Chairman’s Corner
A few words from Ray Bargull, Chairman of the TMCC Board of Directors
It PAYS to be a Tucson Chamber member!
The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce offers proactive business advocacy and representation at our national, state, and local government. This aggressive and continuous effort helps all businesses in our community. For many Chamber members, that vigilance is sufficient reason to belong to this great organization. For others, the many networking and community events offered make their memberships worthwhile. But it’s important to remember that in addition to advocacy and networking, the Chamber offers real, tangible dollar savings to its members in the form of “Bottom Line Benefits”. Read More . . .

Let the Air Force do what they need to do
In the coming weeks you are likely going to hear a lot about the F-35 and Tucson. Starting March 1, the United States Air Force will be around Southern Arizona holding open houses for the Environmental Impact Statement study that will be a large factor in determining if the latest addition to the Air Force will be based here in Tucson. Read more . . .

Women In Business - A new event!
This is the Chamber's newest networking event and everyone is welcome! After many requests and inquiries from the membership, the Tucson Chamber is introducing a women's networking group. Cindy Parseghian, Founder of the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, will be our first speaker. The luncheon will take place 11 am - 1 pm at The Forum At Tucson on March 24, 2010. Make your reservation today by clicking here or visiting www.tucsonchamber.org.

The Business Summit
Mark your calendars! On April 8th plan to attend an informative and important summit designed to better equip businesses in our community as they strive to successfully navigate important governmental regulations and profit from money saving programs. Click here for more information . . .

SME ToolkitSM on-line now!
The Tucson Chamber has partnered with IBM to offer on-line small business assistance. The SME(Small and Medium Enterprises) Toolkit is designed to guide businesses through a myriad of issues that negatively impact their enterprise today. The following links take members to various webpages that can aid and direct businesses to plan for success and work through problems as they endeavor to expand, grow and thrive. Click here to read more and access the SME Toolkit . . .

The 2010 Legislative Agenda is available now
Every year, the Tucson Chamber publishes its Legislative Agenda containing the most current business plan approved by the Board of Directors that details public policy positions and the efforts necessary to carry out the plan. Click here to download a copy of the 2010 Legislative Agenda.

LLC Legislative Action Agenda
As strong supporters of efforts by the LLC (Literacy for Life Coalition), the Tucson Chamber is in agreement with and supports their first Literacy Action Agenda, as it complies with the TMCC Legislative Agenda. Click here for the LLC Legislative Action Agenda.

Budget Cuts and Taxes
To help save extreme cuts to K-12 and University funding, along with catastrophic cuts to the Arizona Health Care Containment System and the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has thrown Chamber support behind Governor Brewer’s proposal for a temporary sales tax increase. Read more. . .

Ten foolproof methods to improve your networking skills
Participation is the key to success for a Business Showcase/Mixer. Listed below are 10 suggestions to help make the event a business success! Read more . . .

Census 2010: Make Your Family Count
Census Day is April 1, 2010. Your opportunity to be counted is just around the corner. The U.S. Census Bureau will send a 10-question form to all residents in February or March of 2010 and everyone who receives a form is asked to fill it out and return it by mail by April 1, 2010The data is used to determine legislative representation as well as how federal funds are distributed to states and regions. For every person counted, the region receives approximately $1,000. A family of four that is counted will bring nearly $40,000 to the region to support local services over a 10-year period. The funding is used to help pay for important local services, such as purchasing books for libraries, improving our local roads and funding family services, including health care. Read more...

Protect against hearing loss in the workplace
SCF Arizona your Work Comp Specialist
Provided by Ed Redmond Association Coordinator
About 30 million U.S. workers face noise levels in the workplace that could damage their hearing. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an employer is required to have a formal hearing conservation program for their workers when workplace noise levels reach a consistent 85 decibels or above during a normal 8-hour day (a power lawn mower can emit 90 decibels and a jackhammer 110 decibels of noise). Read more...

Is your business “GREEN”?
What does is mean for a business to “be green”? According to Wikipedia: “Sustainable business, or green business, is enterprise that has no negative impact on the global or local environment, community, society, or economy—a business that strives to meet the triple bottom line – people, planet, and profit.” Read more. . .

