Five Phoenix companies to win Mayor's Export Awards at Sept. 14 Global Links Luncheon

<div class="ExternalClass3F2E486EA9F0460A8C7974E9053C3829"><h3>Website for registration and information</h3><a href="http://lists.phoenix.gov/t/1345471/5707248/20516/3/">https://www.phoenixsistercities.org/event/global-links-business-outlook-luncheon/</a>Five Phoenix companies to win Mayor's Export Awards at Sept. 14 Global Links Luncheon Three Phoenix businesses will be announced as winners of Mayor's Export Awards, and challenges in the sports entertainment industry will be the featured topic for the 18th annual Global Links Business Outlook Luncheon sponsored by Phoenix Sister Cities.The event is set for Thursday, Sept. 14, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., in the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3rd St., Phoenix.Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton's Export Awards recognize businesses with success stories in global trade. The mayor has emphasized the importance of increasing the city's exports and upsizing its global trade surplus throughout his term. This is the third year he has recognized Phoenix companies for contributions towards the global trade goals."We are in a very competitive economic environment and exports matter," Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said. "We want to help and encourage companies to increase exports because that is the smartest play we can make for our economy. We've improved relations with Mexico, our largest trading partner, and have made tremendous progress, but there's more work to do to meet our potential."The awards also honor businesses sharing export expertise with companies wanting to learn and those advocating on behalf of exporting.<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Five Phoenix companies are being honored at the luncheon:</li><li>Export Champion of the Year: Metro Phoenix Export Alliance (MPEXA).</li><li>Product Exporter of the Year: Ping</li><li>Service Exporter of the Year: Core Institute</li><li>Export Service Provider of the Year – Public Sector: Small Business Administration</li><li>Export Service Provider of the Year – Private Sector: FedEx</li></ul>The luncheon includes a panel focused on Challenges in the Sports Entertainment. Jason Rowley, President, Phoenix Suns, will share his insight in the overall business management of the Suns and oversees the club's interests in the management of Talking Stick Resort Arena.Joining Rowley on the panel are Bobby Dull, COO for Phoenix Rising FC discossing the team's move into Major Soccer League, and Josh Rawitch, senior vice president for content and communications, Arizona Diamondbacks.The trio will talk about the in-venue sports experience, maintaining affordability for sports events and cost pressures on professional sports teams from salaries and operating expenses. A look at how venues are competing for audience for an in-game experience rather than the expanding experience from viewing at home is part of the challenges for sports teams.Like many businesses, sports teams have to expand the demographic and keep the in-game experience viable growing new fans in order to continue succeeding in competing for entertainment spending.Registration for the event is open, and information is available on the Phoenix Sisters Cities website.</div>

8/28/2017 7:00:00 AM

Eric Jay Toll

Larissa LaMaster

(602) 534-3751