Next AZIGG Event: World Trade Forum III January 19th

Join us for this annual international trade forum moderated by Snell & Wilmer partner Brett W. Johnson and sponsored by Arizona International Growth Group.

The January 19, 2011 event is an opportunity to hear top government officials from local, state and national levels reflect on what has happened in 2010 and discuss the outlook for 2011 with regard to global trade, government efforts and programs to stimulate international trade, and how all of this will impact Arizona.

The event will take place from 8-10am in Phoenix, Arizona, with a video link to Tucson. There is no fee for this event. RSVP here: rsvp@swlaw.com. More info here: http://www.azigg.com/.

Doug Bruhnke, AZIGG and Growth Nation

AZIGG Events December 2010 & January 2011

Welcome to the next events by Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG) on December 1, 2010 and January 19, 2011.

Wednesday, December 1st, 7:30am – 1:30pm

“Global Arizona 100”

This special event at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel will bring together Arizona leaders to assess the state’s strengths and identify concrete steps to enhance the state’s global competitiveness. The conference will employ interactive discussions, panels, and action groups to help set the agenda and position the state for global readiness as it approaches its 2012 centennial. Doug Bruhnke of AZIGG will be a moderator. Two keynote speakers will be James Fallows and Clyde Prestowitz. The half-day event is sponsored by Science Foundation Arizona and presented by ASU Morrison Institute for Public Policy. The cost is $95.

Sign-up: http://globalarizona100.org/

Wednesday, January 19th
“World Trade Forum III”
Snell & Wilmer is hosting this special global trade event sponsored by AZIGG and Growth Nation. Watch for more information at www.growthnation.com and www.azigg.com.

Because of a scheduling conflict, AZIGG is rescheduling the International State of the State event featuring speaker Rudy Vetter of GPEC (Greater Phoenix Economic Council). We'll have that rescheduled soon.

All the best, Doug Bruhnke

Arizona International Growth Nation

Growth Nation

AZIGG Grow Global Phoenix Fair Wrap-up

The 2nd annual AZIGG Grow Globally Phoenix Fair last Tuesday featured Arizona's premier global companies and organizations at the Valley's top international law firm Snell & Wilmer. Wow - that was fun! Thanks to the 230+ participants for showing up and contributing to the global business of Phoenix and Arizona. See plenty of pictures here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Growth-Nation/121479391217755#!/album.php?aid=34137&id=121479391217755

Photography by Laird Brown http://www.smallbusinessphoto.com/

See you next year! All the best, Doug Bruhnke

Arizona International Growth Group

AZIGG Grow Globally Phoenix Fair - 10/26

AZIGG Grow Globally Phoenix Fair
Who's Who of Global Business in Phoenix
Make the Connections You Need to Grow Globally

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
4:00pm – 6:00pm

Phoenix Offices of Snell & Wilmer
One Arizona Center
400 East Van Buren Street
Free Parking at the Filmore / 5th Street Garage
$40 investment includes entrance fee, international food, wine and beer

Sign-up: http://growgloballyphoenixfair.eventbrite.com/

Who should attend: International business leaders looking to make additional global connections in Arizona for their business.

The second annual AZIGG Grow Globally Phoenix Fair will feature top global executives in Phoenix. It's a unique walking tour of global business resources - a Who's Who of Arizona Global Business together in one place, one time a year.

Thank you to our host Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., the top international law firm in Arizona, for supporting the event. Park at the Arizona Center Filmore/5th Street parking garage and have your parking validated by Snell & Wilmer.

The Grow Globally Phoenix Fair is a signature event for AZIGG (Arizona International Growth Group). Last year's sold out event featured 200 attendees, and we have the same number signed up this year.

Welcome internationalists!

2010 Exhibitors and Featured Guests
Arizona Angels
Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Arizona Commerce Authority
Arizona District Export Council
Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG)
Arizona Manufacturing Forum November 16
Arizona Mexico Commission
ASU SkySong
Avnet
Axosoft
AZ100 Expo 2012
AZ4Solar
Canada Arizona Business Council
China Media Strategies
City of Phoenix
Consulate General of Canada
Consular Corps of Arizona
DNA Golf
East Valley Partnership
Enterprise Network
Global Arizona 100 Conference December 1
Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
Greater Phoenix SCORE
Growth Nation
Honeywell
iLinc
Indo-American Chamber of Commerce
InXpress
Intel
Invest Southwest Capital Conference December 8-10
Junior Achievement
KAET Channel 8 Business Hub
Mayor's Multi Chamber Mixer October 26 (5:30pm - 7:30pm)
Mesa Community College Prague Study Abroad Program
Organization of Women in Trade - Phoenix (OWIT-Phoenix)
Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR)
Phoenix Sister Cities
Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport
Phoenix SkyHarbor Airport
Project CURE
Province of Ontario, Canada
Qameleon Technologies
Russian Science and Technology Consortia (RUSTEC) Nov 15-19
Scottsdale Community College - Global Programs
Scottsdale Sister Cities
Snell & Wilmer LLP
SYNERGY HomeCare of the East Valley and Phoenix
The Great Canadian Picnic, 59th Year February 5 (2011)
Thunderbird Angel Network
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Trax Technologies
US Export Assistance Center (USEAC)
Valley Forward
World Affairs Council of Arizona (WACAZ)
World Trade Forum III January 19 (2011)

September 14 Dean Hiram Chodosh on Iraqi Law System

Iraqi Rule of Law Reform:
Untold Reflections of Risk and Promise

Dean Hiram Chodosh, University of Utah
Tuesday, September 14th at Snell & Wilmer in Phoenix, 4-6pm

Arizona International Growth Group presents Hiram Chodosh, Dean of the University of Utah College of Law. Dean Chodosh will provide an assessment of the design and implementation of the new legal system in Iraq from his personal involvement. He will provide untold accounts of the challenges of US/international assistance and the accomplishments and frustrations in the reform of the Iraqi law system. The session will be moderated by Snell & Wilmer attorney Barb Dawson. The event is cosponsored by Snell & Wilmer, AZIGG, Grow Globally Phoenix and the U of U Alumni Association in Arizona.

9/14, 4-6pm. RSVP at rsvp@swlaw.com or 602-382-6599.
Snell & Wilmer, One Arizona Center, 400 E Van Buren, 19th Floor, Phoenix

Other upcoming AZIGG events:

September 27th: 2010 Phoenix Green Business Forum with Greater Phoenix SCORE
October 26th: Grow Globally Phoenix Business Fair

More information: www.azigg.com

Upcoming International Events in Phoenix

We look forward to seeing you on Monday, August 9th at Greekfest in Phoenix with the "Bond, James Bond in Arizona" lunch on global corporate spying and surveillance. More info below.

