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Tulsa celebrates entrepreneurship this week
To commemorate Tulsa’s entrepreneurial spirit and build on the momentum of recent successful start-ups, the region’s entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators and organizations, including the Tulsa Metro Chamber and the city of Tulsa, are hosting a number of events for Tulsa Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 12-18.
Tulsa Metro Chamber members are invited to participate in the week’s events, including:
Roundtable Connection 5.0
Roundtable 5.0, a vamped up version of the Chamber’s Breakfast Networking Series, will be tomorrow, Nov. 16 from 7:30 - 10 a.m. at the Spirit Bank Event Center, 10441 S. Regal Blvd. Attendees can expect to make approximately 50 new business contacts. Cost is $20 for members. To register, contact Elaine Walsh at 918.560.0298 or elainewalsh@tulsachamber.com.
Get Moving: Business Resource Center Crawl
Join us 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17 for a tour of area entrepreneurial resource centers. In addition to seeing TYPros’ business development center, The Forge, attendees can tour i2E, Tulsa Library Resource Center, Tulsa Collaboratorium and the Chamber’s SourceLink Business Center. For information, e-mail getmoving@tulsagew.com.
The Tulsey Awards
The awards recognize innovators in the community. The Tulsey Awards ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18 at Cain’s Ballroom. Admission is $10, and tickets are available at Dwelling Spaces and Boom Town Tees. For information, e-mail tulseysrsvp@tulsagew.com.
For more information and a full calendar of the week’s events, visit www.tulsagew.com.
Tulsa-based manufacturer receives state incentive, plans to add jobs
Avery Barron Industries (ABI) announced last week at a press conference hosted by the Tulsa Metro Chamber it has been accepted into the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program and will create more than 100 jobs over the next five years.
ABI, a metallurgy part manufacturer of precision steel and machines parts for a variety of industries, opened in Tulsa in July with plans to quickly expand.
“Every company expansion, every single new job created improves our economy and helps Tulsa thrive and grow,” said Mike Neal, the Chamber’s president and CEO. “We congratulate ABI for taking advantage of state incentives, we thank them for choosing to do business in Tulsa, and the Chamber looks forward to assisting them in further expansion and talent recruitment.”
Through ABI’s participation in the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, the company is poised to grow by 142 percent annually over the next five years with expectations of adding more than 108 new jobs in Tulsa. These 108 new jobs will create an additional 201 indirect jobs and an economic impact of $81 million in the Tulsa region.
ABI leaders said they chose to locate in Tulsa because of existing industry relationships and the outstanding workforce. The company anticipates it will hire primarily skilled positions such as welders, press brake operators, machinists, and laser and plasma cutters.
“Our ability to attract and hire quality employees will be a key to our success,” said ABI President and CEO Bruce Barron. “The Quality Jobs Program provides tax incentives, which help ABI stay competitive and continue to grow.”
The Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, through Senate Bill 909 passed in 2009, offers enhanced incentives for job creation in Oklahoma, allowing existing and new businesses in Oklahoma to take advantage of both tax rebates and tax credits providing they meet the criteria for payroll and job creation.
TYPros survey seeks to learn perceptions of Tulsa
Results from the survey will be used for discussion at tomorrow’s D2: Diversity and Dialogue event.
Research has revealed most individuals outside of the region have little to no perception of Tulsa, which creates a challenge for organizations like Tulsa’s Young Professionals whose mission is to attract and retain young talent to the region. TYPros will host a D2: Diversity and Dialogue event, “Perceptions of Tulsa,” tomorrow, Nov. 16. Discussion will focus on the perceptions of Tulsa from both internal and external perspectives.
In order to gauge existing perceptions, TYPros is asking its members, Chamber members and the general public to participate in a brief survey. By participating, you can help TYPros discuss what can be done to enhance Tulsa’s brand. The survey closes today at 5 p.m.
Click here to take the survey in English.
Click here to take the survey in Spanish.
D2 is scheduled for 6-9 p.m., tomorrow at the Holiday Inn Downtown, 17 W. Seventh St. There is no cost to attend, and food will be provided. To attend, RSVP to Brian Paschal at brianpaschal@typros.org or 918.560.0286.
United Way surpasses campaign goal
The Tulsa Area United Way announced last week it raised a projected $24,324,803 to be distributed among its 61 partner agencies, more than $257,000 beyond the organization’s campaign goal.
