Business and Government
The greater Phoenix area's sunny climate, vibrant lifestyle and prospering business community attract thousands of visitors, new residents and entrepreneurs annually. The nation's sixth-largest city, Phoenix continues to grow and remains a desirable destination for travelers and dreamers alike.
If you're looking to relocate, establish a business here or just interested in finding out more about the Valley of the Sun, here is some helpful information:
THE VALLEY IN A NUTSHELL
More than four million people call the Valley of the Sun home, and enjoy its 300 annual days of sunshine, while another 13 million visit Phoenix each year for its outstanding weather, beautiful landscapes and southwestern hospitality. A hub of business activity, the Valley boasts global companies such as Avnet, Republic Services, Freeport McMoran, American Express, US Airways and many more. Residents enjoy relaxed living and numerous outlets for recreation and entertainment, including some 200 golf courses, pro and college sports teams, concert venues and museums.
BUSINESS
Arizona is not only a top 10 state for business, but the Valley is the best place in the country for recruitment and attraction of talented workers, according to Expansion Management magazine. The area has also been named one of the “Best U.S. Cities for Jobs” by Forbes, and with an average age of 34, it's the third-youngest region in the country, making young talent plentiful for any business. Airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor International connect Valley business people to partners the world over, and the area has become an attractor of innovative, high-tech industries such as solar power, biomedicine and aerospace.
HOUSING
The various corners of the Valley offer distinct vibes and perspectives for their residents. Each city offers something different, from the rising steel and glass of Phoenix to stylish Scottsdale and from active, rapidly-growing Glendale to the East Valley communities of Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek that offer a great work-life mix. From historic homes to new community developments, and from exciting urban living to active senior neighborhoods, the Greater Phoenix area truly has something for every lifestyle and taste.
SETTLING IN
There's so much to do when you move – finding a new bank, establishing utilities, getting a new driver's license. Greater Phoenix offers banks of all sizes, from big names like Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo to community banks that specialize in personal attention. Arizona Public Service (APS) and Salt River Project (SRP) provide electricity to most Arizona homes, while Southwest Gas is the primary natural gas provider. Qwest and Cox Communications offer phone, internet and television service, while water hookups are provided by each city.
EDUCATION
As Arizona's population continues to grow, the demand for more and better schools to prepare the next generation of citizens and workers grows as well. The Valley is home to many excellent primary and secondary schools (both public and private), including Arizona State University, one of the nation's largest educational institutions.
GETTING AROUND
Moving more than four million people around is no easy task, but Greater Phoenix continues to build and establish new ways to get you from here to there (and back). From expansion of highways to an innovative light rail system, there are more ways than ever to get where you're going. And getting to and from Phoenix is easy through one of the country's busiest airports, as Sky Harbor International services some 40 million passengers a year.
HEALTHCARE
The Valley has a healthy complement of some of the best medical facilities anywhere, with world-class health care services and nationally-recognized research programs covering nearly every medical specialty. Hospital networks like Banner Health, John C. Lincoln Hospital Network, Phoenix Children's Hospital and the Mayo Clinic offer everything from basic care to advanced procedures and specializations.
RETIREMENT
It's no secret that the Valley is seen as a perfect place to enjoy the rewards of a life well-lived. Retirees stay young and active not only through recreation and volunteering but by starting businesses or taking or teaching classes at local colleges or senior centers. And, of course, there's golf, which area seniors can enjoy nearly every day on one of the area's 200 courses.
Leading business owners in the Valley of the Sun organized the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce on November 13, 1888. Through nearly 120 years and a couple of name changes (it was known as the Phoenix Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce from 1973-1987 and became the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in 1998), the Chamber has never wavered from its original mission: to help area businesses succeed and make the Valley a better place in which to live, work and do business.
The Phoenix Chamber originally spearheaded efforts towards attracting more settlers to the Valley, building a railroad to tap the rich forest country to the north, building better roads and supplying accommodations for those who traveled here for the winter sunshine.
The following year saw the state capitol move from Prescott to Phoenix and marked the beginning of the area's citrus and agriculture industry. The Chamber of Commerce began the processing of fruits and other products to offer a permanent display for visitors as proof of what the land could produce. If agriculture were to be a permanent success of the area, water storage to carry over during the summer months was crucial. A Chamber committee studied the possibilities of building dams on the Salt River to form reservoirs for water storage, and agreed unanimously upon the present site of the Roosevelt Dam. It was through the combined efforts of these businessmen and pioneer farmers that Congress was convinced to bring into effect the plan of Reclamation to capture and hold precious water from the Colorado River.
The hauling of crops to market, along with the rapidly growing change in transportation from horse-drawn vehicles to motor travel, created an insistent urge for a paved highway system. That development birthed an expansion of the urban area, building of fine country homes, subdivisions, more schools, more people and more wealth. In addition, Maricopa County became the leader, not only in Arizona but throughout the nation, in building paved highways. The ease and comfort of traveling over paved highways brought more fine hotels, guest ranches on the city's outskirts, and an awakened consciousness to the possibilities of selling the climate to people who lived in less favorable parts of the country. This, in turn, led to the development of the National Advertising Campaign, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and supported jointly by Maricopa County and the City of Phoenix.
Among the many undertakings of the early organization was the raising of $3,000 (equivalent to $58,824 today) for the purchase of a plot of ground that is now the historic Phoenix Indian School. This group of business and professional leaders was perhaps the greatest factor in determining the location of the Arizona Territorial Capital in Phoenix. It was logical that the Capital should be located in a town where there was promise and people had the vision and energy to behold this promise.
Arizona became the 48th state on Feb. 14, 1912. After World War II the area's growth spurt began and returning soldiers flocked to the area for its great weather and employment opportunities. Today the Valley is home to more than four million people and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce boasts more than 3,000 member businesses. The Chamber - like the Valley of the Sun - has come a long way.
The Chamber offers many ways to make valuable business to business connections. Whether you're looking for a smaller peer to peer group setting to discuss business challenges or a casual atmosphere to mix and mingle, the Chamber has something for everyone. Please check out a few of our networking opportunities posted below.
After 5 Mixers:
The Chamber's After 5 Mixers provide an opportunity to wind down after a long day, while at the same time still making important business connections. The Chamber has partnered with the Downtown Phoenix Partnership and the Mayor's office to host many of these events in downtown Phoenix. Providing another opportunity to check out new business venues in a growing part of our community.
Click here to check out the upcoming After 5 Mixer.
Business for Breakfast:
Do you like to start your day off by making business connections? If so then be sure to check out one of our upcoming Business for Breakfasts held at various locations around the valley. Our B4B's are held from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and provide you with an opportunity to network with other Chamber members in a variety of industries. If you have questions about the next B4B please contact Marissa Law at 602.495.6461 or by email.
Click here to find out more about an upcoming Business for Breakfast.
Leads Clubs:
If you're looking for a smaller group of business professionals to help grow your business, then the Chamber's leads clubs are a great place to be. Membership in the Chamber's Leads Clubs is open to one member in each industry type.
Click here to find out more information.
Roundtables:
The Chamber offers a series of professional programs designed to act as your “informal advisory board"- to brainstorm new ideas, discuss common business problems and keep up-to-date with business trends. If you're a woman-owned business be sure to check out the monthly Professional Women's Roundtable, if you're interested in sustainability business practices participate in the Green Roundtable and if you've like to mix and mingle with the up and coming business professional you must attend the Valley Young Professionals.
Click here to find out more about the Chamber's Roundtable.
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