AZIGG Monday, August 9th: "Bond, James Bond in Arizona"

• William Papazian, CEO of Lightstone Solutions
• Bill Williams, CEO of Williams KDI Systems
• Brett Johnson, Partner at Snell & Wilmer, LLP

Date: Monday, August 9th, 11:00 - 1:00pm, program starts at 11:30am
More info here http://www.azigg.com/

China: The Rising Dragon - August 11 at Golden Buddha in Phoenix
Discussion on how entrepreneurs can access the growing Chinese economy, featuring Sally Chamber (US Commercial Service). $35. 5:30 - 9:00pm. TiE-AZ

Using Social Media to Grow Globally - August 12 in Scottsdale
Lon Safko (The Social Media Bible) and Growth Nation team up in an advanced global marketing seminar for today's economy. 9:00am - 12:00 noon. Register

Invest Southwest Get Ready Seminar - August 12 in Scottsdale
Invest Southwest Capital Conference gives entrepreneurs a chance to pitch for capital. Free "Get Ready" seminar 8:30 - 10am; Application deadline 9/1. Register

Newsmaker Luncheon, Surprise Regional Chamber - August 20 in Surprise
Global business topics and networking with Doug Bruhnke (Growth Nation & AZIGG) & Dave Moss (CEO, Surprise Regional Chamber) with lunch, 11:30am $20. Register

Establishing the New Legal System in Iraq - September 14 in Phoenix
Hiram Chodosh, Law Dean, University of Utah, will discuss developing and implementing the new Iraqi legal system. 4 - 6pm at Snell & Wilmer. Sign-up soon.

A more complete list of international business events in Phoenix can be seen here:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Arizona-Gets-a--C--on-Global-Business.html?soid=1101792080909&aid=uZcRkrJA4ug

All the best. AZIGG

August 9th AZIGG: Bond, James Bond in Arizona

The next Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG) event is Monday, August 9th: "Bond, James Bond in Arizona: Global Corporate Spying" at Greekfest Restaurant in Phoenix. It's a panel discussion about global business surveillance and corporate spying by experts based here in Phoenix. Is your board room bugged? Could be.

Panelist 1: William Papazian, CEO of Lightstone Solutions

Panelist 2: Bill Williams, CEO of Williams KDI Systems
Panelist 3: to be announced
Special Guest: Arizona's own Sean Connery, if the Queen permits

Monday, August 9th

11:30 - 1:00pm, networking begins at 11:00am

Investment $35 includes the best Greek lunch this side of Athens
Greekfest Restaurant, 1940 E Camelback, Parking in the Rear

Menu to be announced
Sign-up here: http://www.azigg.com/.

World-class hosts Tony & Sue Makridis once again have a delicious lunch planned for Phoenix-area globalists looking for a business edge, information about corporate espionage and the best Greek food this side of Athens.

This event was sold out last year. Come a little early to network and so that we can be seated at by 11:30am.

Thanks, Doug Bruhnke

June 7th AZIGG: New Product Development

Products the World Wants, from Arizona

Panel Discussion of Global New Product Development Experts

Monday, June 7th, 7:30 - 9:00am
Networking starts at 7:00am

ASU-SkySong, Global Suite 200
1475 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale (at McDowell)

Jim Foxworthy - President, Pragmatic Marketing
David Zuckerman - President, Raytech Design & Development
Hamid Shojaee - CEO, Axosoft
Moderator: Doug Bruhnke

Join new product design and development business leaders who run companies that contribute world-class consumer, industrial and technology products to over 10,000 large and mid-sized companies around the world, from their headquarters right here in Arizona. You should attend if new products are important to your business strategy or if your business sells to large and mid-sized global companies.

Investment $15 includes coffee and continental breakfast, at SkySong
RSVP at AZIGG, then click on 6/7/10

Jim Foxworthy is President at Pragmatic Marketing, Inc. He is an industry veteran with more than 30 years in the computer industry and has been using the Pragmatic Marketing Framework since the early ‘90’s. Prior to joining Pragmatic Marketing, Jim was president of a consulting firm focused exclusively on implementations of the Pragmatic Marketing Framework. In that role he helped nearly 100 organizations become more tuned in to their markets. Jim attributes his success to a strong balance of technical, sales, and executive knowledge.

David Zuckerman is co-founder and President of Raytech Corporation, a full-service product design and development firm based in Phoenix. Raytech provides holistic, user and client-centered services that help product managers get new products to market with higher positive impact and lower risk. David has been in the product development field for over 15 years. As an Industrial Designer and a project manager for engineering programs, David and his team at Raytech have worked with clients in solar technology, specialty audio equipment, GPS equipment, automotive accessories, and other consumer and industrial products.

Hamid Shojaee is founder and CEO of Axosoft, a Scottsdale-based software company that specializes in tools to help software development teams Ship Software On-Time. Prior to starting Axosoft, Hamid was a Senior Consultant with Microsoft and helped Microsoft's enterprise customers become more efficient at managing their software development projects. As an expert in the field of Software Development, Hamid has developed the world's #1 video for learning the popular Scrum software development methodology. The 8-minute intro to Scrum has been viewed more than 200,000 times on YouTube.

Doug Bruhnke, Growth Nation and AZIGG

The Importance of Respect in Global Business

We all know business people who don’t have a strong sensibility about cultural differences and the impact they have on business dealings. They are the “I’ll-do-it-my-way ugly Americans” (or whatever their nationality) who are good fodder for stories of global business opportunities lost.

Often these folks with cultural blind spots blame others for their failures because they think they did everything right, and that those foreigners needed to wise up to their ways.

Unfortunately we're seeing something like this play out with Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer and Education Director Tom Horne. Whether the bills they've championed are the right or wrong action on critically important issues for Arizona almost doesn't matter. The problem became that these folks failed to do what was necessary to be perceived as being respectful to the entire community. The result was completely predictable: it created an emotional backlash.

In global business as soon as you think it doesn't matter what other people think, it does.

We're left with both the Governor and Mr. Horne trying to educate people to their logic. It's a classic mistake that those of us in international business have seen played out over and over again on hot topics. We know how it ends: not well, because logic almost always loses to emotion.

Here's a link to an article I wrote earlier this year that discusses being respectful in global business. Arizona would have been better served if a few folks had embraced the basic ideas discussed here:
http://www.globalprotocol.com/03a%20PassportToPower.htm

As Jerry Colangelo said last week on this topic, unfortunately damage has already been done against Arizona business. So now we need less 'education', and more respect and empathy in order to minimize the damage and get back on track with the economic recovery.

We also need folks around the US to realize that boycotts of Arizona hurt good people who mean well and want to do the right thing for Arizona and the US.

And we need Arizona businesses to stick together - as the Arizona Chamber has articulated with their 'no boycott' stance - and stay calm and measured, not getting in to the tit for tat game.

