November 2, 2007
Local leaders using game as way to lure CEOs - Pheonix Business Journal
Source: Phoenix Business Journal
By: Chris Casacchia
The Super Bowl is as much about football legacy as big business. And during that February week, both will collide in the Valley.
As victory-hungry fans take in the sights and enjoy the warm weather, Arizona business and political leaders will be engulfed in their own game plan: luring companies to the Valley.
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Arizona Department of Commerce are investing more than $300,000 in the Super Bowl XLII Business Development Program, created to tout the region's tax incentives, business climate and quality of life with the goal of generating jobs in the future.
Partnering with the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, the organizations will wine and dine some 25 CEOs from across the country and, possibly, overseas in an effort to persuade them to relocate, expand or launch operations here.
"We will showcase the best of the Valley and the best of the state," said Host Committee President Bob Sullivan.
Each CEO's amenities package includes airfare, hotel, transportation, access to Host Committee events (including a VIP party), a meeting with Gov. Janet Napolitano, and two tickets to the biggest sporting event of the year.
ADOC is finalizing its list of potential business honchos and would not disclose who is being invited. All invitations will be sent out next month by the governor's office.
ADOC spokesman David Drennon said the opportunity to showcase Arizona to high-profile decision makers doesn't come around often, and "you have a huge attraction to get the people here."
Targeted industries include electronics/semiconductors, aerospace and defense/avionics, health care/biotechnology, computer software and systems, agriculture technology, high-tech instruments, and renewable energy technology.
The program also will feature networking opportunities with Arizona executives who will share their experiences of operating and doing business in the state.
"With everything Arizona has to offer, you will see a lot of potential business down the road," said Robert Tuchman, president of New York-based TSE Sports & Entertainment.
The sports marketing and events firm sets up similar amenities packages and caters to business executives. TSE officials expect to bring 1,000 executives to Arizona during Super Bowl week, at a cost of $5,000 to $8,000 each. That includes food, hotel, airfare, golf packages, and programs with former players and coaches. The average group ranges from 20 to 30 people.
Earlier this year, TSE flew about 750 executives to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl and Bowl Championship Series games.
The Business Development Program is somewhat of a local initiative, as the Host Committee launched it in 1996 -- the only other time Arizona has hosted the Super Bowl. That game was played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe -- a great college venue, but incomparable to the financial windfall associated with the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, which was built to host mega-events such as the Super Bowl and BCS games.
Sun Devil Stadium also lacks state-of-the-art amenities and suites that cater to the corporate crowd. The $455 million UOP Stadium touts 88 luxury lofts and 7,501 club seats.
Unfortunately, Host Committee staffers did not track the success of the 1996 program, so comparisons are anecdotal at best. Nevertheless, Sullivan knows if the program succeeds, it will create a legacy and have an economic impact spanning decades.
"Even if we can get one CEO out of 25, it's a true legacy," he said.
The Super Bowl is as much about football legacy as big business. And during that February week, both will collide in the Valley.
As victory-hungry fans take in the sights and enjoy the warm weather, Arizona business and political leaders will be engulfed in their own game plan: luring companies to the Valley.
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Arizona Department of Commerce are investing more than $300,000 in the Super Bowl XLII Business Development Program, created to tout the region's tax incentives, business climate and quality of life with the goal of generating jobs in the future.
Partnering with the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, the organizations will wine and dine some 25 CEOs from across the country and, possibly, overseas in an effort to persuade them to relocate, expand or launch operations here.
"We will showcase the best of the Valley and the best of the state," said Host Committee President Bob Sullivan.
Each CEO's amenities package includes airfare, hotel, transportation, access to Host Committee events (including a VIP party), a meeting with Gov. Janet Napolitano, and two tickets to the biggest sporting event of the year.
ADOC is finalizing its list of potential business honchos and would not disclose who is being invited. All invitations will be sent out next month by the governor's office.
ADOC spokesman David Drennon said the opportunity to showcase Arizona to high-profile decision makers doesn't come around often, and "you have a huge attraction to get the people here."
Targeted industries include electronics/semiconductors, aerospace and defense/avionics, health care/biotechnology, computer software and systems, agriculture technology, high-tech instruments, and renewable energy technology.
The program also will feature networking opportunities with Arizona executives who will share their experiences of operating and doing business in the state.
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