Local First Arizona

The Phoenix Innovation Foundation is proud to announce that PIF is a new member of Local First Arizona. LFA works to “strengthen communities and local economies through supporting, maintaining, and celebrating locally owned businesses throughout the state of Arizona. We educate citizens, stakeholders, business leaders, and legislators about the significant environmental, economic, and cultural benefits of strong local economies. We build vibrant communities that make residents proud to call home.”

Coincidentally, PIF’s mission is to “educate and promote the development of the local Phoenix-metro community through community based art, science and technology events.”

With such common community oriented goals we felt it was a natural fit. We look forward to maximizing our membership and connecting with local businesses. As well as educating community stakeholders on the benefit that PIF can bring to their events.

In 2012, LaidOff Camp Chandler taught people how to leverage social tools to stay competitive in their jobs and lay a solid foundation to help them strike out on their own.

2012 also saw the very first Ignite Food, a labor of love that covered all aspects of food culture from eating healthy to the love of bacon (naturally) and spirits. It also saw the third installment of Ignite Phoenix’s naughty sister event Ignite Phoenix After Hours, which returned to wow, shock and give you a glimpse into the saucier side of life. We could tell you more but you really need to see it for yourself. 2012 also brought about two main Ignite Phoenix events, while 2013 has seen Ignite Phoenix #14 sell out yet again.

If your career touches the real estate industry in a way REBarCamp is the place to be. Hosting fantastic events both in 2012 and again just this past May, attendees learned from others how they are leveraging the latest tools, what trends are on the horizon and share your own experiences.

The Valley’s own PodCamp AZ got a serious make over last year, evolving into TechPhx. TechPhx is an un-conference focusing on everything you need to know about new media and social media, from technology to tips and tricks. Check them out this coming November!

On the tastier side of things, Cupcake LoveIn delivered the goods with a delicious charity event, 100’s of scrumptious and inventive creations made by some of the best bakers in town.

And there is much more on the horizon for 2013. We have several events we’re already supporting, and are working to bring a few new ones on board. We are implementing a new calendar on our site to help people discover new events, and are working to build a list of resources to help grass-roots events kick off. There’s great stuff happening in Phoenix, and we’re proud to be a part of it. Stay connected to our blog (or subscribe to our newsletter) for more information.

For those who don’t know, Laid Off Camp AZ is an extension of a national effort to help people find work — full-time work, freelance work, volunteer work, or whatever’s next for them.  Like other Laid Off Camp events, this is a locally-based, community-supported effort to offer resources and reassurance to job seekers. Laid Off Camp is very different from the job fairs that jobseekers typically attend.  Twice a year they host an all-day series of seminars and workshops covering a variety of topics designed to help jobseekers make the next step and achieve their goals. In addition to seminars, they offer free services such as resume reviews, free avatar photographs for online use, and lots of volunteers whose sole mission for the day is to help connect attendees with others who can help them find work. The entire day, including breakfast and lunch, is free for all attendees.  All speakers are volunteers, and food and beverages are donated by sponsors.

We want to wish the best of luck to all the attendees of Laid Off Camp Chandler, happening this weekend! We’ve been really excited to watch the changes that have been in the works for Laid Off Camp and want to wish Organizer Susan Baier and all her volunteers an easy day tomorrow. And we have confidence that all the attendees will come away with resources and a renewed sense of hope and community. (If you’re wondering how you can help, click here.)

PS – Keep an eye out – On March 3rd there will also be a follow up workshop for attendees on starting their own businesses.

What comes to mind when you hear – PodCampAZ? Did you just assume I’m talking about an event only about Podcasting? If you did then you really need to take another look. We have a free five-year running New Media unconference gem here in the valley. Are you interested in blogs? What about video or social media?  Smart devices? They have all of that covered! Of course podcasting is also on the list in a big way – it is where the Pod in PodCamp comes from.

For those who don’t know, Laid Off Camp Phoenix is an extension of a national effort to help people find work — full-time work, freelance work, volunteer work, or whatever’s next for them.  Like other Laid Off Camp events, this is a locally-based, community-supported effort to offer resources and reassurance to job seekers.

Laid Off Camp is very different from the job fairs that jobseekers typically attend.  Twice a year they host an all-day series of seminars and workshops covering a variety of topics designed to help jobseekers make the next step and achieve their goals.

In addition to seminars, they offer free services such as resume reviews, free avatar photographs for online use, and lots of volunteers whose sole mission for the day is to help connect attendees with others who can help them find work.

The entire day, including breakfast and lunch, is free for all attendees.  All speakers are volunteers, and food and beverages are donated by sponsors.

There are a wide range of attendees — from young people who haven’t yet found a job, to those who have lost a job after 40 years with the same employer, to those wanting to make a change that just don’t know how. People who have been laid off for two weeks, and others who have been out of work for two years.

We’re proud to support Laid Off Camp and want to wish Organizer Susan Baier and all her volunteers an easy day tomorrow. And we have confidence that all the attendees will come away with resources and a renewed sense of hope and community.

