| | Chamber out of Office for Labor Day | | | The Chamber will be out of office for Labor Day. Have a great holiday weekend! | | More than 300 found some 'spark' at business summit | |
------More than 300 business and professional people found a “spark” Thursday, when your Chamber and the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona hosted the SPARK Business Summit at Platinum member El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort.
------Guests first networked, learned and connected at the business expo, sponsored by the Town of Oro Valley. The expo preceded speakers, then continued through the lunch hour.
Jeffrey Nasse, Ph.D., chancellor of presenting sponsor Pima Community College, and Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield welcomed the group.
------Guests then moved among 4 repeated workshops: “Marketing with Heart: Cultivating a Local Community,” presented by Payton Wells of Heart & Soul Activity Center; “Leading AI with Vision and Purpose in Southern Arizona,” with PCC’s Dr. Josie Milliken; “The Benefits of a Multigenerational Workforce,” with University of Arizona professor Dr. Linda Hollis; and “Future-Proof Your Business: A Resiliency Game Plan for Growth,” with Sue Oliver, director of innovation and the Small Business Development Center at Pima Community College.
------At day’s end, dozens stayed for a mixer at the El Conquistador.
------We’ll have more details about SPARK in the weeks ahead.
Our special thanks to all who attended, to Irene Coppola and her staff at the BBB, to El Conquistador Tucson, and to all our sponsors. We trust you found a “spark,” or two.
------Photo above provided by Media Sponsor, Regal Fierce Media.
| | Mayor commits to business, introduces Denman to group | | |
------Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield kicked off the SPARK Business Summit by giving his thanks to your Chamber and the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona for pulling it together.
------Then he got done to business.
------Winfield introduced Sarah Denman, Oro Valley’s new economic development program manager. Denman succeeds Margie Adler, Oro Valley’s longtime economic development specialist, who retired earlier in August.
------“I liked to refer to Margie as the ‘face of small business’ in Oro Valley,” the mayor said. “She kept you up to date, shared opportunities, and joined me on countless business visits. We were sad to say goodbye when she retired, but that important work continues.”
------Denman, who comes to Oro Valley after two years with the city of Tucson, has a master of public administration degree from the University of Arizona. She’ll be “out in the community, visiting businesses, and making sure you have a direct line to the town,” the mayor said. “She’s amazing.”
------Last year, the mayor, town staff and the Chamber visited more than 200 businesses. “That is a reflection of our commitment to you,” Winfield said. “Those conversations shaped how we can better support you. With Sarah on board, we’ll be even more responsive and proactive.”
------He told the story of an encounter at a recent ribbon-cutting. “Someone spoke to me about a parking issue that was hurting a nearby restaurant. I drove over, met with the restaurant manager, saw the problem, and promised to follow up.
------“We listen, and we try to act quickly when there’s a problem,” Winfield said. “It’s a small story, but it shows what we value in Oro Valley: listening, acting quickly, and finding solutions. And now, with Sarah as your dedicated concierge, you’ve got another strong advocate by your side.”
------In his prepared remarks, shortened for time on Thursday, the mayor gave “the bigger picture of why doing business in Oro Valley makes sense.
------“We’re consistently ranked the #1 safest town in Arizona, thanks to a dedicated police force,” he said. “Safe businesses mean safe shoppers —and safe shoppers stay longer and spend more.”
------Oro Valley continues to invest in infrastructure, roads, sidewalks, and multi-use paths, so employees, customers, and suppliers can get here and move around easily, Winfield said.
------“And we have a loyal customer base,” he continued. “Oro Valley is full of affluent, educated residents who want to support local businesses.”
------To wit, Winfield and his wife Mariann took your Chamber’s Locals Eat Local challenge seriously, visiting 17 of the 20 featured restaurants from June through August.
Oro Valley’s quality of life, with excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, Catalina Mountain views, and unmatched outdoor recreation, “make this a place where businesses succeed and employees love to work,” he said.
------“Oro Valley offers customers who value what you provide, a town that sees itself as your ally, and a community that wants you to succeed.”
