The Larsen Group

Circles of Change:  Conversations with Dr. Zara Larsen

 on Change Leadership and Career Fulfillment

November 12, 2008

“The Canada-Arizona Connection: Trade without Borders”

Guest: Rick Stephenson

Anchoring Points: 

1. Why does Canada matter to Arizona?

·        $3.2 billion in two-way trade between Canada and Arizona; $498 b US

·        Canada is one of Arizona’s largest “foreign” investors, although in many ways it is a 51^st state the size of California (33 million people, 90% within 100 miles of the border), the largest undefended, country-to-country border in the world

·         Stantec, Bombardier, Circle K, Winroe and many other Canadian companies employ thousands:  200 companies in the Tucson area, over 26,000 jobs in AZ

·        University and company partnerships are culturally easy, as the U of A and the University of Toronto (for example) are of similar mission and comparable size: small-to-medium size companies exist in both, too, for relationship balance

·        130,000 jobs in Arizona depend upon AZ/Canadian two-way trade

·        495,000 Canadians visited AZ last year, an economic impact of $478 million

·        160,000 US citizens visited Canada last year, spending $108 million

·        In a high technology, global economy, AZ also needs to look to the other international border with the US

·        Canada is the largest exporter of energy resources to the US, not the Middle East; over $2 million per day (oil and electricity), with proven reserves second only to Saudi Arabia

2. What does a Consulate in Tucson or Phoenix do?

• 150 Consulates around the world, with 21 in the US
• Business development, endless networking with entrepreneurs, CEOs, lawmakers and general public to increase awareness and educate
• Seek investment opportunities in AZ and NM, organic growth and acquisition
• Build research collaborations between Southwest universities and Canadian counterparts
• Ten trade missions per year, incoming and outgoing; a great opportunity for AZ companies to target and explore new relationships
• Promote AZ opportunities in Canada and the vice a versa
• In it for the longer term, with months to years for the right relationships to foster legitimate investment, employment growth and business expansion
• Highly informed and networked matchmakers, not contract negotiators