Rudy Vetter of GPEC December 3, 2012 at AZIGG

Global Arizona: Are We There Yet?

A Frank Assessment and Outlook by Rudy Vetter, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Monday, December 3, 2012

7:30am – 9:00am

RSVP Here 

 

SkySong 1475 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, Global Room (2nd Floor)

$20 in advance ($25 @ the door)

Includes coffee, juice, water, fruit and breakfast pastries. Free parking.

Who should attend: Arizona leaders looking to understand the state of international business in Arizona and to network with the business community.

Welcome internationalists!

Questions? Contact Yashu Chen @ 520-895-9668 (yashu@growthnation.com)

World Trade Forum V - January 15, 2013

Snell & Wilmer is hosting (at SkySong) the World Trade Forum V on January 15, 2013.

This year's event is again co-sponsored by Arizona Council for International Visitors and Arizona International Growth Group. Watch for further sponsors.

Also check the details and sign-up soon from the Growth Nation "In the Community" international business page: http://growthnation.com/seminars/in-the-community/

The event will include: (1) Arizona's 2012 year in review, (2) the outlook for 2013 and (3) what government is doing to stimulate trade in Arizona.

See you in January!

Lon Safko World Winning Marketing November 5

Lon Safko: World Winning Marketing

Conquer the World with Fusion Marketing, Social Media and Magic

AZIGG on Monday, November 5, 2012

7:30am – 9:00am

RSVP

SkySong 1475 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, Global Room (2nd Floor)

$20 in advance ($25 @ the door)

Includes coffee, juice, water, fruit and breakfast pastries. Free parking.

Who should attend: Arizona business leaders looking to export and grow globally. Lon Safko's marketing magic extends beyond the U.S. borders. How should your marketing change to face the new global realities? Lon educates and entertains!

Click here for more about AZIGG and upcoming events. 

Grow Globally 2012 - October 8th

Grow Globally 2012

"All the Global Resources in Arizona, All Together, Once Per Year" 

It's also the 5th anniversary of AZIGG! Special guests and awards!

Monday, October 8, 2012

4:00pm to 6:00pm
SkySong, 1475 N Scottsdale Road, Convergence Room 
$30 online  

Who should attend: Executives in Arizona looking for opportunities to grow globally.

Info and RSVP Here

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.

Green, Global and Greek 2012 - August 6th

Green, Global and Greek 2012

Expert Update on Arizona's Sustainability Opportunities

Glenn Hamer - Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Roger Downey - GlobalMed Telemedicine

Patrick O'Grady - Phoenix Business Journal

Monday, August 6, 2012

11:00am - 1:00pm

Click Here to RSVP

$38 includes an Extraordinary Greek Lunch with Beverage

Networking 11:00am / Food 11:30am / Program 12:00noon

Greekfest Restaurant

1940 East Camelback, Phoenix (NW Corner Camelback/20th)

Reservation Required; Park Behind the Building, Please

4th Annual AZIGG summer lunch at Greekfest. Learn about the current state and forecast for cleantech, solar and sustainability in AZ. Come in from the Phoenix heat and enjoy the best Greek food in Phoenix, expert information and international networking. 

More on AZIGG Here: AZIGG Events.  Welcome Internationalists!

Thank You Greekfest Restaurant and AZIGG Sponsors...

CQ Coach, Growth Nation, Polsinelli Shughart, Snell & Wilmer, All the King's Flags, Aussie World Travel and Human Capital Strategies

RSVP or contact us at info@azigg.com

Best International Restaurants in Metro Phoenix

One of the wonderful things about international business for many of us is enjoying the food. Some of us have become diehard foodies from experiencing some pretty amazing dishes all over the world. There are some good international restaurants in Phoenix - some of them hidden gems.

Here's an updated list of best international restaurants in Phoenix Metro. Please let us know if we've missed your favorite - we're always open for lunch to check out a new international restaurant!

You can see more details including reviews on Yelp or Urban Spoon.

The restaurants marked with '*' are highly recommended.

Best International Restaurants in Arizona

Afghan: Flaming Kebob (Mesa)

African: Blue Nile Cafe (Tempe), Cafe Lalibela (Tempe)

Brazilian: Fogo de Chao (Scottsdale)

British/Irish: Codfather (Phoenix), Cornish Pasty Company (Tempe), George and Dragon (Phoenix), Rula Bula (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), Wong's Place (Tempe)

Dutch: Rokerij (Phoenix)

Filipino: Karey's Kitchen (Phoenix)

French: Amuse Bouche Bistro (Surprise), Au Petit Four* (Scottsdale), Coup des Tartes (Phoenix), La Petite France (Scottsdale), Sophie's (Phoenix)

German: Haus Murphy's (Glendale)

Greek: Greekfest* (Phoenix)

Indian: Al Hamra* (Scottsdale), Indian Delhi Palace (Phoenix), Jewel of the Crown (Scottsdale), Maharaja Palace (Glendale), Tandoori Times (Glendale and Scottsdale), The Dhaba (Tempe)

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), Postino Central (Phoenix), Sassi (Scottsdale), Tomaso's (Phoenix and Chandler), Tutti Santi (Scottsdale), Voce Ristorante (Scottsdale)

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

Korean: Cafe Ga Hyang (Glendale), Chodang Tofu and BBQ (Chandler), Takamatsu* (Chandler)

Kosher: Segal's Oasis Grill* (Phoenix)

Mexican: Barrio Cafe* (Phoenix), Carolina's Mexican Food (Phoenix), El Guero Canelo (Tucson), Elote Cafe* (Sedona), Javelina Inferno (Scottsdale), La Tolteca Mexican Foods (Phoenix), Los Dos Molinos (Mesa + more locations), Los Reyes de la Torta* (Phoenix), Mi Nidito* (Tucson), Spotted Donkey Cantina* (Scottsdale)

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

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

Spanish: Iruna (Scottsdale), Tapas Papa Fritas (Scottsdale)

Swedish: Beaver Choice* (Tempe)

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

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


In Arizona there are many world-class resorts 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)
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort and Spa (Scottsdale)
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)
Royal Palms Resort and Spa (Phoenix)
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa (Paradise Valley)
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort (Chandler)
Talking Stick Resort and Casino (Scottsdale)
The Boulders a Waldorf Astoria Resort (Carefree)
The Hermosa Inn (Phoenix)
The Phoenician Resort (Scottsdale)
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa (Scottsdale)
The Westin LaPaloma Resort and Spa (Tucson)
Westward Look Resort (Tucson)


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

Other Top Restaurants in Arizona

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