Senator Kelly Building Arizona's Innovation Economy Executive Forum

Senator Kelly - NAACP East Valley - One Million Entrepreneurs - Global Chamber

Building Arizona's Innovation Economy Executive Forum

Expanding Business Opportunity in the AI + Semicon Ecosystem

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 1:30pm

The Arizona Innovation Economy & Ecosystem Executive Forum is a high-level business and industry convening designed to accelerate the participation of Arizona companies in the state’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence and semiconductor economy.

As Arizona emerges as a global leader in advanced technology and semiconductor manufacturing, the Forum will bring together business owners, industry executives, workforce leaders, educators, and ecosystem stakeholders to explore practical pathways for small business participation, workforce development, supply chain opportunities, AI adoption, investment, and strategic collaboration.

Hosted by NAACP East Valley, OneMillion Entrepreneurs, and the Global Chamber, in partnership with the office of Senator Mark Kelly, the Forum will feature Senator Kelly’s AI for America Roadmap initiative as a strategic point of reference for examining the future of work and emerging opportunities across Arizona’s innovation economy.

Through expert presentations and a moderator-facilitated Q&A Panel, the Forum will move beyond discussion to action by launching an ongoing Working Group focused on helping Arizona businesses become more prepared, connected, competitive, and positioned to participate in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.

STRATEGIC POSITIONING

The August 26 Executive Forum is designed as the beginning of an operating mechanism—not the conclusion of a single event.

The purpose of the Forum is to expand practical access to Arizona’s AI and semiconductor ecosystem by helping small businesses become more prepared, visible, and commercially relevant across procurement, supply chain, workforce, and contracting.

This first meeting is by invitation only. More will be shared at the Semicon / International State of the Metro on October 19th in City of Peoria. In meantime contact Doug Bruhnke or Jevin Hodge.

Leadership

Senator Mark Kelly

U.S. Senator for the State of Arizona.

Senator Kelly is the son of two police officers, and he attended public schools from elementary school through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. As a naval aviator, he served on the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Midway and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. Senator Kelly was later selected as an astronaut in 1996 in the same class as his twin brother Scott. He flew his first of four missions into space in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour and retired from the Navy and NASA after commanding the final flight of Endeavour in 2011. Senator Kelly was sworn into his Senate seat on December 2, 2020 to finish the term of the late Senator John McCain. He lives in Tucson with his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

About Global Chamber

Global Chamber® connects CEOs, executives, investors and industry leaders to new opportunities using an easy-to-use platform in 195 countries across 605+ chapters. We're the only chamber of commerce that delivers strategic connections and trusted resources while operating in hundreds of locations, facilitating exporting, importing, investing and growth across regions and borders.

Be global and UNSTOPPABLE!

Global Chamber® is a registered trademark of Global Chamber, LLC since 2014.