Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will join five other Valley mayors for a robust roundtable discussion about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) initiatives, successes and challenges of attracting tech-based companies and workforce talent in today’s innovation economy.

The inaugural mayoral roundtable will take place at 10:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 17 at Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard. The event is open to the media and public on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is being held in conjunction with the Arizona STEM & Innovation Summit at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Mayors attending include:

• Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane

• Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego

• Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels

• Litchfield Park Mayor Tom Schoaf

• Paradise Valley Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner

• Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord

• Surprise Mayor Skip Hall

Mayors are intimately involved in recruiting tech companies to their cities. They are on the frontlines of hearing what entrepreneurs, innovators and business executives need, and finding ways to meet those needs. For the roundtable, they’ll share ideas and challenges in today’s digital economy. The roundtable will be moderated by Chip Scutari of S+C Communications.

The Arizona STEM & Innovation Summit is presented by the SciTech Institute, a partnership of the Arizona Technology Council and Arizona Commerce Authority, whose mission is focused on cultivating an ecosystem of conscious STEM communities through awareness, connections and empowerment. The SciTech Institute is dedicated to promoting and enhancing STEM engagements for everyone by developing and implementing programs, fairs, bowls, projects and festivals that highlight a variety of STEM careers and awareness.