2017 arizona technology council new member presentation

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Arizona Technology CouncilNew Members Wine + Cheese Evening

Jennings StroussPhoenix, Arizona

Tuesday, February 7, 2017


About UsWho We AreThe Arizona Technology Council is Arizona's premier trade association for science and technology companies. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry.

President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the Council and oversees a staff of twelve.HistoryThe Council was established in 2002 after the Arizona High Tech Industry Cluster merged with the Arizona Software & Industry Association.

AMIT (Aerospace, Manufacturing and IT Clusters of Tucson) merged with the Arizona Technology Council in June 2008 to give the organization a statewide presence.

AOIA (Arizona Optics Industry Association) merged with the Arizona Technology Council in August 2016 and their Board became a Committee of the Council.


Technology Industry• Aerospace, Aviation + Defense• Semiconductor + Electronics• Health + Bioscience• Information Technology• Telecommunications• Optics• Energy

Business Services (Associates)

Not-for-Profit, Government + Academia

Business Sectors We Serve


Who We Are TodayLeadership The Council is governed by a Board of Directors.

Chairman of the Board is Mike Guggemos, CIO at Insight Enterprises.

President + CEO Steven G. Zylstra is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the Council and oversees a staff of twelve.

StatewideWith an office in Phoenix, an office in Tucson and events regularly serving northern Arizona, the Council is Arizona's only statewide organization serving the technology sector.

Members 800 member companies throughout the state including Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Douglas, Sierra Vista and Prescott.


Become an Annual SponsorAnnual Sponsors get access to exclusive benefits and marketing opportunities. With levels starting at $7,500, there are options for any member looking to gain exposure and support Council initiatives and the local technology industry.

Interested in learning more? Email [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


Marketing ExposureWebsiteAll of our members are featured on our website via the member directory.

BlogBe a guest contributor to the AZTC blog. Share your expertise with our database. We know you have some great things to talk about. Send your content to [email protected].

Social MediaThe Council is very active on social media and we love sharing member accomplishments! Have something you want us to share? Email [email protected].




Annual ReportThe Council has published its Annual Report reflecting on each year since 2014 and lists all activities of the Council, events and programs, committees as well as every member company.

TechConnect MagazineStarted by the Council in 2005 and now digitally published by the Arizona Commerce Authority, TechConnect is Arizona’s Technology Magazine. New members are featured in every edition.

Publications


Public Policy GuideThe Council’s annual Public Policy Guide outlines our upcoming state and federal legislative initiatives. This year’s goals include recapitalization of the Angel Investment Tax Credit, restore funding for career technical education and job development, and maintain current levels of credit for the Research & Development Tax Credit program.

Public Policy CommitteeThis committee focuses on issues and initiatives that accelerate technology-related public policy and legislation in Arizona affecting the growth and development of the technology industry. The targeted initiatives focused on four areas encompass the work of this committee: technology commercialization and development; workforce development; supply-chain development; and capital formation. This committee, along with Council professionals, work with legislators, elected officials and policy makers at all levels of government, to educate them on the value and promise of the technology industry.

Public Policy


Public Policy AdvocacyVote TechSmart GuideSince 2006 the Council has published its Vote TechSmart guide, a resource to help AZTC members and the technology industry navigate the State House of Representatives and State Senate elections. Vote TechSmart’s 2016 endorsements were released in July 2016 and the Guide was mailed to members.

Support Council Policy Initiatives – Create an Account with AZ State LegislatureBy creating an account with the online Arizona State Legislature tool, you will be able to easily login from your computer or mobile device to support local AZTC policy initiatives. You can create an account in person using a kiosk at the Senate Building, or you can email Dianne McCallister at [email protected].



AZTC Policy Successes• 2006 Angel Investment Tax Credit• 2008 Expanded R&D Tax Credit• 2010 Refundable R&D Tax Credit • 2011 Governor’s Competitive Package• 2012 Extended Net Operating Loss Carry Forward

Period• 2013 Modernized the TPT• 2014 Reauthorized Angel Investment Tax Credit • 2016 Restoration of CTE Funding• 2016 Dodd-Frank Private Advisor Exemption • 2016 defeated bill by Billboard Industry that would

have impacted our ‘Dark Skies’ • 2017: Reauthorized $10M for Angel Investment Tax

Credit.


CommitteesExecutive Roundtable The Executive Roundtable is an exclusive peer-to-peer group of presidents and CEOs that help each other solve business problems. The Executive Roundtable currently has one group in Phoenix and one in Tucson.

