East Valley, AZ – After a Tri-City economic development update on January 16, 2025, the Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Chambers of Commerce are joining forces again for a business and education summit, featuring generational speaker Mark Perna.
Officially titled ‘The Future of Work: Strategies for Success,’ this $15 workshop teaches businesses how to collaborate with Gen Z employees and how to foster workforce development opportunities in Gen Alpha.
“The annual Business and Education Summit has become a cornerstone event for fostering collaboration between the business and education sectors in Gilbert. This summit continues to provide a vital platform for meaningful dialogue, innovative problem-solving, and the creation of actionable strategies that benefit our students, workforce, and community. The success of this event is a testament to the commitment of our participants, who bring diverse perspectives and a shared vision for building a stronger, more connected future. Together, we are ensuring that Gilbert remains a leader in cultivating opportunities for growth, education, and economic prosperity,” said Sarah Watts, President & CEO, Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.
Mark Perna will provide this year’s keynote address: “Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations.” A best-selling author and expert on the younger generations, Mark has dedicated his career to empowering employers, educators, and parents to understand and unleash their full potential.
Interactive workshops will follow, with topics ranging from childcare, to successful ways that businesses can collaborate with East Valley schools, to what Gen Z looks for in a job.
“Bringing education and workforce development together is crucial for the East Valley’s economic success. By aligning our schools’ educational programs with industry needs, we ensure that our students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in a competitive marketplace and help us attract and retain businesses,” said Chris Clark, President and CEO, Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce.
This is the Gilbert Chamber’s annual summit, with last year’s event exploring a day in the life of an East Valley business, teacher, and student. Each section included a video created by Jonason Pauley, videographer at Gilbert Public Schools, and Adele Johns, student videographer at ASU Preparatory Academy. After these videos, Dr. Shane McCord, Superintendent of Gilbert Public Schools, led a deeper discussion, providing insight from nearly three decades of work.
2025 marks the first time all three Chambers have hosted a collaborative education summit.
“Regional collaboration is a hallmark of success in Arizona and the Phoenix metropolitan area, and the Southeast Valley continues to lead by example,” said Terri Kimble, President and CEO, Chandler Chamber of Commerce. “The Chandler Chamber Community Foundation is proud to work alongside the Gilbert Chamber Community Foundation and the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce to expand workforce development efforts. By aligning our resources and vision, we’re creating pathways to success for businesses.”
The $15 Business & Education Summit is from 7:30 am to 9:30 am on Friday, February 21st, 2025 at Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Agave Hall (2626 E Pecos Rd, Chandler, AZ 85225). For tickets, visit GilbertChamber.com.
