Annual awards breakfast 8/13; nominate a member!

  a Nominations are open for annual awards presented by your Chamber.

  a Forms are online; click here.

  a Nominations are needed for the outstanding small, midsize, large and nonprofit business or organization, as well as for the Chamber’s Community Leader and Legacy Awards. They’re due by Friday, July 5.

  a The Chamber’s 2024 annual meeting and awards breakfast is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Platinum member El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort.

  a Anyone with questions may contact Leah Noreng at the Chamber office, 520-297-2191, or by emailing leah@orovalleychamber.com.

'Beyond Banks' workshop set Tuesday, 5/14 at OV town hall

  a A free workshop, “Beyond Banks: Alternative Avenues to Business Financing,” is being presented by the Town of Oro Valley and StartUp Tucson on Tuesday, May 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Oro Valley Town Hall.

  a A virtual option is also available.

  a The presenter is Danny Knee, executive director of Community Investment Corporation, a Tucson nonprofit that finds financing for small businesses and nonprofits.

  a People with business ties to Oro Valley are welcome to attend. To register, click here.

Comment now on county's 5-year transportation plan

  a A 30-day comment period is open now on Pima County’s draft 2025-’29 Transportation Improvement Program.

  a Comments are being accepted by the Pima Association of Governments, the greater Tucson region’s federally required metropolitan planning organization.

  a To read the document, click here.

  a The five-year program allocates available federal, state and local funding, including 2006 voter-approved Regional Transportation Authority funds, for transportation improvement projects in the greater Tucson region during fiscal years 2025-2029. To comment click here.

SunVan accepting comments aimed toward its improvement

  a SunVan, which provides free transportation services across Greater Tucson for people with special needs, is in the midst of a comprehensive operational analysis.

  a The public is invited to comment by completing a survey before the close of business Friday, May 17. To access the survey, click here.

  a An analysis of SunVan’s service, policies and procedures is being conducted with an eye toward “potential improvements,” according to an invitation.

  a “Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of Sun Van and ensuring that Sun Van continues to meet the transportation needs of our diverse community,” the invitation said.

  a To learn more, visit Suntran.com/sunvancoa, or watch one of the previous recorded virtual public meeting on Sun Tran’s YouTube @SunTranTucson.

Unlock the Potential of AI for your business with upcoming webinar

  a The Chamber Alliance of Southern Arizona, made up of ten Chambers representing southern Arizona, is thrilled to invite you to a free webinar titled "Demystifying AI: Insights for Small and Large Businesses in Southern Arizona". This session is meticulously designed to help businesses of all sizes harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence.

  a The webinar will be hosted Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 8:30-9:30 a.m. virtually.

  a Artificial Intelligence is changing the business landscape. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, or boost your revenue, AI has a solution for you. 

Led by Zach Giglio from GCM—a leader in leveraging AI to empower businesses—this webinar will provide you with practical tools and insights to integrate AI into your business effectively.

  a Highlights of the Webinar:

• Understand the basics of AI and how it can impact your business.
• Learn about specific AI tools that are easy to implement and yield immediate benefits.
• Hear real-world success stories from businesses that have successfully adopted AI.
• Explore strategies to overcome common challenges in AI adoption.
• This is for businesses at any stage of their AI journey, even without technical expertise.

  a This is an invaluable opportunity to learn from the experts and see how similar businesses are transforming their operations with AI. Whether you manage a small team or oversee multiple departments, the insights from this session will help you understand and leverage AI immediately.

  a Register now by visiting the registration page here. Don’t miss this chance to give your business a competitive edge!

OV Wellness Bingo runs 5/1-15 across community

  a The inaugural Greater Oro Valley Wellness Bingo runs May 1-15.

  a Health and wellness businesses across the community have created the event as an “easy way for the community to ‘test drive’ all of the different options Oro Valley has to offer,” an invitation said.

  a “From 1-on-1 assisted stretching, sauna sessions, cryotherapy, group strength training and more, there is so much to offer right here in Oro Valley,” said Kelley Duffy of Chamber member StretchLab.

  a StretchLab, Body Fit Training, 3 Degrees, Fuchsia Day Spa, Icebox Tucson, Flourish Yoga and Nautical Bowls are joining forces in the promotion.

  a Cards, with 1 square assigned to each participating business, are available at each business, as well as at your Chamber office. Each business is offering one free service, class, session or item for a 2-week period.

  a “Participants will alert us when they have visited enough businesses and have BINGO on their card; then they will be entered into the final drawing,” Duffy said. Winners receive a grand prize – one month free at the studio of their choice.

Carbon Health, not just an Urgent Care

  a As Oro Valley’s oldest and largest operating urgent care, Carbon Health recognizes that serving our community doesn’t just look like testing for flu or by helping out the working parent with their discounted sports physicals. Business owners and operators are just as vital to their community focused mindset. That’s why they have a robust Occupational Health service line.

  a By marrying their tech focused philosophy with their workplace health expertise, they provide a second to none service with lower rates than their competitors. Their board certified team provides a swath of services including DOT physicals, immunizations, and drug tests. 

  a Their app makes it easy for you to look up your employees' results, which means no more running after employees for that negative TB test. With 10 locations across Pima county and two in Oro Valley, flexible scheduling won't be an issue with them. Using someone else? No worries! Their contract doesn't restrict you to using only them, they just know you won't want to go back to anyone else.

  a If you're interested in next steps, please reach out to Christopher Cosico, Miguel Nava, or check out their website here. 

