The Business of... podcast by the Tucson Metro Chamber

In Tucson today, a household earning the local median income in the Tucson MSA would need to spend 45.3%% of their annual income to afford the median-priced home. The average home sale price is now over $400,000 and we need 100,000 units in the next few years to keep pace with demand. On this episode of The Business Of, Zach sits down with David Godlewski, President and CEO of the Southern Arizona...

On this episode of The Business Of, Zach updates on a busy time at the Chamber celebrating and supporting business in the region. Hear more about U.S. Chamber CEO Suzanne Clark's keynote message supporting business in Southern Arizona, at the recent Kickoff Luncheon for the new The Chamber of Southern Arizona. And, Economic Development and Small Business Weeks in Pima County! Additionally, Zac...

On this episode of The Business Of, Zach and Susan sit down with Tirzo Gortary from International Logistic Solutions for a wide-ranging conversation about this core industry sector in Southern Arizona. The three discuss how ILS helps businesses here and all over the world, why the region is such a strong player in transportation and logistics, ILS's role in strengthening and supporting cross-b...

On this episode of The Business Of, Zach and Michael debrief after returning from an advocacy mission to D.C. They discuss key conversations they had while there in support of Southern Arizona's military installations, continued funding of Medicare/Medicaid, trade with Mexico, economic development, and so much more. Tune in for the full conversation about how The Chamber is working to support...

What's the state of homebuilding in Southern Arizona? Join Melissa and Zach on this week's episode of "The Business Of..." as they delve into the intricacies of the local housing market with special guest Scott Kolt from Meritage Homes. Discover Meritage Homes' impact in the region, their commitment to energy-efficient and affordable homes, and their dedication to giving back...

What are the hottest degrees and future jobs in Southern Arizona? How is ASU revolutionizing access to higher education? And what's the real future of online learning? Tune in to The Business Of as Zach speaks with Phil Regier, ASU's University Dean and CEO of EdPlus, to explore these critical questions. Learn how ASU is creating new pathways to degrees and partnering with businesses to re...

Get ready to dive into the world of agave! This week on the Business Of..., hosts Melissa Rosciano and Zach Yentzer sit down with the one and only Todd Hanley, the driving force behind the incredible Agave Heritage Festival (April 10th-13th) . Learn about the festival's evolution from its early days to its current status as a unique global celebration of agave spirits like mezcal, tequila, and...

Join us as we chat with Graham Johnson, CEO of Denova Collaborative Health, about his journey into healthcare and the story behind Denova. We discuss their "whole person" approach, the flexibility of virtual and in-person care, and tackle the challenges of healthcare worker shortages in Southern Arizona. Graham shares insights into training and retaining top talent in today's healthc...

Join Melissa and Zach as they sit down with Blake Eager, CEO of Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism, and Film Authority (SASTF), to unpack the excitement and impact of the recent World Baseball Classic on the Tucson community. They dive into the event's highlights and explore what the future holds for local sports fans. This episode provides a comprehensive recap of the key discussions, offering a de...

In this episode of The Business Of…, Zach sits down with Brian Kidd, Deputy Chief of Strategic Marketing and Air Service Development for Tucson Airport Authority. They discuss TUS’s incredible growth, how to attract more flights, and why flying local benefits your wallet. Plus, don’t miss the breaking news about a brand-new nonstop destination launching in May! Listen now to stay updated on the fu...

Join us as Melissa welcomes back Bob Hoffman, President of the Tucson Roadrunners, for a thoughtful conversation that bridges sports, business, and community insights. With only 14 regular season games remaining and the team in a tight playoff race, Bob offers behind-the-scenes perspectives on the Roadrunners' journey and highlights upcoming promotional nights such as First Responders Night, H...

In this episode of The Business Of… , Melissa and Fred Narcaroti discuss the Tucson Rodeo’s history and cultural impact. Listeners will discover unique facts about its origins, influence on the sport, and year-round events. Plus, hear how what's in store for the rodeo as they celebrate it's 100 year anniversary.