So to the global CEO who this week is deciding to expand his or her company into Arizona or elsewhere: please choose Arizona as a destination versus New Mexico, Utah, Colorado or California. It's still a great place to live and do business, and we'll work through these issues successfully.

It's amazing what can be done when people listen, and how we can end up butting heads when people don't. In global business, listening is essential.

It's why not everyone is cut out for international business.

My mother used to say, it's not what you say, but how you say it. You know what? She was right then, and it still matters. In global business and beyond.

Mom also said that you could solve problems without stirring up a hornet's nest. Well somebody wacked that hornet's nest with a big ole stick. Now let's solve these real problems calmly, inclusively and successfully. That style works well in international business and it will serve us well here, too.

Doug Bruhnke
Arizona International Growth Group

AZIGG Events May 19, May 25 and June 7

There are three upcoming events with the Arizona International Growth Group that as a member of the international business community of Arizona you should enjoy.

May 19th: Phoenix Forum: Business Beyond Our Borders, 11am - 1:30pm
The Phoenix Chamber is presenting this lunch discussion 11am - 1:30pm on the topic of growing your Arizona business globally. Features Dr. Angel Cabrera (Thunderbird), Kai Ryssdal (Host of Marketplace), Margie Emmerman (Arizona Mexico Commission), Rick Stephenson (Canadian Consulate) and Doug Bruhnke (AZIGG). RSVP for May 19th

May 25th: The Green Business Forum, 8am - noon at Nat'l Bank of Arizona
Networking starts at 7:00am at National Bank of Arizona, 6001 N 24th Street in Phoenix. With AZIGG, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Technology Council, APS, SRP, AZ4Solar, Southern Arizona SCORE, ASU-SkySong, ASBA, Arizona Department of Education and Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce.

MC John Adam Kowalski of the John Adam Show will guide business owners through a morning of presentations from Arizona's green leaders on how to tap-in to solar, cleantech and green opportunities in Arizona. The focus will be on how Arizona businesses can realize tangible economic benefits. We'll hear from experts and business owners who have already tapped-in. Speakers include Glenn Hamer of the Arizona Chamber, Steve Zylstra of AZ Tech Council, Patrick O' Grady of the Phoenix Business Journal, Craig Hughes of Total Transit, Michael McClure of Honeywell, Lynn Singleton of SRP, Lynn Paige of Perfect Power, Dr. James Powers of iLinc and many more. Read the agenda here: Agenda. Investment $25 includes coffee and continental breakfast. RSVP at The Green Business Forum, then click on 5/25

June 7th: Products the World Wants, from Arizona, 7:30am - 9:00am
Panel Discussion of Global New Product Development Experts. Networking starts at 7:00am at ASU-SkySong, Global Suite 200, 1475 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale (at McDowell)

Featuring:
Jim Foxworthy - President, Pragmatic Marketing
David Zuckerman - President, Raytech Development & Design
Hamid Shojaee - CEO, Axosoft
Moderator: Doug Bruhnke

Join new product design and development business leaders who run companies that contribute world-class consumer, industrial and technology products to over 10,000 large and mid-sized companies around the world, from their headquarters right here in Arizona. You should attend if new products are important to your business strategy or if your business sells to large and mid-sized global companies. Investment $15 includes coffee and continental breakfast. RSVP at AZIGG, then click on 6/7/10

The Green Business Forum Speaker Biographies

For the next AZIGG event we are pleased to welcome you to the The Green Business Forum on May 25th from 8am to 11:45am at the National Bank of Arizona in Phoenix. Networking starts at 7am. Full details are located here: www.azigg.com and in our previous post. You may register here: http://www.scorephoenix.org/default.asp?S=eA by clicking on May 25th.

The speakers for the May 25th event - hosted by National Bank of Arizona and presented by Greater Phoenix SCORE - are some of the top entrepreneurs and business leaders in "green". Here is more information.

Patrick O'Grady - Reporter, Phoenix Business Journal
Patrick O’Grady covers technology, manufacturing and sustainability for the Phoenix Business Journal. He has been in the Valley for 14 years and has covered a range of issues throughout the years including growth and economic development. His latest focus has been on, among other things, the burgeoning solar industry in the Valley and Arizona and its attempts to ramp up to provide another area of growth for the state.

Dr. James Powers - Chairman, President and CEO of iLinc. His vision and leadership have transformed iLinc into a leading provider of innovative software and services that solve customer problems through web & video collaboration. Dr. Powers is a successful entrepreneur having founded several successful high-growth companies prior to iLinc, one of which grew to over 3,000 employees and another that went public in 1998.

He received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree from The University of Tennessee, a B.S. degree from the University of Memphis and an MBA from Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management.

Dr. Powers has a long history of involvement in philanthropy and community service and currently serves as an executive committee member and Vice Chairman of the Arizona Technology Council’s Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Camp Soaring Eagle, a medically-based camp for seriously ill children in northern Arizona.

Robert Shatz - CFO, Innovative Technologies Development Center
Bob Shatz has been involved in alternative finance research and sales for the past 25 years. Fluent in Japanese, he became the first foreign analyst to be trained in Tokyo at Nomura Research Institute and sent to sell Japanese debt and equity research to institutional investors in the US. After setting sales records and nurturing a $5 billion joint venture, he was promoted to top management of Nomura and played an instrumental role in facilitating the first mortage-backed securities mutual fund between Japanese investors and Trust Company of the West ($750 million). Bob retired to Tucson to raise his family and to develop interesting investment opportunities in sustainable ventures.

Craig Hughes - Founder and CEO, Total Transit
When Craig Hughes started the Discount Cab division of Total Transit 26 years ago, he dedicated himself to insuring that each customer receives the cleanest, most courteous and timeliest transportation service possible. Hughes developed Discount Cab’s dispatch center into the largest in Arizona and one of the largest in the United States. The Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association (TLPA), a national trade group, named Discount Cab their 2009 Large Operator of the Year – a prestigious honor that demonstrates his commitment to hard work, excellence, and integrity. He was also named one of the Phoenix Business Journal's "2010 25 Most Admired CEOs & Top Level Executives"

Hughes realizes he runs a business that is notorious for its negative impact on the environment. Challenged by his youngest daughter, Hughes decided to clean up his business, which now has the largest Prius cab fleet in the country. Moreover, he recently installed one of the largest solar arrays in Arizona on the Glendale headquarters building. Total Transit is proud to save a million gallons of fuel per year and reduce its carbon footprint.

