquet: “A New Generation of Business,” Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 Awards Program: Annual Awards Banquet Area of Specialty: Business Networking, and Training & Education

Chamber Staff Joanna de’Shay Chair Jeffrey C. Cleveland President and CEO HeatherMarie Holmes Director

Contact Info

This year marks a pivotal milestone for the Chamber as we embark on celebrating “A New Generation of 201 E. Washington Street, Suite 350 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Business” with new leadership supporting African American businesses willing to give back to the community (602) 307-5200 and become role models for future entrepreneurs and business leaders. Our 12th Annual Awards Banquet www.phoenixblackchamber.com takes place Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, at the Phoenix Wyndham Hotel. For more information, visit our Web site at www.phoenixblackchamber.com.

The event is our largest fundraising event of the year, attracting more than 400 entrepreneurs and corporate and elected officials. Become a sponsor of the event and increase your brand • Networking, professional development, • Visibility through the GPBCC Web site, loyalty — sponsorship opportunities range from $15,000 for a mentoring and training with access to fellow newsletter and other publications Platinum Sponsorship to $2,500 for a table of 10. We invite you members and corporate network • Discounts on goods and services to partner with the Chamber and help us continue the dream • Cultivation of supplier/vendor loyalty from a • Access to valuable information, public policy of providing “A New Generation of Business” of support to group of dependable professionals issues and their effect on your organization the community.

Member Benefits

To Join: Contact Channel Powe, Membership Director, at (602) 307-5200 inbusinessmag.com

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Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

Todd Sanders, President & CEO

Profile

Founded: 1888 Head of Organization: Todd Sanders, President and CEO Membership Contact: Debbie Drotar, Business Development Director Number of Members: 2,900 Number of Staff: 26 Largest Annual Event: Mayor’s State of the City Address and Luncheon — March/April Awards Program: ATHENA and Impact Awards Area of Specialty: Business Networking, Branding and Marketing and Public Policy Advocacy

Chamber Staff

Todd Sanders President and CEO Ron McElhaney VP Finance and Operations Michelle Bolton VP Public Affairs and Economic Development Jennifer Mellor VP Program Development Jody Ryan Marketing Communications Director Debbie Drotar Business Development Director Katie Campana Community Relations Director Norma Macias Member Services Director

Contact Info

201 N. Central Avenue, 27th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 495-2195 www.phoenixchamber.com

I’m often asked, “What is the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce?

What do you do?”

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is an organization made up of 2,900 companies throughout the Valley and state that come together to grow their business, save money and influence government.

As we have since we were founded in 1888, we support the growth and development of business in the Valley, which strengthens the quality of life in our community.

Our members enjoy opportunities to network with other business professionals, market their goods and services and support each other personally and professionally. They can attend events throughout the year that inform, entertain and stimulate — everything from low-key evening networking events to our Phoenix Forum speakers’ series to awards programs recognizing the outstanding business professionals in the Valley.

Especially now, every business is looking for ways to save money and grow revenue. We offer programs that help our members save

on insurance, SCF workers’ compensation premiums and advertising. Our exclusive procurement program, BidSource, connected members to nearly $350 million in government bids last year.

We’re very active in the public affairs arena.

We work very closely with elected officials at the local, state and county levels to make sure they understand the issues that are very important to the business community. Our Political Action Committee (PAC) supports pro-business candidates for local and state offices. We encourage all our members to get involved in this important facet of the Chamber experience.

Our staff works very hard every day to make sure our members — big and small and in-between — are informed, connected and prosperous.

We’re committed to keeping the Valley a great place to live, work and to do business.

I hope you’ll join us in those efforts. Visit www.phoenixchamber.com/join today and find out about all the reasons your company should be a member of the largest and bestestablished business organization in Arizona.

Of Note

Chamber Institute

Real People. Real Business. Real Success.

Providing resources for our members of all sizes to grow their business is a top priority for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC). It’s our main focus and the reason we exist. Next month, we’re launching our six-month-long “Chamber Institute” to help our members climb out of the recession and into economic recovery.

The Chamber Institute will consist of monthly sessions featuring local experts presenting customized coursework focusing on sales, marketing and leadership. In addition to the live presentations, much of the Chamber Institute content will be available online to accommodate busy schedules.

• A ccess to Government Contracts Business professionals who complete the course of study will receive a • B randing and Marketing certificate and a wealth of knowledge in key subjects that can help them be • B usiness Networking more effective and profitable. This program will be offered exclusively to • P rofessional Development GPCC members; if you’re not already a member, be sure to join today at • P ublic Policy Advocacy www.phoenixchamber.com/join.

Member Benefits

To Join: Please contact Debbie Drotar at (602) 495-6483 or ddrotar@phoenixchamber.com or visit www.phoenixchamber.com/join 54

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Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Tony Felice, Chairman 2011 marks the 31st year of the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and we stand on the shoulders of bold and courageous former leaders. The Chamber was formed in a time when the social climate was vastly different from the one we find ourselves in today. We cannot take that for granted for even a moment.

To be “great,” one has to abandon the status quo and “good enough,” and instead embrace the desire to achieve the impossible. We can only imagine how impossible it may have seemed in 1980 to stand and be recognized by the larger community as not only a “gay chamber,” but a legitimate one as well. It was a world far from accepting, and we can imagine that our fore-leaders could only dream of a day when the general business community would only accept us but actively seek to do business with us, form alliances with our organization and even celebrate our partnerships with them.