------The website is chooseorovalley.com
-- Dave Perry
| | After OV departure, Hut closing Speedway store | |
------Three weeks after closing its Oro Valley store, Summit Hut is shutting down its remaining retail location at 5251 E. Speedway in Tucson.
------Owners Dana and Jeremy Davis have made the “very difficult decision to permanently close Summit Hut,” they said in a post.
------“This store has been our life’s work and our greatest joy, and the best part has always been sharing it with you — our customers, neighbors, and friends,” they wrote. “We’ve weathered many challenges together over the years, always working hard to adapt, keep things going, and provide a place where people could find great gear, inspiration, and connection for their outdoor adventures.
------“But the past few years brought a combination of pressures too great to overcome. Rising costs, brands selling direct, new big-box competition, the push for lower prices, shifts toward online shopping, and a changing customer base all played a part,” they wrote. “Summit Hut ended up in a tough spot — too big to run super lean, but too small to compete with national chains. We looked at every possible option, but in the end it just wasn’t sustainable.”
------The decision “was not made lightly,” they said. “We really did try everything we could to keep things going, but in the end, closing is our only responsible choice — even though it breaks our hearts to say goodbye.”
------The store is holding a “going out of business sale” through this weekend, with steep discounts on merchandise.
------“We hope you’ll stop by — not just for the deals, but to say goodbye, share stories, and be part of this final stretch with us,” the Davises said. “Thank you for walking this trail with us.”
------Summit Hut began in 1967. It opened its Oro Valley location 13 years ago. Summit Hut is a past recipient of a Chamber “Outstanding Business” award.
| | Get your ad in Chamber's 2026 Guide & Directory | |
------Space is going fast in your Chamber’s 2026 Guide & Directory.
------The annual directory has been reformatted into a trimmed and bound, full-color magazine printed on glossy paper.
------Shari Colson, former Chamber business development director, is leading advertising sales. Chamber summer intern Andrew Pegnam helped generate fresh content to tell all there is to know about Greater Oro Valley to visitors, new residents and people looking for goods and services.
------The Chamber is going to print 25,000 copies of the Guide & Directory. They’ll be distributed through real estate agent packets and requests, at libraries, doctor’s offices, the Tucson International Airport, and other places where people seek information. It’ll also reside online.
------Premium full- and half-page placements are available to Chamber members in good standing. Credits toward membership are available if you buy an ad and join by Nov. 1. Quarter-page, 1/8th page, 1/6th-page ads, and member spotlight ads are available, too.
------The ad purchase deadline is Nov. 1. The Guide & Directory is slated for publication and distribution in January.
------Contact Shari at directory@orovalleychamber.com, by phone at 520-297-2191.
| | Upcoming Business Forum Share your input on OV’s tax and fee proposals | | |
------In response to slowing sales tax and state-shared revenues, Oro Valley is considering expanding its revenue base with three new tax categories: a use tax, telecommunications tax, and commercial rental tax. These could generate between $930,000 and $1.88 million annually.
------In addition, the town proposes raising the stormwater utility fee by $2 per month (from $4.50 to $6.50), pulling in about $650,000 or more each year.
------Parks and recreation fees are also set to increase, particularly for non-residents, for programs, facility use, and field rentals, expected to raise around $400,000 per year.
------These changes could significantly impact local businesses including retail, hospitality, and commercial tenants, and influence overall operating costs.
------Your Chamber is hosting a business feedback forum on Thursday, September 11 at 3:30 p.m. in the Sunset Room at the Oro Valley Community Center. This is an opportunity for business leaders to learn more, ask questions, and provide input on how this would affect their businesses.
------Please join us to make your voice heard and be part of the conversation. It's free and all welcome. Please register here so we have plenty of refreshments!
------Check out the following links for more information on the proposed taxes and fees:
Tucson Local Media Explorer
Town of Oro Valley
| | Chamber Foundation seeks part-time executive director | | |
------Your Chamber Foundation is ready to make its first-ever hire.
------The Oro Valley Chamber Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit committed to serving the Oro Valley community and beyond, is seeking applicants for a part-time, contracted position as executive director.
