Positive Change for Our Community

Bisbee Forward is a 501c(6) nonprofit created to encourage healthy economic growth and improve the stability and quality of life for everyone in Bisbee. We believe it is critical for the leaders in our community to show up, and work to improve the standard of living for all Bisbee residents.

Our memberships includes over 60 businesses (and growing). Together, we employ more than 350 local residents, and represent a unified voice for the Bisbee business community.

Bisbee Forward is committed to constructively partnering with
the City of Bisbee. Our goal is to address challenges impacting local businesses that require city engagement to achieve win-win solutions.

Get Involved

View Our DMO Proposal

Although Bisbee's City Council voted not to follow through with our proposal to take over responsibility as Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), we're eager to share our work and our thinking. Share your views with us — let's build on this together!

DMO Proposal

Marketing Agency Addendum

DMO Proposal

Latest Updates

Three Things Happened at Tuesday's Council Meeting — And Why They Matter

Tuesday's council meeting covered a lot of ground. Some of it was routine. Three items were not. Below are our key takeaways. View our entire meeting summary here and as always, if you have the time, watch the full council meeting here. There's an Open Council Seat in Ward 1. Apply Now! Council member Lori Reynolds resigned. The council accepted her resignation and begins taking applications immediately. Whoever is selected will serve a full two-year term — this is not a plac

May 214 min read

Bisbee City Council Meeting Summary May 19, 2026

Opening & Routine Business The meeting opened with roll call, pledge of allegiance, and three public comments covering: the bed tax fund's intended use for tourism marketing, First Amendment protections in local government, and a call for Bisbee to adopt an ICE non-cooperation policy similar to Pima County's. Council quickly approved accounts payable ($314,663), the consent agenda (minutes, a parks committee resignation, Fourth of July parade permit with fee waiver, and an in

May 204 min read

Not HAPI: How Bisbee’s DMO Process Went Off Track

On May 5, 2026, the Bisbee City Council voted to enter into a contract with Hackett Advertising Public Relations Interactive, LLC (HAPI) — a Scottsdale-based for-profit marketing firm — to manage the City’s Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) services for $4,000/month. Bisbee Forward, the only nonprofit to submit a proposal, and therefore the only entity eligible to serve as a DMO, was passed over despite offering to do the work pro bono. Our intention has always been st

May 125 min read

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Our Mission

Empower Growth

We empower the Bisbee community through collaborative efforts, ensuring a better quality of life for residents.

Promote Stability

We promote stability and constructive progress by addressing key leadership within the city.

Create Positive Change

Create positive change by acting as a unified voice for local business.

Enhance Tourism

We enhance healthy tourism strategies to support the local economy and community.

Serve All

We serve our employees, their families, customers, and our neighbors. We advocate for smart solutions.

Our Focus

We are focused on five pillars to improve Bisbee's economy. We believe it will be essential to interlock these efforts to ensure sustainability and deliver results, both for businesses and our community.

Each of these pillars represents a workgroup consisting of Bisbee business leaders, who come together to create priorities and develop tangible recommendations for the city to embrace.

Government Affairs

Engage with local government to address issues affecting the broader business community; examples include trash pickup, permitting, etc.

Finance

Create clarity and transparency to ensure Bisbee's economy. Hold ourselves and the city accountable in a constructive & collaborative way.

Marketing

Partner with the city to effectively attract & measure visitors, especially overnight. Establish correlation of advertising investments to revenue.

Collaboration

Help our members create lasting B2B relationships with each other by sharing knowledge, information, and coordination that improve results while thrilling our guests. We believe strongly in working together for the greater good of our community.

Events

Support promoters and the city to optimize how events impact the community, improve engagement, and showcase Bisbee as a destination.

As a business member, we welcome your participation in any of the topics above. With our collective expertise and resources we aim to improve Bisbee's viability, visibility, and encourage healthy tourism.

Become a Member

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