Our mission, from the beginning, has never changed. We set out to provide a forum where

Member Benefits • O pportunity to connect with other gay-owned businesses and straight allies through networking lunches, net mixes and special events like A Festival of Trees, Evening of Pride and the popular Biz Bowl • Educational opportunities to learn how to grow your business • O pportunity to grow your business by advertising on the Chamber website, newsletter and by sponsoring events • O pportunity to participate for free in our social media platforms Facebook and Twitter • A ccess to medical benefits through ASBA and hiring through Jobing.com

gay people and their allies could network, learn and do business with each other. In addition, we strive to celebrate the fact that gays and lesbians have long been linked to economic development, urban revitalization and significant contribution to the growth of a region.

As suggested by Dr. Richard Florida in The Rise of the Creative Class, fostering a diverse community with a vibrant LGBT presence is good for economic development, a region’s competitiveness and its ability to attract and retain high-impact employers with knowledge workers who seek diverse and exciting cities in which to live. We intend to communicate that message every day.

We are only as good as the sum of our parts.

Likewise, we are only as good as our best members. In that spirit, I invite you to participate, make friends and be successful.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Of Note

An Alliance Anyone can join the GPGLCC; in fact, our straight “allied” members represent about 30 percent of our base. The Gay Chamber has a reciprocal relationship with the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and is allied with the Arizona Small Business Association and Jobing.com. This year, the Gay Chamber launched a historic annual survey measuring an oftenoverlooked dimension of workplace diversity among employers for its LGBT employees. The Business Equality Index (BEI) is modeled after the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index, a wellrespected survey that is completed annually by some of the national largest private-sector employers. It will be published in spring 2011.

The LGBT community has an aggregate buying power of about $800 billion. For the first time, in 2010, the U.S. Census will count the number of domestic partners in the United State ­— we look forward to demonstrating further how strong our numbers are and the economic impact we represent.

Profile Founded: 1980 Head of Organization: Tony Felice, Chairman Membership Contact: Mary Berry, Chamber Administrator Number of Members: 495 Number of Staff: 3 Largest Annual Event: Festival of Trees, each year in December Awards Program: Business Equality Awards Area of Specialty: Business Networking & Education

Chamber Staff Tony Felice Chairman Mary Berry Chamber Administrator Minta Thompson Communications Coordinator Development Director Open

Contact Info P.O. Box 2097 Phoenix, AZ 85001-2097 (602) 266-5055 www.phoenixgaychamber.com

To Join: Please visit our website at www.phoenixgaychamber.com or call the office at (602) 266-5055 inbusinessmag.com

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Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Peter Sterling, President & CEO Profile Founded: 1912 Head of Organization: Peter Sterling, President and CEO Membership Contact: Any staff member is a membership contact.

Number of Members: 1,000 Number of Staff: 5 Largest Annual Event: Senior Lifestyle Expo held every year in February Awards Program: Annual Volunteer and Business Excellence Awards Area of specialty: Business Networking, Public Policy, and Economic Development

Chamber Staff Peter Sterling President and CEO Barbara Caravella Executive Vice President Pamela Stapley Communications Director Sally Harrison Programs Director

Contact Info 120 North Center Mesa, AZ 85201 p. (480) 969-1307 f. (480) 827-0727

This month marks a significant change in the history of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

Charlie Deaton, the Chamber’s leader for the past 18 years, has decided to retire and spend more time exploring his other talents.

Charlie is owed a debt of gratitude for the service he provided to this organization. He led the Chamber and positioned it as the strong and independent voice of the Mesa business community and a force in both the East Valley and Arizona. I am fortunate to be able to follow him.

Upon my arrival in Mesa two years ago, one of the first pieces of advice given to me was to join the Mesa Chamber and get involved. It was valuable advice and I’ve had incredible opportunities since becoming a Chamber member.

Now I will begin my tenure as the Chamber’s president and chief executive officer. I am responsible for making sure that our members receive top-notch service and good return on their membership investment.

As I see it, this is a perfect time to begin the next chapter — the Mesa Chamber is at a

crossroads as it prepares to celebrate 100 years of service. The Arizona economy is starting to rebound and, as it does, many changes will assure there is no such thing as status quo. For every contributing member of this economy, it’s time to adapt or risk becoming irrelevant.

It is my personal philosophy that innovation and entrepreneurship drive the economy. This needs to be encouraged and allowed to flourish.

The role of the Chamber is to act as a catalyst and top cheerleader for business economic growth, and members need to know how valuable that is.

The volunteers and staff at the Mesa Chamber are developing the plan that will provide a strong foundation for moving forward. We have researched best practices of leading-edge chambers of commerce and will combine these findings with our collective experience and knowledge.

If you are a Mesa business owner and not yet a Chamber member, we invite you to join this forward momentum. If you are a resident, remember that a strong chamber of commerce translates into a strong and healthy community.

Did You Know?

What is a Chamber of Commerce?

The Mesa Chamber of Commerce is an organization of the business community. It is a private, nonprofit corporation that unites more than 1,000 business and professional firms. The Mesa Chamber of Commerce is the community’s leading advocate and champion for business. Its primary objective is to create a climate of growth and success in our community. The Mesa Chamber provides leadership and opportunities, volunteer programs and business-building initiatives that focus on the critical business • A lobbyist representing your business at the issues of our community.

