BizLEADERSHIP One of those pies continued from page 108 is special events. The 120,000 feet, which Chamber hosts more it describes as “the than 50 of them anedge of space” in a nually to provide balloon-powered capbusinesses with the sule. opportunity to netTaber MacCallum, work, make stratechief technology ofgic connections and ficer of World View learn from business and one of the origileaders, elected ofnal crew members at ficials and industry Biosphere 2, said the experts. Chamber played an In January, after instrumental role in delivering the State the passage of HB of the State message 2163. at the Arizona Capi“During the last tol, the governor will legislative session, the travel to Tucson to Tucson Metro Chamdeliver the Southber played a central ern Arizona version role in getting the bill of that speech at a Jane Poynter,CEO, World View Enterprises; Ethan Orr, Arizona State Representative; passed,” MacCallum Gov. Jan Brewer; Eddie Farnsworth, chair of the House Judicary; Michael Varney, luncheon hosted by said. “They lobbied President & CEO, Tucson Metro Chamber the Chamber. In state lawmakers and March, the Chamber recruited other busiwill host a similar luncheon in which Mayor Rothschild will ness organizations to support our cause. They were there deliver the State of the City address. whenever we needed help.” Other major Chamber events include the Multi-Chamber World View’s first test flights, which have been done with Business Expo, the Chairman’s Breakfast, the Copper Cactus scaled-down flying equipment, have been successful. The Awards and the Holiday Legislative Reception. There are also company plans on testing a full-sized balloon and para-wing monthly Chamber XChange networking mixers held at invesearly next year and for commercial operations to begin at the tor businesses. end of 2016. These events offer investors opportunities to reach a broad MacCallum said future commercial flights will carry six segment of the local business community. passengers and two crew members. Several flights are already “Aligning your business with Tucson Metro Chamber events booked at a cost of $75,000 per passenger. MacCallum prethrough sponsorships puts your company in front of business dicts the cost will drop significantly over time. professionals and civic leaders,” Varney said. “Regardless of “We want to fly from Arizona locations. We want to set up your company’s size or business objectives, there are marketmanufacturing of balloons in Tucson. We are working with ing opportunities to meet your company objectives.” the Chamber to make that happen as well,” he said. “The Biz Chamber has their fingers in a lot of pies.”
Banzhaf Promoted to Tucson Metro Chamber Executive VP Lori Banzhaf was recently promoted to executive VP of Tucson Metro Chamber. She now oversees membership sales, advertising, sponsorships and events. “Much of the Chamber’s success in reaching its goals can be attributed to Lori’s hard work and dedication to the Chamber’s mission of promoting a strong local economy,” said Michael Varney, president and CEO of the Chamber. Banzhaf joined the Tucson Metro Chamber in June 2011 as VP of business development.
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Before that she was director of major gifts and planned giving for the TMC Foundation. She also founded Monsoon Marketing, a fullservice event consulting and management firm which she ran from 2002 to 2008. In all, she has nearly 25 years of sales and marketing experience. Banzhaf was recognized as one of the 2010 Women of Influence by Inside Tucson Business. She is a member of the Western Association of Chamber Executives. She and her husband, Steve, are the 2015 Tucson Heart & Stroke Ball chairs.
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