All events

Past Events   |   Upcoming Events ↓ 

Past Events

Arizona DECA

February 29 – March 3, 2024
Phoenix, AZ

DECA recently held its annually state wide entrepreneur competition in Phoenix with over 3,000 high school students.

The Association for Entrepreneurship (AFE)  sent three judges Ashley Goshkarian, Susan Lahargoue and Jack Diehl with Senior Advisor Wayne Goshkarian to participate in judging the participants. This is a great event for high school students.

Pebble Beach – What’s On Your Mind?

March 21-24, 2023
Pebble Beach, CA

The Gig Economy is exploding, and how can AFEUSA serve the expanding population who depended upon employer based benefits to secure coverage.  During this meeting, we explored with insurance industry experts how they view the Gig Economy, the underwriting risk, type of plans that interest this space, and how to reach this population.  Participants attended two days of meetings with a golf at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay, and Spyglass as part of the team building event.

Arizona DECA

February 23-25, 2023

Phoenix, AZ

DECA recently held its annually state wide entrepreneur competition in Phoenix with over 3000 high school students, February 23rd, 24th, with awards on the 25th. 

The Association for Entrepreneurship (AFE)  sent three judges Ashley Goshkarian , Susan Lahargoue and Jack Diehl to participate in judging the participants. This is a great event for high school students.

Arizona DECA

November 2022

Paradise Valley, AZ

The Association for Entrepreneurship USA (AFEUSA) participated with DECA Collegiate at Paradise Valley Community College sending two judges, AFEUSA President Jack Diehl and AFEUSA Vice President Ashley Goshkarian to interview and judge DECA candidates. Jack interviewed DECA candidates focused on finance and accounting and Ashley interviewed candidates who specialized in fashion and marketing. The students were given a hypothetical business problem to resolve and pitch the solution to the judges and were graded by presentation, communication and overall professionalism.

DECA Collegiate “Distributive Education Clubs of America” prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges.

Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Sponsorship

October 2022

Scottsdale, AZ

AFEUSA was proud to sponsor the 10/2022 Chamber of Commerce meeting with Governor Fife Sumington. The meeting included a Partner Council Breakfast, breakfast, and networking prior to the meeting.

DECA 2022

February 2022

Phoenix, AZ

On Saturday February 26 DECA held a Phoenix area high school young business entrepreneur competition. The Association for Entrepreneurship USA (AFEUSA) sent three representatives (Ashley Goshkarian, Susan Lahargoue and Jack Diehl) to attend as judges.

The high school students were given ten minutes to read and develop a business/ marketing plan outline on a business strategy then give the pitch to the judges. The judges in return would listen ask minimal questions and grade the student on critical thinking, creatively, community involvement, communication and appearance. This was so inspiring to see young students in a professional environment motivated to improve themselves, going on becoming future entrepreneurs, business owners and government officials.

Throughout Arizona DECA’s 61-year history, tens of thousands of students have passed through the program on their journey to become the next generation of business leaders. Giving students the resources and tools they need to succeed, a legion of teachers and administrators dedicate their passion for education to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. 

The AFEUSA board looks forward to more involvement with DECA in the future.

AFEUSA Party

October 2021

Scottsdale, AZ

AFEUSA Party

March 2021

Scottsdale, AZ

AZ DECA High School Competition

February 22, 2020

Phoenix, AZ

Each year, representatives from AFEUSA, including the President, volunteer as judges during the annual AZ DECA High School competition held at the Arizona Resort in Phoenix, AZ. Participants across the state meet to compete in various entrepreneur based categories and present to volunteer judges. These are tomorrow’s entrepreneurs!

NAIC Conference

December 07 – 09, 2019

Austin, TX

Attended by AFEUSA President, Charles Jackson. This forum allows state regulators to discuss the issues surrounding various insurance products in each state as well as the future of healthcare in the US.

AFEUSA Annual Members Meeting

October 3, 2019

Scottsdale, AZ

Members of AFEUSA met in Scottsdale where they were able to mingle, with other members, share ideas, stories and provide solutions to problems facing entrepreneurs.

NAIC Conference

August 3-6, 2019

New York

Attended by AFEUSA President, Charles Jackson. This forum allows state regulators to discuss the issues surrounding various insurance products in each state as well as the future of healthcare in the US.

Group Round Table

May 7-9

Pebble Beach

Attended by the Board and consultants of AFEUSA along with various insurance company representatives. Discussing the issues related to insurance availability, (dental, vision, health, short term medical, life) and the trends into the future. 

National Association of Insurance Commissioners

April 6-9

Orlando, FL

Attended by AFEUSA President, Charles Jackson, who meets with various state insurance regulators regarding compliance, insurance product offerings and the proposed rules affecting association health plans.

New member Meeting

March 30, 2019

Scottsdale, AZ

Members of AFEUSA met in Scottsdale where they were able to mingle with other members, share ideas, stories and provide solutions to problems facing entrepreneurs. $5000 was donated to the Diabetes Association at the end of the event.

AZ DECA High School State Competition

March 1-2, 2019

Scottsdale, AZ

Every year AZ DECA hosts a competition when thousands of high school students studying entrepreneurship have an opportunity to present solutions to various business type problems. President, Charles Jackson, attended as a volunteer judge during the event.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners

November 16-19, 2018

San Francisco, CA

Attended by AFEUSA President, Charles Jackson. This forum allows state regulators to discuss the issues surrounding various insurance products in each state as well as the future of healthcare in the US. Healthcare remains an issue and the current Trump Administration is attempting to provide solutions to allow free trade within the industry while creating affordability.

World Healthcare Conference

October 29-30, 2018

Tampa, FL

World Healthcare Conference. Attended by AFEUSA President, Charles Jackson, an opportunity for healthcare providers from around the globe to convene and offer a variety of options and solutions in today’s healthcare marketplace. A few new association member benefits were negotiated as a result of this event such as Benovate, Burnalong, and Diabetes Coaching.

Past Events   |   Upcoming Events

Latest Past Events

Annual Board Meeting

Mastro Club City Hall 6991 E Camelback Road, Scottsdale