Filing is this week for Tulsa area school board and vacant House District 71
Applications for school board positions must be submitted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 5-7 at the Tulsa County Election Board office, 555 N. Denver Ave. The election is Feb. 14. For information on school board positions, click here.
In House District 71, a Feb. 14 special election has been called to find a replacement for incumbent Dan Sullivan who resigned to become chief executive officer of the Grand River Dam Authority. The filing period continues through Wednesday.
For more information, click here.
Pop Up Shopping, Winterfest add excitement to holiday season in downtown Tulsa
Downtown Tulsa is offering a multitude of entertaining events this holiday season, ranging from Winterfest to a variety of dining and music options. Also, additional retail options are planned in the form of Pop Up Shopping in the Deco District.
“All of these events are adding additional momentum to downtown’s continued revitalization,” said Delise Tomlinson, director of the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s downtown development program. “As downtown Tulsa continues to grow and expand its offerings in all areas, I look forward to continued momentum and more exciting developments.”
Temporary retail shops promote downtown Tulsa
Temporary shops have moved into storefronts in downtown Tulsa’s Deco District, providing holiday shoppers a variety of retail options while promoting downtown as a shopping destination.
The shops are part of an event called “Pop Up Shopping 2011” and will be set up on the ground floors of the Thompson and Philcade buildings near Boston Avenue and Fifth Street through Dec. 30.
Winterfest returns to downtown Tulsa for the holidays
Arvest Winterfest presented with the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation kicked off recently in downtown Tulsa and runs through Jan. 2, 2012. The celebration will include outdoor ice skating, photographs with “Segway Santa,” a towering Christmas tree, horse and carriage rides, concessions and free holiday entertainment on the ONEOK Stage.
New enhancements for Winterfest include the expansion of the holiday market, a new climate-controlled seating and hospitality tent and additional charity skating promotions.
For complete schedule of Winterfest activities, click here.
Visit www.glowtulsa.com for more information about holiday season events in downtown Tulsa.
Gov. Fallin and Department of Commerce survey business leaders
Tulsa Metro Chamber economic development group representatives attended the launch of the Fallin for Business initiative in Oklahoma City Dec. 1. Gov. Mary Fallin, the Department of Commerce and other partner organizations officially launched a unique survey to ask Oklahoma business leaders for their insight on challenges and issues in the state's current business climate.
Annette Bowles, executive director of the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s small business program, said she is encouraging small businesses to participate in the online survey.
“This is an important opportunity for our region’s small business leaders to offer insight that could potentially have a positive impact of our state’s business climate,” Bowles said. “The Chamber is pleased that Governor Fallin and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce are soliciting meaningful input from our business community.”
Billy Kulkin, chair-elect, Tulsa Metro Chamber Small Business Council, president and managing partner of Cubic, said: “It's a great thing when our government asks for input and insight as it relates to improving our small business climate. The data that is collected can be valuable if business owners are honest in their responses. It's a tough time right now, and if our leaders want to hear from us, we need to answer the governor's calling and take time to provide our insight.”
State officials are asking businesses to respond to an online survey designed to help improve the business climate. The online survey contains 44 questions and is expected to take up to 30 minutes to complete.
For more information, or to take the online survey, click here.
The Forge finds new opportunity for growth, celebrates success of incubator business intelliAd
The entrepreneurial spirit Tulsa was built upon is still alive and well today, and The Forge, Tulsa’s Young Professionals’ business incubator, is taking a big step forward in its own growth and development.
With the help of a federal grant from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration, The Forge is expanding their services and establishing a permanent home at the Wright Building, 115 W. Third St. The move comes in unison with a new partnership with the Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, which will also be housed in the same location once remodel is complete.
The Forge is also celebrating the growth of one of its first businesses, intelliAd, as it moves out of its incubator home at The Forge and into its own space downtown.
TEDC recently honored Tulsa’s Young Professionals and the Chamber with a Community Partner of the Year award in connection with the unique opportunity afforded to TEDC by Tulsa’s Young Professionals. Tulsa Metro Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal and Brian Paschal, executive director of Tulsa’s Young Professionals and The Forge, accepted the award.
Nominations open for 2012 Crystal Star Small Business Awards
The nomination process for the Crystal Star Small Business Awards for 2012 has begun, and we need your help to find the rising stars of Tulsa’s small business community.
Each year, Tulsa Metro Chamber's Small Business Awards honor the best and brightest of small business in the Tulsa area. Business members are invited to nominate an esteemed colleague to receive recognition for his or her business efforts. The awards consist of 10 categories.
All nominees must be Chamber members and in business a minimum of three years. All nominations will be considered and reviewed by the Small Business Awards Committee to verify nominees meet award criteria. Along with Tulsa-area recognition, winners are nominated for state-level awards with a chance to proceed to regional or national awards. Nominations will close on Jan. 27, so please submit nominations as soon as possible. The awards will be presented at the Chamber’s annual awards luncheon.
