• Time Magazine names The University of Arizona Center for Innovation among top business incubators
• Comcast Business Guest Blog:: Rethinking enterprise security in the age of AI
• FPT Guest Blog: Closing the Gap: Unifying the Fragmented Journey from Digital Click to Physical Keys
• The University of Arizona partnership to establish nation’s first medical school branch on Tribal Land
• Corsica Technologies-The MSP Trust Gap: AI, Security, and Rising Service Expectations Are Redefining Trust Between MSPs and Their Clients
• Cyberleaf Guest Blog: Are You Watching the Wrong CMMC Clock?
• Microsoft: Responsibly building the AI future
• $500K Grant Brings Financial Literacy to 10,000 Junior Achievement Arizona Students
• Raytheon Secures $745M Deal to Produce Missile Interceptors in Arizona
• Mayo Clinic in Phoenix tops Arizona hospitals for 14th straight year
• Avnet shares hit all-time high as Phoenix distributor reports record $8.3B quarter
• Comcast Business Guest Blog: A new era in cybersecurity: As threats intensify, speedy detection and mitigation are key.
• Paragon IT Professionals Guest Blog: Why the Best IT Leaders Don’t Lead Alone
• How Scottsdale company Navaera built a global presence over 20 years

Read the full update >>

The rules of cyberspace are changing, and AI is accelerating the fight. With the 2026 Cybersecurity Breakfast Forum just two weeks away, now is the time to make sure your organization is prepared to operate at the “speed of cyber.”

On September 15 at GCU, Pete Kim, Executive Director of Special Programs at RTX, will take the stage for his keynote, “Cyberspace Operations at the ‘Speed of Cyber.’” A former Raytheon CISO and retired U.S. Air Force officer in offensive cyber operations, Pete will bring a rare, real-world perspective on how AI is transforming the digital battlespace—and what acting at machine speed means for organizations working to protect, innovate and lead.

And that’s just one part of the morning. The Cybersecurity Breakfast Forum will bring together CISOs, CIOs, cybersecurity experts and technology leaders for timely conversations on AI-powered threats, cyber resilience, vulnerability management, governance, national security and more.

We’re only two weeks away. Secure your spot and join Arizona’s cybersecurity community September 15 at GCU for a morning of actionable insights, expert perspectives and valuable connections.

Join the Council and South32 for the 14th Annual Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo on Wednesday, October 21, at the Tucson Convention Center.

Great news: Early Bird Pricing has been EXTENDED by two weeks! Register now to save and join 450+ business and technology leaders while exploring innovations from 60+ regional companies.

Plus, help us recognize Southern Arizona’s innovators! Tech + Business Expo Award nominations are now open for companies and leaders making an impact across the region.

Register, nominate and make plans to join us October 21!

Join our Women in the Workforce Committee in Tucson as we close out the 2026 Women in the Workforce series with a special 10th-anniversary event focused on Elevate Yourself, followed by a celebratory toast at Los Milics.

Plus, be among the first to see what’s next as we officially unveil the program’s new name and brand! Celebrate a decade of connection, growth and community, and help us kick off an exciting new chapter.

Join the Council and The Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Arizona on Wednesday, September 23, for our next after5 Tech Mixer at the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center in downtown Phoenix.

Connect with Arizona’s tech leaders and innovators, grow your network and enjoy tasty bites, beer, wine and great conversation in a relaxed setting. Come for the connections. Stay for the fun. We’ll see you after5!

What does the future of aviation and autonomous delivery look like? Join the Council’s Smart Cities & Digital Transformation Committee virtually on September 9 at 9:00 a.m. for a conversation with Sam Bailey of Amazon Prime Air, who will share insights into Amazon’s innovative drone delivery program and the technology bringing it to life.

This session is exclusively for Arizona Technology Council members. Interested in attending, or not yet a member? Reach out to Deborah Zack to learn more about joining the Council and getting involved.

Lean more about the Smart Cities Committee >>

Want to take a more active role in shaping Arizona’s tech future? Consider joining the Council’s Phoenix Ambassador Committee. As part of this dynamic group, you’ll:

✨ Help represent AZTC across the local tech ecosystem

🤝 Connect with industry leaders, policymakers and fellow innovators

📣 Promote events and opportunities that matter to our community

🚀 Stay ahead of emerging trends and help drive growth statewide

Interested in Joining the Phoenix Ambassador Committee? Learn More >>

Arizona Technology Council Appoints Mark Fitzgerald as Government Relations Specialist

The Council recently announced the appointment of Mark Fitzgerald as government relations specialist to support the Council’s public policy and advocacy efforts by working with government leaders and stakeholders to advance priorities that strengthen Arizona’s technology industry and business environment.