Glenn Hamer - President and CEO, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Glenn Hamer has held important posts at several large organizations, including serving as Director of Business Development and Government Relations for First Solar, Executive Director of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Chief of Staff to then-Congressman Matt Salmon and Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party. He spent six years working on Capitol Hill in both the House and Senate. Glenn worked as a legislative assistant for Senator Jon Kyl and while on Capitol Hill worked on many important issues including identity theft, efforts to fight violent crime and methamphetamine abuse, and intellectual property issues.

When Glenn was the Director of Government Relations for First Solar, he earned a prestigious appointment to the Western Governors Association's 30 GW Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee and chaired the Solar Task Force. Glenn also served on Governor Janet Napolitano's Solar Energy Task Force.

Steve Zylstra - President and CEO, Arizona Technology Council
Steven G. Zylstra is responsible for policy, development, approval and accomplishment of business goals, objectives, and all financial matters related to the Council. He previously served as president and CEO of both Catalyst Connection and the Pittsburgh Technology Council. He concurrently served as president and CEO of the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center and the Doyle Center for Manufacturing Technology, both tech-based economic development-focused organizations. Additionally, Zylstra was president of the Pittsburgh Biomedical Development Corporation, an affiliated organization of the Pittsburgh Technology Council that invests in start-up biomedical and biotechnology companies.

Zylstra has successfully served in a variety of additional business, technology and economic development roles including as General Manager of General Pneumatics Corporation, Western Research Center (WRC) in Scottsdale when the firm was awarded 19 Small Business Innovative Research programs. He is currently a member of the Council on Competitiveness and is a member of the industrial advisory committee at the University of Arizona College of Engineering and Mines. He serves on the Arizona Aerospace Institute Advisory Committee as well as the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee.

Mike McClure – Energy Services Account Executive, Honeywell International
Mike’s responsibility within Honeywell is promoting energy conservation and energy saving upgrades with Arizona customers. He works with commercial, governmental and educational entities to help them manage and control energy costs. Solutions include both traditional upgrades (New HVAC, lighting, controls, etc) as well as installation of renewal energy technologies (Solar, Wind, etc).

Mike has been active in the renewable energy field for several years. He also has been a strong advocate for these technologies and is a member of American Solar Energy Society and the Southern Arizona Solar Partnership. As a consumer of green technology; Mike has installed a 2.6 kW Solar PV system; a Solar Thermal system and energy computer at his home. This has lead to an (approx) 40% reduction on his energy bills. Mike has been a Valley resident since 1985.

Lynn-Paige - CEO of Perfect Power
Perfect Power is one of only a few certified Women Owned Businesses in the solar energy industry. Lynn-Paige brings an MBA, an accounting degree and thirty years of business experience to her role as CEO. Perfect Power has been awarded multiple awards including Business of the Year (NAWBO) and is the only solar company in Arizona to receive an Ethics Award from the BBB.

Lynn-Paige’s Professional Achievements include:

- “Women Who Move the Valley” Award, AZ Foothills Magazine
- IMPACT Award, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
- Chief Financial Officer for a commercial mechanical contractor
- Co-Founder of Solutions Forum, LLC, a CEO consulting firm
- Co-Founder, International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture
- Former Owner - Private General Accounting Practice firm

Lynn-Paige is the Board Vice-Chair at ASBA and is involved with many other community non-profits, professional associations and chambers of commerce.

Craig Kennedy – President, Estrella Environmental Design, Inc.
Estrella Environmental Design, Inc. is a landscape design/build firm celebrating 17 years in business serving clients seeking unique commercial and residential landscapes. Craig’s design background spans 25 years and includes eco-friendly projects like the Luke AFB Housing rehab and the Estrella Mountain Ranch Golf Course. Craig emphasizes proper xeriscape techniques and micro-climate adaptation.

The most recent growth area of Estrella Environmental Design is in low and no water dust control and water extenders for increased crop yield and erosion control. This division promotes a biodegradable line of products under the Xerisource name. Craig is working with the United States Department of Agriculture testing both of these areas.

Kirk Busch, CEO of AZ4Solar
Az4Solar is a non-profit trade association whose mission is to help create a solar energy economy in Arizona that will support thousands of high-wage jobs. We are collaborating with economic & workforce development agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, private industry and other business organizations to create a vibrant and sustainable solar energy ecosystem. More information at www.az4solar.org.

Tim Precourt, CEO of Salt River Solar & Wind
Tim Precourt is the CEO of Salt River Solar & Wind, a renewable energy system integration and consulting firm. The company provides a full portfolio of turnkey solar and wind solutions for residential and commercial customers. Their solutions include energy audits, weatherization, energy efficiency, solar thermal water heater and solar photovoltaic (PV) power array installations as well as project management and consulting, site evaluations, outsourced solar design and engineering, installation, and commissioning of distributed generation solar power plants. Tim joined the firm in sales, and now he and his team provide expert guidance on how to transform empty rooftops into energy producing assets with solar power.

Other speakers include Dr. James Powers of iLinc, William Carey of Dixon Golf, Michael McClure of Honeywell Building Solutions, Lori Singleton of SRP and Craig Robb of National Bank of Arizona. Our MC will be John Adam Kowalski of the The John Adam Show.

We hope you'll join us!

All the best, Doug Bruhnke

The Green Business Forum May 25th in Phoenix

Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG) is pleased to announce:

National Bank of Arizona Hosts the Greater Phoenix SCORE®

The Green Business Forum

Tuesday, May 25th 7am – 11:45am
National Bank of Arizona
6001 N 24th Street, Phoenix
www.azigg.com

With AZIGG, APS, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arizona Department of Education, ASBA, ASU SkySong, Arizona Technology Council, AZ4Solar, Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, SRP

Introductions at 8:00 am by Master of Ceremonies
John Adam Kowalski – The John Adam Radio Show

National Bank of Arizona Remarks
Craig Robb, Executive Vice-President
Finance and Administration

Kick-Off Remarks
Local Official

Keynote Speaker
Lori Singleton – Manager of Environmental Initiatives, SRP

Special Green Expert
Patrick O’Grady – Reporter, Phoenix Business Journal

First Panel: Providing Green
Introduction by Glenn Hamer – CEO, Arizona Chamber of Commerce
Panelists:

• Tim Precourt – CEO, Salt River Solar & Wind
• Kirk Busch – CEO, AZ4Solar
• Lynn Paige – CEO, Perfect Power
• Bob Shatz – CFO Innovative Technologies Development Center

Questions and Answers Panel #1 Moderated by John Adam Kowalski

Ten minute break

Special Green Expert
Michael McClure - Mgr. Energy Services, Honeywell Building Solutions

Second Panel: Growing Green
Introduction by Steve Zylstra, CEO, Arizona Technology Council
Panelists:

• William Carey – President, Dixon Golf
• Craig Kennedy – President, Estrella Environmental
• Dr. James Powers – CEO, iLinc Communications
• Craig Hughes - CEO, Total Transit

Questions and Answers Panel #2 Moderated by John Adam Kowalski

Adjourn Approx 11:45am

All the best, Doug Bruhnke

Best International Restaurants in Phoenix Arizona

Here's the updated list of best international restaurants in Phoenix Metro. Please let us know if we've missed your favorite. Check out this list soon on the AZIGG website www.azigg.com.