Marketers Network The Marketers Network is a professionally facilitated, peer-to-peer board of advisors, assembled to help marketing professionals address issues facing their company.

Women in the WorkforceQuarterly events featuring social and cultural topics, workplace challenges, and fun networking opportunities are planned by this Committee. This is open to both females and males.

Startup + Entrepreneurship CommitteeThis Committee builds programs and resources for early-stage technology companies, and facilitates corporate and mentor relationships to help startups gain valuable knowledge and raise capital.

IoT CommitteeMembers of this Committee help build a platform for members to learn information about the Internet of Things (IoT) and help organizations create real-time business solutions in a sensor-enabled, analytics-driven world.

Additive Manufacturing | Ambassador | Business Intelligence & Data AnalyticsBusiness Services | Capital Formation | Cybersecurity | Law & Tech | MedTech

Optics Valley | Public Policy | Workforce & Development


Business Essentials ProgramThe Business Essentials Program was launched to provide significant discounts on the products and services technology businesses need most. Each year the Council chooses partners to participate in the Business Essentials Program. For 2017, some of our partners are listed below:

• Employee Benefits Program presented by Employee Benefits International• Inbound Marketing Services presented by Prism Global Marketing Solutions• 401k Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) presented by Slavic401K• Job Postings + Recruitment Marketing Software presented by LocalWork.com • Recruitment Services presented by Tech Finders. • Leadership & Training Services presented by Sandler Training.

Learn more at aztechcouncil.org/business-essentials-program/


Arizona Technology Healthcare PoolAZTC has partnered with Employee Benefits International (EBI) and EMI Health to provides technology companies with a unique way to come together with other related companies to leverage the buying power of the technology industry by purchasing healthcare benefits as a larger group. This pool helps to lower costs and allow for better long term cost control over a plan’s benefits. EMI Health’s self-funding mechanism also provides possibility for surplus refund if the pool performs better than expected while limiting the financial exposure traditionally associated with self-funding. See the facts:

· Pool started in 2014· 16 employers · 426 members· Multiple plans to choose from

To learn more about how this plan can help improve your Employee Benefits program and reduce cost, contact AZTC’s endorsed broker partner:

Stephanie WaldropPresident, EBI AZD: 602.800.5075C: [email protected]



Arizona Technology Council 401(k) PlanThe Arizona Technology Council has partnered with UBS Financial Services, Inc. to provide member companies a unique way to leverage the buying power of the Council by participating in a Multiple Employer 401(k) Plan (MEP). This MEP significantly lowers the costs of a 401(k) plan, eliminates much of the administrative responsibilities of a company, and provides the most comprehensive fiduciary protection allowed by the Department of Labor. Investment committee meetings, 5500s, and audits are eliminated for each adopting company and adopting members are still able to customize their plan design and the retirement benefits they offer their employees. See the facts: · MEP started in 2014 · 11 employers · $5.4 million in plan assets To learn more about how this plan can help improve your Employee Benefits program, reduce cost, time and fiduciary responsibility, contact the Council’s endorsed retirement plan partner: Michael J DiGrazia, CFP®, CIMA®UBS Financial Services, Inc.D - 602-957-5133C - 203-521-9333 [email protected]



LocalWork.com Job BoardAny Arizona Technology Council member has access to our AZTC LocalWork Job Board and can post job listings for free for the first seven days. The job postings extend to a wide network of local jobs facilitated by LocalWork, including a presence on AZFamily.com, Local First, and more. Post your job today at jobs.aztechcouncil.org.


TechTerra RecylingTechTerra Recycling Program A partnership between the Council and Westech Recyclers, the Recycling Program is a resource for AZTC members to have electronic equipment picked up and recycled throughout the year at no cost. Get more information on scheduling a pick-up by emailing [email protected].

The Council also partners with TechTerra to facilitate two week-long recycling drives in April and October. This year’s drives will be held during the weeks April 17-12 and October 16-20.


Signature Programs + Events• Lunch and Learn Series (Weekly in Phoenix; Bi-Weekly in Tucson)• After5 Networking Events (Monthly)• Council Connect Signature Luncheons (Monthly)• VIP Networking Events (Quarterly)• VIP Power Breakfast Series (Quarterly) • Women in the Workforce Events (Quartlery)


Event Marketing OpportunitiesHost a Lunch and LearnAny AZTC member has the opportunity to host a Lunch and Learn presentation to educate our membership on your area of expertise.