Arizona State Capital • Automatic representation with the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance — • Opportunity to expand your networking The Chamber provides business services, networking and an organization representing 7,800 contacts at more than 30 Chamber events referrals, advocacy for public policy and political action — we businesses lobbying the state legislature on annually present your business interests at the local and state level. Our business issues programs are geared to give you, the member, networking • Listing on the Chamber’s website, with as opportunities, leads and contacts, educational seminars, as well as many as 400,000 hits per month, with an • O pportunity to increase your State Insurance trade shows to help you market your products. opportunity to link to your own website Fund dividend by as much as 22 percent

Member Benefits

To Join: To become a member today, go to www.mesachamber.org/chamber/join.aspx or call us at (480) 969-1307 56

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North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

Edward Gomillion, Executive Director The mission of the Chamber is to unite the people of commerce, industry, education and the professions to work together for the development of the greater North Phoenix area. The Chamber believes that by fostering business growth and prosperity, the quality of life of the entire area is improved. The North Phoenix Chamber is celebrating 47 years of service to businesses throughout the North Phoenix Valley.

Our service area reaches from Northern Avenue north to Anthem, and 51st Avenue east

to Scottsdale Road. There are more than 18,000 businesses in our service area and the numbers keep growing.

Our members range from individual business men and women who want to become involved within their business community and small business owners and entrepreneurs with fewer than 10 employees all the way to companies with more than 100 employees

Profile Founded: 1963 Head of Organization: Edward Gomillion, Executive Director Membership Contact: Edward Gomillion Largest Annual Event: NPCC Golf Tournament Area of specialty: Connecting Members

Did You Know?

Npcc Membership — What We Want Over the past several years, NPCC has transformed itself into an organization that truly recognizes what members want and need from a chamber of commerce.

We understand the importance of keeping up with advances in technology and business strategies and the kinds of training and support that businesses need to keep a sharp, competitive edge.

We do this by: • Providing members with a technical edge — their own website within a website hosted by NPCC • Weekly networking, marketing and lead generating events

Chamber Staff

• Monthly Seminar Luncheon Series • Monthly mixers hosted by our members • Promoting your open houses and grand openings • Health benefits • Free inclusion in our online directory • Discounted advertising on our website and in our newsletter • Discounts on other member services, including identity theft, advertising, marketing, insurance and storage • And we keep adding more …

Edward Gomillion Executive Director Randy Knoble Chairman Robert K. Minniti Treasurer Norma Huibregtse Secretary

Contact Info 14001 N. 7th Street Building C, Suite 106 Phoenix, AZ 85022 (602) 482-3344 www.northphoenixchamber.com

Member Benefits • A ll NPCC members receive free inclusion in our online directory, including up to five category listings and a complimentary Google map to their location.

• Chamber Choice (R) offers all NPCC members, their employees and their families discounted healthcare plans. Chamber Choice (R) can be reached at (602) 996-6010 for more information.

• N o healthcare insurance? Save up to 50 percent off most services at NextCare Urgent Care when you purchase a ValueCare medical discount card. ValueCare is available to Chamber members, their families, their employees and their employees’ families. Great member benefit by Bedmart.

• P roviding substantial benefits on healthcare insurance, identity theft protection, advertising, marketing, website

design and even dinner out once in a while ... isn’t THAT what YOUR chamber SHOULD be doing?

• L ow-cost advertising rates in our newsletters and on our Chamber website, all creating direct links to the member advertiser’s website, are available to our NPCC members.

To Join: Call Edward Gomillion at (602) 482-3344 for information on North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce inbusinessmag.com

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North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce

Tom Lockhart, CEO

Profile Founded: 2007 Head of Organization: Tom Lockhart, CEO Membership Contact: Tom Lockhart Number of Members: 650+ Number of Staff: 4 Largest Annual Event: Charity Golf Tournament Area of specialty: Business Networking, Philanthropic Community Efforts

Chamber Staff Tom Lockhart CEO Lori Sloan Office Manager

Contact Info 14201 N. 87th Street, Suite 131 Scottsdale, AZ 85260-3683 p. (480) 889-8987 f. (480) 998-3959 www.northscottsdalechamber.org

The vision of the North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce is to help local businesses realize their full potential. By helping local businesses develop and grow, we help create a better, stronger, thriving community in which to work, live and prosper.

We are Arizona’s fastest growing chamber, and are proud and excited to bring the community a new kind of chamber that seeks participation not only by our member businesses but also from our local community. We are dedicated to providing the resources our members need to build and sustain their successful businesses, but also to supporting the community that sustains us. The value of becoming a North Scottsdale Chamber member extends far beyond just making connections and networking. Your membership will help you: • Build your business. Chamber members do business with other Chamber members first.

• Take advantage of various kinds of advertising opportunities and gain exposure for your

business.

• N etwork. The NSCC has the strongest, most effective networking opportunities, provided by our hundreds of Chamber events each year.

• Participate in numerous philanthropic activities to give back to our community.

Our real strength is our members. It is the commitment and involvement from so many people that makes the NSCC and all of its events and fundraising efforts so very successful. There are few other business organizations that can rival the level of participation and volunteerism by our members. The North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce sets the standard for excellence in member service, community collaboration, business growth and achieving a high quality of life in the North Scottsdale area. As our phenomenal growth continues, we see nothing but good things in the future of the NSCC and for our community.

Of Note

Philanthropic Efforts Each year, the North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce focuses its philanthropic efforts on as many as a dozen local charities. There are many events where members can get involved and help, including food and toy drives; dining at local restaurants where

Member Benefits • I mprove Your Bottom Line: Chamber members do business with other Chamber members first.

• Receive Member Discounts: As a member, you will have access to great discounts from fellow members for your personal and business needs.

