Kelowna

About 20 politicians and businesspeople will travel to sunny Arizona next week for what is being called a 'high level summit' of the Kelowna Scottsdale Business Council (KCBC).

Photo: Castanet Staff

Sheila MacKay, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane (Centre) and Scottsdale delegation member Mark Dewane at meetings in Kelowna last September

Mayor Walter Gray, Councillor Andre Blanleil and the city's  Executive Director of Business Development, Jim Paterson will all make the trip for the three day summit January 16 to 20.

The summit is a follow-up to successful meetings between business and political leaders from the two communities last year.

The initial meetings held first in Scottsdale and then in Kelowna centered around mutual cross border initiatives in recreation, hospitality, education, healthcare and property investment.

KSBC CEO, Sheila MacKay, says after meeting the communities found more in common that just sharing great lifestyle choices.

"Both cities share a commonality in that both regions are entrepreneurial driven with common sectors represented in technology, aviation, healthcare and education," says MacKay.

"There are so many Canadians coming to Arizona to purchase real estate but Scottsdalians will travel to the Okanagan Valley for lifestyle and it is the belief of both cities that tourism and tourists will beget business."

MacKay says the purpose of the KSBC is to identify strategic relationships that can benefit both communities.

Next week's inaugural launch of the KSBC will be co-hosted by the City of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Business Development Forum.

"The conference will provide an excellent 'up close and personal' opportunity to interact with investors as well as business and political leaders from both areas," adds MacKay.

A second gathering is scheduled to be held in Kelowna in September. 

As for the temperature, it will range from 5C to 14C, all sunny and no snow in the forecast.