North Scottsdale chamber hails growing numbers

The North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce held its first ribboncutting Friday, celebrating the relocation of DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management to its new home in the Scottsdale Airpark.

In just 120 days, the new chamber has recruited more than 150 members. Compared to the firmly established Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2,000 business members, the north Scottsdale chamber is small, but growing quickly, said president Don Rice.

“We’ve proven there’s a need and an interest, and it’s growing daily,” he said.

Rice and business associates began to establish the north Scottsdale chamber in November when they realized the need for a group that would unify the area’s businesses and community. They launched the chamber in January.

Although the Scottsdale area chamber has served the city for 60 years, growth and expansion has made it difficult for north Scottsdale businesses to stay connected with those in older parts of the city, Rice said.

The relationship between the two chambers is amicable, and competition for members shouldn’t create difficulties, he adds. Rice points out that Phoenix also has a north Phoenix chamber in addition to the greater area chamber.

The Scottsdale area chamber also doesn’t perceive problems with competition.

“We are supportive of what the north Scottsdale chamber is trying to accomplish. They’re not a threat in any way,” said Suzanne Walden-Wells, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We have an inclusive attitude, and if there’s an opportunity to collaborate, we’re certainly open with that.”

Collaboration may be possible in the future, Rice said. Right now, the north Scottsdale chamber is focusing on recruiting new members. A 60-day membership drive from May through the end of June will help the grassroots organization gain new allies, he added.

One of the chamber’s inaugural members, DeVry, celebrated its move Friday to the Allied Waste corporate center on Scottsdale Road and Allied Way. Joining the north Scottsdale chamber made perfect sense for DeVry, said Carol Lewis, the center’s dean.

“This area is so viable and growing,” she said. “I felt that specializing in this area would put us in touch, and give us a better feel for the needs of the new companies that are coming in over the next couple of years. We want to be very responsive to our neighbors in the airpark.”

DeVry’s Keller School also joined the Scottsdale area chamber.

In addition to uniting businesses, the north Scottsdale chamber plans on making charitable donations and bringing neighbors together.

“In a way, we want to do the complete opposite of what a chamber normally does,” Rice said, adding that ideas include holding community get-togethers with a focus on fun instead of business.