Local First Arizona’s Good Business Summit Goes Virtual, To Report on the State of Small Business and How We Rebuild Stronger, More Equitable Communities

Experts to discuss the future of small business and more in a 3-day virtual conference

PHOENIX (March 8, 2021) — Local First Arizona will host the 3rd Annual Arizona Good Business Summit (AZGBS) virtually on April 20-22, 2021. The 3-day digital conference will convene over 500 businesses and community leaders to examine economic and societal issues that shook communities everywhere in 2020 — and discuss solutions for them. From social justice to environmental action, small businesses lead the way in transformative systems change by redefining what it means to do “good business,” and the AZGBS will spotlight those leading the charge through innovative business models.

“Arizona is a small business state, and a robust recovery will be dependent on local leaders demanding more than just getting back to business as usual,” says Thomas Barr, Vice President of Business Development at Local First Arizona. “This pandemic has made the disparities in our country ever so clear, and we are looking forward to an exchange of ideas on how we revive our economy and build a stronger, more vibrant state.”

Each day of the Arizona Good Business Summit will focus on a specific theme:

Apr. 20 | The State of Small Business: Keynote Address by Kimber Lanning, CEO of Local First Arizona. Panel discussions featuring business leaders from Changing Hands Bookstore, Co + Hoots, and Project Equity.

Apr. 21 | The Business Case for Social Justice: Keynote Address by Rodney Foxworth, Chief Executive Officer at Common Future. Panel discussions featuring business leaders from Goodmans Furniture, Equality Arizona, Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals and Valley Leadership.

Apr. 22 | (Earth Day) Environmental Action: Keynote Address by Vincent Stanley, Director at Patagonia and co-author of “The Responsible Company.” Panel discussions featuring business leaders from Arizona Thrives, Arizona Wilderness Brewing, Nature Conservancy, and Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability.

“As a champion of Local First Arizona’s work I am honored to participate in this year’s summit. As we revive from the pandemic, businesses of all sizes have a unique opportunity to connect to the community and be a good local force in the face of our common, ongoing social and environmental challenges,” says Vincent Stanley, Director of Patagonia. “I look forward to sharing with you Patagonia’s stories and strategies for doing good business and good work in the decade ahead.”

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