Air Park Resources Organization, LLC - Plug in to the Scottsdale Airpark.

APRO aims to unite Airpark businesses

New group hopes to fill AZSNAP void

Maggie Galehouse
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 29, 2005 12:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE - A new organization for Scottsdale Airpark businesses promises to pick up where the old one - the dearly departed AZSNAP - left off.

Air Park Resources Organization, which expects to launch the third week of April, intends to bring weekly speakers and monthly networking events to the Airpark community.

"Each week, we want to have training for growing your business," said Mark Lynch, the main force behind the new organization and publisher of the Cactus Coffee Talk newsletter.
"We're going to have an organization that satisfies your business, regardless of size. There will be separate committees for mom-and-pop-size businesses, and seminars on topics like taxes and tax shelters."

Company membership starts at $250 a year. Here's what you get:

• A page on the APRO Web site.

• Free entry to APRO events.

• Marketing tools, including print and radio advertising.

• A referral program that pays you for anyone you refer, or anyone referred by someone you referred.

• Lunch discounts at local eateries.

Karl Knelson, who owns a Web development company, is working with Lynch to design the APRO Web site.

A networking HQ

"We're going to have a membership directory and ways for members to come to the Web site and take a look at events that are coming up," said Knelson, whose One Brush Studio is housed at the Airpark.

"We're going to try to enhance the directory to give members better exposure. Instead of a simple text listing, we're also going to try to insert logos."

In addition, APRO membership cards will feature bar codes that track to APRO's databases and reward members who show up at events.

Local businessman Craig Morningstar launched AZSNAP, Arizona Scottsdale Network Air Park, in 2002. He wanted to create an organization that would help Airpark-area businesses reach out to one another, share information, give assistance, form alliances and generally gain from being better connected.

Soon after the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce took over AZSNAP in 2004, Morningstar left the organization. Since then, there has been a void that has not been filled, Lynch said.

More than 1,900 businesses call the Airpark home.

"Scottsdale is getting so big," Lynch said, "and the Airpark is so big that it needs a group or resource committed to its success on a full-time basis."

People who work in the Airpark like to think of themselves as one entity, Knelson added.

"There's a special pride about having a business there," he said.

Lynch and Knelson are hoping to register between 300 and 500 members for the organization's launch.

Any Airpark business interested in APRO should go to www.aproscottsdale.com or call (480) 659-1795.

Reach the reporter at maggie.galehouse@scottsdalerepublic.com or (602) 444-6868.