Together with the governor’s office and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Arizona Commerce Authority hosted the Arizona Tech Innovation Summit last month to discuss the state with leading professionals and investors.

This summit comes after the “tireless work of Governor Doug Ducey to attract innovative companies from around the country to grow and expand in our great state,” Glenn Hamer wrote on the Arizona Chamber website.

“A fireside chat between Gov. Ducey and Arizona State University President Dr. Michael Crow showcased Arizona as a state that’s open for business and that is producing graduates ready to fill the talent pipeline for tomorrow’s jobs,” Hamer wrote.

To advance the state economically, leaders discussed the importance of adding new “cutting-edge research facilities.”

“More than ever, innovation is the key to economic prosperity,” Hamer said.

Previously, Arizona was heavily involved in infrastructure that allowed for “short-term benefits,” but now leaders want lasting benefits.

“It’s time to update, upgrade and unleash our innovation footprint.”

Hamer said companies are already looking to Arizona to host.

“Some of the world’s most successful companies already know what we have to offer and they want more of it. Intel, Raytheon and a host of others are making billion dollar investments in Arizona,” he wrote.