From the January 26, 2001 print edition

Tempe Tech Oasis plans national branding promo

Randi Weinstein

Tempe Tech Oasis members are planning a Tech Oasis Summit next month to talk about ways to promote the Valley as a national technology center.

Organizers want to develop a national branding campaign for the Tech Oasis concept. The goal is to have printed literature and other information that local technology companies can take to trade shows and that economic development groups can use to recruit new businesses to the Valley, said Jan Schaefer, economic development director for the city of Tempe.

"We want to get the word out on technology here, opportunities here and the growth that has taken place here," Schaefer said. "We're also looking at broadening the idea of what technology is. It's not just startup dot-coms."

The summit is a preliminary meeting that will include members of selected businesses, universities, city governments and economic development organizations.

Tech Oasis has yet to determine a budget for the branding campaign.