• Give Back: The NSCC is extremely active in the community and participates in numerous

philanthropic activities to give back to our community.

• Gain Exposure: Advertising opportunities that boost exposure are available and affordable through the Chamber’s outlets — directory listings, banner ads on the website, eBlasts, magazine ads, social media, sponsorship opportunities and more.

a portion of proceeds goes to charity; volunteering at the charities themselves; and attending charity fundraisers, including our largest fundraising event, the Charity Golf Tournament. Last year, our Tournament and the Golf Ball Drop (5,000 golf balls dropped from a helicopter) raised money to help support St. Mary’s Food Bank and Gabriel’s Angels.

In 2011, our focus will be on helping children in our community. The "2011 NSCC Campaign for Kids" will assist local children in need with everything from food and shelter to education and emotional support, and much more. Members of the NSCC will participate in numerous ways: donating money and needed items, volunteering at local events and attending charity fundraisers.

To Join: You may join online at www.northscottsdalechamber.org, or contact the Chamber Office for more information 58

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Peoria Chamber of Commerce

Diana Bedient, President & CEO At the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, we know it’s our responsibility to work for you and to assist you in your business success. We strive to create a strong local economy for our businesses and residents by providing opportunities to build relationships and deliver programs that support you in your business growth.

The Peoria Chamber offers business connections through networking activities and marketing opportunities. Every month, the Chamber offers four specific networking meetings, a luncheon, breakfast, educational workshop, mixer or two, committee activities, Toastmasters, S.C.O.R.E. counselors and ribbon cuttings. We provide monthly educational seminars, community involvement, special events and more!

Valuable marketing opportunities are available through our monthly newspaper, annual community profile and business directory, map and exceptional website, which experiences more than 300,000 inquiries a month. While on our website, www.peoriachamber.com, you can read the Chamber newspaper; check out our calendar,

membership directory and press releases; RSVP for activities; and more! As a member, your business will have its own profile on the website, plus you can be listed in five categories.

In addition, we produce a monthly newsletter delivered to all our business members, city officials and throughout the community. As a new member of the Chamber, you will get a complimentary business description in our newspaper that is delivered to all our members, plus 12,000 homes in Peoria. You can also insert 800 flyers in our newspaper at no cost. You can advertise your business to the new servicemen at Luke Air Force Base by being a member. You will also get valuable listings on our website and membership directory, plus you can display your business literature and business cards in our Chamber lobby. The Chamber has various opportunities through sponsorships of activities and programs to fit your business needs and budget.

The Peoria Chamber of Commerce is here to help grow your business and create a strong economy as your partner and voice for business.

Of Note

New Business Tools Available to Members

Profile Founded: 1919 Head of Organization: Diana Bedient, President and CEO Membership Contact: Ashley Dryer and Kathy Porter, Membership Services Number of Members: 526 Number of Staff: 3 Largest Annual Event: Taste of Peoria and Casino Nite Awards Program: Annual Awards Banquet and Referral Recognition Area of Specialty: Business Connections

Chamber Staff Diana Bedient President and CEO Ashley Dryer Webmaster/Membership Services Kathy Porter Membership Services/ Visitor Service Manager

Contact Info

8631 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 203, Peoria, AZ 85382 (623) 979-3601 www.peoriachamber.com

Every Chamber member can now receive a “Tool Kit” with business handouts at the monthly breakfast. The complimentary notebook will grow each month with the educational handouts provided on topics of importance for business owners and employees. Topics include New Tax Laws, Effective Networking, Social Media, Marketing Ideas, Customer Service and more. In addition, the Peoria Chamber recently launched “Tools for Business Success.” Chamber members, existing businesses and persons wanting to start a business now have a one-stop online resource center that includes a business start-up kit, business plans, small business certification information, tax • B usiness Connections: A variety of monthly business-to-business networking activities and business forms, employer forms, business articles and • Marketing: Website, monthly newspaper, annual business directory, special events, weekly eBlast more to assist you with your business. All of this will also be • E ducation: Educational workshops, webinars, business tool kits and resource library available in Spanish with one click of a button. To receive the • C ommunity: Partners with nonprofits, government and business valuable business tools, visit www.peoriachamber.com and • P romotions: Ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, sponsorships, advertising, news through our look for the link on the front page. website and newspaper

Member Benefits

To Join: See www.peoriachamber.com or call (623) 979-3601 for a personal consultation inbusinessmag.com

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Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce

Rick Kidder, President & CEO

Profile Founded: 1947 Head of Organization: Rick Kidder, President and CEO Membership Contact: Tina Miller, Director of Sales & Member Services Number of Members: 971 Number of Staff: 10 Largest Annual Event: SBS Fall Trade Show Awards Program: Sterling Awards Area of Specialty: Business Networking, Education, Economic Development, Public Policy & Business Advocacy

Chamber Staff Rick Kidder President and CEO Cindi Eberhardt Executive Vice President Tina Miller Director of Sales & Member Services Mike Binder Marketing & Communications Manager Cari Woods Events Manager

Contact Info 4725 N. Scottsdale Rd. #210 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 355-2700 www.scottsdalechamber.com

The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1947, four years before the incorporation of the City of Scottsdale. For nearly 65 years, the Chamber has lived up to its mission: “Building a vibrant and prosperous community through business leadership.”