Do you have a great event space at your business? Join members like AppointmentPlus, Galvanize, and University of Advancing Technology and gain exposure by offering your space to other members who aren’t able to hold Lunch and Learns at their offices due to lack of space.

Host a Council ConnectAny AZTC member has the opportunity to host a Council Connect signature luncheon presentation to educate our membership on your area of expertise. These are held monthly at The Gladly and include a nice plated lunch.

Interested in one of these opportunities? Email [email protected].



Conferences & Expos• MedTech Conference (Thursday, February 23, 2017) • State Legislative Day (Tuesday, March 2, 2017) • Arizona Aerospace, Aviation, Defense + Manufacturing Conference (Wednesday, April 5, 2017)• Cybersecurity Summit (Thursday, May 4, 2017)• Tucson Golf Tournament (Friday, June 9, 2017)• CEO Retreat (August 2017)• Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo (Fall 2017)• Marketing Technology Summit (Tuesday, October 17, 2017)• Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (Thursday, November 9, 2017)• Phoenix Golf Tournament (January 2018)


Sponsor an EventSponsorships are available for most all of our annual conferences and expos. Opportunities include event signage, on-site booths, and sponsoring a portion of a conference, like a luncheon or cocktail hour.

Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Email [email protected].



Arizona Technology Council FoundationArizona SciTech Festival - The Arizona SciTech Festival has

grown into the state’s largest STEM collaborative with more than 1,450 organizations—including schools, businesses, and industry associations—working together to facilitate more than 1,200 STEM-based celebrations in 50+ Arizona cities during the months of February and March. Chief Science Officers - The Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program is open to students in grades 6-12 who are elected by their peers to represent their school in STEM and innovation. The Program aims to help students find their voice: elevate their opinions, help them form ideas, and join local, national, and international conversations about STEM. Arizona Science Bowl - The Arizona Middle and High School Science Bowls are statewide Jeopardy-style competitions focused on STEM topics. The events are open to all Arizona middle and high school teams and are held the ASU West Campus in partnership with ASU New College. Generation Tech Support - Generation Tech Support is a student enterprise with a mission to empower technology students by providing opportunities to advance leadership and business skills, career options, and income levels. United Skates of America- United Skates of America (USA) has launched a program that combines real world, hands-on, activity-based STEM education with physical fitness. The lessons, taught by experienced educators, help students learn that STEM is found in everyday experiences.


MemberZoneThe Council migrated to a new Association Management Software (AMS) this Fall. MemberZone is your AZTC membership portal where you can view other members, post company updates, and pay membership and event dues.

MemberZone Tips1. Create a detailed profile. Keeping your profile up-to-date and accurate will help us

communicate more effectively with you, and will give potential customers and partners a look at who you are.

2. Add other staff members as reps. Your membership benefits extend to every person employed at your company. Add anyone that might be receiving invoices, interested in advertising and sponsorship opportunities, and anyone interested in attending AZTC events.

3. Get educated with training videos and webinars. There are some awesome resources in your MemberZone portal. http://supportwiki.micronetonline.com/Training_Videos#23._Training_For_Your_Members


CommunicationsControl how frequently you receive updates and news from the Council by customizing your preferences. You can do this by going to our Contact Us page and subscribing to the information you’re interested in. We encourage all staff from member companies to subscribe to our lists so your member benefits are fully taken advantage of!


Arizona Technology Council Staff• Steven G. Zylstra, President + CEO | [email protected]• Leigh Goldstein, COO + Vice President, Operations + Events | [email protected]• Alex Rodriguez, Vice President, Southern Arizona Office | [email protected]• Deborah Zack, Senior Director, Membership Services | [email protected]• Brian Krupski, Director, Membership Services | [email protected]• Alison Boelts, Director, Operations + Events, Southern Arizona | [email protected] • Lauren Witte, Manager, Marketing + Communication | [email protected]• Melissa Craven, Executive Assistant to President + CEO | [email protected] • Ron Schott, Phoenix Executive Emeritus | [email protected]• Justin Williams, Executive Emeritus, Tucson Office | [email protected]• Don Ruedy, Tucson Executive Emeritus | [email protected]•Don Rodriguez, Editor, TechConnect Magazine | [email protected]













Questions & Answers

Questions or feedback? Feel free to email us anytime.

Steven G. Zylstra, president + CEO - [email protected] Zack, senior director of membership -

[email protected] Krupski, director of membership - [email protected] Goldstein, VP of events + COO - [email protected]

Lauren Witte, marketing + communications manager - [email protected]




