Hola! Next AZIGG Event December 7th 7:30am - 9:00am

Hola Arizona: Technology Business Accelerator at AZIGG 12/7

On the morning of December 7th Haru Yamasaki will discuss the Technology Business Accelerator program that is based at ASU SkySong - one of 6 programs like it around the world. We'll be joined by many of the 14 companies that are involved in this unique technology initiative.

"Hola Arizona: Technology Business Accelerator (TechBA)"
Monday, December 7th, 7:30am - 9:00am
Networking starts at 7:00am
ASU SkySong, Scottsdale (SE Corner Scottsdale/McDowell, 1st Floor)

Haru Yamasaki, CEO of TechBA, is responsible for establishing and growing the Arizona division of TechBA, a program that supports top-tier Mexican companies to bring their innovative technology, products and services to global markets. There are 14 companies going through the program in Arizona. Haru holds a Masters in Science and Technology Policy from University of Sussex, UK and a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from the National University of Mexico. She has held consulting and internal leadership positions in both private and public organizations across a broad range of industries including health care, government, higher education and petrochemical manufacturing.

Special guests: Tech BA company leaders such as Arturo Freydig of ECN Automation.

TechBA is a program operated by the US - Mexico Foundation for Science. The mission is to find the most innovative technology companies and take them to global markets. To accomplish that, TechBA has branches in the most innovative business ecosystems in the world: Silicon Valley, Austin, Montreal, Madrid, Michigan and Arizona. TechBA works with companies in Information Technology and Telecommunications, Automotive, Aerospace, Food, Advanced Materials, Alternative Energy, Multimedia, Gaming and Life Sciences.

Investment $15 includes coffee and pastries. RSVP: www.azigg.com

Finding and Serving Global Customers from Arizona - AZIGG 11/2

We are pleased to have an expert panel of Phoenix-area business leaders who are growing their companies by finding and serving large global customers. The discussion is Monday, November 2nd.

Jon Enwiller - Executive Director of The AIT Group

"Finding and Serving Global Customers from Arizona"
Monday, November 2nd, 7:30 - 9:00am
Networking starts at 7:00am
ASU SkySong, Scottsdale (SE Corner Scottsdale/McDowell)

Jon Enwiller - Executive Director, The AIT Group
Shashi Jasthi - President and CEO, Solugenix Corporation
Susan Cordts - President and CEO, Adaptive Technologies

Shashi Jasthi - President and CEO of Solugenix Corporation

Moderator: Doug Bruhnke - AZIGG and Growth Nation
Investment $15 includes coffee and pastries
RSVP for 11/2

Susan Cordts - President and CEO of Adaptive Technologies

Join Susan Cordts, Shashi Jasthi and Jon Enwiller on November 2nd at ASU SkySong for our next Arizona International Growth Group event. Thank you. Doug Bruhnke (AZIGG and Growth Nation)

Recap of Rod Miller at AZIGG

Rod Miller of The Jiao Group delivered his 3rd Annual Report Card for International Business in Arizona. You can see his presentation soon at http://www.azigg.com/events.html

A primary theme of Rod's presentation was that Arizona needs to more effectively plan and coordinate efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment.

Most recent data has Arizona ranked #18 in the US for global trade and #26 for Foreign Direct Investment. If Arizona could improve Foreign Direct Investment to be #18, it would mean 80,000 more jobs with approximate average wages 30% above the current average.

Rod suggested that local group work in a more integrated way, including: The Governor's office, GPEC, AZIGG, Arizona Department of Commerce, ASU and the University of Arizona.

Thanks to Bart Butler for helping with the event. Check out the pictures below from our group photographer Laird Brown (www.smallbusinessphoto.com).

Thank you Rod Miller! Have you heard about his new firm The Jiao Group? Here's more information:

The Jiao Group is a management consulting firm specializing in economic development strategies, public and private partnerships, workforce development strategies, business development solutions, strategic planning, international deal brokering and market penetration approaches. Whether your firm is an organization seeking to work with local government to develop real estate, a small business growing revenues from $5 million to $10 million, a local government building international partnerships for economic development, or a non-profit assessing how to better deliver on your mission regardless of the macroeconomic condition, The Jiao Group can focus, clarify, and assist you in implementing your vision immediately.

Jiao is the Mandarin symbol for interaction and connectivity. We pride ourselves on our high level of interaction with our clients, connectivity to the right resources, balanced thought in our approach to problem-solving, and ability to garner unquestionable results. With The Jiao Group you can rest assured that your vision, dedication, and goals will be earned through specific, actionable plans and strategies built for your success.

The Jiao Group is poised to handle complex situations with skill and leadership. We bring additional perspective and fresh viewpoints gathered from senior level management in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. We want you to be successful and believe that our success is inextricably linked to yours.