The Play District reaches 10K, celebrates with giveaway

  a The Play District Tucson has reached 10,000 followers in Tucson! They have been working to create an authentic and supportive community of families on social media. To celebrate this milestone, they are going to run a giveaway for followers on their stories. It will take place this upcoming week and will include multiple winners, so each prize will be on each story slide and the user will need to follow the company to enter.

  a If you are interested in participating, please contact Katie Yaeli with what you would like to donate and any exceptions or rules. The better the prize, the more likely people will enter to win. To contact Katie, email katie@theplaydistrict.com.

  a You can learn more about what The Play District does by visiting their webiste at www.theplaydistrict.com.

Dream Dinners to stay open with a new owner, Stephanie Boreale

  a Dream Dinners Tucson, your locally owned meal prep solution, has a new owner.

  a She is Stephanie Boreale, a longtime customer of Dream Dinners who was “incredibly sad” when she learned in January that Dream Dinners would be closing.

  a “So, when given the opportunity to keep Dream Dinners going, I jumped at the chance,” said Stephanie, who was closing on the business sale Friday, April 26.

  a “Dream Dinners has had a powerful impact on my family over the last several years, and I credit the pre-planned menus and easy prep in reducing stress in my life, while still putting a wholesome, nutritious meal on the table for my family.” Great conversations around the dinner table are “an added bonus.”

  a Stephanie and her husband, Mike, have 2 children, Michael, 13, and Claire, 8. Mike Boreale is a longtime Chamber member and principal at the law firm Boreale Law. He has served as legal counsel for the Chamber and its Foundation for a number of years.

  a Nearly everyone from the Dream Dinners team is staying aboard, Stephanie said. Dream Dinners is closed during the transition through Friday, May 10.

  a Dream Dinners is located at 3682 W. Orange Grove, #132, Tucson, 85741. It’s at Thornydale and Orange Grove. The website is dreamdinners.com/Tucson.

Views' 'Cure for Cancer' golf event raised $55,000

  a Chamber member The Views Golf Club raised $55,000 for the University of Arizona Cancer Center at its March Cure for Cancer event.

  a “We sold the tournament out with 220 golfers,” said PGA professional and director of golf Rick Price. “Thank you to all who participated and donated to the cause.”

  a Golfers who “want to improve your game” – everyone who plays – might consider the “many teaching opportunities with our professional staff in group and private settings,” Price said. “Contact the Pro Shop for further information.”

  a The Views has new rates and membership plans for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Go to theviewsgolfclub.com.

Sugar Skulls open a 3-game homestand

  a The 2024 season is under way for the Tucson Sugar Skulls, Tucson’s Indoor Football League franchise.

  a The Sugar Skulls, a Chamber member, are 1-3 on the season. They’re at home this Saturday, April 27, for a 6:05 p.m. kickoff with the Northern Arizona Wranglers. Next up is a May 11 home contest with the Arizona Rattlers, followed by a May 18 game with the Vegas Knight Hawks.

  a All home games are in the Tucson Arena, within the Tucson Convention Center complex. Most seats are $16; click here to buy.

Pima recipient calls Cook scholarship 'great news'

  a Pima Community College student Lizette Velazquez is one of the first recipients of the Oro Valley Chamber Foundation Scholarship in honor of Marilyn and Al Cook.

  a “This is great news!” Lizette said of the award, a $1,500 scholarship spread over two semesters.

  a Lizette is from Kansas City, Mo., and graduated from high school in Olathe, Kan.

  a “This scholarship will help me greatly with school materials such as my loupes needed for me to succeed in my developing career as a dental hygienist,” Lizette said.

  a You can help change lives through your Chamber Foundation’s scholarship program. To learn more, email Kristen Sharp at kristen@orovalleychamber.com, or Dave Perry at daveperry56@yahoo.com.

OOROO celebrates 10 years in OV

  a OOROO Auto, your neighborhood auto shop, was established in Oro Valley on May 1st of 2014 and is celebrating its 10-year anniversary! OOROO invites you to celebrate with them at their Oro Valley shop (Oracle and Rancho Vistoso next to Walgreens) on Wednesday May 1st from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. There will be a short ceremony and light refreshments.

   a OOROO has provided automotive maintenance and repair services to its friends and neighbors in Oro Valley for the last 10 years. Their mobile auto repair and maintenance service is an extension of their mission to deliver "the highest level of expertise, safety, care, and convenience." They fit into their customers' busy lifestyles by providing various auto repair and maintenance services at their home or work. The mobile service vans are fully equipped "shop-on-wheels" and mobile customers enjoy everything OOROO's been known for in their shops––from honest and transparent pricing to exceptional and friendly customer service. 

   a OOROO has always worked to make a positive impact in the Oro Valley community, beyond their daily work of maintaining and repairing vehicles. Its "OOROO Cares" Program partners with community organizations to increase impact and also provides vital support to those in need, including a dedicated team member, the Community Relations Coordinator, whose sole responsibility is expanding and curating the OOROO Cares Program to make a positive impact on the community. 

   a OOROO has grown from employing 7 team members at its founding to 45 today and now has 5 locations and a mobile service in the Tucson and Phoenix markets. As it celebrates 10 years, OOROO reflects that it chose to embed the word "Oro" in its name "OOROO" (O-ORO-O) as a tribute to the mission and values it established in Oro Valley and preserves in its growing business.

Reach for the Stars' breakfast Friday, 5/3

  a Connect with top professionals, build relationships, hear success stories and support a community nonprofit on Friday, May 3, when Chamber member Reach for the Stars presents its third annual Nova Nosh Networking breakfast.

  a The event runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m. that Friday at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, 5049 E. Broadway #210 in Tucson.

  a Mandie Irby, a Tucson native and entrepreneur who owns Synergy Tax & Accounting, is the keynote speaker.

  a Tickets are $50. Sign up at tinyurl.com/rftsbreakfast2024, or go to rfstars.com

  a Reach for the Stars uses astronomy to improve the mental well-being of young people. It is “exploring the universe to heal those in it.”