------We’re looking for a passionate leader with strong communication and fundraising skills. We need someone to manage day-to-day operations, oversee our scholarship and community grant programs, be sure our website and social media are up to date, and ... most of all ... represent the Foundation in the community, and with potential donors.
------It is envisioned as a 20-hour-a-week position, with a wage of $25,000 annually.
------To apply you can find the Chamber's LinkedIn posting here.
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------Romeo Arrieta is the new chief executive officer of the Tucson Association of Realtors, representing more than 5,700 real estate professionals.
------Arrieta has more than 19 years of experience in Realtor associations, and is “passionate about the role that Realtors play in making the American Dream of homeownership a reality,” a release said.
------Arrieta most recently led the Marin Association of Realtors.
He has previous experience in government affairs and community relations at the MetroTex Association of Realtors in Dallas. He has served on several committees with the National Association of Realtors, and spent time on the City of San Rafael Fire Policy committee and on the board of directors for FireSafe Marin.
------Arrieta has a degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. “His blend of economics, politics, and history has proved valuable in his career as an advocacy professional,” the release said.
------Arrieta, fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, follows the Texas Longhorns and Mexican league soccer. He plays the guitar, and likes to hike with wife Jenny. Together, they spoil their pet cockatiels and parrots.
------The TAR, a Chamber member, is responsible for the Multiple Listing Service of Southern Arizona, a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, and the Tucson Realtors Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
| | 3 Knolls Media creating Oro Valley tourism map | |
------Chamber member Three Knolls Media is producing a dedicated tourism map for Oro Valley and Southern Arizona.
------Your business can be on it.
------“Every day, hundreds of out-of-town visitors roll into Oro Valley and Tucson looking for things to do, places to see, memories to make and great food to enjoy,” Three Knolls Media owner Kevin Boerup said. “The first thing they grab at their hotel desks? A printed tourist map.”
------Three Knolls Media plans to distribute the 3D map in web, digital and 25,000 print versions. It’ll direct people to things to do, places to go, good eats, local websites and more. The map is going to be distributed to 40 hotels and resorts, Tucson International Airport, visitors centers, libraries and visitor hotspots.
------To reserve your space by Sept. 10, call 520-603-2094, or go to 3knollsmedia.com.
| | Apex Athletix golf event Sept. 20 at OV courses | |
------The inaugural Apex Athletix Foundation charity golf tournament is Saturday, Sept. 20, at El Conquistador Golf in Oro Valley.
------All proceeds benefit Apex Athletix Foundation, a nonprofit providing financial aid and scholarships to student athletes across Southern Arizona.
------Stacie Ferris at Chamber member Associated Benefits Specialists is a member of the Apex Athletix board, and is helping organize the event. Sponsorships are available.
------Guests enjoy golf, breakfast, lunch, raffle prizes, drink tickets and more. Entry is $150 per player, and $600 for a foursome. Space is limited; contact Stacie at 520-548-1316, or email stacie@associatedbenefitsspecialists.com
------Apex Athletix’ provides “increased access and opportunities for Southern Arizona student athletes and teams, regardless of socioeconomic status or background, to train, compete and showcase in competitive sports or athletics programs and events.”
------It helps students pay for team practice sessions, tournament fees, camps and clinics, personal and group skills training, weight training, uniforms, backpacks, shoes and gear, and travel expenses.
------The website is apexathletixaz.com.
| | Salsa, Tequila & Taco event Sunday at El Conquistador | |
------Tickets remain for the 13th annual Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge, coming to Oro Valley this Sunday, Aug. 31, in the midst of Labor Day Weekend.
------The “high-energy celebration of Southern Arizona’s creative spirit” is presented by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and Platinum member El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort. El Conquistador hosts the event at 10000 N. Oracle.
------“This unforgettable evening brings together the region’s top chefs and mixologists to compete for the titles of Best Salsa, Best Tequila Cocktail, and Best Taco,” an invitation said. “But the real purpose goes far beyond the plate. It’s a movement in flavor, craft, and connection.”
------Guests will embark on a bold, flavor-filled journey, sampling inspired creations from up to 30 restaurants, while enjoying live music, lucha libre wrestling, live art installations, and exclusive chef and bartender meet-and-greets. “It’s a full-sensory experience where entertainment, culture, and creativity collide.”
