Title
Three-Year Membership with the Global Chamber (Ordinance S-50565)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to pay membership dues to the Global Chamber for the three-year period of 2024 - 2026 (calendar years 2024, 2025 and 2026) in the amount of $7,000 annually, for a total aggregate amount not to exceed $21,000. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse funds related to this item. Funding is available in the Community and Economic Development Department's budget.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix joined the Global Chamber in 2019 and renewed its one-year membership in 2021. Headquartered in Phoenix, the Global Chamber has 12,000 members worldwide, representing the private sector, local government, economic development organizations, colleges and universities, and trade organizations.
Over the past three years, City of Phoenix elected officials and economic development staff have participated in Semiconductor Summits (2021 and 2022), a Women in Global Leadership conference, and the International State of the Metro organized by the Global Chamber. Previously, the City of Phoenix worked with the Chamber to present the "Export League" - a program providing Phoenix-based exporters with introductions to companies potentially interested in doing business with them, special education opportunities and connections to regional exporting resources. As a member, the City of Phoenix was spotlighted at the Chamber's Grow Globally Fair.
The Global Chamber has also facilitated introductions to individual companies interested in possibly locating in Phoenix. Two successful locates include ZorroSign, Inc. (from Dubai) and Paypro (from Argentina).
The Global Chamber has proposed the following collaborations for the 2024 membership year:
- Spotlight a Phoenix-based firm at the Chamber's Innovation Summit in January;
- Promote the Phoenix Global Forum (May 2, 2024) to potential sponsors among the Chamber's global members;
- Invite a City of Phoenix elected official to speak at the 3rd Annual Global Semiconductor Summit on Feb. 23, 2024;
- Implement a 2024 Export League with a focus on Phoenix-based companies;
- Collaborate on Global Chamber events including Women in Global Leadership, Grow Globally Fair, and International State of the Metro 2024; and,
- Provide introductions to companies among the Global Chamber's membership interested in locating in Phoenix.
If approved, the City's membership will be valid through December 2026.
Financial Impact
Annual membership is $7,000, for a total aggregate amount not to exceed $21,000 over the course of three years. Funds are available in the Community and Economic Development Department's budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee recommended approval of this request on Jan. 10, 2024, by a vote of 4-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Community and Economic Development Department.