Arizona experts in tourism, entrepreneurship to speak at 89Forward

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By George Hardeen
Special to the Chronicle
 
PAGE – This year’s 89Forward Business Conference will feature Arizona experts in tourism, restaurant management, entrepreneurism, financial management, optimizing staff and the critical concept of emotional intelligence in the workplace.


The conference will be held March 4-5 at the Courtyard by Marriott. It’s sponsored by the Page Chamber of Commerce, The City of Page and Coconino Community College.


To register or to be a vendor, call Judy Franz, executive director of the Page Chamber of Commerce, at 928-645-2741. Or visit the conference website at www.pagechamber.com/event/89-forward-next-chapter.


Among the opening speakers will be Page City Manager Darren Coldwell and Local First Arizona and Local First Arizona Foundation founder Kimber Lanning.


Lanning is known for thinking big for small business.


“I’m the kind of person when I see something that is unjust, I am motivated and inspired to change it,” she said. “This is my home, this is my state, and I want to leave it better than I found it. So, I’ve dedicated my life to building a better Arizona.”


She has been consistently recognized for her diverse work and leadership abilities. Among her numerous accolades, in 2014 she was selected as the Citizen Leader of the Year by the International Economic Development Council. Her work in promoting adaptive reuse in Phoenix’s urban core was recognized by the American Planning Association which presented her with the Distinguished Citizen Planner Award in 2013.


Lanning has been named one of the “50 Most Influential Women in Arizona” by Arizona Business Magazine and was the recipient of the prestigious Athena Award by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in 2013. In 2014 she was selected as Leader of the Year in Public Policy by Arizona Capitol Times.


With nearly 3,000 business members and four statewide offices, Lanning leads a team of 17 who work on a diverse array of programs ranging from healthy local food access, entrepreneurial development in underserved communities, and rural community development, each of which plays a part in building sustainable and resilient local economies.


Speaking during the tourism and economic development sessions are Craig Simmons on entrepreneurism, Rueben Garcia on restaurant management and optimizing staff, Tim Suan, the community development director, and Nadia Santa Cruz on hospitality management.


Coconino Community College’s Jim Hunter will discuss management’s role in customer service.


Coconino County District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler will provide a county update during the noon luncheon.


In the afternoon sessions, Mark Self will discuss how to launch a small business start-up. Gina Couillard will explain financial responsibility and management.


Greg Martinez of the City of Page will tell how to develop a better workforce by using and understanding the concept of emotional intelligence. This involves developing the skills to identify one’s own emotions, harnessing those emotions and applying them to tasks like thinking and problem solving.
 Vendors are encouraged to set up booths during this year’s 89Forward Conference. For information, call Judy at the Chamber at 928-645-2741 or email her at judy@pagechamber.com.