You can see more details on Yelp or Urban Spoon: http://www.urbanspoon.com/u/profile/11259/Doug-Bruhnke.html. If you like international food I encourage you to connect to my profile there.

The restaurants marked with '*' are highly recommended.


Best International Restaurants in Arizona

Afghan: Flaming Kebob (Mesa)

African: Blue Nile Cafe (Tempe)

British: Codfather (Phoenix), Cornish Pasty Company (Tempe)

Burmese: Little Rangoon (Scottsdale)

Caribbean: Chino Bandido* (Phoenix), Havana Cafe (Phoenix)

Chinese: China Chile (Phoenix), George & Son* (Scottsdale), Golden Buddha (Phoenix), Great Wall Hong Kong Cuisine (Phoenix), Szechuan Palace* (Phoenix)

Dutch: Rokerij (Phoenix)

French: Amuse Bouche Bistro (Surprise), Au Petit Four* (Phoenix), Coup des Tartes* (Phoenix)

German: Haus Murphy's (Glendale)

Greek: Greekfest* (Phoenix)

Indian: Indian Delhi Palace (Phoenix), Maharaja Palace (Glendale), Tandoori Times (Glendale and Scottsdale)

Italian: Andreoli Italian Grocer* (Scottsdale), Alexi's Grill*(Phoenix), Avanti's (Phoenix), Cibo (Phoenix), Giuseppe's on 28th* (Phoenix), Marcellino Ristorante (Phoenix), Pasta Brioni (Scottsdale), Pizzeria Bianco* (Phoenix), 'Pomo (Scotttsdale), Sassi (Scottsdale), Tomaso's (Phoenix and Chandler), Tutti Santi (Scottsdale), Voce Ristorante (Scottsdale)

Japanese: Dozo (Scottsdale), Hana Japanese (Phoenix), Hiro Sushi (Scottsdale), Roka Akor* (Scottsdale), Shimogamo* (Chandler), Sushi Ken* (Chandler), Yasu Sushi Bistro (Phoenix)

Korean: Chodang Tofu and BBQ (Chandler)

Kosher: Segal's Oasis Grill* (Phoenix)

Mexican: Barrio Cafe* (Phoenix), Carolina's Mexican Food (Phoenix), El Guero Canelo (Tucson), Elote Cafe* (Sedona), La Tolteca Mexican Foods (Phoenix), Mi Nidito* (Tucson), Spotted Donkey Cantina* (Scottsdale)

Middle Eastern: Al-Hana at Baiz Market* (Phoenix), Pars Persian Cuisine (Phoenix), Persian Room (Scottsdale)

Filipino: Karey's Kitchen (Phoenix)

Russian: Bon Appetit (Phoenix), Restaurant Samarkand (Phoenix)

Spanish: Lola Tapas* (Phoenix)

Thai: Malee's on Main (Scottsdale), Swaddee (Scottsdale), Thai Spices (Mesa), Wild Thaiger* (Phoenix)

Vietnamese: Cyclo Vietnamese Cuisine (Chandler), Fresh Mint (Scottsdale)


We also have world-class resorts in Arizona with great restaurants inside - some of which are international and all of which cater to international visitors. All of these are highly recommended.

Best Arizona Resort Dining

Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa (Phoenix)
Camelback Inn (Scottsdale)
Enchantment Resort (Sedona)
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North (Scottsdale)
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch (Scottsdale)
Intercontinental Montelucia Resort and Spa (Paradise Valley)
L'Auberge de Sedona (Sedona)
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort (Tucson)
Ritz-Carlton Phoenix (Phoenix)
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa (Paradise Valley)
Talking Stick Resort and Casino (Scottsdale)
The Boulders (Carefree)
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort and Spa (Scottsdale)
The Royal Palms Resort and Spa (Phoenix)
The Phoenician (Phoenix)
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (Scottsdale)
The Westin LaPaloma Resort & Spa (Tucson)
Westward Look Resort (Tucson)


And finally for visitors to Arizona who would like to enjoy a great American or Southwestern meal, here are some of our favorite other restaurants in the Valley of the Sun, Tucson and beyond. All of these are highly recommended.

Other Best Restaurants in Arizona

Arcadia Farms Cafe (Scottsdale)
Baby Kay's Cajun Kitchen (Phoenix)
Binkley's Restaurant (Cave Creek)
Cafe Bink (Carefree)
Cafe Roka (Bisbee)
Donavon's Steak & Chop House (Phoenix)
Durant's (Phoenix)
Joe's Farm Grill (Gilbert)
Joe's Real BBQ (Gilbert)
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles (Phoenix)
Mastro's Ocean Club (Phoenix)
Richardson's Cuisine of New Mexico (Phoenix)
Roaring Fork (Scottsdale)
The Farmhouse (Gilbert)
Quiessence, The Farm at South Mountain (Phoenix)

All the best, Doug

Doug Bruhnke, AZIGG

Wrap-up of AZIGG: The World's Data is Coming To Arizona

Thanks to the dedicated internationalists who came out to AZIGG on April 5th to hear Phoenix-area IT business experts discuss Data Centers in Arizona and how they are increasingly attracting companies from all over the world.

The pictures from the April AZIGG event taken by Laird Brown of Small Business Photo are posted in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=202855&id=699598645&ref=mf#!/album.php?aid=202855&id=699598645&ref=mf. Watch the AZIGG site this week for a summary www.azigg.com

Thanks to all the expert speakers...

Steve Zylstra - CEO, Arizona Technology Council
Rick Crutchley - VP and GM, CoreLink Data Centers
Greg Davit - Channel Business Development Officer, i/o Data Centers
Brad Smidt - VP, GPEC (Greater Phoenix Economic Council)
Joe Ingram - Partner, Tenzing Corporation
Dave Rice - CEO, TrueCloud

Thanks to our sponsors...

Snell & Wilmer www.swlaw.com
SYNERGY HomeCare of the East Valley http://synergyhomecare-eastvalley.typepad.com/
ServerLIFT www.serverlift.com
SRP Telecom http://www.srpnet.com/telecom/

Thanks also to Bart Butler, Michael Charap and Julie Vasquez for helping with sign-ups. Thanks to the AZ Tech Council and SIM-Arizona for copartnering with AZIGG on this event.