Fitzgerald is a public policy and government relations professional with more than a decade of experience leading legislative advocacy, regulatory affairs and intergovernmental relations in Arizona.  Read More >>

The Council is proud to partner with Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business to provide employees of Council member companies with exclusive benefits designed to make graduate business education more accessible. Through the W. P. Carey Graduate Academic Partnership, eligible employees can access academic partner scholarships, an application fee waiver, personalized admission coaching and additional educational discounts while pursuing select W. P. Carey graduate business programs. Learn More >>

When it comes to research, Arizona’s universities already are playing roles. Leadership at the University of Arizona earmarked fusion energy as one of its top research priorities while the Arizona Board of Regents approved funding from the state’s Technology and Research Initiative Fund to back the effort. 👉 Read more >>

Arizona Technology Council 2026 Legislative Session Recap

The Arizona Legislature adjourned its 2026 session after 152 days marked by lengthy budget negotiations, significant policy debates and another year of divided government. Despite those challenges, the Arizona Technology Council remained an active voice at the Capitol, advocating for policies that strengthen Arizona’s innovation economy, expand our workforce pipeline and support long-term economic competitiveness. While not every outcome aligned with our priorities, this session produced several meaningful wins for Arizona’s technology community while setting the stage for important discussions that will continue into 2027. Read More >>

University of Arizona Online – Fall Session II Starts Soon!

The University of Arizona Online offers Council member company employees and their spouses, domestic partners and dependents 10% tuition savings on all online bachelor programs and online graduate programs. This gives participants the ability to pursue more affordable and flexible educational opportunities that can help them upskill or elevate their career trajectories. The next fall session starts in October. Learn More >>

Plus, read their latest newsletter here.

As we continue working to advance these pro-growth policies and support our shared priorities, your financial support of our PAC is essential. Every contribution, whether it’s $10, $25, $50, $100 or more, helps us expand our efforts and amplify our collective voice.

 Contributions to the Arizona Technology Council State PAC enable us to:

• Support candidates who share our policy priorities.
• Advocate for policies that promote economic growth and opportunity.
• Educate voters and community leaders about key public policy issues.

If you’re able to contribute, please visit our secure donation page here, or contact me directly if you have any questions about giving or becoming more involved.

From our comprehensive health insurance product bundle managed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and DiMartino & Associates to the flexible and low-maintenance 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan offered by Empower and Legacy Wealth Management, the Council can be your one-stop shop for comprehensive employee benefits.

• Learn more about the Council’s Association Health Plan HERE
• Learn more about the Council’s 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan HERE.

If you’re an AZTC member company and would like to have your tech event featured, simply complete the event submission form at the bottom of the Community Tech Events page!

SciTech Institute and Arizona Science Center just announced the keynote speaker and first featured speakers for the upcoming 2026 National Rural STEM Learning Summit!

Join Dr. Stephanie Rodriguez (AAAS), Dr. Cori Araza (Grand Canyon University), and Dr. Anna Proctor (UL Research Institutes) as they share practical strategies for strengthening STEM education, workforce development, and community partnerships in rural communities.

Register today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of rural STEM.
📅 September 3–4, 2026

➡️https://scitech-institute.idloom.events/2026-rural-stem-summit

The Council’s success is made possible by the support of our incredible annual sponsors! This month, we’re highlighting Platinum Annual Sponsor South32. They are also the presenting sponsor for this year’s Tech + Business Expo.  We’re so grateful for their support!

19th Annual Executive Leadership Retreat

19th Annual Executive Leadership Retreat

4th Annual Integro Bank Tech Summit

4th Annual Integro Bank Tech Summit

• Microsoft: Responsibly building the AI future, Sustainability Report
• As water restrictions hit farmers, solar is making sense
• 1,263-acre energy project near Eloy gets rezoning OK
• Two courts block administration’s bid to cancel $22B in climate grants

Read the full report >>

Check out RMI’s new Electricity Affordability Toolkit that includes over two dozen policies that states can use to advance electricity affordability. Designed primarily to inform legislative action, it includes information relevant to advocates, regulators, administration officials, and more. Learn More >>

The Council’s Political Action Committee advocates for tech companies at the local, state and federal level, vets political candidates and endorses those with track records in supporting pro-tech legislation. Support the PAC to take a stand for technology and bolstering Arizona’s economic recovery.

10 to 1 PR | AGM Container Controls | Alerion Capital Group  Alliance Bank | ark Data Centers | Blue Canoe Marketing | Comcast Business |  FPT | Crating Technology  |  Keap | Meta | Metz & Associates PLLC | MicroAge
MSS Business Transformation Advisory | Paragon IT Professionals | Phoenix Tech AV
Pima Community College | RingPlan | Spencer Fane 
Tech Parks Arizona  | VB Cosmetics