Phoenix Sister Cities Global Links Business Luncheon Celebrates Innovation

​The annual Phoenix Sister Cities Global Links Business Luncheon explored "Innovations in Air Mobility" on Thursday at The Abbey on Monroe in Downtown Phoenix. Mayor Kate Gallego presented her 2025 Business Awards and a keynote address was given by Michael Robbins, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). AUVSI is the world's largest trade association for uncrewed systems, autonomy and robotics in both the commercial and defense sectors.

"As Phoenix continues to grow as an up-and-coming technology hub, we're especially keen on embracing and cultivating entrepreneurs that will keep us on the cutting edge of innovation," Mayor Gallego said. "We're already leaders in electric and autonomous vehicles on the road, and now we are positioning the city to lead on breakthroughs in air mobility using similar technology."

Due to its favorable climate, strategic location for regional connectivity and thriving aerospace ecosystem, Phoenix offers the ideal setting for the next steps in the rapidly-evolving Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry.

Keynote speaker Michael Robbins has proven himself as an effective advocate and leader for the AAM industry, with extensive experience in government, military and industry. He was named AUVSI's President and CEO in 2020, after serving as the association's Chief Advocacy Officer and an Executive Vice President prior to that. In 2015, he co-founded the business consulting firm, Intrepid, and served as its Chief Operating Officer. Before starting Intrepid, Robbins was Managing Director of Government and Public Affairs at the Air Line Pilot Association, International (ALPA). He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree from Georgetown University, and is an Officer in the U.S. Navy (Reserve).

The 2025 Business Awards honorees are shining examples of how the Phoenix community serves as a platform on which to be innovative and develop a technology-based company or service. The awardees are:

Export Champion of the Year: Avnet
With its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Avnet is a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider, and has served the evolving needs of its customers for more than 100 years. It supports customers at each stage of a product's lifecycle, from idea to design and prototype to production. Avnet's unique position at the center of the technology value chain enables it to accelerate the design and supply stages of product development so customers can realize revenue faster.

Entrepreneur of the Year: Tracey Latham (Latham Industries)
Tracey Latham is CEO and Founder of Latham Industries​, a leading electronics manufacturer headquartered in Phoenix. The company specializes in surface mount, plated-through-hole, and mixed technology printed circuit boards used by a range of industries, including aerospace, commercial, medical, military and security.

Brand Champion of the Year: Waymo
The world's first fully autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo offers its robotaxi service 24/7 across more than 300 square miles of metro Phoenix. Riders use the Waymo One app to schedule a ride. The Waymo Driver system uses highly detailed custom maps, matched with real-time sensor data and artificial intelligence to determine its exact road location and surroundings. Greater Phoenix has the largest autonomous zone in the world and is the only place you can get a robotaxi at an airport.

About Phoenix Sister Cities:
For 50 years, Phoenix Sister Cities has fostered relationships between the residents of Phoenix and eleven sister cities around the world to promote friendship, peace and prosperity.