Arizona International State of the State 6/6/11

Welcome to the next AZIGG event - June 6th at SkySong!

Arizona International Growth Group Presents

4th Annual

International State of the State

Featuring: Rudy Vetter, SVP with GPEC
"Greater Phoenix Economic Council"

Monday, June 6, 2011

7:30am - 9:00am

$15 includes Coffee, Juice, Fruit and Pastries; $20 at the door.

1475 N Scottsdale Road, SkySong Building, Convergence Room

Scottsdale, Arizona (SE Corner of Scottsdale Road and McDowell)

It's the 4th Annual International State of the State featuring a Key Leader Directly Involved in Attracting International Business to Arizona

Register Now

ps...We also welcome you to the "Build Your Business with BRICS" event by Growth Nation on June 16th. Learn more here about the opportunities in Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia (and Malaysia), China and South Africa. There will also be a special presentation by the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles with an update on the Japanese situation. Learn more here.

Celebration of International Trade in Arizona

There are several global business events coming up in Phoenix and Tucson that could be of interest if you're looking for ideas to grow globally.

The first is networking event on Thursday co-hosted by Phoenix CEO-CFO Group, ACG Arizona and AZIGG. Network at the global business table in centerfield and watch the Dbacks versus Cubs.

The global trade month celebration really kicks off in Tucson, Arizona when area exporters gather with the Arizona District Export Council at the Lodge on the Desert. More information here.

Some additional global business events are:

Growing Globally, Buying Locally - May 10 in Tempe

The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce features a unique panel of speakers on important business issues: Lori Singleton, Salt River Project; Kimber Lanning, Arizona Local First; Doug Bruhnke, Growth Nation and AZIGG. Info and sign-up.

Global Threats to Trade Secrets - May 12 in Scottsdale

National security presentation by the extraordinary Tom Liffiton, sponsored by the World Affairs Council. Joined by international visitors from Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. Unique venue (The Napoleon), $20. Contact Sue

AZIGG "International State of the State" - June 6 in Scottsdale

Rudy Vetter of GPEC gives us the lowdown on what's happening with international business in Arizona. Always popular, first Monday at SkySong - sign-up today!

All the best, Doug

Arizona International Growth Group

Scottsdale, Arizona

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.

AZIGG Draws Overflow Crowd for Solar

At AZIGG on Monday, our expert panel sent a uniform message: call your legislators and city officials to get them to support Arizona business initiatives in solar, NOW. See these links for more info. Thanks Chris.

http://www.gpec.org/News_-_Events-Renewable-energy-news-updates.aspx

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1179/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26947

Special thanks to John Balfour (PerfectPower), Patrick O'Grady (Phoenix Business Journal) and Chris Camacho (GPEC) for great information.

The event was sold out and standing room only. Thanks to Glenn Hamer (Arizona Chamber), Chet Ross (SCORE) and Steve Zylstra (AZ Tech Council) for their contributions.

Thanks to Lon Safko for the pictures and sharing the launch of The Social Media Bible at AZIGG. Watch for Lon at our next AZIGG on June 1st that discusses growing your business globally on the internet.

Thanks to Bart Butler, Julie Vasquez and Maria Gryskiewicz for helping with the event. Watch for more pics from our group photographer Laird Brown (www.smallbusinessphoto.com).

All the best, Doug

AZIGG and Growth Nation
Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona's Solar Energy Future at AZIGG May 4th

Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG)

Features a Panel Discussion...

"Global Solar in Arizona: The Future's So Bright, If..."

• John Balfour - President of PerfectPower
• Patrick O'Grady - Reporter for Phoenix Business Journal
• Chris Camacho - VP of Business Development for GPEC
  
  

Monday, May 4th, 7:30am - 9:00am

Location: ASU SkySong, 1475 N Scottsdale Road, 1st Floor (SE Corner)
(Southeast corner of Scottsdale and McDowell)
Moderator: Doug Bruhnke - CEO of Growth Nation & President of AZIGG
Investment $10 includes coffee and juice

John Balfour (Perfect Power), Patrick O'Grady (Phoenix Business Journal) and Chris Camacho (Greater Phoenix Economic Council) each understand the dynamics of the solar industry in Arizona. Together they can speak to the realities, challenges, opportunities, possibilities and probabilities of solar. We're in a critical phase on the future of green in Arizona, and this month we'll be discussing what it takes to win, and if we can.

Please RSVP: www.azigg.com

John Balfour - BS, MEP, Ph.D. and LEED Accredited Professional

John is the president of PerfectPower Inc. which he founded in 1998. PerfectPower was developed out of "The Energy Doctor" an active solar and energy consulting firm which he founded in 1977 and trademarked since 1981. PerfectPower is the most award-winning Solar Company in North America and is the only solar company in the US to win a Better Business Bureau "Business Ethics Award". John has two degrees from ASU including a BS in Science in Political Science (1977) and a Masters of Architecture in the Masters of Environmental Planning (MEP) Program (1982), which was ASU's solar program in the 1970's and 1980's. In 1992, he received a Ph.D. in Management funded by the Daimler Benz Corporation. John has been an active proponent of the application of high performance PV systems (systems that perform well in desert regions like Arizona) and aesthetically pleasing PV design and installations. As a result, PerfectPower is the only US solar company that designs for performance in high temperature locations.

Chris Camacho - Vice President of Business Development

Chris is Vice President of Business Development for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), focusing on GPEC's business attraction efforts in emerging technology and international economic development. He is former president and CEO of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation (GYEDC). During his three and a half year tenure there, GYEDC helped with the location of 35 companies to Greater Yuma representing the creation of over 3,500 new manufacturing and service jobs and $450 million in new capital investment.

Chris has also served as a financial incentives consultant for Madison County, Illinois, and a research associate for the TheAlliance, an economic development partnership in Metro St. Louis. He attended Southern Illinois University where he earned a master's degree in Public Administration and Public Policy and studied psychology and business administration as an undergraduate.

Patrick O'Grady - Technology Reporter

Patrick covers technology, manufacturing and sustainability for the Phoenix Business Journal. He has been in the Valley for 13 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.

All the best, Doug

Doug Bruhnke

AZIGG

Growth Nation

Scottsdale, AZ