Arizona

Selling Arizona – Flagstaff Business News

Published

1 week ago

November 14, 2024

Selling Arizona – Flagstaff Business News

Visitors want to experience how Arizonans live; winemakers are ready to show them.

“Arizona is loved by many, but a lot of it is also largely unknown,” said Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) Director Lisa Urias in her keynote presentation at the Fall Tourism Forum, hosted by NACOG (Northern Arizona Council of Governments), on Thursday, Oct. 10, in Camp Verde. “A lot of people don’t understand the full breadth of what Arizona has to offer.”

To change that, she discussed how AOT is considering ways to secure more funding for tourism promotion. She also revealed Arizona’s refreshed brand, which was released earlier this year, designed to better communicate the state’s “majestic beauty, vibrant culture and abundant diversity.”

AOT crafted the brand by traveling hundreds of miles across Arizona and asking more than 2,000 Arizonans in 57 communities what they love about their part of the state. “Arizonans built and own this story about who we are, what we hold dear and what we want amplified,” said Urias. “Every Arizonan can see a piece of themselves in the new brand.”

The chosen color palette includes turquoise, copper, desert sage, pine green, sunset magenta and warm sand. The ponderosa pine signifies Northern Arizona, the saguaro represents Central Arizona, and the hummingbird stands for Southern Arizona and its desert wildflowers, she said.

Drawing from 2023 statistics, Urias gave these reasons for updating the brand: Arizona has 45.2 million overnight visitors annually; direct travel spending by visitors adds up to $29.3 billion; $4.2 billion is generated in taxes from visitor spending; and some 187,000 jobs are supported by tourism directly, while another 300,000 are supported by tourism indirectly.

Speaking to Northern Arizona business owners and community leaders who want to encourage and enhance tourism, Urias listed tourists’ top choices for visiting the state: the outdoors, entertainment, cultural experiences and sporting activities. “Visitors want to experience life the way you live it,” she said.

As if answering the AOT call for sharing their lifestyle, Verde Valley winemakers discussed how Arizona vineyards have burst onto the tourism scene in a big way with tours and tasting rooms.

“People like to see where wine was made,” said Tom Pitts, founding president of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium. “You talk about the place, not the grape,” he said, noting that people won’t remember the particular grape grown, but will remember the region where the vineyards are, citing examples such as Bordeaux and Champagne, in France.

The economic impact of Arizona’s rapidly expanding wine industry, which now is pouring onto the global wine-loving scene, has grown more than 500% since 2011, according to a recent study conducted for AOT by the Economic Policy Institute at Northern Arizona University.

“The tremendous growth of Arizona’s wine industry can be attributed to several factors, including promoting the state’s unique grape-growing regions, development of Arizona’s wine-industry workforce, the proliferation of tasting rooms and visit-ready vineyards, and increasing promotion of Arizona wine country tourism experiences by AOT and others,” states an AOT news release.

“I believe we can grow any grape on the planet in Arizona,” said Eric Glomski of Page Springs Cellars, noting the many micro zones and opportunities across the state. “The majority of people, even in Arizona, don’t know that Arizona’s wines are world class.”

Ginger Mackenzie, owner of Vino Zona with wine tasting locations in Jerome, Sedona and Cottonwood, expressed the joy of promoting the pioneer spirit of Arizona’s wine industry. “We get to be ambassadors for Arizona wines!” she said.

Forest Service representatives also spoke at the forum, sharing their efforts to enhance tourism experiences. “Recreation is the portal for understanding and caring for natural resources and public lands,” said Tom Palmer of the Prescott National Forest.

Forum attendees also heard tips and strategies from members of the news media about how to promote their communities, attractions and businesses.

“One of the biggest takeaways from the media panel were the comments from reporters and editors about being approachable and wanting to hear story ideas from the community,” said Discover Flagstaff Media Relations and Marketing Project Manager Ryan Randazzo. “Sometimes it can be a little intimidating reaching out to the media, but the fact that they took time away from covering news to be there in person and encourage people in rural Arizona to pitch them stories shows they are committed to finding the best stories for their audiences.”

NACOG-Economic Workforce Development Regional Director Teri Drew called the forum “an overwhelming success,” showcasing the Economic Development Council’s dedication to Northern Arizona’s thriving tourism sector.

“Attendees from four counties – Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Yavapai – expressed positive feedback, appreciating the chance to connect directly with media contacts, like Quad Cities Business News, as well as gain insights from top industry leaders,” said Drew. “With dynamic discussions on sustainable tourism, state and regional collaboration, a media panel, AOT, a wine panel and forest industry initiatives, the forum delivered both practical takeaways and an energizing impact.”