All the best, Doug

Doug Bruhnke
Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG)

AZIGG April 5th Sponsored by ServerLIFT and SRP Telecom

In addition to our annual Chairman and CEO sponsors, two important companies based in Arizona serving the data center industry are sponsoring our April 5th event. Welcome to ServerLIFT Corporation and SRP Telecom!

"The World's Data Is Coming to Phoenix: Data Centers in AZ"
A Discussion with Arizona IT Business Leaders
Monday, April 5th, 7:30am - 9:00am

Rick Crutchley - VP and GM of CoreLink DataCenters
Brad Smidt - VP of Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
Greg Davit - Channel Business Development Officer of i/o Data Centers
Also Featuring Dave Rice - CEO of TrueCloud
and Joe Ingram - Partner at Tenzing Corporation

Sponsored by ServerLIFT Corporation www.serverlift.com
and SRP Telecom www.srpnet.com/telecom

With Arizona Technology Council Critical Facilities Group and SIM Arizona

On April 5th at ASU-SkySong in Scottsdale we'll discuss the data center industry in Arizona from the perspective of GPEC and leading data center and technology executives in the Valley. The event is sponsored by Tempe-based SRP Telecom and Phoenix-based ServerLIFT Corporation. ServerLIFT supplies data center server lifting devices for Google, Cisco, IBM, Wells Fargo, Scotland Yard and many other corporations, government organizations and institutions worldwide.

Thanks also to AZIGG Chairman sponsors including Snell & Wilmer LLP www.swlaw.com.

Date: April 5th

Time: 7:30 - 9:00am (networking starts at 7am)

Location: ASU Skysong in Scottsdale, 1st Floor Conference Area

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

Defense and Aerospace Jobs in Arizona Are Worth Fighting For

Defense and Aerospace Jobs Are Ones Worth Fighting For, by Glenn Hamer *

With two wars being waged and with an economy struggling to gain strength, perhaps no other industry finds itself in a position of importance like the defense and aerospace industry does right now.

In Arizona, companies like Honeywell, Boeing, General Dynamics and Raytheon are playing a critical role in equipping our nation's men and women who are serving in harm's way. They are also responsible for employing tens of thousands of Arizonans and making significant contributions to the state's economy.

A new policy brief by the Arizona Chamber Foundation looks closely at the importance of defense and aerospace to Arizona and shows why our state's leaders should unite to protect and promote the industry's growth in the state.

According to the analysis, defense and aerospace is responsible for over 35,000 jobs in the state and represents 21% of total manufacturing jobs in Arizona. And defense and aerospace jobs are desirable ones too, paying an average annual salary of $85,000, which is more than double the average Arizona salary across all industries.

But we shouldn't be satisfied with these encouraging statistics. If anything, they should spur us to act to ensure that defense and aerospace companies continue to grow in the state. If we take these jobs for granted, we stand to see them slip away as other states present a united front of a Congressional delegation, governor, legislature and business community committed to attracting these highly sought employers to their state.

Arizona's legislative leaders recognize the challenge ahead of us. Speaker of the House Kirk Adams has made a bold play by introducing a sweeping job-creation bill, HB 2250, which seeks to attract and retain companies like those in the defense and aerospace sector. The bill, which has already passed the House, may be the boldest and most aggressive set of tax reform and economic development tools ever proposed to attract and retain base industries.

The effect defense and aerospace companies can have across numerous industrial sectors cannot be overstated. When a large prime contractor wins a major federal contract, it doesn't only mean increased hiring and growth for the winning company. The prime contractor then connects with a supplier for parts and labor, creating jobs downstream. That supplier then creates demand from yet another supplier for parts and labor, and the process continues.

But the positive economic effect isn't just felt in the defense and aerospace sector. As companies connected to the prime contractor grow, so do other businesses in the community - from homebuilders to drycleaners - to meet the consumption demand of the prime contractor and their suppliers' employees. For example, consumer spending initiated by Boeing employees and the subsequent multiplier effect supported an additional 4,100 jobs and generated $15 million in state and local tax revenue.

We've all seen the push in policymaking and economic development circles to promote the growth of export-based industries in our state. Perhaps no industry fits that bill better than defense and aerospace, which is responsible for attracting millions of dollars from outside the state. Boeing's out-of-state operations alone spent $643 million on products from Arizona suppliers.

All of this affects real companies and real people.

Pivot Manufacturing is a Phoenix-based company with 18 employees headed by Steve Macias, a third-generation Arizonan. Steve's company's annual revenues average over $2.5 million and it counts as its customers respected companies like General Dynamics, Raytheon and BAE Systems.

The fight to keep and attract defense and aerospace companies, ranging from Fortune 500 prime contractors to companies like Pivot, is intense. And it's one that's being waged across the country as states are employing every economic development strategy at their disposal to grow their way out of this Great Recession.

It's a battle that calls for a K-12 system that turns out the best and brightest and a university system that provides a steady flow of qualified workers. These sensitive Defense Department programs can't simply outsource their work overseas or import workers into the U.S. A commitment from state and local government leaders is essential to foster an environment that ensures our state remains a desirable place to set up shop.

If we don't use every tool in our toolbox, from tax reform, to increased education standards, to regulatory reform, we stand to lose companies with a long history of contributing to our economy and our communities. And even worse, we'll fail to create an environment for the next entrepreneur to build a company here in Arizona.


* Glenn Hamer is President and CEO of the The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an organization based in Phoenix that is committed to advancing Arizona's competitive position in the global economy by advocating free-market policies that stimulate economic growth and prosperity for all Arizonans http://www.azchamber.com.

Join the Arizona Chamber and subscribe to the Bottom Line: http://www.azchamber.com/news/view_article.cfm?ID=570


For more information on Defense and Aerospace in Arizona, read the article: "Industry accounts for over 35,000 jobs, 21% of total manufacturing jobs in state"
http://www.azchamber.com/news/view_article.cfm?ID=566

All About Data Centers in Arizona April 5th

"The World's Data Is Coming to Phoenix: Data Centers in Arizona"
A Panel Discussion with Arizona IT Business Leaders
Monday, April 5th, 7:30am - 9:00am

Rick Crutchley - VP and GM of CoreLink DataCenters
Brad Smidt - Vice President of Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
Greg Davit - Channel Business Development Officer of i/o Data Centers

Sponsored by Phoenix-based ServerLIFT Corporation
Also Featuring Dave Rice - CEO of TrueCloud
and Joe Ingram - Partner at Tenzing Corporation

With Arizona Technology Council Critical Facilities Group and SIM Arizona
Networking starts at 7:00am in the first floor conference room.
ASU SkySong, Room 150, Scottsdale (SE Corner Scottsdale/McDowell Roads)

On April 5th at ASU-SkySong in Scottsdale we'll discuss the data center industry in Phoenix and Arizona from the perspective of GPEC and leading data center and technology executives in the Valley. The event is sponsored by Phoenix based ServerLIFT Corporation www.serverlift.com, which supplies data center lifting devices for Scotland Yard, the Royal Mounted Police and public and private firms like Citibank, IBM, Google, Cisco and many others worldwide. Not to be missed if you're a business in IT.

