The NEBB Professional 2024 - Quarter 2

Phoenix Rising: Embrace the Spirit of the Southwest By Kerri Souilliard

Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix, Arizona, is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the allure of the American Southwest. With a rich his tory dating back centuries, this vibrant metropolis has evolved from a humble agricultural community to a bus tling urban center, earning its reputation as the Valley of the Sun. From its soaring skyscrapers to sprawling desert landscapes, Phoenix captivates visitors and residents alike with its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and cosmopolitan charm. Read on to get a glimpse of what you can expect when attending the 2024 NEBB Annual Conference in Phoenix this fall: Resourceful Beginnings Long before the first settlers arrived, the land that would become Phoenix was inhabited by indigenous groups, such as the Hohokam, who built an extensive irrigation

system that sustained their civilization for centuries. In 1868, Jack Swilling, a former Confederate soldier, recog nized the area's agricultural potential and founded a small farming community in the Salt River Valley. This settle ment, known as Swilling's Mill, laid the groundwork for the future city of Phoenix. Fueled by the discovery of gold and silver in the nearby mountains, Phoenix’s population continued to grow and the city emerged as a hub of commerce and industry. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s further accelerated its growth, transforming it into the capital of the Arizona Territory in 1889. Over the decades that followed, Phoenix weathered economic booms and busts, but its spirit of resilience never wavered. As the fifth-largest city in the United States today, it serves as a testament to the tenac ity and vision of its inhabitants.

The NEBB Professional | Quarter 2 | 2024

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