TechTalk eNews: January 2022

Carvana leads industry as fastest used car retailer to sell one million vehicles online; Amazon makes more big industrial moves in Mesa with at least three new warehouse projects near Gateway Airport; Advanced Business Learning Academy launches a custom-built cyber range to match your infrastructure; WebPT acquires competitor Clinicient, cementing their role as market leader in physical therapy software; four cybersecurity students at the University of Advancing Technology accepted into 2022 Cybersecurity Externship with the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation; LaneTerralever acquires digital media firm Convince & Convert; Tech Parks Arizona director of communications named president of local public relations chapter; Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the city of Tucson and the Hopi Utilities Corporation receive $500,000 each as part of Build Back Better Regional Challenge; Advi Now Medical and Nymbl Systems among 16 presenters selected for Venture Madness pitch contest; SciTech Institute kicks off 11th season of SciTech Festival at Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction; ASU again among the nation’s top research universities according to NSF Higher Education Research & Development rankings; the UA Center for Innovation teams up with Perkins Coie LLP to sponsor one promising startup team; Paradox software firm hits unicorn status with $200M capital raise; Mayo Clinic and ASU to lead development of biotechnology corridor in north Phoenix; GoDaddy moving new headquarters from Scottsdale to tech-rich portion of metro Phoenix; how NAU‘s president is targeting AZ’s workforce-development challenges; how KEO Marketing gives back to businesses through a Fractional CMO program; STEM Sports equips students for science, tech, engineering and math careers with athletics; and Honeywell satellite communications partnership could lead to manufacturing facility in AZ. Read the complete update >>

Tune in to the Council’s first TechCast episode of 2022 TODAY, January 28 from 1:00-2:00pm on Phoenix Business RadioX.

Blockchain eliminates middlemen and increases trust by providing a more accurate and transparent ledger for goods moving through the global supply chain. Tune in to the Council’s first TechCast episode of 2022 later today to hear a panel of blockchain experts break down the benefits of leveraging blockchain to improve business workflows across many industries.

Listen >>

You’re invited to the Council’s 2022 Marketing Tech Summit, presented by KEO Marketing, on Wednesday, March 9.

Register to hear keynote speaker Salim Ismail, founder and chairman of ExO Works and OpenExO, discuss how to create exponential marketing organizations. He will share a roadmap for the radical growth of your company by dismantling the immune system response that resists new breakthroughs.

Register now >>

How much do you really know about Steve Zylstra?

You’ve heard his name and likely run into him at an event, but how much do you really know about Steve Zylstra? In this month’s employee profile, we’re learning more about Steve and what led him to Arizona and serving as the Council’s president and CEO for the past 15 years.

Read more >>

Introducing the Winter 2022 issue of TechConnect Magazine on broadband

Check out the Council’s latest issue of TechConnect Magazine to learn more about the individuals and organizations that are keeping communities connected and shaping the future of AZ’s workforce and economic growth.

Read more >>

My View: Arizona now in a moment of opportunity for developing workforce

Find out why Steve Zylstra, Council president & CEO, feels optimistic after Governor Ducey called for empowering the state’s workforce with the skills of the future in his State of the State address on January 10.

Read more >>

AZ business leaders call for federal investments in clean energy and jobs

On December 17, Arizona business and technology leaders convened for a press conference sponsored by the Council, calling on U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly to make passing the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) the first priority in the new year.

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My View: Arizona is becoming a star in commercial space sector

One of the early stops in Steve Zylstra’s career was working as a principal engineer at Ford Aerospace. Little did the Council’s president and CEO realize that the commercial space industry was going to help sustain Arizona’s economy for years to come.

Read more >>

The Council’s Political Action Committee advocates for tech companies at the local, state and federal level, thoroughly vets political candidates and endorses those with proven track records in supporting pro-tech legislation. By donating, you’re taking a stand for technology and bolstering Arizona’s economic recovery.

This year’s virtual AZ Middle School Science Bowl (Feb. 26) and High School Science Bowl (March 5) are seeking volunteers to help with morning sessions. Winners of will advance to the National Science Bowl in Washington, DC. Register to volunteer here.

Grand Canyon University is inviting employers to attend the in-person Engineering and Technology Career Fair on Monday, February 7 from 12:30pm- 2:30pm. Register here by February 3 to recruit talented GCU students for your open positions.

Need a more effective strategy to fill open IT and cybersecurity roles at your company? Check out the IT/Cyber Career Network.

The IT/Cyber Career Network was designed to address Arizona’s tech-talent deficit and transform how companies in the Grand Canyon State recruit. Created by the Council, Partnership for Economic Innovation and Pipeline AZ, the IT/Cyber Career Network is offering a variety of sponsorship levels to put your company on the map for top tech talent seeking work opportunities.

Learn more >>

SRP announces wind farm to be developed north of Flagstaff; Nikola gets key California incentive approval as it lines up more buyers; global supply chain expert Seema Phull joins KORE Power as chief operating officer to support rapid growth; new electric car chargers in downtown Tucson meet growing need; MotorTrend names AZ-based Lucid Air its Car of the Year; Silicon Valley Bank pledges $5B for cleantech investments, says it will be carbon neutral by 2025; Go Solar, Titan Solar Power team up to expand installations nationally; Amazon becomes largest corporate buyer of renewable energy globally; here’s what you need to know about the Phoenix Climate Action Plan; here’s why the Build Back Better Plan can help deliver the ‘Sustainable Valley’; Phoenix buses may go electric; Peoria tries autonomous shuttle as batteries improve; clean-energy giant Enphase acquires Scottsdale software company; and Meyer Burger to establish solar module manufacturing facility in Goodyear. Read the full report >>

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The Council prioritizes simplifying the lives of business owners so they can focus on bringing their missions to life. That’s why we’ve become a one-stop shop to help you build out your benefits program.

Learn how AZTC can enhance your benefits strategy through our competitive health insurance bundle, 401(k) plan and PEO administration offerings.