On this episode of The Business Of, we talk with Tucson Metro Chamber President and CEO, Michael Guymon, to look back on the past year and discuss what's in store for 2025. We discuss: Key accomplishments of 2024: Including the successful return of Good Morning Tucson, the State of the Region event, and the Chamber's advocacy work on issues like prevailing wage and outdoor lighting. The Ch...

Join Melissa and Zach as we sit down with Felipe Garcia, President and CEO of Visit Tucson, or as we like to call him, "Mr. Tucson"! Get ready for some serious Tucson trivia as we put Felipe to the ultimate test. Will he be able to defend his title? Plus, we'll discuss Tucson's latest mention in the New York Times and celebrate its official designation as America's Best Mexican Food City. You won'...

Join us as we sit down with Kym Adair, Executive Director of the 2024 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop. We'll cover the excitement surrounding this historic event, from its massive economic impact on our region to the incredible journey of landing the Doggfather himself as a sponsor. This is one conversation you don't want to miss! And make sure to grab your t...

In this episode of The Business Of... , Melissa sits down with Katia Jones, CEO of the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA), to explore how the organization is driving transformative change for women and girls across Arizona. Katia shares insights into WFSA’s bold vision, its powerhouse Board of Trustees, and key advocacy priorities for 2025, including initiatives like closing wage g...

In this episode of The Business Of , Melissa and Frank discuss the critical role early childhood development plays in shaping Arizona’s future. Featuring Chinna Garza from First Things First , they explore how the childcare crisis impacts families, businesses, and the economy. The conversation dives into innovative solutions, like shared services models, and the role businesses can play in address...

In this episode, Zach and Melissa sit down with Nohemy Hite, founder and CEO of the Erik Hite Foundation, to explore the inspiring mission born from a profound personal tragedy. Nohemy shares how the Foundation became her life’s work, dedicated to supporting the wellness, preparedness, and morale of First Responders, Active Duty Military, and their families. Joining the conversation is Frank Velas...

Join Zach and Melissa as they break down the results of the November election, focusing on the four ballot issues the Chamber supported or opposed. Then, take a look ahead as they discuss two critical issues on the horizon for 2025 and the Chamber’s plans to advocate for our members and a thriving Tucson region. Don't miss this insightful discussion!

Tune in to The Business Of for a conversation with Dr. Robert Ashcraft, Executive Director of the Lodestar Center at Arizona State University. This week's episode covers the Scope of the Arizona Nonprofit Sector, why it's so big and why it matters, which industry clusters have the most nonprofits in Southern Arizona, best practices for nonprofit leadership and more!  

This Holiday Season, Help The Salvation Army Do the Most Good Looking for a way to give back to the Tucson community this holiday season? The Salvation Army is on a mission to help those struggling with homelessness and poverty, and they need your support! In this episode, we explore the vital work of The Salvation Army Tucson: Learn about the challenges faced by unsheltered families and individua...

In this episode of The Business Of , hosts Zach and Melissa sit down with Rob Elias, President and CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, to explore Proposition 314, also known as the Secure the Border Act. While Prop 314 addresses key challenges at the southern border, both Chambers have joined a bipartisan coalition of law enforcement and business leaders across Arizona in opposing it,...

Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Nightfall at Old Tucson! In this episode, Melissa sits down with Ken Korpi, Entertainment Manager, and Natalie Eleftheriadis, Marketing Manager, to discuss the magic and mayhem of this beloved Halloween event. Discover what makes Nightfall so special: From the chilling scare zones and haunted attractions to the incredible live performances, there'...

Tune in to this episode of The Business of Tucson for a candid chat with Lisa Lovallo, the driving force behind Cox Communications in Southern Arizona. Lisa shares her career journey and discusses Cox's initiatives, including the expansion of services and community philanthropy. Learn about Cox Business and its innovative solutions for local businesses. As Vice Chair of the Tucson Metro Chamber, L...

This week on The Business Of, Melissa and Zach sit down with Josh Jacobsen, a local small business owner and community advocate. This episode covers Proposition 312, designed to promote government accountability and protect businesses and property owners from policy failures that fail to create a clean and safe community. Listen to learn more, and why the Chamber is urging you to vote YES!  Tucson...