Bowl game brings economic impact and national attention to the region

PIMA COUNTY –On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the Pima County Board of Supervisors approved 4-1 a $40,000 sponsorship for the Dec. 29 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, held in Tucson for third consecutive year.

“The financial support our Pima County Board of Supervisors has provided for this event is a great investment for the region,” Attractions and Tourism Director Diane Frisch said. “It’s win for everyone in Pima County. Arizona Bowl brings business to hotels, restaurants, local merchants and tourist attractions, not to mention the pride it brings to members of this community who get to host a nationally-recognized sporting event locally.”

Owners of the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl plan to use the County’s sponsorship to offset operating costs associated with bringing the teams and game to Tucson. The Arizona Bowl game features teams from the Mountain West and Sun Belt conferences.

Over the past two years, Arizona Bowl has generated significant community excitement, resulting in more tourists, publicity and an overall economic benefit for the region. Starting this 2017 season, the area will gain more attention thanks to a multi-year television agreement between Arizona Bowl and CBS Sports Network to televise the game nationally, an upgrade from last year’s internet broadcast.

In 2016, the Arizona Bowl attracted more than 33,000 attendees, a 37% increase over its inaugural year in 2015. The estimated economic impact of the 2016 bowl game, according to the UA Eller College of Management was about $21 million.

“This high-caliber event brings numerous sports fans to stay in our resorts and hotels during a time of year that’s generally slow for the Tucson lodging industry, but absolutely wonderful to visit,” Frisch said.

In addition to the economic benefit generated by Arizona Bowl visitors, the game will help local charities, too. Similar to previous years, the non-profit organization that owns the game plans to award all net proceeds generated from the bowl game to local charities. In 2016, the organization donated over $200,000.

Another area that will profit from the bowl game is Kino Sports Complex. For second consecutive year, the North Complex will host practice for both participating bowl teams from Dec. 25-29.

For additional information on the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, including ticket purchases, and Bowl Week events, visit novaarizonabowl.com.

TUCSON, ARIZONA — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson will hold its 16th Annual “The Event” on April 30th, 2017 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at La Encantada, located at the northwest corner of Campbell and Skyline Drive in the Tucson Foothills. Sponsored by Nova Home Loans, “The Event” is best described as an evening under the stars featuring food from over 50 of Tucson’s best restaurants, wine tastings, with live entertainment and dancing.

It is Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson’s largest fundraiser of the year with all proceeds used to benefit the youth of our community.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson has been in the forefront of youth development in Tucson for over 50 years, providing affordable after-school and summer programs to over 6,000 youth across Tucson and serving over 4,000 active Club members each year at its six Clubhouse locations. Programs are year-round to provide safe, fun and affordable programs for all youth.

Bruce Suppes, Vice President at CBRE in Tucson, has served on the Club’s board for six years and is the current Board president, as well as, this year’s co-chair for “The Event”.

“There couldn’t be a more perfect place to hold ‘The Event’ than at La Encantada,” Suppes explained. “Not only because of its enviable views of the Catalina Mountains, but we also couldn’t be more pleased to work with La Encantada’s staff. They are great community partners and believe in giving back. La Encantada is an integral partner of Tucson and we appreciate them allowing us to use La Encantada as an incredible venue for our biggest fundraiser of the year, ‘The Event’.”

La Encantada is a premier outdoor shopping center with destination retail and dining restaurants that are always popular stops. North Italia and Blanco Tacos + Tequila in the Fox Block and RA Sushi, Firebirds, and Living Room in the Main Courtyard are all foodie destinations.

Just to name a few of the other participating restaurants this year, there will be Charro Steak, Gentle Bens, Batch, aka Deli and Bakeshop, El Cisne Mexican Restaurant, Mama Louisa’s Italian, Pastiche, Flemings’ Prime Steakhouse, Contigo Cocina Latina, Vero Amore, Sir Veza’s Taco Garage, P.F. Chang’s, Augustin Kitchen, Frost Gelato, UME from Casino Del Sol, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Saguaro Corners, Hub Downtown, Azul, Las Margaritas, Popped, Union Public House, Monsoons Tap & Grill, Wildflower and more.

Last year was a huge success and a sellout; and this year’s “The Event” is expected to be the same, with approximately 1,800 guests attending. Click here   to see photos of last year’s “The Event”.

It’s not too late to get tickets, but hurry because they are going fast! For more information or to buy tickets, call 520.573.3533 or click here The Event Tucson.

Tucson, AZ – The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA) has announced its 2015 Annual Awards and presented its first Legacy Awards to Peter Herder and Diamond Ventures, Inc.

The awards were presented at SAHBA’s annual installation and awards luncheon at the Westin La Paloma Resort on January 29, 2016.

“The Legacy Awards are in recognition of an individual and businesses whom have made a positive, lasting impact on the local home building industry,” said David Godlewski, SAHBA’s President.

Herder is a past Chairman of the SAHBA executive board and a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Home Builders. The Herder video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/G9idcPrK1Xg

Diamond Ventures, Inc. develops and invests in a variety of residential real estate projects including large master-planned communities, builder neighborhoods and exclusive custom home communities. To view the video on Diamond Ventures click here: https://youtu.be/hG-97Td-npw

Approximately 20 judges spread over six panels determined and evaluated the award winners. Other 2015 Award winners are:

• Production Home Builder of the Year: Pepper Viner Homes
• Custom Home Builder of the Year: Sunset Custom Homes
• Remodeler of the Year – Project over $50,000: McCaleb Construction
• Remodeler of the Year – Project under $50,000: Accessible Home Remodeling
• Trade Partner of the Year: Santa Rita Landscaping
• Associate Firm of the Year- Corporate: NOVA Home Loans
• Associate Firm of the Year – Small Business: OneSource Benefit Planning
• Individual Member of the Year: Lisa Walling, Re-Bath/5-Day Kitchens
• Home Builder Sales Manager of the Year: Heidi Yetzer, Richmond American Homes
• Home Builder Sales Professional of the Year: Eddie Holmes, KB Home

SAHBA, representing more than 350 member businesses, advocates for public policies and develops activities and services that advance the home construction industry and a member of the National Association of Home Builders and is chartered to serve the Pima County area including the municipalities of City of Tucson, Town of Marana, Town of Oro Valley, Town of Sahuarita, as well as Cochise County and Santa Cruz County.

New home construction is one of the key driving forces to the area’s economic well-being. SAHBA is the voice of the industry dealing with critical issues like sufficient water supplies, environmental regulations, government impact fees and taxation, public funding support for transportation and other basic services impacting positive growth.

Additional information on SAHBA can be found at their website: https://www.sahba.org/