------Tickets are $135 for VIP admission, and $100 for general admission. Tickets include libation and menu samplings. Raffle tickets are on sale, too, for more than $2,000 in local gift cards and gift baskets.
------Click here for tickets: https://saaca.thundertix.com/
------Entry time is 6 p.m.
| | Stacks to open second store in midtown Tucson next year | | |
------ Stacks Book Club, thriving in Oro Valley Marketplace, is going to open a second location in midtown Tucson.
------Owners Crispin and Lizzy Jeffrey-Franco expect the new space, at 2920 E. Broadway, near Broadway Village Center and Country Club Road, to be open early in 2026.
------Stacks is going to occupy a 4,000-square-foot space that most recently housed an ice cream and family restaurant business. It has asked the Rio Nuevo board to provide $110,148 for construction costs.
------Stacks opened its Marketplace book store and coffee bar at 1880 E. Tangerine, Suite 140, in 2023. People have flocked to it. Stacks Book Club was your Chamber’s outstanding small business in 2024.
------To read Gabriela Rico’s story in Chamber member The Arizona Daily Star / Tucson.com, click here.
| | OVHS reopens for 20 year anniversary | |
------The Oro Valley Historical Society is celebrating its 20-year anniversary, and they want you to be a part of it!
------Join them as they re-open the Pusch House Museum at historic Steam Pump Ranch on September 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. The exhibit, as they start their celebratory year, is entitled “Restoring the Past” and will take you on a journey of the restoration history of the structures that you see on the Ranch which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And this year, they have an extra attraction to help you know more about the history of the buildings!
------Due to a grant from the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation, they have designed and installed 8 interpretive signs at the Ranch buildings so that you can learn about this wonderful place of history even when Society volunteers are not on property.
------In addition to the exhibit at the Museum, they are offering two gentle one-hour long walking tours of the Ranch on September 6. Their volunteer naturalist, Paul Canez, will guide visitors around the grounds and share facts and stories about the unique desert environment. You will be introduced to the Heritage Garden, planted and cared for by Society volunteers, to learn about the plants that are currently being grown and which have sustained indigenous people for thousands of years. See how they produced and stored food and understand how they lived, survived, and even thrived in our amazing desert.
------Enjoy a trip through the Heirloom Farmers’ Market (under a new ramada with misters!) and then meander south to see the exhibit in the Pusch House Museum (air conditioned!) and bring some water and close toed shoes to walk with Paul around the grounds at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Isn’t that a great way to spend the first September Saturday?
------Tours of the Museum and the walk-about are complimentary with donations gratefully accepted as we all work together to keep Oro Valley history alive!
| | OOROO opening sixth shop at Wetmore; event Sept. 5 | | |
------OOROO Auto is opening its sixth shop.
------The Oro Valley-based business is inviting guests to the grand opening of OOROO Auto Wetmore on Friday, Sept. 5, from noon to 2 p.m. at 765 Wetmore.
------It’s OOROO’s first ground-up shop, located at Wetmore and First behind Starbucks, and just minutes from the Catalina Foothills.
------“Tucson neighbors, we heard your requests for a more centralized OOROO location,” an announcement said.
------Guests at the grand opening can enjoy food, live music and giveaways. ------The first 6 guests receive a free 1-year subscription to the Happy Car Club. The next 6 guests get a certificate for an oil change.
------OOROO’s auto team is growing; talented technicians and mechanics are welcome to apply. The website is oorooauto.com.
| | After-school pickleball Mondays at Oro Valley community center | | |
------After-school pickleball is coming to Oro Valley.
------Students in grades K-8 are invited to play Monday afternoons from 3 to 4, or from 4 to 5, at the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, 10555 N. La Canada.
------The price for each student is $60 per month. Paddles, pickleballs and gear are provided; “just bring sneakers and water,” an invitation said.
------Frank Barletta, co-founder of Chamber member Savvy, is helping promote the activity to parents and kids. Savvy is an AI-powered cybersecurity and managed IT solutions business.