Connecting with Global Companies from Phoenix - 11/2

Thanks for Rod Miller for a wonderful AZIGG event on 10/5 - we'll have more information and pictures shortly. Also his presentation will be posted at www.azigg.com soon.

In November we have another interesting international program.

Next AZIGG Event - Monday, November 2nd, 7:30 - 9:00am
"Finding and Serving Global Clients from Arizona"
Panel Discussion Featuring:

• Jon Enwiller, Executive Director of The AIT Group
• Shashi Jasthi, President of Solugenix Corporation
• Susan Cordts, CEO of Adaptive Technologies, Inc (ATi)

Moderator Doug Bruhnke
Doors open 7:00am for Networking
Investment $15 includes coffee and pastries.

Phoenix, Arizona is not known for having its share of large global companies. Jon Enwiller (The AIT Group), Shashi Jasthi (Solugenix Corporation) and Susan Cordts (ATi) discuss successfully finding and serving global customers from the Valley of the Sun on Monday, November 2nd from 7:30am to 9am at ASU SkySong.

RSVP at www.azigg.com
Arizona State University – SkySong, Suite 1391475 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale


Jon Enwiller (The AIT Group)
Jon Enwiller is a founding member and Executive Director of The AIT Group. Jon has successfully implemented over 30 Lean implementations in aerospace, automotive and consumer products industries resulting in significant client savings. Clients include DuPont, Exxon Mobil, Siemens, Honeywell, Avery Dennison, Sanofi Aventis, Delphi Automotive and many other global companies.

Prior to founding The AIT Group, Jon was Operations Manager for AlliedSignal Aerospace where he led Lean production implementations in machining areas, assembly and test areas, and supporting administrative process areas, and was part of the initial work to integrate Lean and Six Sigma for AlliedSignal. Jon has an MBA with emphasis in operations management from Arizona State University (ASU) and a BS in mechanical engineering from ASU.

Shashi Jasthi (Solugenix Corporation)
As President and CEO of Solugenix Corporation, Shashi Jasthi is responsible for driving global client and partner value through innovative technology and business solutions. Shashi has over 20 years of experience managing Information Technology and Consulting organizations. He built IT organizations and turned around loss-making acquisitions in Chicago, IL, Phoenix, AZ, Provo, UT, Wellington, New Zealand, and Sydney, Australia. He joined Solugenix in 1992 and after a brief hiatus in early 2000, he came back to lead the company. Solugenix is a global technology services company with major clients in North America and beyond.

Shashi holds an MBA from the University of Chicago in Chicago, IL, an MS in Computer Science from Northwestern University, in Evanston, IL, and a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, India.

Susan Cordts (Adaptive Technologies)
Susan Cordts provides the leadership and vision that enables Adaptive Technologies, Inc. to continuously exceed global customer expectations. ATi has been providing expert solutions to customers across industries in the area of advanced analytics and technologies since 2001. Susan’s management and leadership demonstrate a continuous track record of success helping businesses repeatedly achieve their goals. Examples of projects she has led have resulted in increased performance, often times reaching triple digit improvements.

Prior to joining ATi, Susan was CEO and Managing Director of Universal Robot Systems, LLC. She has extensive international business experience and more than 15 years healthcare senior management experience. Susan was responsible for directing the marketing activities of one of the largest cardiovascular programs to all physicians, patients, providers and the community through a campaign of direct marketing and mass media. Her accomplishments also extend to creating one of the top CV programs in the nation for hospitals of like size, while leading market share in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. She received her AD in Nursing, a BA in Marketing from Midwestern State University, and a Masters in International Management (MIM) from Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International management.

Rod Miller at AZIGG on October 5th

Rodrick Miller returns to AZIGG for the 3rd year to tell us what's really happening with global trade and how business owners in Arizona can benefit. He will deliver a report cards on how Arizona is doing with Foreign Direct Investment and global commerce.

Rodrick Miller
Managing Partner, The Jiao Group

Raising Arizona - Growing Globally
An International Report Card

Monday, October 5th, 7:30am - 9:00am
Networking starts at 7:00am
ASU-SkySong, Scottsdale
Investment $15 RSVP
www.azigg.com



All the best, Doug Bruhnke (AZIGG)

Thank you - US Asia Expo Arizona

Thank you to everyone who participated in the US-Asia Expo Arizona. We featured a litany of top notch speakers including CEO Shashi Jasthi of Solugenix Corporation and Andy Bogdanoff of Remington Financial Group.

