Business to Business network Arizona-Mexico Small and Medium Sized Business Connections - Thunderbird School – Leverage technology to inform MAG business community – Explore development of B2B digital platform – Encourage companies to upload content – High importance to small and medium sized businesses Similarities to Made in NY Digital Map (mappedinNY.com)

Importance of SMEs Largest sector in Maricopa County – 95% employers – 55% employees (jobs) Employer Size (# of Employees) 45,700 Employers 1,454,000 Employees * Regional employment for 2012 includes employers with 5 or more employees per location Source: MAG Employer Database 2012

Connect - BIEN Digital Platform Design Self-reported database of businesses that operate in Arizona -Mexico- Canada Regional business databases used to generate participation - Annual update of information Data on: size, type of activity, scope of operations, point of contact Customized search – spatial or parametric Encourages development of direct connections

Connect - BIEN Search Location (spatial) or attribute search (name, business activity) Search results counted and displayed by activating category filters Built on Google maps Display each business location Updates with zoom level Icons based on primary categorization

Statewide Partnerships and Outreach – An Ongoing Effort Chambers of Commerce - Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Glendale Chamber of Commerce - Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce - Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce - Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce/AZ-Sonora Business Resource Guide Council of Governments/Metropolitan Planning Organizations - PAG- MAG- SEAGO - NACOG Business/Industry Organizations - Arizona Small Business Association- East Valley Partnership - WESTMARC

Connect - BIEN Next Steps Continue making improvements based on discussions with ED and industry experts Engage Council of Governments/MPOs statewide to lead effort locally and engage businesses in regions throughout state Presentations to Chambers of Commerce, trade associations, events Develop communications and marketing strategy (Linked In, Twitter, print, B2B partnerships Develop comprehensive “How To” roadmap in cooperation with other agencies for a One Stop Shop resources page to assist companies interested in exporting/importing