By Regina Lynch-Hudson

Editor’s note: Doing Biz In features continuously updated coverage of a full spectrum of top cities where readers conduct business. Publicist and travel writer Regina Lynch-Hudson has penned destination catalogs and articles for companies such as Vacation Express, North American Airlines and AirTran Airways.

City Smarts: Known for its world-class golf, renowned spas and top-notch shopping Phoenix is also booming as a place to do business. In a little more than a year, Phoenix will unveil a sophisticated new convention center that will be among the largest in the nation. In the next two to three years, a $1.3 billion light-rail system, a 1,000-room Sheraton hotel and a $900 million mixed-use venture called CityScape will debut in Downtown Phoenix. Already open downtown is the West Building of the Phoenix Convention Center, which is the first phase of a $600 million expansion project that will triple the convention center's meeting space to nearly 900,000 square feet by late 2008.

With a population of over 1,377,980 residents, approximately 67,263 are African-Americans, or 4.8% of the population. Key industries are construction, trade transportation and utilities, government, and professional and business services.

Jetsetter: My pal and Phoenix-connection Michael Kelly, former senior policy advisor for economic development to Mayor Skip Rimza, owns a “virtual power network” firm. Kelly Consulting Alliance LLC helps people achieve their objectives through setting up meetings and assisting them in strategic plan development. “Simply put, I help people find the least path of resistance,” says Kelly. One client was trying to obtain a meeting with a prospect for 2 years; Kelly Consulting Alliance secured the meeting for the client in 2 hours. Billing per project or on retainer Kelly Consulting Alliance “cuts through the chase” of doing business in Phoenix. Phoenix is one of the best places for African-Americans to do business and achieve opportunity. “If you are cerebral or work hard it’s difficult to have barriers,” maintains Kelly. “In Atlanta it would be more difficult to do the same thing due to the social stratification and the historic bureaucracy that goes hand in hand there, “he says. Kelly is a successful jetsetter with clients nationwide, including clients in the Atlanta area, such as Terry Deli who has concessions at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “While Phoenix is a relationship town too, it’s fairly young town – so doors are still wide open,” according to Kelly. “It’s not as hard to navigate here – you can get a meeting or talk with the mayor of Phoenix without a “who-you-know hoop” to jump through as there are in many towns.”

Getting' Around: If money is no object: ExecuCar, 602-232-4631, 4610 S. 35th St., if money is an object: Advantage Rent-A-Car, 800-777-5500, 602-244-0521, 50 S. 24th St.

Survival Kit: Sunscreen, tank tops, and well-rested body and feet are a must if you’re seeing Phoenix on foot. The downtown area encourages walking, and so does the beautiful year-round sunny skies.

Catching ZZZ's: The Embassy Suites Phoenix-Biltmore is located in the prestigious Biltmore area. The Biltmore area is a major center of business, shopping, dining and night-life. The property is adjacent to the Biltmore Fashion Park with over 70 shops and 14 restaurants for the business traveler to prowl. It’s also only 15 minutes from Bank One Ball Park, America West Arena, Civic Plaza, Skyharbor Airport, Oldtown Scottsdale and Scottsdale Fashion Square. Complimentary transportation is offered within a 3 mile radius of the hotel. 602.955.3992, 2630 E Camelback, www.embassysuites.com.

The Power Lunch: If you’re staying in The Embassy Suites Phoenix-Biltmore, or even if you’re not, the hotel is home to an ideal lunch spot, the award winning Omaha Steakhouse. From filet mignon to T-bone, it’s a place your clients will sink their teeth into. 602. 955.3992, 2630 E Camelback, www.embassysuites.com.

Cultural Chow: Lil’ Mama's Soul Food Restaurant is the place to “get your grub on” when scouting for a soulful meal in Phoenix. Southern fried pork chops, hot links, beef brisket, rib tips, and more abound in this humble little eatery. 602.266.9980, 4306 North 7th Ave.

Cyber Site: Drip Coffee Lounge in downtown Phoenix is the ideal spot to duck in for coffee and a quick cyber-fix. 602-363-2900, 2325 N 7th St.

Networkin': Arizona began honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday in the early 90's, and its status as a city that’s user-friendly for black residents has improved. When in Phoenix, The Soul List (www.soullist.com) allows visitors to navigate around Black Phoenix. Events and organizations of interest to African-American residents and visitors alike are just a click away at the informative Web site.

To De-Stress: The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa is among my favorite relaxation spots. In an area renowned for its luxury spas, due to its weather, terrain and remote settings, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa weaves unforgettable memories. Like many Arizona spas, the resort is themed after the area’s Native America culture that inhabited the area. Thanks to an ideal climate there’s hiking, golf and horseback riding year-round! And of course, no hike is complete unless followed by my favorite Gila River Rock Massage in the resort’s Aji Spa. 602.225.0100, 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226, www.wildhorsepassresort.com.

Footloose and Fancy-Free: Once you have exhausted yourself with stops at Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1886; and the Jesse Owens Memorial Medical Center, named after this famous Olympian; there’s the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. Housed in the historic Phoenix Union Colored High, Arizona's first Black high school built in 1926, the museum is a must-see on your treks to African-American sites in Phoenix. www.azcama.com/museums/carver_museum.html.

Flight Time: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, 3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd. AirTran Airways offers low-fare flights to Phoenix, and over 50 major US. cities. AirTran Airways is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717. www.airtran.com 1-800-AIR-TRAN.

Someone Helpful: Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitphoenix.com; 602-254-6500.

Thanks to our friends at the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau and other tourist venues for providing us with facts, figures and fun information for this article.

Editor’s note: Doing Biz In features continuously updated coverage of a full spectrum of top cities where readers conduct business. Publicist and travel writer Regina Lynch-Hudson has penned destination catalogs and articles for companies such as Vacation Express, AirTran Airways and North American Airlines. Lynch also organizes cultural press trips and handles destination marketing for resorts, bed and breakfasts and tourism boards. More information on The Write Publicist & Co. can be found at www.thewritepublicist.com.

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