On April 27, dozens of Phoenicians and other Valley small business hopefuls gathered in front of the Glendale Civic Center, piles of company profile forms clutched in their hands, waiting for the opening of the Mastering the Purchasing Maze VII. Some newcomers looked excited, while veterans of the innumerable Arizona job fairs had lower expectations. But the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, City of Glendale, and others should be commended for hosting one of the best networking opportunities in Arizona.
The “sold out” event (registration at the free event totaled 1500) involved 98 vendors. Government, private companies and universities were represented. Luke Air Force Base (AFB) was the 800-pound gorilla at the event. Luke, which is estimated to provide $3 billion in benefits to Arizona, provided speakers, booths and the opening ceremony honor guard.

Lt. Col. Stephen Pieper, 310th Fighter Squadron director of operations, and a small business owner, himself, detailed the importance of Luke AFB to small businesses and vice versa. He mentioned that 90% of Luke’s procurement involves small business ($41 million in contracts last year). Gabriel McKenna-Groves, Chief CE Acquisitions Flight, who was speaking with construction-related businesspeople at one of the vendor tables, stressed that Luke is very serious about working with local businesses.

 

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Chamber Trips to Ireland and Tuscany Taking Reservations

The Chamber is offering two great trips this coming fall, the first one to Ireland October 19-28 that includes Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Farm Visit, Limerick, Cliffs of Mother, Galway Castle Stay, and Irish Evening of Entertainment and much more! Reservations are almost sold out for this trip, so call Jenny or Monika today at the Chamber 623-937-4754 for more information!

Our second trip available is to Tuscany November 3-11 and is a real bargain! It includes Florence, Italy – the Cathedral, Baptistery, Gates of Paradise, tours of Siena and Piazza del Campo, San Gimignano, and the Chianti Wine Festival.

Both trips include airfare, first class hotels and most meals. For pricing and a complete itinerary, contact Jenny or Monika at the Chamber 623-937-4754.
 

COURTESY PLUMBING CELEBRATES 51 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Courtesy Plumbing would like thank all of their customers over the past 51 years for the support needed to keep them a viable business in Glendale. The Henrichsen Family is also proud to be a long time member of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. The shop is located at 6014 W. Glendale or call 623-939-7166. Stop in or call to congratulate them for 51 years of superior service in Glendale.

 

5TH ANNUAL ROYAL CAR SHOW AT ST. LOUIS THE KING SCHOOL
More than 100 classic and other vehicles will be on display for your viewing and voting pleasure on Saturday, May 8th from 6pm to 9pm at St. Louis the King School, on the corner of N. 43rd Avenue and W. Maryland in Glendale. There will be food booths and entertainment for your pleasure. Admission to the event is free. For information about showing your vehicle or being a sponsor at the show, call the school at 623-939-4260.

DEER VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SPACE ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Three students from the Deer Valley Unified School District were awarded $1500 scholarships to attend Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. The students are Rachel Duke, a Sierra Verde seventh grader; Christian Junkar, an Anthem eighth grader; and Nicole Oaida, a Stetson Hills seventh grader. There are four runner-ups, who will receive a $50 US Savings Bond. The Glendale Chamber of Commerce invests in the scholarship program thorough funds raised at the annual scholarship golf tournament. Space Academy is an increased intensity program of astronaut and mission training through academics. Space Simulators and Space Shuttle Mission training are just a few of the activities they will experience.
 

May Networking Events

Join us for great networking at the following events. They are FREE to attend, but don’t forget to RSVP!

First Friday Networking Breakfast
May 7 is the date, Bitzee Mama’s (7023 N. 58th Ave) is the location – for our monthly “First Friday” Networking Breakfast. It’s only $5 for breakfast, lots of great networking and a chance to promote your business in front of up to 30 new and existing chamber members! Plus, a great program on small business insurance this month! Come join us from 7:30am-9am and find out what it’s all about!

May Membership Blender
Join us May 20 at Aurora Behavior Health (6015 W. Peoria) from 5-7pm! Great refreshments, meet new people, bring lots of business cards! Also, if you would like to promote your business at the event by donating a raffle item, contact Monika or Jenny at 623-937-4754.
 

Chamber's newest members are introduced at April's Membership Blender at Bitzee Mama's Restaurant

Members of the Friday Sunshine Club networking group are joined by other attendees at the "New Member Breakfast"

Chamber Member Businesses Safer for Lending

Members of a chamber of commerce generally possess higher credit scores compared to non member businesses, according to a new study by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). The study was conducted by business credit bureau Cortera and detailed the credit scores and payment behavior of ten local chambers across the United States. Chamber member businesses had an average credit score of 629 compared to a 557 average for businesses at large.

“Chamber members have long been seen as responsible and reliable members of their communities,” said Mick Fleming, President of ACCE. “From a credit standpoint, chamber members on average are better businesses, and as a result they have significant advantages in obtaining the funds they need. In this economy and the tight credit environment, that’s especially important!”
 

The Glendale Chamber welcomes Little Caesar's ( 43rd Avenue & Peoria) to the Chamber

The Glendale Chamber welcomes Sylvan Learning Center to their new location at 59th Avenue & Union Hills in the Citadelle Plaza

DEVRY UNIVERSITY ADDS A GLENDALE LOCATION
DeVry University has opened a location in Westgate City Center at 6715 N. Sunset Blvd. Classes are expected to begin in July of this year. At the Glendale location, they will offer the school’s undergraduate degree programs through its colleges of Business & Management and Engineering & Information Sciences. DeVry’s Keller Graduate School of Management will also offer classes in master degree programs in business and technology at the Glendale location. Jeff H. Blake has been appointed as the dean of the Glendale center. For information about classes offered at the new location, call 866-933-8664.

WILDLIFE WORLD ZOO & AQUARIUM ANNOUNCES A NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY
Long known for displaying a variety of feline species such as jaguar, leopard, ocelot and Arizona’s first rare white tiger, the Zoo welcomes its first new lioness in nearly 2 decades. The lioness was born in February and arrived recently from a facility in Ohio. So far she seems to have settled into her temporary home at the new baby Animal Nursery. In a few weeks, the as yet unnamed lioness will be moved to a large outdoor display. Also on display in the nursery are baby warthogs and porcupines. The Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is located at 16501 W. Northern Avenue. For information, call 623-935-WILD or visit www.wildlifeworld.com.
 

Dawn Johnson is a member of the Arizona State Credit Union management team. She is the Branch Manager of the office located on the West Campus of Arizona State University in Glendale, Arizona. Over the course of the last 24 years she has held several positions within the organization including Teller, Loan Officer, Supervisor & Manager. She is a member of Arizona State Credit Union’s STAR team, a strategic focus group within the organization, that implements process improvements based on organizational goals. A resident of the Peoria/Glendale area since 1983, she is married to Earl, her husband of 23 years and has two children, a son, Bannen, age 11 and a daughter, McKieran, age 8. Her free time is spent enjoying time with her family, reading, shopping and NASCAR.

On National Teacher Day, May 4th, thousands of communities will honor their local educators, acknowledging the important roles they play for the nation's youth. This year, Huntington Learning Center Glendale is joining that cause by urging parents and their children to show teachers they are appreciated.
Christopher Tozzo, Executive Director of Huntington Learning Center Glendale, says the annual campaign, sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA), provides an opportunity for parents and children to show their appreciation to teachers.

"We want to let local parents know it is important to instill respect and teacher appreciation in their child at an early age. Here is a great way for them to teach their children about good manners and kindness," Tozzo said. "While they are showing this appreciation to their teachers, they are furthering their development, while putting smiles on teachers' faces."

 

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