2013 Arizona Governor’s Economic Development Conference In Flagstaff To Bring Together State Leaders To Discuss Best Practices in Economic Development

PHOENIX, AZ (September 26, 2013) — The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) today announced its program for the 2013 Arizona Governor’s Economic Development Conference. The annual Conference is a partnership between the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) and the ACA and offers quality workshops and sessions to strengthen economic development efforts throughout Arizona. This year’s workshops will focus on everything from growing global markets to advancing Arizona’s leadership in the Southwest. Read full agenda here.

The event also includes the Governor’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards, which honor partnerships, organizations, associations and companies that have successfully created and implemented economic development strategies for their respective regional, rural and tribal communities in the past year.

“The conference and these awards celebrate best practices and collaboration, with a focus on solutions designed to improve and diversify the economies of communities throughout the state,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. “Coming together to discuss best practices, as well as charting a course for our future, is vital for our state’s success and long-term global competitiveness.”

“This event focuses on economic strengths that exist in Arizona,” said Eric Larson, President of AAED. “There is significant value for economic developers to share best practices occurring in the state’s rural and metro areas, and to engage in critical discussions on innovation, state incentives and advancing local economies.”

This year’s Governor’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards finalists include:

Economic Development:

• Franklin Foods Manufacturing Plant – Casa Grande
• Able Engineering Advanced Manufacturing Facility – Mesa

Entrepreneurial & Commercialization Projects:

• Arizona Furnace Technology Transfer Accelerator – Scottsdale
• Business Complex – Sierra Vista

Future Leaders:

• Seven Generations Money Management – NAU, Flagstaff
• MineZone: Engineers Rock! – Paradise Valley Schools, Paradise Valley

The Arizona Governor’s Economic Development Conference attracts more than 300 public and private-sector leaders from around the state and will be held at the High Country Conference Center at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff October 1-3, 2013.

Register today by visiting www.azedconference.com

Media Contact

Joseph Valdez, Arizona Commerce Authority, (602) 845-1234, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.