TCCE Scholarship Applications Deadline March 19th
The Tucson Center for Cultural Enrichment (TCCE), the Tucson Chamber’s 501©3 entity, will be accepting scholarship applications until March 19th at 5 pm. The Center will be offering a total of six $2000 scholarships to Pima County high school seniors attending Pima Community College or UA in the fall of 2010. Applications and more information are available online. The award announcement will be April 16th. A judging panel will be assembled from members of the Chamber’s Education committee. This program is sponsored in part by Institute for Better Education, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Citi. For more information, please contact Lizet Torres at Ltorres@tucsonchamber.org.

BidSource – Arizona’s Government Procurement Experts!
The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Phoenix Chamber to offer BidSource to its members. The original program began in 1988 as a Phoenix Chamber economic development tool specifically designed to assist Phoenix-area businesses identify, understand and respond to government contracting opportunities. Read more . . .

Events

Upcoming Events

Good Morning Tucson
March 5, 2010 will be the next Good Morning Tucson Breakfast with yet another stellar guest speaker. David Modeer, General Manager at Central Arizona Project will be the main speaker, providing insight into the various issues and regulations the organization faces and how that will affect our community. Click here to register on line or go to www.tucsonchamber.org and click on ‘’Calendar”.

Power Networking Luncheon
Tuesday, March 16 is the day you will make DOZENS of contacts! Order another set of business cards and be ready to pass them out to potential clients and leave some on the Business Card Resource Table for others to pick up. Register online today!

Women In Business - A new event!
This is the Chamber's newest networking event and everyone is welcome! After many requests and inquiries from the membership, the Tucson Chamber is introducing a women's networking group. Cindy Parseghian, Founder of the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, will be our first speaker. The luncheon will take place 11 am - 1 pm at The Forum At Tucson on March 24, 2010. Make your reservation today by clicking here or visiting www.tucsonchamber.org.

The Business Summit
Mark your calendars! On April 8th plan to attend an informative and important summit designed to better equip businesses in our community as they strive to successfully navigate important governmental regulations and profit from money saving programs. Register on-line now, or Click here for more information . . .

Were YOU there?
Good Morning Tucson in February
February's Good Morning Tucson provided the attendees an indepth insight into the business of operating a large utility company. Paul Bonavia, President/CEO of Unisource and Tucson Electric Power discusses regulatory issues, costs, and the importance of being a leader in the community. His remarks were well received by the crowd of over 100 people and several questions were asked by attendees. Pima Federal Credit Union proudly sponsored this event. See pictures of the event. . .

Congratulations!
Approximately 400 community and business leaders turned out to honor Bruce Dusenberry, Cindy Parseghian and Dr. John Schaefer as the 2009 Man & Woman of the Year and Founder’s Award recipients at the luncheon held at the Westin La Paloma. See more pictures here.

Business After Hours At The Chamber
It was Mardi Gras at the Tucson Chamber on February 17th! Over 120 people attended the event and learned more about the Chamber, met with Bottom Line Benefits representatives about business savings programs, and networked. Members talked business as they enjoyed refreshments and delicious New Orleans' fare, including King's Cake, from Latitude Catering (formerly Port-A-Pit Catering). Special thanks to Villa Maria Care Center and Latitude Catering for sponsoring this event! You can see event pictures here.

Join the Chamber's social media!

Chamber Features

Read more about the Chamber's newest bottom line benefit programs:
NextCare
Dental Care Advantage
The Smart Saver RX Card

Chamber Discount Club

February Ribbon Cuttings

Staybridge Suites Tucson Airport
2705 E. Executive Drive, 85756
Sharon Stringer
807-1004
The newest all-suite hotel in Southern Arizona with 97 spacious and elegantly appointed suites. All suites feature a fully equipped kitchen with microwave, stove top, dishwasher and full size refrigerator. Also offered are complimentary full breakfast, laundry facilities, outdoor pool, fitness center, BBQ pavilion, wireless internet, and a 24-hour business center.

Absolute Auto Glass, LLC
125 W. Ventura Street #B, 85754
Santana Daniels
792-2888
Windshield repair and replacement of high grade PGW glass. We service all types of vehicles including motor homes, semi’s and sun roofs. We do removals and replacements and fleet vehicles. We are completely mobile and approved by all insurance companies. Don’t let a damaged windshield ruin the view.

Community News

The Second Annual Tucson Festival of Books
Spend a couple of days with books! To be held March 13-14, 2010 at the UA--volunteers are needed! Literacy Volunteers of Tucson and the Literacy For Life Coalition are looking for a total of 50 people to sign up! Read more . . .