------“Pickleball is more than a sport – it’s a fun, accessible way for kids to learn essential life skills while staying active,” the invitation said.
------To learn more or to sign up, click here.
| | Vendors sought for OVPD's Night Out, Safe Treats event | | |
------Businesses and vendors are needed for an Oro Valley Police Department doubleheader – National Night Out and Halloween Safe Treats.
------The combined event is Friday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Chamber member Walmart Supercenter, 2150 E. Tangerine in Oro Valley Marketplace.
------Co-sponsors are the Lisa Bayless Team at Long Realty, and Waste Management, along with generous support from Walmart, Tucson Electric Power, Sunstate Equipment, Southwest Gas Corporation, and Pima Federal Credit Union.
------“Your continued support is what makes this event a community cornerstone,” said Officer Manny Guerrero, the newly appointed community resource special events coordinator for OVPD.
------Last year, more than 6,000 people attended, “and this year, we’re aiming even higher,” he said. “With your help, we’re creating a night full of safety, smiles, and sugar rushes for families across Oro Valley.”
------Costumes are encouraged. There’ll be K9 demonstrations, a helicopter, food trucks and music. Oh, and candy and prizes, of course.
------Registration forms are available by emailing mguerrero@orovalleyaz.gov.
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The Senior Services Collaborative Monthly Meeting is a gathering that brings together local organizations and service providers to share resources, discuss challenges, and collaborate on innovative solutions. Each meeting typically features guest speakers presenting on relevant topics and open discussions aimed at fostering partnerships and improving access to services for seniors. It's a great opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and collectively work towards creating a more supportive environment for each other and our senior clients.
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Please join us for the Gen Z Committee meeting! Are you Gen Z and wanting to make friends and business connections that are your age? Please join us for a fun hour of connection after work. Everyone (under 30) is welcome to attend!
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Join us for a morning mixer before you head into the office and get the chance to learn from and grow with other community members. Kinghorn Law will provide some breakfast treats and coffee from Al Gusto Coffee. There's no better way to start your Friday!
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Jane Shurtleff will teach us how to optimize our Google Profiles. A Google Business Profile is an easy and free way for your nonprofit organization to get found in internet searches and expand its visibility. In this session, you will learn how to create a Google Business Profile and track its success.
Jane Shurtleff, is the Communications and Programs Chair of the Rotary Club of Oro Valley and has set up Google Business Profiles for both her club and the Southern Arizona Rotary District 5500.
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New Member Orientation
Free to attend, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
10000 N. Oracle Rd.
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Join us for New Member Orientation, our quarterly Chamber gathering and refresher hosted by Gold member the El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort. It’s FREE!
We do limit attendance to 25. Come, learn about the Chamber, refresh your membership, meet some people, and enjoy complimentary coffee and breakfast bites courtesy of the El Conquistador Tucson.
| | Enjoy these ads. Click on them for more! | | To secure your free booth at this event, contact Ofc. Manny Guerrero, special events coordinator with the Oro Valley Police Department. | | Interested in High-Level Membership? Email Leah for more information! | | |
Executive Committee
Chair: Ron Arenas, Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing
Vice Chair: Susan Swan, Swan Pilates
Secretary: Zoe Burcham, Kinghorn Law | Financial
Treasurer: Mary Schulz, Schulz Financial Group
Board Members
Bruce Barnett, Pima Federal Credit Union
Cody Barnhart, Oro Valley Hospital
Lisa Bayless, The Lisa Bayless Team at Long Realty
Lydia Camarillo, Golder Ranch Fire District
Shelby Francom, El Conquistador Tucson A Hilton Resort
Renee McCuistion, America First Credit Union
Maria Parham, Splendido at Rancho Vistoso
Don Pearson, Roche Tissue Diagnostics
James Piper, Piper Family Painting
Rick Price, The Views Golf
Emma Reyes, Republic Services
Brian Stewart, Pima Community College
Ex-Officio: Paul Melcher, Town of Oro Valley
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President & CEO
Kristen Sharp
Business Development Director
Leah Bahan
Events and Communications Director
Makenna Markley
Member Engagement Director
Joni Bates
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