Can Arizona Survive Our Political Leaders?

Every state has their share of politicians in over their head on international issues. It's easy to happen if the person hasn't had international experience and/or doesn't listen well. Unfortunately Arizona is challenged now with a Governor who 'doesn't get global'.

There are many examples of how it's not working now.

One is the Governor's attacks on Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) - made crystal clear when she appealed to the GPEC board to stop supporting Barry Broome - a man who who works tirelessly with his staff to grow global and national business in Arizona. Yes Barry Broome is a tough cookie with strong opinions, but to demean his work and the work by GPEC by asking others not to support him is petty and inexcusable.

Sorry Guv, you're wrong on GPEC. You should be supporting their results, not tearing them down, for the benefit of international business in Arizona.

Jan Brewer also refuses to address the international community in Arizona. The "International State of the State" address at Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations has in the past been a wonderful event for Arizona's globalists. In past years Governor Napolitano was the keynote, eloquently discussing the future of international tourism, business and policy in Arizona - including what had been done and needed to be done. Governor Napolitano concluded each luncheon with questions and answers, and then wandered into the audience afterwards to talk more.

Then Governor Brewer was thrust into her role when Governor Napolitano went to serve in Washington, DC. In her first and only International State of the State, Jan Brewer was very light on substance and then excused herself, turning over questions and answers to others on her staff. In subsequent years, she declined to speak - including the event October 15, 2012.

The lack of vision and leadership to attract new companies is glaring, and the vacuous strategy is evident from commercials made and run earlier this year asking businesses to come to Arizona. In those ads the case was not compelling, did not cover the real strengths of the state, and ended with the voice and picture of the divisive Governor. Economic development wrapped in politics doesn't work.
Yet another example of an international business challenge we face is a new state strategy to focus on only Mexico and Canada for economic development. It wouldn't feel so painful if the Governor hadn't petitioned an outside-Arizona consulting firm - possibly paying them $1 million - to contradict a strategy already developed by people in Arizona.

"Small ball" works for the Oakland A's and can be an effective strategy. Small thinking doesn't work.

Despite all that there are economic development leaders in Phoenix, in Scottsdale and across the state working hard to make it work anyway - both for companies to succeed in the state and for more more companies to come. The case for companies to do business here is compelling and is being made more so by groups like the Arizona Chamber, but something is holding them back.

This is not a political issue. This is about capability, OR giving a damn. Many of us think that giving a damn about Arizona being global really matters, and speaking behind the back of an international economic development leader, or not speaking to PCFR's international community speaks volume.

Creating and exporting value is essential for the future of Arizona, and understanding how to do that - and doing it - is critical for the State's short and long-term viability.

There are many people working hard to keep things going. Arizona recovered from Evan Mecham, and so being the eternal optimist, I have no doubt that Arizona will survive Jan Brewer.

August 17 Addendum: This week Governor Brewer sought to stop Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) from getting a driver's license. The small, mean and petty approach will undoubtedly result in keeping more international and creative people from wanting to live in Arizona until small-thinking people like her are flushed from the system. No matter which side of the fence you're on about SB1070 or the Dream Act, the issue is HOW the points are being made. When they are done in a mean-spirited way as Jan Brewer has done, we all lose.

With international business - how it's done matters. That's why it's clear she doesn't get 'it'. The good news is that Jan Brewer has united Republicans and Democrats against her nonsense, and we're hearing that more reasonable people are lining up on both sides to replace her.

Arizona International Week in Metro Phoenix September 17-22

Arizona International Week is coming to Phoenix and will run from September 17th through September 22nd. There are several key events planned that are designed to help companies in Arizona and from Asia grow globally.

The week will kick-off on Thursday, September 17th at 7:30am with a breakfast in Scottsdale at Enterprise Network www.en.org that celebrates international economic development and will feature key economic development and business resources.

Then on Sept 17-18 the US Asia Investment and Business Expo (US Asia Expo Arizona) will be in Phoenix after a week-long run in Los Angeles. For our Asia visitors, in between events we have information for you to enjoy the best Arizona has to offer - including the Grand Canyon, golf and our world-class resorts.

The US Asia Expo Arizona is presented by AZIGG at Camelback Inn and will feature dozens of local organizations, dozens of business and political dignitaries and hundreds of companies from Arizona and Asia. Here's a preview: http://www.fosaac.tv/us-asia-expo-2009.htm

Arizona International Week will be capstoned by two significant international, business and education events on Tuesday, September 22nd.

At lunch on September 22nd Governor Jan Brewer will present the 6th annual "International State of the State" hosted by PCFR and supported by AZIGG on the 22nd. Governor Brewer's presentation will be a the Biltmore Resort.

Also on September 22nd and running all day, Arizona's own Lon Safko, world-famous author of the best-selling 'Social Media Bible' will present "The Social Media Conference - Where the Best of Education Meets the Best of Business" at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) in Mesa.

The global social media event will feature a live feed from the Governor's lunch presentation. Other business and education leaders will be attending including Tom Horne, Superintendent of Public Education in Arizona.

Watch these websites for more information, along with our partners' websites.

www.azigg.com

http://www.azigg.com/events_pages/200909-event.html

All the best, Doug

Arizona International Growth Group (AZIGG)

Growth Nation

ps...the AZIGG event 8/3 at Greekfest is sold out. You may visit www.azigg.com to add your name to the waiting list. We'll have a full announcement of Arizona International Week then.