Scottsdale has grown and prospered greatly, moving from a sleepy bedroom community into a diversified business center with an unsurpassed brand that signifies quality, lifestyle, innovation and entrepreneurship. Tourism, once the only economic driver for Scottsdale, remains essential to the city’s financial health, but through the work of the Chamber and the City of Scottsdale the economy has diversified into a business services center, a retail powerhouse and a high-tech/bio-tech center that compliments our superb medical complexes, Scottsdale Healthcare and Mayo Clinic.

The Chamber maintains an active role in civic affairs, helping to represent the interests of the business community before local, state and national elected officials to help ensure a business climate that allows all businesses to

thrive. Whether the issues are taxation, regulatory overreach or controversial enough to spark public debate, the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce assists the business community through advocacy, information and events designed to cast light on significant issues that impact the business community, like national healthcare reform.

The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce offers a vast array of programs and services for businesses of any size or stage of development.

From networking to education programs to discounts that assist companies to save money in good or challenging times, the Chamber is dedicated to helping businesses grow and prosper. Through the synergy of more than 1,000 business members, Chamber members also learn to do business with each other, often offering substantial discounts to other Chamber members as a way of enhancing a strong business base.

While the vast majority of the Chamber’s members have a physical presence in Scottsdale, many members are located in other municipalities but seek to do business in this great city. It is the Chamber’s goal to be a strong regional partner, to serve our members well and to meet their needs now and in the future.

Did You Know?

What Members Say About Us I wanted to congratulate you all on making today’s Champions Breakfast a “slam dunk.” Well done. Great attendance, great venue, fabulous food, positive attitudes … one of the best events I’ve had the pleasure of attending!

—George Gillas, The Janus Center for Personal Growth You guys really have your act together. I wish I joined years ago.

—Matt Kersten, Kersten Cards/Stonehouse Collection

My association with members and the amazing Chamber team has helped drive business to our facility at a time when perceived luxuries like a spa treatment are being dropped from people’s budgets.

—Kirk Gregor, Spa at Gainey Village Since the inception of our business, the Scottsdale Chamber has been an integral part of our marketing plan because it works!

• C onnect with customers and colleagues Their staff is responsive to our • Learn new skills requests and they offer a variety • Influence decisions and of networking venues to match decisionmakers individual comfort zones.

• Grow your bottom line • Gain invaluable exposure for —Deb & Heidi Jones, your business Business of Baskets

Member Benefits

To Join: www.scottsdalechamber.com/join or (480) 355-2700 60

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Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce

Sharolyn Hohman, President & CEO A dynamic and progressive area, the cities represented by the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce — Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Tolleson — are home to a diversified population whose needs are met by an equally diversified business community.

The Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce is cognizent of the growing and changing face of the Southwest Valley and strives to provide a climate conducive to incubating new businesses and providing established businesses with the support they need to expand and flourish. One of the Chamber’s attributes is the ability to connect people with similar goals to achieve a common purpose, whether in business or in the nonprofit sector.

The Chamber is and has always been a leader in helping to resolve business issues affecting the local community. Several years ago, the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Glendale, Wickenburg and Buckeye Chambers to form the West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance, an organization dedicated to advocating for their business communities with a united voice.

Providing networking opportunities for members is one of our major functions. Each

month, business and community leaders gather for breakfast or lunch and at Business After Hours and Mixers to exchange ideas in a relaxed social atmosphere. Each June, outstanding members are recognized for their service throughout the year at the annual Chamber Dinner.

Member businesses are automatically listed on the Chamber’s business website, www. southwestvalleychamber.org, where they are readily available to potential customers 24/7.

Their listings are also published in the annual Chamber Directory, along with interesting facts about the community.

Volunteers are a vital source of manpower for the Chamber, and members are urged to take leadership roles by serving on committees such as government affairs, business support, education, membership, leadership training and marketing.

Designated as an official Arizona Office of Tourism Center in 2001, the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce is frequently the first contact visitors have when coming to the area because of its location just off Interstate 10.

Of Note

Member Benefits • N etworking: Eleven opportunities a month to network • W eb Presence: Full, interactive page on Chamber website included with membership • B usiness Advocacy: At the local, county, state and federal levels • S hop Locally: Yearly directory, referrals, shopsouthwestvalley.com • A dvertising Opportunities: Directory, map, Chamber lobby displays

Travel to Europe Each year since 2009, the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce has offered an exciting travel experience to an exotic destination. Past tours have included China, where participants visited the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and a tour of the Italian countryside and Rome with side trips to Tuscany and the walled city of San Gimignano.

The 2011 trip, which leaves March 24, visits historic London and Paris, the fabled City of Lights. Highlights include visits to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle in London, and, moving on to Paris, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.

The trips are not limited to Chamber members, so anyone with a little wanderlust in their soul is welcome to come along. For information, contact the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce at (623) 932-2260.

Profile Founded: 1958 Head of Organization: Sharolyn Hohman, President and CEO Membership Contact: Danielle Brown, Office Manager Number of Members: 700 Number of Staff: 5 Largest Annual Event: Eco Avenues – Going Green Southwest Valley Style, March 26, 2011 Awards Program: Annual Awards Dinner, June 25, 2011 Area of Specialty: Multiple Areas

Chamber Staff Sharolyn Hohman President and CEO Danielle Brown Office Manager Marla Chandler Administrative Assistant Susan Evans Tourism Specialist Beatrice Day Office Assistant

Contact Info 289 N. Litchfield Road Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 932-2260 www.southwestvalleychamber.org

To Join: Click “Join the Chamber” at www.southwestvalleychamber.org or call Danielle Brown at (623) 932-2260 inbusinessmag.com

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Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce

David Moss, President & CEO

Profile Founded: 1963 Head of Organization: David Moss, President & CEO Membership Contact: Mary Orta, Director, Member Services Number of Members: 559 Number of Staff: 3 Awards Program: Copper Sun Awards Area of Specialty: Business Networking & Education; Public Policy; Economic Development

Chamber Staff David Moss President & CEO Mary Orta Director, Member Services Katherine Peck Member Services Robin Potter Communications & Technical Services Jim Jevens Economic Development Betty Boon Business Development

Contact Info 16126 Civic Center Plaza Surprise, AZ 85374 623-583-0692 www.surpriseregionalchamber.com

2010 was a year of “new” for the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber relocated to a new building next to the new city hall in Surprise; launched a new website to better serve members; introduced a new staff; created several new committees, events and an array of member services; and added more than 200 new members.

The Chamber represents the diverse populations of El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise and Youngtown. Each community brings a particular energy to the area and produces an atmosphere and personality unique to Arizona.

In 2009, the Chamber rolled out a new tag line: Serving Members, Growing Businesses, Shaping Communities. While all three are essential to a well-functioning chamber, the tag line also represents a progression that we are trying to follow. As we move in to 2011, we continue to work hard to make sure we are serving our members and being responsive to their needs.

We will also continue to provide tools, programs, events and services that help their organizations grow. But we will be particularly focused on

shaping communities in the coming year.

The Surprise Regional Chamber will be working closely with our constituent communities to foster economic development both through business retention efforts as well as helping our cities further develop an inviting business atmosphere.

We will be working closely with elected representatives in our region to ensure that businesses are recognized for the community builders they are and not considered a nuisance simply to be tolerated. We will work hand-inhand with those who seek to create a truly probusiness climate and make it easier to relocate, manage and grow businesses.

We will be working with our educational partners to continue to offer business seminars and workshops, but will also be rolling out programs and partnerships that reach beyond traditional business education and impact the community as a whole. We will be reaching into the high schools and leveraging the energy and creativity of tomorrow’s business leaders. And we will be reaching into the “retirement communities” and leveraging their deep and diverse experience.

With so many diverse strengths, the Northwest Valley is poised to have a fantastic 2011.

Of Note

Business Education Series A focus on business education has brought more value to our members’ investment in the Chamber. One of the newer educational events at the Chamber is the monthly Business Education Seminar Series held at the Ultrastar Cinemas in Surprise. Each month, Chamber members are invited to attend the free event that combines food, networking and education. The event takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 10 a.m. The topics are usually focused on sales, marketing and human resources. A continental breakfast is provided as members sit back in the big, comfortable theater chairs and learn from an expert how to grow their business (watching a PowerPoint presentation on a movie screen is a new experience for many). And when was the last time you started an educational seminar by watching trailers of upcoming movies?

Member Benefits • N etworking Events • M arketing/Business Promotion Opportunities • O pportunities to get involved: Nine standing committees and four signature committees • F ree meeting space for up to 50 people • E ducational Benefits/Events • P olitical Advocacy

To Join: Enrollment online at www.surpriseregionalchamber.com or contact Mary Orta at (623) 583-0692 62

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Tempe Chamber of Commerce

Mary Ann Miller, President & CEO I was giving a tour to a colleague from California a while ago. We drove down Rio Salado Parkway and Apache Boulevard, went past Tempe Marketplace, ASU and the Biodesign Institute, stopped at Tempe Town Lake and strolled down Mill Avenue. I told him about projects underway and described those planned. At the end of an hour, he turned to me and said, “Wow! You really like your community!”

Not only do I like it, I’m proud of the impact the Tempe Chamber has had on the community.

It’s our job to create a strong local economy, represent the needs of businesses before government, promote the community and provide networking opportunities. We’ve been at the forefront of many issues and have worked hand-in-hand with our partners at the City, the Tempe Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Tempe Community to position Tempe as a leader in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country.

Our many accomplishments, just to name a few, include the institution of the Tempe Leadership program in 1984. More than 400 graduates have gone on to lead businesses,

serve on nonprofit boards and city commissions and be elected to public office.

The Tempe Chamber was also the impetus behind the 1996 Tempe transit tax approval, lobbied extensively for light rail and worked closely with other stakeholders on the regional transportation plan. In addition, the Tempe Chamber was also one of the founding members of the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance, creating a model for the chamber industry to work on common legislative issues.

And then there are the numerous businesses that have grown and prospered because of exposure they’ve received at our events, connections they’ve made at our committees and lessons they’ve learned at our seminars.

We at the Tempe Chamber realize that you can’t have a strong business community without healthy and effective schools, government and cultural organizations. We pledge to continue to work to ensure that Tempe remains a leader in the nation while providing the day-to-day tools to grow your business.

Of Note

Profile Founded: 1908 Head of the Organization: Mary Ann Miller, President and CEO Membership Contact: Renee Lopata, Senior Vice President 480-736-4284 Number of Members: 900 Number of Staff: 7 Largest Annual Event: Sun Devil Football Kickoff Luncheon Awards Program: Breakfast for Chamber Champions Area of Specialty: Networking, Advocacy, Professional Development, Influence

Chamber Staff Mary Ann Miller President and CEO Sean Donovan • Vice President, Media and Program Development Brian Krupski Membership Development

Business Toolkit

Member Benefits • I ncreased visibility through multiple marketing opportunities • M ember advocacy at local, state and federal levels • R egular monthly networking events • E ducational workshops and seminars • P rofessional development through committees, educational programs and Tempe Leadership

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide our membership with an exciting new free resource — the Business Toolkit.

