The HeroZona National Veteran Summit, a multi-day experience for America’s veterans including Arizona’s 640,000 veterans, 38,000 active duty service members and 1,000 veteran-owned companies, will return to Phoenix Nov. 5 through 7. The 2019 theme is advancing economic opportunity for the military community and includes executive roundtables, an awards dinner, employment summit, career fair, Bridge Forum and workshops.
“Last year, we had more than 1,500 U.S. veterans attend our summit and expect more growth this year with assistance from our new sponsors and events,” said HeroZona Foundation Founder and U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran, Alan “AP” Powell. “Our goal is to empower active military, their spouses and veterans through meaningful employment, successful entrepreneurship and education.”
The week-long engagement is spearheaded by the HeroZona Foundation and new partner, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes. 2019 sponsors also include Arizona Public Service (APS), Phoenix Suns, USAA, Cisco, Maricopa Community Colleges, Goldwater Institute, Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.
Day one of the HeroZona National Veteran Summit will kick off on Nov. 5 at Sheraton Crescent Hotel (260 W. Dunlap Ave.) in Phoenix, with a Bridge Forum on mental health and veterans. The theme will include mental health professionals, veterans, first responders and law enforcement talking about how to help and hire those with PTSD and how to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. The Bridge Forum will be a partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Services, Arizona Coalition for Military Families, Be Connected, Arizona Police Association, Veterans Administrations and the HeroZona Foundation. Sponsors will include Arizona State University and the Department of Veterans’ Services.
The second day on Nov. 6 will also take place at Sheraton Crescent Hotel. The experience will include executive roundtable discussions, fireside chats and panels about topics of how military talent adds value to the workforce, what it means to be a military friendly business, entrepreneurship for servicemen, unemployment and lack of employment opportunities for military spouses, caregivers among other topics. The day will conclude with the HeroZona Awards Dinner to celebrate individuals and businesses making an incredible impact on veteran and military spouse employment in Arizona and represents the foundation’s three pillars: education, employment and entrepreneurship.
Day three of the summit will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Talking Stick Resort Arena (201 E. Jefferson St.) in Phoenix hosted by the Phoenix Suns and include a HeroZona Military Hiring Event powered by U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes, workshop sessions and conclude with the Military Appreciation Night with the Phoenix Suns. The events will help military servicemen and veterans with interview skills, resume development, business plan development, mentorship and pathways to meaningful employment. HR experts, hiring managers and employers seeking military talent will be at the event.
HeroZona National Veteran Summit is free and open to active duty service members, National Guard and Army Reserve, veterans, military spouses and caregivers.