Here is a wrap-up by Max Jarman of the Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2009/09/18/20090918biz-expo0919.html

And some initial comments about the Expo held September 17-18th in Scottsdale:

"Thank you for including me in the Arizona-Asia Expo! It was a remarkable program, and the organizers deserve enormous credit. I thought it represented a milestone in Phoenix’s evolution." - Dee Harris, President of Arizona Angels

"I had a wonderful trip, this conference is a very successful one, thank you for your great effort. Thank you very much for having me in the conference, if there is anything that I can be of helpful in the future, please do not hesitate to let me know." - Dr. Lin Yang, President of YL International, Shanghai

"The US-Asia Expo Arizona was a highly successful program...I believe that this event will foster friendship, commerce and profit for many Arizona citizens whether they were in attendance today or not...Thank you all!” - Greg Marks, President of Intramedia Solutions

"Great event. I can always count on meeting a diverse group of area leaders and the last two days didn't disappoint." - Paul Kingsley, Principal at Kingsley Law

"Thanks to the US-Asia Arizona Expo I am planning to move my business to Arizona within two years." - Lanny Louie, Owner, ICG Connect

"I am very impressed with the solar-energy technology, and I see opportunities to invest. I would like to see more collaboration between US and Chinese Companies." - Zhu XinYuan, President of Renhe New Technnology Company, Zhonglu, China

All the best, Doug Bruhnke

US-Asia Expo Arizona Final Agenda

Welcome to the US-Asia Expo Arizona Thursday, September 17.

11:30 - 12:30 Registration and Exhibitor Tables
Location: Camelback Inn- Cholla and Sunshine Rooms
Presentations and Panel Discussions through 4:45pm

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Expo Opening Ceremony
Hosts - Vijay Kapoor and Harb Sidhu, Arizona Asia Commission
Emcees- John Adam and Doug Bruhnke
Welcome - City of Phoenix
Special Introduction - Barry Broome, GPEC
Recap - Sept 6-8 China Mission: Don Cardon, AZ Commerce
Recap - Sept 10-12 LA Forum: Brent Barker, Strata Capital

1:00 pm - 1:55 pm "Growing Global Commerce to/from Arizona"
Glenn Hamer, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Barry Broome, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Steve Zylstra, Arizona Technology Council
Don Cardon, Arizona Department of Commerce
Moderator: Susan Shultz, Oakbridge/SSA & The Board Institute

Special Contributors: Vijay Kapoor, TCC247.com
Dennis Cornelius, Cornelius, Korte & Shum
Dr. Lin Yang, YL International & GPITA

1:55 pm - 2:40 pm "Learning from Arizona's Global Business Leaders"
Shashi Jasthi, Solugenix Corporation
Kiyoko Toyama, NKK Switches
Frank Neville, Thunderbird Global School of Management
Eric Nielsen, US Commercial Service
Moderator: Haru Yamasaki, Technology Business Accelerators

2:40 pm - 2:55 pm Break

2:55 pm - 3:50 pm "Investing in Successful Global Commerce"
Terree Wasley, ASU Technopolis and Invest Southwest
Dee Harris, Arizona Angels
Andy Bogdanoff, Remington Financial Group
Jay St. Clair, Windstone Capital Partners
Moderator: Chet S. Ross, SCORE Arizona

3:50 pm - 4:40 pm "Legal Implications for Going Global"
Karen Dickinson, Quarles & Brady, LLP
Brett Johnson, Snell & Wilmer, LLP
Ezequiel Hernandez, Fragomen, LLP
Steve Beaver, TPI Composites
Moderator: Ed Bull, Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A.

4:45 Expo Ends

5:30pm - 8:00pm VIP Networking

US-Asia Expo Arizona
The Expo is presented by Arizona Asia Commission and will feature the top business, investment and community leaders in the Valley. More: www.usasiaexpoarizona.com

Expo Chairman Level Sponsor
Hypercom

Expo CEO Level Sponsors
First American Stock Transfer
EIGHT, Arizona's PBS KAET TV
TCC247.com
Interstate Bank Developers
Focus One Entertainment
Growth Nation

Expo Presidential Level Sponsors
RSM McGladrey
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Snell & Wilmer, LLP
Strata Capital Group
Laird Brown Photography

Program Sponsors
P.F. Chang's

Expo Partners
Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
Arizona Asia Commission
US Commercial Service
Arizona District Export Council
Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG)
Thunderbird School of Global Management
City of Phoenix
City of Scottsdale
Arizona Department of Commerce
Arizona Technology Council
Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations
World Affairs Council of Arizona
The John Adam Show
Networking Phoenix.com
Greater Phoenix SCORE

Exhibitors
Alpha Group Administrators
Arizona Asia Commission
Arizona State University
EIGHT – Arizona’s PBS, KAET TV
First American Stock Transfer
Focus One Entertainment
Fragomen, Del Reg, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
Go1099.com
Greater Phoenix SCORE
Hypercom
ICG Connect
Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations
Rowpar Pharmaceuticals
RSM McGladrey
Singapore
Sonoran Bank
TechBA
The Social Media Bible
US Commercial Service
US Distressed Debt Fund
Vietnam Trade Office
World Affairs Council of Arizona

All the best, Doug (Growth Nation and AZIGG)