On Thursday evening, representatives from Tucson's economic development organization, the Greater Tucson Economic Council, and other local industry leaders plan to meet with up 640 representatives of high-tech corporations at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. GTEC is hosting the informal gathering.

The Tucson boosters plan to market the area's natural beauty, great weather, educated workforce, and--most importantly--abundance of energy. Joining forces to convince the San Jose firms are GTEC, the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, representatives from Tucson's six industry clusters, the University of Arizona, the Tucson Airport Authority, the City of Tucson, the Tucson Mexico Project and the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. This is the first time those economic development groups have partnered up to attract companies.

Invitations went out to 640 Silicon Valley companies, including Hewlett-Packard and Cisco Systems.

The consortium plans to sell the idea of Tucson as a place to relocate and hold meetings and conventions. In addition to abundant energy and water, Tucson boosters plan to discuss the area's real estate affordability, both for commercial and residential property, as well the nonstop air service provided by Alaska Airlines from San Jose to Tucson.