The Fall Tourism Forum was sponsored in part by Flagstaff Business News. FBN

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Business owners like “Big Mike,” of Route 66 Road Relics in Seligman, engaged with the media panel about promoting businesses and communities in rural Arizona.

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Arizona

Two Cubs Prospects Earn High Marks for Their Arizona Fall League Performance

Published

41 mins ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Two Cubs Prospects Earn High Marks for Their Arizona Fall League Performance

The Arizona Fall League gives organizations a chance to see how some of their prospects might look when facing other stars in pipelines around the league, and for the Chicago Cubs who have a loaded farm system, this allowed them to formulate a plan for a group of their minor leaguers.

Things seem to be brewing for the Cubs this winter.

Unlike last year, they have been aggressive in the early portion of the offseason, already making trades to upgrade their bullpen by acquiring Eli Morgan, and giving themselves a solid backup catcher by landing Matt Thaiss from the Los Angeles Angels.

More moves are expected to come for Chicago, specifically regarding their starting rotation.

By adding a reliever and backstop with early trades, that allows them to hold onto some of the money they allocated to potentially get this done in free agency.

However, shipping out more talent is something they might continue to do.

Someone they could potentially look to move coming off his good showing at the Arizona Fall League is Jonathon Long.

When sharing some final thoughts on what occurred at this year’s AFL, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic gave high marks for two Cubs prospects who competed in this event, Long being one of them.

He followed up his strong Double-A season with an eye-catching performance in the Arizona Fall League by slashing 338/.425/.662 with six home runs.

Long could become an outfield option for Chicago down the line, but with other more heralded prospects who play his same position, he could be expendable as the front office searches for ways to improve their Major League roster.

The other player who received high marks shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Moises Ballesteros continues his ascent, following up his breakout performance in 2024 with a .316/.376/.557 slash line, five homers and four doubles in his 19 AFL games.

There was some thought he could be the backup catcher for the Cubs next season based on their need for offensive output at that position, but there are still questions about how he performs on the defensive end that could cause them to use him elsewhere while he continues to develop.

Still, he was impressive with the bat in his hand, prompting Lockard to state he “continues to look like a potential middle-of-the-order fixture.”

Whether it’s at designated hitter or he does become Chicago’s catcher of the future eventually, knowing he has this ability to be an elite offensive producer when he gets the call to The Show should excite the organization and fanbase.

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Arizona State could push Big 12 title chase to final weekend

Published

9 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Arizona State could push Big 12 title chase to final weekend

TEMPE, AZ (AP/AZFamily) — The Arizona State Sun Devils are set for a huge matchup this weekend when they host the BYU Cougars at Mountain America Stadium.

Saturday’s game in Tempe will have massive implications in the Big 12 Conference with multiple teams chasing a title game appearance.

A win over the 14th-ranked Cougars would massively boost title game hopes for the 21st-ranked Sun Devils. Ticket prices have been soaring for the highly anticipated conference game.

Arizona State Head Coach Kenny Dillingham joined Good Morning Arizona on Thursday to talk about the team’s expectation-busting season. Watch the full interview in the video player at the top of this page.

Things to watch this week in the Big 12 Conference:

Game of the week

No. 14 BYU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12, No. 14 CFP) at No. 21 Arizona State (8-2, 5-2, No. 21), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

League newcomer Arizona State has a three-game winning streak and BYU is coming off its first loss. The Cougars, after losing at home to Kansas, still control their own destiny in making the Big 12 championship game. They can clinch a spot in that Dec. 7 game as early as Saturday, if they win and instate rival Utah wins at home against No. 22 Iowa State.

Arizona State was picked at the bottom of the 16-team league in the preseason media poll, but already has a five-win improvement in coach Dillingham’s second season.

The undercard

No. 16 Colorado (8-2, 6-1, No. 16 CFP) at Kansas (4-6, 3-4), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Fox)

Coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes are in prime position to make the Big 12 title game in their return to the league after 13 seasons in the Pac-12. If BYU and Utah win, Colorado would be able to claim the other title game spot with a win over Kansas. The Buffs have a four-game winning streak.

The Jayhawks need another November win over a ranked Big 12 contender while trying to get bowl eligible for the third season in a row. Kansas has won consecutive games over Top 25 teams for the first time in school history, knocking off Iowa State before BYU.

Impact players

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht has thrown a touchdown in a school-record 14 consecutive games, while receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both have more than 800 yards receiving. San Jose State is the only other FBS team with a pair of 800-yard receivers. Becht has 2,628 yards and 17 touchdowns passing for the Cyclones (8-2, 5-2), who are still in Big 12 contention.