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

All the best, Doug Bruhnke

Thank you Phoenix Business Journal

Thank you to Mike Sunnucks, Patrick O'Grady and Ilana Lowery of the Phoenix Business Journal for editing my quotation referenced in the previous blog posting. It's an online story and they immediately responded to my concerns. That goes to the total professionalism of the Journal - thank you for all you do for our business community.

The Journal didn't change the 'Creep In' comment, but I figure that's editorial license. I think it's the wrong connotation, but I'm glad they're covering international business in Arizona!

All the best, Doug

ps update 3/13/10...The story in the print version deleted the 'Creep In' comment. The title became "Most Chinese solar investments in US fly under the radar".

Anti-Foreigner Sentiment Has No Place in the Business Press

Make no mistake: we love the Phoenix Business Journal. Don Henninger, Patrick O'Grady and Ilana Lowery are heroes for Arizona and Arizona business. They are strong supporters of growth in the Valley of the Sun and beyond.

Sometimes there are missteps, however, and Saturday's online article entitled "China's influence creeps into Arizona's solar" is one of them. No one is 'creeping in' to Arizona except criminals under the radar of the law. China is not a criminal, and neither are the companies like Suntech that are locating here - at least not any more or less than American companies. The Chinese like Americans are people - for better and for worse. Broad brushing a country or set of companies as 'creeping in' to our state is just creepy, and wrong.

We need investment by foreign companies in our state. You can find out more why it's so important at www.gpec.org. GPEC like others in economic development for Arizona are heroes for our future. And they're certainly not allowing anyone to creep in. All companies and countries are welcomed with open arms.

You can read more about the positive impact that GPEC and others are having attracting companies to Arizona from around the US and the world on their website. And you can read Saturday's article in the Phoenix Business Journal and more commentary here: http://dougbruhnke.blogspot.com/2010/03/avoiding-anti-foreigner-sentiment.html

More good news: the anti-foreigner sentiment that I'm sure was unintentional in the Phoenix Business Journal article is fading away year-by-year in Arizona and the US. We're focused on long-term sustainable growth and increasing jobs with a broad industrial base that includes foreign direct investment (FDI).

All the best, Doug Bruhnke

Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG)

Canadians at AZIGG Discuss Arizona-Canada Trade

We enjoyed the presentations and discussion with Rick Stephenson, Chantal Ramsay and Glenn Williamson at the Arizona International Growth Group on Monday.

Rick Stephenson (Consul and Senior Trade Commisioner of Consulate of Canada) kicked things off and discussed progress and opportunities with trade, investment, R&D partnerships and foreign direct investment (FDI). He mentioned that there are approximately 126 Canadian companies in Arizona that employ over 16,000 Arizonans. The largest is Circle K, headquartered in Montreal, but also includes Stantech Engineering and Bombardier Aerospace.

Rick pointed out that the these 'foreign' companies end up employing mostly local people and pull in other investment dollars from around the US. For instance the rail system being built at the airport is being managed by a Canadian company but the rail cars are being designed and built in Pennsylvania.

Chantal Ramsay (Consul at the Ontario International Marketing Centre in the Canadian Consulate General - Los Angeles) talked primarily about the leading edge clean energy initiatives going on in Ontario. They are phasing out coal energy in 2014, and Ontario is taking 4 coal plants off line in 2010, earlier than anticipated. Ontario's energy mix includes nuclear and hydroelectric power and it is growing the renewable energy portfolio, including wind and solar in order to make up for the loss of coal. Ontario has the most aggressive feed-in tariff in North America, and so companies that are green are very welcome. Also Ontrario encourages and attracts conservation and energy efficiency companies.

Glenn Williamson (CEO of Nest Ventures and Founder/CEO of The Canada Arizona Business Council) wrapped things up with an excellent summary of successes and opportunities. The number one need: international lift in Phoenix. We need more direct international flights, and Glenn pointed out that the City - including Mike Shelton who was present - are working hard with the airlines to get this done. Phoenix is the #5 city in the US and does not have a direct flight to Montreal the #1 city in Canada. And so much work needs to be done to increase from the current 80 direct flights between Canada and Arizona today.

Glenn also pointed out that Canada is over-capitalized and Arizona is under-capitalized, and that disparity drives a lot of the success between the two regions. The Toronto Stock Exchange is active in Arizona through a relationship with ACG.

Thank you to Rick, Chantal and Glenn. Canada is so much more than curling and hockey! The trade success between Canada and Arizona is a tremendous model for other regions to study and learn from. And we can make so much more progress, too - let's keep it going.

Our next AZIGG event is April 5th: "The World's Data Is Coming to Phoenix". We'll be talking about how Phoenix continues to successfully attract companies and data centers into the region and what the future holds. Panelists and participants will include Rick Crutchley, COO of CoreLink Data Centers, Brad Smidt, VP of GPEC and Ray Zuckerman CEO of ServerLIFT. We are also finalizing who from i/o datacenters will attend. Our April 5th event is put on in cooperation with the Arizona Technology Council and SIM - the Society of Information Management.

All the best, Doug Bruhnke

Arizona-Canada Discussion at AZIGG March 1st: Speaker Bio's

We're pleased to present a distinguished trio of speakers on trade between Canada and Arizona at the next Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG) event. For more information on the March 1st morning event, please visit www.azigg.com.

Rick Stephenson
Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner of Consulate of Canada

Rick Stephenson was appointed on June 1, 2008 as the Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Consulate in Phoenix, Arizona.

Prior to this assignment, Rick has served as Trade Commissioner in Kingston, Jamaica, Dallas, Texas, Oslo, Norway, Los Angeles, California and Tucson, Arizona.

Rick's Canadian home is Vancouver where he holds a mortgage brokers’ license and served on the Curriculum Advisory Board of the British Columbia Institute of Technology where he was also a lecturer in international business development.

Rick has also held positions with the Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Treasury Board of Canada.

Rick has extensive experience in investment and export promotion through his experience abroad as well as through previous positions held at the International Trade Center in Vancouver.

Born in Montreal, Canada, Rick Stephenson graduated with degrees in Business Administration (with Honors) in Marketing and Finance from Concordia University. He is married with 3 adult sons all living in Vancouver, Canada.