If you’re wondering how you can help, click here.

PodCampAZ is a FREE networking media unconference, dedicated to blogging, video blogging, podcasting (where the Pod in PodCamp comes from), social networking, and all other relevant media. Planned topics include everything from GeoLocation services, to writing E-Books to Sian Proctor from The Colony on Discovery Channel talking about her experience surviving in a post-catastrophic world.

Because of the open format of an “unconference”, attendees are encourage to speak up, ask questions and if knowledgeable in a specific area, lead an impromptu session. It’s a chance for you to get your questions answered from the people who have been successful in new media.

Tickets are still available. Since the format is open you can drop in for just a single session or stay all day. What you shouldn’t do is miss it!

PodCampAZ is free, and runs Saturday and Sunday, November 20 – 21, at the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe. Click here to register.

In the Great Reset, some economies will come out stronger than before. According to Richard Florida, the long and deep recession from which we are emerging creates opportunities for change and innovation.

Has your business suffered? Have you been laid off? Are you trying to grow in a new environment?

Many great companies have been started during recessions — by laid off employees, by young people with guts, and by people who just want to pursue their dreams. Community and collaboration are essential, and that’s what we are about.

Here at the Fifth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference (AZEC10) we’ve got your back. If you need help, it will be here.

They have an amazing array of insight and ideas on hand to help support the local business community. If you’re an entrepreneur, or have the spirit of one, register today!

Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference 2010

When: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (MT)

Where: Desert Willow Conference Center, 4340 Cotton Center Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85040

Learn More: http://azentrepreneurship.com

Our Scope

Our scope is not for profit events, in that neither the organizers nor the speakers are making a profit. This covers both sponsorship and fee based methods of covering expenses. We are not limiting ourselves to any style of event, and aim to support not only tech events (like PodCampAZ) and arts events (like Creative Connect), but hopefully social, culinary, creative, educational, and others we haven’t even thought of yet.  Our general charter includes:

• Event Sponsorship – PIF aims to sponsor community-based art, science, and technology events whose mission is to educate and promote the local Phoenix-metro community.
• Seminar Sponsorship – PIF aims to sponsor seminars and other educational events where local art, science, technology, and governmental leaders can exchange ideas and implement strategies to educate and promote the local Phoenix-metro community.
• Facility/Venue Sponsorship – PIF aims to sponsor venues as well as provide community and coworking facilities for others to engage in the education and promotion of the local Phoenix-metro community.
• Event Promotion – PIF aims to educate and inform the public about any or all events that we sponsor.
• Connecting, Sharing, Networking –  PIF aims to provide a medium where local groups and individuals can exchange ideas and collaborate on items and events that educate and promote the local Phoenix-metro community.
• Local Economic, Social, and Environmental Benefits – PIF aims to sponsor events which foster local economic, social, and environmental development.

Where are we now?

Just getting started. We are an incorporated Arizona non-profit, and completing the paperwork for Federal non-profit status (501(c)(3)).  We’re focusing on supporting established events and working out our logistics, but hope to soon be able to help sponsor new events as they get going. We’re also building a database of venues, vendors, contacts, and other names to share across all the events. We’re also hoping to use a group of events to negotiate better discounts for everyone.

Who is behind PIF?

PIF was started by several of the the people behind Ignite Phoenix, and has a Board of Advisors that represents many of the great events already up and running.  We are seeking their guidance in making PIF a resource to not only help their events, but future ones as well.

• Chris Conrey – Gangplank liaison
• Francine Hardaway- Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference
• Aaron Post- Refresh Phoenix
• Chuck Reynolds – Phoenix WordCamp
• Dan Semenchuk – Creative Connect
• Brian Shaler- Geek Week AZ, Phoenix Startup Weekend
• Brent Spore – PodCampAZ, CreateLiveAZ
• Evo Terra – PodCampAZ,
• Jay Thompson – REBarCamp Phoenix

How can I get involved?

Of course, you can follow us on Twitter or join our fan page on Facebook. If you know someone who might be interested in what we’re doing, you can download our launch press release and send it their way.

We’re also looking for any contribution of time or skills people are willing to provide. We need help finding applications we can use, and gathering data for events. We will also need people who are willing to help out at events in general.  Send us an email at innovatephoenix@gmail.com if you are interested.

Phoenix has an incredible event community, with so much happening it is difficult to even keep track. If PIF is a success, we will be able to remove some of the technical challenges for the people putting on these events so they can continue the push that is making Phoenix one of the most happening online  communities out there!

There is an incredible number of great, free conferences, un-conferences, events, meetups, and groups across the Phoenix Metro Area, who all share some common challenges. PIF seeks to bring these groups together to leverage financial, legal, and logistical support. We are an Arizona non-profit, and are seeking Federal 501(c)(3) chartiable status.

We are just getting the ball rolling, but are thrilled to already be working with three big Valley events: PodcampAZ, IgnitePhoenix, and Geek Week AZ.

Subscribe to this blog for updates, or you can email us at innovatephoenix at gmail.