See Tucson’s future innovative science and technology leaders!… Mayor Walkup is inviting the Tucson business community to join him at a reception showcasing this year’s exciting, creative student Science Fair projects at the Tucson Convention Center. As you may know, over 2,000 students from all across southern Arizona are participating in the event. The reception will be held in the upper level (next to the escalators which lead down to the Exhibition Hall) of the Tucson Convention Center from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23. Because this event is just around the corner, Mayor Walkup has asked that you RSVP as soon as possible if you are interested in attending, so that plans for the reception can be finalized. Contact Sio Castillo (791-4201 or sio.castillo@tucsonaz.gov) to make your reservation.

The Aerotropolis… According to Dr. John D. Kasarda, Director of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina, and recent speaker at the US Chamber’s Committee of 100 meeting, “Airports will shape business locations and urban development in the 21st century as much as highways did in the 20th century, railroads in the 19th century and seaports in the 18th.” His study posits that because business is now global, the successful business of this century will be one that recognizes the importance of speed, agility and accessibility in providing products and services to its customers–worldwide. In fact, there has been a shift in the past twenty years from emphasis on price to emphasis on speed of delivery. Additionally, companies must recognize that change is constant and be ready to adapt quickly with not only production flexibility and product customization, but ever-improving shipment speed, as well. For more information on this fascinating topic, go to www.aerotropolis.com or do a Web search; there are a myriad of interesting articles available.

The 9th annual Southern Arizona Procurement and Trade Fair… This event will be held April 20 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Pima Air & Space Museum. If you are interested in showcasing your business and talking to purchasing agents and representatives from over 125 military, government, corporate and business entities, this is the event for you. The Southern Arizona Procurement and Trade Fair will give you an opportunity to get information about your business into the hands of the people that make the purchasing decisions, find local suppliers and support our local small and minority-, women- and veteran-owned business community. The event is sponsored by Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Pima County Procurement, Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO), Arizona Small Business Association and Southwest Gas. For more information, please visit the Pima County Web site at www.pima.gov/procure or contact Monica Dennis at (520) 740-3807.

State’s export rate ahead of the national average… Arizona’s exports increased 22% last year, compared to the national growth rate of 15%, the Governor’s Office recently announced. The increase in exports, a total of $18.28 billion in 2006, led to the creation or retention of more than 46,000 jobs in Arizona. The state’s leading exports were electronics, machinery and aircraft/spacecraft. “We need to continue to attract industries and ensure that we are producing the kind of work force they need,” Governor Napolitano said. “We’re not exporting things that just anyone can make. Electronics and aircraft parts require technical skill, which in turn requires education and training.” Arizona performed better than other Southwestern states, beating California’s 9.35% growth and Texas’ 17.18%. The state exported $2,966 per capita, performing better than Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. Specifically, Arizona had the second highest per capita exports to Mexico at $871 per person.

AMIT Business & Information Technology Expo… The AMIT Business & Information Technology Expo is coming to downtown Tucson on Wednesday, May 23 from 7 a.m. to noon!! The Aerospace, Manufacturing and Information Technology clusters plan to promote this event to over 75,000 people and anticipate an attendance of 1,000 or more. To secure a booth at this major business development opportunity, click here and fill out the vendor application. Doing so will secure your place alongside major national firms like Microsoft, Cisco and Captaris, along with a wide range of local firms like Nextrio, Silverado, Web Data, Ephibian, IC&E, New Horizons, Vision7, mLogica, Toasterz, EC Group, DakotaCom and many, many others.

The event will feature:
• A breakfast and keynote address by an executive from Microsoft.
• The Microsoft Across America Mobile Event Experience - a state-of-the-art 42-foot semi loaded with the latest technologies from Microsoft, Cisco, HP and Intel.
• The Cisco NOW (Network On Wheels) mobile demonstration vehicle showcasing the latest in Cisco networking technology including VoIP, Security, Mobility, Wireless and Management for your network.
• 70+ technology and business services booths with vendors showcasing the latest and greatest complimentary business technologies, including copiers, telephone solutions, computer training, printing, hardware, software and other technology.
• Free admission to expo for the general buying public.

As a leader in your field, we invite you to participate in this spectacular event! Space is limited, so please review the sponsor & exhibitor information on the AMIT website and submit your RSVP by April 1 to reserve your place in Tucson’s best Business Technology Expo!