Glenn Williamson
CEO of NestVentures, & Founder/CEO of The Canada Arizona Business Council

Glenn Williamson is founder and CEO of The Canada Arizona Business Council, a private sector group sanctioned by the Canadian Government and the State of Arizona to work on increasing bilateral trade between Canada and Arizona. He is also Chairman of the Board of Kinetx, a 100-person aerospace firm, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Big Sky Group, an international travel industry company with over 150 associates in 38 countries around the world that handles the international operations of Helms Briscoe, the words largest conference resource company.

Since 2000 Mr. Williamson has been CEO of Nest Ventures L.L.C., a private equity firm with offices in Montreal Canada and Phoenix Arizona. He has also held series 7 and 63 NASD securities licenses and acted in the capacity of an international Investment Banker in NYC and LA. He is also an active registered member of the National association of Corporate Directors, trained in U.S. and Canadian Corporate Governance.

Mr. Williamson has more than 28 years of entrepreneurial executive level experience, primarily in the financial and operation aspects of companies. During the last four years, he has been involved in dozens of business engagements ranging from a world-class fractional yacht ownership program in the Cayman Islands to a world-class film animation production company based in Montreal, Quebec Canada.

Mr. Williamson has also been a member of the Board of Directors of Inexus Biotechnology, a public life sciences company and was President and on the Board of Directors of Sweet Success, a publicly traded consumer beverage company.

Mr. Williamson’s extraordinary career can be further tracked here. You will be amazed: http://www.nestventures.com/index.asp?from=glenn_williamson

Mr. Williamson has received six coveted gold and silver National Telly awards for executive production of non-broadcast video and film productions, and is an avid skier, scuba diver and video gamer. He also was an Honorary Commander at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona home to the 56th Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force, which is comprised of some 220 F-16 fighter aircraft.

Mr. Williamson, was born in Montreal and is fluent it French, a graduate of Rothsey Collegiate Military Academy in New Brunswick, Canada, he currently resides in Phoenix with his wife and three children.


Chantal Ramsay
Consul at the Ontario Int’l Marketing Centre in the Canadian Consulate General

Chantal Ramsay is the Consul (Economic Affairs - Ontario) at the Ontario International Marketing Centre (OIMC) in the Canadian Consulate General in Los Angeles. The International Marketing Centre’s territory includes California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Hawaii. The role of the OIMC is to work with Ontario based companies wishing to do business in the territory, to attract investment from US and multinational companies into Ontario and to raise awareness of the Province in the region.

Prior to this posting, Ms Ramsay was a Senior Manager with the Investment Branch of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ontario in Toronto, Ontario.

Ms Ramsay is a graduate of the Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario - Honours Bachelor of Science in Language with a minor in Economics. She speaks Spanish, French and Italian.

Thank you! Doug Bruhnke - AZIGG

AZIGG Monday March 1st: O Canada! Canada-Arizona Trade

The Next AZIGG event is Monday morning March 1st and features Glenn Williamson, Rick Stephenson and Chantal Ramsey discussing Arizona-Canada Trade Success and Opportunities. Not to be missed!

O Canada! Trade Successes and Opportunities with Arizona

Glenn Williamson, CEO of NestVentures, and Founder/CEO of The Canada Arizona Business Council (CABC)

Rick Stephenson, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner of Consulate of Canada

Chantal Ramsay, Consul at the Int'l Marketing Centre in the Canadian Consulate General

Monday, March 1st, 7:30 - 9:00am

ASU SkySong, Auditorium 150 in Scottsdale

Doors open at 7:00am for networking

1475 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

Investment $15 includes coffee and pastries

RSVP and more info: www.azigg.com

On March 1st at ASU-SkySong in Scottsdale, fellow Canadians Glenn Williamson, Rick Stephenson and Chantal Ramsey will discuss the progress made in Arizona-Canada trade, and the near and long-term opportunities still available. Business owners with a connection or potential connection in Canada will appreciate hearing more about how Arizona businesses can and will succeed moving forward. Those with connections into other countries and regions will enjoy hearing about ways they can improve trade with some best practices already implemented.

All the best, Doug Bruhnke

Arizona International Growth Group - AZIGG
Scottsdale, Arizona
www.azigg.com

AZIGG Monday, February 1st with Don Burton

The next strategic industry sector for Arizona that we'll be discussing at AZIGG is education. Our speaker on Monday, February 1st will be Don Burton, President of Dunlap-Stone University and the International Import-Export Institute. Attendees will hear a global business success story based in Phoenix and receive an update from Thunderbird School of Global Management and on education in Arizona from Suzanne Taylor, Senior VP of Public Policy at the Arizona Chamber.

Thanks to Phil Clouse and Stanton Knight of MTD Products for discussing manufacturing at AZIGG on Monday. Their presentation and pictures can be found on the AZIGG site here: http://www.azigg.com/events_pages/201001-event.html.

"Education in Arizona Can Compete Globally If..."
Monday, February 1st, 7:30am - 9:00am
Networking starts at 7:00am in the first floor conference room.
ASU SkySong, Scottsdale (SE Corner Scottsdale/McDowell Roads)
Investment $15 - Coffee and Dunkin Donuts Served

RSVP: www.azigg.com

On February 1st at ASU-SkySong in Scottsdale, President Don Burton of Dunlap-Stone University and the International Import-Export Institute will discuss how he and his team have successfully grown their education business. It's a global growth success story that is applicable for any business owners growing globally online.

The International Import-Export Institute based in Phoenix provides specialized accredited international trade education programs globally via an "asynchronous" online format. The Institute works with governments, individuals and companies worldwide to provide practical training. The Import-Export Institute is recognized worldwide as the global authority for professional international trade certification.

See you on February 1st! All the best, Doug

Doug Bruhnke

Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG)

info@azigg.com

Next AZIGG on Global Manufacturing in Arizona January 11th at SkySong

MTD Consumer Products, a global manufacturer of outdoor power equipment founded in 1932, maintains their global headquarters for handheld products in Chandler, Arizona. The MTD family of brands includes Cub Cadet, Cub Cadet Yanmar, Troy-Bilt, White Outdoor, Yard-Man, Yard Machines, Bolens, Arnold, GardenWay and MTD Pro.

President of MTD Southwest Phil Clouse will be discussing how the Arizona division was able to successfully put together a business case for manufacturing outdoor power equipment in their plant here and in Nogales instead of in China. Many of those success factors can be translated to other manufacturers in Arizona looking to compete and win in the global marketplace. Phil will be joined by Director of Manufacturing Stanton Knight, and he will be sharing his overall perspective on how manufacturing here can be more competitive.

Sign-up for AZIGG here: www.azigg.com.

Keep up with AZIGG on Twitter www.twitter.com/AZIGG

February event: 2/1/10 at ASU-SkySong to be announced

March event: 3/1/10 at ASU-SkySong to be announced

All the best, Doug

Doug Bruhnke
AZIGG (monthly meetings at ASU SkySong)