For more, or to nominate now, click here.
For information, contact Annette Bowles at 918.560.0235 or annettebowles@tulsachamber.com
Union secures fourth straight 6A title
The Tulsa Metro Chamber congratulates the Union football program on winning the state 6A championship, its fourth consecutive state championship.
The victory was Union’s seventh state football title in 10 years and eight overall.
The second-ranked Redskins fought for a 23-22 victory over No. 3 Broken Arrow before an estimated crowd of 12,000 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. Broken Arrow, which was looking for its first state title, was in its first state final since losing 52-3 to Union in 2002.
Read more
U.S. Small Business Administration meets with Chamber Small Business Council
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Members of the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s Small Business Council met with U.S Small Business Administration representatives, including Deputy Administrator Marie Johns, Nov. 29 at the Chamber offices. The meeting included a question and answer session with the SBA representatives.
Small businesses form the foundation of regional and national economies, Johns said, noting that they have a big impact on every level, including employment.
“In spite of the challenges of the economy, now is a good time to start a small business,” Johns said. “It is the small business sector that leads the way to economic prosperity.”
In the Tulsa region, small businesses create two out of every three new jobs and an estimated payroll of $1.4 billion. These businesses support a total economic impact of around $3 billion.
Chamber Small Business Council member Jennifer Cook, who owns Tulsa-based Consumer Pulse Marketing, said meeting with the Small Business Administration representatives gave her an opportunity to learn more about the administration and how it advocates for small businesses such as hers.
“I walked away from the meeting knowing there was a group to champion my cause and that I need to utilize the resources they offer,” Cook said. “I was not aware of all that SBA does.”
Tulsa Metro Chamber events registration policy
The Tulsa Metro Chamber is implementing a new policy for pre-registration beginning Jan. 1, 2012, which will require a credit card payment at the time of registration or registration online through the website. If you are unable to secure a credit card payment during the time of registration, a check or cash payment must be made prior to the event in order to be officially registered.
Payment at the door the day of an event will be permitted for an additional $5 added to the original registration cost.
If you have any questions related to this policy, please contact Jessica Lowe-Betts, Events Manager at jessicalowe-betts@tulsachamber.com or 918-560-0206.
What We're Working OnExecutive Office
Attending the Tulsa City Council Inauguration
Presenting at the Tulsa City Council Urban & Economic Development Committee meeting
Attending the State Chamber’s Public Affairs Forum & Governor’s Economic Roundtable
Communications, Events and Marketing
Planning for U.S. Sen. Inhofe forum
Planning annual meeting
Annual report
Economic Development
Working with the City and local company in expansion efforts
Meeting with manufacturer to discuss facility needs
Meeting with two local aerospace companies to talk about current/future business opportunities.
Education and Workforce
“American Teacher” documentary at Education Forum
Teacher Effectiveness Commission – statewide teacher evaluation instrument
Government Affairs
Attending inauguration ceremonies for the incoming Tulsa City Council
Attending the State Chamber’s 2011 Public Affairs Forum and Governor’s Economic Roundtable
Continuing to finalize endorsements of the 2012 OneVoice Legislative Agenda
Small Business
Attending Small Business Forum at Hillcrest Dec. 6
Participating in the Small Business Forum featuring Bill Fournet
Attending Small Business Awards Committee Meeting
Tulsa Sports Commission
US Sports Congress this week in San Diego
Finalizing Logo and Branding for A.C. Milan Event
Committee work for BASS and AC Milan under way
TYPros
Hosting advisory council social event
Participating in webinar for the Forge with the Tulsa business journal.
Hosting little rock chamber and volunteers to meet with leadership team.
VisitTulsa
Staff is being trained on SimpleView
Client Relations Management System
Proofing the 2012 Visitors Guide
Downtown Development
Participating in the CDFA-TIF Coalition Webcast Series: The White Elephant
Chamber welcomes new businessesEach month the Tulsa Metro Chamber's Hospitality Club welcomes new businesses and new Chamber members to the community by assisting with ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking announcements.
New Members:
Bigleather Ranches, LLC
Clempire Janitorial
Dick's Sporting Goods
Faith Therapy Clinic
White Coyote Properties LLC
Ribbon Cuttings:
Aaron Herring, Store Manager
10021 E. 71st Street
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918)249-4444
www.dickssportinggoods.com
Frank Trimboli, Store Manager
7523 S. Olympia Ave
Tulsa, OK 74132
(918) 447-1100
www.dickssportinggoods.com
Tropical Smoothie Café
Nicole Smallwood, Manager
7460 S. Olympia Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74132
Phone: 918.938.7747
www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com
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