About Valley Forward :: 2006 Highlights

Endorsed "Conserving Arizona's Future," a state trust land reform package on the 2006 general election ballot and provided community outreach advocating for its passage.
Began second phase of advocacy for "The Valley's Pedestrian Freeway - A Priceless Necklace of Trails and Gems." Designed a trails Passport and retained a consultant to enhance Valley Forward's website utilizing Google Earth technology as next steps in advocating for completion of the regional trails system; rollout is slated for 2007.
Helped present "Walk the Vision," a three-mile hike within the Agua Fria riverbed, sponsored by the Friends of the West Valley Recreation.

Photo Credit: Magill Weber

WATER COMMITTEE

Published "Valley Forward's Top 10 Reasons Why the Valley Has the Best Managed Water Supply in the Southwest" and released it at a luncheon featuring Herb Guenther, director of the Arizona Water Department of Water Resources.
Assisted the Greater Phoenix Economic Council in developing an educational resource on water issues.
Provided educational outreach on water management issues through radio and print media interviews, as well as through organizational publications. Began efforts to provide more comprehensive information on water issues through Valley Forward's website.
Conference Co-convener: University of Arizona's 2006 Annual Water Conference.

TRANSPORTATION/AIR COMMITTEE

Presented "Valley Forward's Getting Ready for Rail Forums" to help businesses along the Valley's LRT system gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Partnered with The Business Journal, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Phoenix Community Alliance, East Valley Partnership, Tempe Chamber of Commerce and Valley Partnership to promote the benefits of Light Rail Transit and regional cooperation.
Assembled a group of experts on particulate matter to discuss a Valley Forward work plan around air quality initiatives; opened a dialogue with Maricopa County to support its upcoming public awareness campaign on air quality.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Recruited a new title sponsor, Freescale Semiconductor, to join in presenting "Valley Forward's EarthFest Educators Night" at the Phoenix Zoo to a record 300 K-12 teachers; featured more than 50 exhibits showcasing resources for teaching about the environment and produced an Environmental Education Took Kit giveaway.
Announced Valley Forward's EarthFest Education Grant, made possible by STMicroelectronics for the second consecutive year, allowing Arizona teachers in K-12 to apply for up to $5,000 in funding.
Sponsored a conference by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and ASU on "The Role of Higher Education in Creating a Sustainable World."
Participated in the Arizona Crossroads Summit presented by the Arizona Association for Environmental Education.
Promoted Valley Forward's Online Environmental Resource Directory to Arizona teachers, which features nearly 50 programs, activities and curriculum offered by association members.

EVENT COMMITTEES

VALLEY FORWARD'S LIVABILITY SUMMIT

Attracted more than 250 community leaders to "Valley Forward's Livability Summit," a half-day conference promoting sustainable communities featuring Christine Todd Whitman and Joel Garreau.
Developed a presentation on our region's growth - "Maricopa County from 1970 to 2006 and into the Future" - featuring an aerial flyover using new technology by Landiscor Aerial.
Facilitated a panel discussion moderated by Ned Foster, of KTAR 620 Newsradio and featuring local and national smart growth experts.
Hosted more than 50 exhibits on local livability initiatives, wall maps tracing growth patterns, as well as data on transportation, land use planning and water management.
Presented Valley Forward's Livable Communities Award at the 2006 Future City Competition - Phoenix Region.

2006 Livability Summit Speakers

ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Presented Valley Forward's 26th annual Environmental Excellence Awards gala, held in partnership with SRP, and the most successful in the organization's history.
Recognized 37 projects submitted by Valley businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations for significant contributions to the environment.

37TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Jared Diamond

Pulitzer Prize Winning author Jared Diamond, a world renowned scientist and acclaimed educator presented the keynote address on December 1 at The Arizona Biltmore.
Received widespread attention in both print and broadcast media.

ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES

Valley Forward has the largest membership revenue base today than at any time in the past decade, with over 250 public and private sector member organizations representing over 100,000 Valley employees.
Increased new member retention from 63% in 2005 to almost 90% in 2006, the second year of a two-year dues restructuring program.
Boasted more Visionary members than ever before, with APS, Honeywell, Intel Corporation, SRP, STMicroelectronics and Wells Fargo providing significant corporate support.
Exceeded revenue projections and broke attendance records for every event through November 2006, with the 37th Annual Luncheon in December on track to do the same.
Celebrated the 15th employment anniversary of Valley Forward's President and Vice President, promoted the Executive Assistant to Communications Director and re-hired VFA's 2004 Membership Director. Began efforts to hire an Executive Assistant, which will increase staff to its largest size.
Achieved virtually all objectives in the 2006 Strategic Plan.
Produced and distributed a quarterly newsletter with more sponsors support than ever before, a Membership Directory and an Annual Report.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Board of Directors: Friends of the West Valley Recreation Corridor.
Memberships: Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Phoenix Community Alliance, Society of Marketing Professionals and Valley Partnership.
Supported: Phoenix bond package on the municipal ballot in March featuring seven initiatives for infrastructure improvements, parks and open space, and education; Endorsed the final Environmental Impact Study for renovations to Sky Harbor International Airport; Advocated for the extension of Salt River restoration via Rio Salado Oeste.
Hosted with Intel Corporation: A meeting of international dignitaries through the World Affairs Council of Arizona as part of an informational exchange on sustainable development.
Presented: A successful "Just For The Fun Of It" Member Mixer at EDAW.
Featured: An informational breakfast for local PR professionals to enhance awareness of Valley Forward and promote membership within their client base.
Exhibited: Black Board of Director's Annual Fair.
Workshop Co-convener: Creating Vibrant Communities - Redeveloping Arizona's Brownfields.
Won the 2006 "Award of Distinction" from AIA Arizona, a component of the American Institute of Architects, for contributing to the understanding of architecture in the state.
Won a Desert Peaks Award from the Maricopa Association of Governments for helping to create the Phoenix Rio Salado project.
Commissioned a series of public surveys through WestGroup Research on growth and promoted results through a targeted media relations program.
Publicized the organization, its members, staff and issues with support from a professional public relations firm and internal PR Task Force.