This website, specially tailored for the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and underwritten by APS, provides a wide variety of tools from local, state, federal and best-of-the-Web resources to start and grow businesses.

Tools for Business contains a business start-up kit with all the forms to comply with government requirements, resources on dealing with the tough economic times, links to funding resources, information on green business practices and business tax incentives, employer resources, online classes and much more. It is also viewable in Spanish.

Please visit the Chamber website at www.tempechamber.org to learn more.

Renee Lopata, CAE Senior Vice President Sachiyo Ragsdale Communications Director Heidi Santos • Bookkeeper Magdalena Warecka Director of Operations

Contact Info

909 E. Apache Blvd.

Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 967-7891 info@tempechamber.org www.tempechamber.org

To Join: For information on joining the Tempe Chamber, please call (480) 967-7891 inbusinessmag.com

In Business Magazine

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INDE X Donahoe, Patrick R., 14

Kendrick, Noah, 49

Pilnock, Eric, 20

Ducar, Frances, 24

Kidder, Rick, 60

Pollack, Elliott D., 16

Acuff, Jerry, 31

Eberle, Mark, 12

Kimble, Terri, 46

Rayhons, J.W., 51

Bedient, Diana, 59

Ecton, Wayne, 14,

Klapp, Suzanne, 14

Rinehart, Don, 52

Bell, Becky, 34

Felice, Tony, 55

Kunkel, Jeffrey, 32

Sanders, Todd, 54

Brewer, Gov. Jan, 13

Gomillion, Edward, 57

Kyl, Sen. Jon, 24

Schooling, Bill, 16

Cardon, Don, 18

GrosJean, Henry, 24

Lavinsky, Deborah, 66

Shanley, Will, 24

Churchard, Karen, 18

Haan, Russ, 20

Lockhart, Tom, 58

Sneed, Gary, 32

Clark-Johnson, Susan, 13

Hamer, Glenn, 47

McDonald, Malcolm, 31

Sterling, Peter, 56

Cleveland, Jeffrey C., 59

Hanan, Mack, 31

McLaughlin, Sean, 13

Taft, Pres. William Howard, 18

Colburn, Ken, 20

Hannon, Richard, 24

Miller, Mary Ann, 63

Trastek, Victor F., 11

Coury, Monica, 29

Henderson, Gayle, 12

Moss, David, 62

Warkentin, Dave, 50

Craig, H. Randall, 13

Henry, Sherry, 18

Murray, Matthew N., 13

Weaver, Bill, 24, 27

Davis, Donna, 32

Herold, Linda, 42

Musil, John, 22

Wiest, Candace, 32

De la Melena, Gonzalo, 48

Hohman, Sharolyn, 61

Olague, Mark, 32

Woodburn, Diana, 31

Delaney, Jodi, 18

Hopkins, Tom, 31

Paul, Christi, 13

Zylstra, Steven, 35

DeMille, Cecil B., 18

Kassel, Kristine, 12

Pidgeon, Kathy, 34

Center for Business & Economics, University of Tennessee, 13

Iasis Healthcare, 35

Index By Name

Index by Company 8bit Development, 20 AHCCCS, 29 Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, 36, 46

Central Phoenix Women, 37 Chandler Chamber of Commerce, 37, 50 Children’s Museum of Phoenix, 6 City of Peoria, 18

AirSprint, 15

Cox Business, 3

Alerus Bank & Trust, 23

CWLIFE Photography, 42

Angel Capital Association, 35

Data Doctors, 20

Apothecary Shops, The, 22

Delicious Deliveries, 43

Arizona Centennial Commission/Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation, 18

Department of Commerce, 16

Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 36, 47 Arizona Commerce Authority, 18 Arizona Department of Insurance, 24 Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 36, 48

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, 32 Economic Club of Phoenix, 37 Einstein Bros., 43 Eller College of Management, 6 Elliott D. Pollack & Company, 16 Fertility Treatment Center, 13

Arizona Office of Tourism, 18

FLASHiPEDIA, 20

Arizona Small Business Association, 32, 36, 44

Focus Benefits Group, LLC, 24

Arizona Small Business Benefits, 44 Arizona Social Networking, 37 Arizona State Legislature, 14 Arizona Technology Council, 35, 37 Arthritis Foundation, 65 Association of University Research Parks, 35 Benefits By Design, 12

Forbes, 30 Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, 18 Gayle Henderson Group, The, 12 Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, 38, 51 Glendale Chamber of Commerce, 52 Grand Canyon University, 41 Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, 35, 39, 53

BlackBerry, 42

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, 38, 54

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, 24, 68

Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, 55

Brookings Mountain West, 13

GrosJean & Associates, Inc., 24

BuchalterNemer, 17

Health Choice Arizona, 35

Business Professionals, 37

Healthcare Solutions Centers, LLC, 24, 33

Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, 49

Henry & Horne, LLP, 12

Cassidy Turley/BRE Commercial, 10

Herold Enterprises, 42

JPMorgan Chase, 32 KNXV ABC 15, 13 KPHO CBS 5, 13 KPNX-TV 12, 13 KSAZ Fox 10, 13 KTVK Channel 3, 13 KTVK-Channel 3, 18 Linda Land, 10, 42 Maricopa Workforce Connections, 4 Mark Lipczynski Photography, 42 Mayo Clinic, 11, 67 McKinsey & Company, 30 Mesa Chamber of Commerce, 38, 56 Miller Heiman, 30 Morrison Institute, 13

Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, 39, 60 Securus Financial Group, 66 Social Security Administration, 66 Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, 61 Southwestern Business Development Corporation, 32 State Science and Technology Institute, 35 Stockyards, The, 18 Stoney-Wilson Business Consulting, LLC, 21 Streets of New York, 43 Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, 39, 62 Technology Councils of North America, 35

Motorola, 42

Tempe Chamber of Commerce, 40, 63

National Association of Seed and Venture Funds, 35

U.S. Census Bureau, 16 Union Pacific, 18

National Business Incubation Association, 35

United Healthcare, 24

New Mexico Centennial, 18 North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, 57 North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, 58 Paradise Bakery Café, 43 Peoria Chamber of Commerce, 39, 59 Phoenix Convention Center, 7 Phoenix Suns Charities, 34 Phoenix Zoo, 33 Reliable Background Screening, 21 Rosie’s House, 34 Samsung, 42 SanTrac Technologies, Inc., 35

United States Postal Service, 14 Vermillion Photo, 42, 44 W. P. Carey School of Business, 23 Walmart, 30 Waste Management, 5 Wells Fargo, 17 West Valley National Bank, 32 West Valley Women, 40 Women in Business Group, 40 Women of Scottsdale, 40 Bolded listings are advertisers supporting this issue of In Business Magazine.

SCF Arizona, 2 Schumacher European, Ltd., 9

Hillstone, 43

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Roundtable

A Candid Forum

Social Security:

A brief review for business owners in the retirement zone

by RaeAnne Marsh Navigating the byways of Social Security’s retirement provisions may be a daunting task. However near or far retirement may be, knowledge of Social Security rules and restrictions is beneficial in long-range financial planning. It’s also worthwhile to stay informed as to the status of your Social Security account, so don’t overlook checking the annual benefits statement mailed by the Social Security Administration every year to make sure it properly represents the year’s earnings. “I’ve known of situations where the income was not reported correctly,” says Deborah Lavinsky, a financial planning consultant with Scottsdale-based Securus Financial Group. Recommending that discrepancies be taken care of right away, she’s found the Social Security administration has earned a reputation as very helpful.

Three of the most common questions she is asked are “At what age should I start taking benefits?” “How does work affect benefit payments?” and “What are the tax implications of receiving Social Security benefits?”

The answers depend on the individual’s goals: Is it important to maximize the amount of money collected from Social Security in the long run, or to maximize the monthly payments? Or is there simply an urge to start being on the receiving rather than the contributing end of the Social Security equation? These goals are likely not mutually compatible.

“Age 62 is the first time you can take it,” says Lavinsky. Full retirement age may be several years later, and taking it at the earlier age may be ultimately self-defeating. For every $2 earned above an annual income of $14,160, you give up $1 in benefits, she explains. But if you wait until full retirement age, she says, that penalty does not exist.

Full retirement age varies. For most of those born between 1943 and 1954, full retirement age is 66. For those born in or after 1960, it’s 67. It’s 66 years and some number of months for those born in the intervening years. But waiting a few additional years, to age 70, will net you the highest monthly pay-out, notes Lavinsky.

Family history of illness or longevity, employment prospects and status of unemployment insurance, and whether IRA or pension income from a high-earning spouse allows you to postpone taking

Early or Later?

Will you get more out of Social Security by starting early or by waiting later? The answer depends on, among other factors, how long you live. The following chart shows the difference for a person who would reach full retirement age at 66.

Receive by age 70 if begun at 62 $144,000 Receive by age 70 if begun at 66 $ 96,000

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Receive by age 80 if begun at 62 $324,000 Receive by age 80 if begun at 66 $336,000

Social Security benefits until you reach your 70th birthday are some of the factors to consider in determining your strategy. Because Social Security is a complex issue and specific decisions are unique to each individual, Lavinsky recommends working with a financial planner to determine what age makes the most sense. “Especially if you’re working,” she adds.

“You are taxed on your Social Security income,” Lavinsky points out, adding that, to many people, this is a surprise. After all, she notes, people often think of it as a tax since Social Security contributions have been taken out of their paychecks. But it’s money that was earned and put aside in a kind of savings plan, and taxes were never levied on it.

You may end up paying taxes on it at a lower rate if you’ve retired and are no longer earning regular wages. But if you are still working, the Social Security income might bump you into a higher tax bracket.

The status of self-employed may also cloud the Social Security landscape. Rather than looking at wages you pay yourself, the Social Security Administration looks at the number of hours you work as one way to gauge whether you are retired. If you work more than 45 hours a month in your business, you will be considered substantially employed.

Even as few as 15 hours a month may not qualify you as retired if, in the Administration’s opinion, your job requires a lot of skill or you are managing a sizable business. If you work fewer than 15 hours a month, you will not be considered substantially employed. These rules may seem confusing, but the good news is that navigating this minefield is a concern only the first year you retire.

“Business owners should be especially careful if they want to take early benefits,” says Lavinsky, noting the Social Security Administration considers income somewhat differently from what you might expect. Case in point: One business owner she knows was repaying himself from his business for a personal loan he had made to it, and Social Security considered that as income and adjusted his benefits accordingly. Before you begin taking Social Security benefits, the Administration will send you a lengthy questionnaire, and Lavinsky recommends you not ignore it. “Seeing the questions can help make you aware of some of the restrictions and implications.”

Securus Financial Group

www.securusfinancialgroup.com

Social Security Administration

www.ssa.gov

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