In the United States, the most prosperous regions over the long term are those with a large pool of creative talent in the arts, sciences, engineering and business. Industries and jobs with the highest growth in the domestic labor force are those requiring people skills, emotional intelligence, imagination and creativity.

In the global marketplace for talent and industry, competition for knowledge workers and businesses is ever more fierce and urgent. Two MPAC studies, Creative Connections and Perceptions Matter, explored where Metro Phoenix ranked in attracting and retaining this increasingly critical labor force against other new-growth regions.

With solid data in hand demonstrating perceptions from within and outside the region are outdated and do not reflect the current reality, MPAC is able to move research into action.

A sense of place must be authentic. Metro Phoenix faces unique challenges - and unique opportunities. To combat perceived images of the region as old and monotone, MPAC launches projects illuminating the vibrancy and youthful energy of this fast-growing metropolis. These projects include the Metro Phoenix DNA Initiative, MeetMetroPhoenix.com and the book PHOENIX: 21st Century City.