Inside the numbers

Oklahoma State goes into its home finale against Texas Tech with a seven-game losing streak, its longest since a nine-game skid from 1977-78. The only longer winless streak since was an 0-10-1 season in 1991. This is Mike Gundy’s 20th season as head coach, and his longest losing streak before now was five in a row in 2005, his first season and the last time the Cowboys didn’t make a bowl game. … Baylor plays at Houston for the first time since 1995, the final Southwest Conference season. The Cougars won last year in the only meeting since to even the series 14-14-1. … Eight Big 12 teams are bowl eligible. As many as six more teams could reach six wins.

Repeating 1,000

The Big 12 already has four 1,000-yard rushers, including three who did it last season. UCF’s RJ Harvey is the league’s top rusher (1,328 yards) and top scorer with 21 touchdowns (19 rushing/two receiving). The others with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons are Texas Tech career rushing leader Tahj Brooks (1,184 yards) and Kansas State’s DJ Giddens (1,128 yards). Cam Skattebo with league newcomer Arizona State has 1,074 yards.

Devin Neal, the career rushing leader at his hometown university, is 74 yards shy of being the first Kansas player with three 1,000-yard seasons. Cincinnati’s Corey Kiner needs 97 yards to reach 1,000 again.

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Arizona

What BYU coach Kalani Sitake said about Arizona State game

Published

16 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

What BYU coach Kalani Sitake said about Arizona State game

BYU’s stock plummeted this week.

After suffering a 17-13 loss to Kansas — their first loss of the season — the Cougars dropped from No. 6 to No. 14 in the College Football Playoff Rankings and into a tie with Colorado for first place in the Big 12.

And now they’re 3.5-point underdogs to Arizona State (8-2) in arguably the biggest game on the college football schedule this weekend. The winner will be in the pole position for a berth in the Big 12 championship game; the loser will be all but eliminated.

BYU coach Kalani Sitake knows anything can happen in the Big 12, and the Cougars are still very much alive for a berth in the College Football Playoff.

“You look at the conference, there’s a lot of parity … anyone has a shot,” Sitake said during his weekly press conference.

Here is a snapshot of what Sitake said ahead of BYU’s game with Arizona State:

Sitake on ASU Coach Kenny Dillingham

“Kenny Dillingham is a really good coach. I have a lot of respect for him and the way he coaches his team. You can tell he’s got a great connection with his players, and he’s a local kid so he’s from that area. He grew up an ASU fan and knows what that program can do. … I think he did it the right way bringing in a lot of local staff. … I know a lot of guys on his coaching staff. They’re really good coaches, good men.

“Looking at the talent that they have, it’s a difficult matchup. You have to be ready. We’re going on the road. We already know the time for that game and that it will be a little better weather than what we have here [in Provo]. Looking forward to the matchup. I think the goal is for us, like we said every week, stay humble, stay hungry and find ways to get better.”

Sitake on ASU Quarterback Sam Leavitt

“Really good player. He comes from a good family. He’s super athletic. He can run, he’s got an accurate arm. I think he’s got a great football IQ. He’s dangerous. He’s got a lot of football to play. I think he he saw some opportunities over there at ASU and you look at him, he’s thriving in it. He’s going to be a difficult matchup for us for sure. But man, it’s good to see good young men that you know are from amazing families get what they want. He’s doing some really cool things and he’s going to be doing really good things for a long time becauase I think he’s only a freshman right now. The sky’s the limit for him. Hopefully we just don’t see that great ‘sky limit’ performance this weekend.”

Sitake on BYU’s Recent Offensive Struggles

“There’s a fine line between it all … the key to execution is just eliminating the mistakes. There shouldn’t be any mistakes. Whether it’s alignment issues or technique issues or even running the wrong route or not doing the correct assignment. So all that should be cleaned up. But there’s also some room for improvement where you can actually install some stuff. You want to have a foundation of stuff that you’re good at and that you could lean on, but that’s the stuff that everybody knows is coming. So we have to have that and you have to have a little bit of install that gives you the favorable matchup, depending on who you’re going against.”

“That’s what we’re trying to get done. Obviously it’s worked quite a bit, and the offense they’re getting in the red zone. We’ve just got to score touchdowns. It’s hard to get in the red zone and only kick field goals. Even though you have a good kicker like Will Ferrin you’re going to need to score points and score touchdowns and finish the drives. It gives you a little bit more motivation and a little bit more ‘umph’ when you’re trying to get it done, so that’s what we’re focusing on.”