The World Affairs Council of Arizona has been working with the U.S. Department of State and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLV) for over 20 years to host international visitors from around the world in Arizona. We have an important group coming in this week.
Growth Nation is fortunate to once again participate in the U.S. Department of State “New Beginnings” international program that hosts entrepreneurs from 32 countries in the US. This year’s group will visit the US over the next 3 weeks – including Arizona, the Bay Area and New York City. Their first stop is ASU SkySong in Scottsdale this Friday morning, and a couple dozen of us are honored to meet them and discuss entrepreneurship.
We met a different group last year – and that was mind-expanding and fun!
For more information about this important program that is run in conjunction with EO, please click here. The local host organization is the Arizona Council for International Visitors (AZCIV) – watch for more information about this group soon.
One thing we learned last year from our discussions with entrepreneurs from all over the world is that entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs. It may seem obvious, or not. How could an entrepreneur from Morocco, or Afghanistan or Benin possibly be like one in Scottsdale, or Phoenix, or Surprise, Arizona?
What we found was that this group of entrepreneurs shared an enthusiasm for building and accomplishing something. They were passionate, smart, creative and thoughtful. They sought ways to finance their business, find more customers and hire the right people to keep growth going. They were us, and we were them.
They sought to achieve something, just like us. Yes, entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs.
This year 32 visiting entrepreneurs represent a variety of businesses from Albania, Algeria, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei, Chad, Egypt, France, Gambia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Netherlands, Niger, Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda and Yemen.
Welcome to the U.S., and welcome to Arizona!
Our group greeting them this year is a strong mix of government, business and education. They are:
- Mayor Jim Lane – Scottsdale, Arizona
- Brian Sherman – Director of Business Development, Arizona Commerce Authority
- Hamid Shojaee – CEO, Axosoft
- Brandon Ames – CEO, Able Technology
- Maryanne Weiss – President, Greater Phoenix SCORE
- Dan Schweiker – Co-Chairman, China Mist Brands
- Colin Christie – CEO, MxSecure
- Steve Macias – CEO, Pivot Manufacturing
- Innocent Abiaka – Executive VP, AMI Consultants
- Dee Harris – CEO, Arizona Angels
- Ryan Klinefelter – Principal, Cave Creek Capital
- Mark Roberts – Vice President, Alliance Bank
- Rudy Vetter – SVP, Greater Phoenix Economic Council
- Harvey King – Owner, Vistage CEO Forums
- Brian Burt – Partner, Snell & Wilmer
- Kate Wells – Director, KAET8
- Andi Fourlis – Assistant Superintendent, Scottsdale School District
- John Liffiton – Scottsdale Community Colleges
- Jim Cook – Director, Global Business Development ASU
- Doug Bruhnke – CEO, Growth Nation
From last year’s experience we already know that we’re going to have fun discussing growing business. Whether it’s here, there or anywhere, the life of an entrepreneur is exciting, challenging and full of surprises. It is another thing that brings people and this world together.
Doug Bruhnke, CEO of Growth Nation
About Doug Bruhnke
The IVLP event was extraordinary. Thanks to our Arizona/U.S. team of business, education, non-profit and government leaders for participating!