"Because of the amazing spirit of philanthropy and altruism in this community, we were able to blast through the finish line of the second highest goal set in the history of the Tulsa Area United Way," Mark Graham, president and CEO of the Tulsa Area United Way, told the Tulsa World in an interview following the Unite! 2010 celebration last Thursday.
The Tulsa Metro Chamber, a United Way campaign participant, would like to congratulate and thank Graham and Dan Ellinor, a Chamber board member, senior executive vice president of Bank of Oklahoma and the 2010 United Way campaign chairman, for their leadership on a successful fundraising campaign.
“Job well done to the Tulsa Area United Way, its staff, campaign leadership, the 61 partner agencies, all the Tulsa-area participating companies and to each and every individual who helped surpass the campaign goal,” said Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal. “I’m proud to live in a community that shows this kind of commitment to making the Tulsa area a better place for all its citizens.”
For more information about the campaign and the Tulsa Area United Way, visit www.tauw.org. For a Tulsa World article about the Unite! celebration, click here.
Technology Ventures Summit set for February in Tulsa
Twelve Oklahoma companies will be selected to present plans for commercializing their technologies.
The Oklahoma Capital Investment Board will host its third Technology Ventures Summit in Tulsa. The two-day networking event offers training to both angel investors and entrepreneurs and showcases the state’s top commercial technology.
Scheduled for February 15-16 at the Doubletree Hotel Tulsa-Downtown, the Technology Ventures Summit will feature concurrent one-day workshops providing practical advice and training for entrepreneurs and angel investors. The second day will include presentations by a dozen local technology ventures to venture capital and angel investors.
Innovators and companies interested in presenting their technology at the event are urged to submit an “application to present” no later than Dec. 31. A panel of seasoned experts will select the top 12 presenters by Jan. 14, 2011. Mentors will be assigned to help each group prepare a presentation. During the conference, presenters will have 10 minutes to share their business concept with the audience.
Tulsa Metro Chamber and Tulsa’s Young Professionals are sponsors for the summit.
“We are excited to participate in this event as the Chamber continues to focus on fostering entrepreneurs and start-ups in our region,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. “Innovation and small business are critical to our regional economy.”
For more information about the Technology Ventures Summit, including registration and applications to present, click here or call 405.848.9456.
Annual passes for 2011 networking events now available
Maximize networking opportunities in 2011 and minimize cost by purchasing an annual pass for the 2011 Circuit Networking Series, to include nine networking events, for $125 (a savings of $20).
The pass guarantees a seat at popular networking events including five Breakfast Networks, two Business After Hours events, Roundtable Connection 5.0 and the widely popular Restaurant After Hours. More than 3,500 people attended these events last year.
The pass is available for purchase at tomorrow’s Roundtable Connection 5.0 being held from 7:30 - 10 a.m. at the Spirit Bank Event Center, 10441 S. Regal Blvd., or can be purchased online at TulsaChamber.com.
Chamber Choice offers affordable insurance for small businesses
The Tulsa Metro Chamber partners with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma to provide more affordable insurance to small businesses as a member benefit.
Chamber Choice is available to members with two to 50 employees.
Benefits include:
o No medical underwriting
o BlueOptions PPO
o Blue Optimize PPO (new this year)
o BlueLincs HMO
o Prescription drug coverage
o Network availability in all 50 states
o Dental coverage available
o Group Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and disability coverage available
o Qualified Insure Oklahoma health plans
Today, nearly 700 employers are enrolled in the Chamber Choice plan covering more than 4,000 individuals.
Click here to download the 2010 Chamber Choice brochure.
To find out more about Chamber Choice, contact your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma representative or call (918) 551-3385 or visit http://www.bcbsok.com/employer/chamber_tulsa.html.
What we’re working onExecutive
• Attending the Oklahoma Academy 2010 Town Hall Conference in Norman.
• Meeting with Bob Blackburn, George Kaiser, Ken Levit, Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby, Gene Timberman, Ken Ferguson and Dan Batchelor regarding companion bond issues.
• Interviewing candidates for the VisitTulsa senior vice president position.
• Having dinner with Pedro Garza, EDA and INCOG.
• Attending the Mayor’s Retention Breakfast.
• Attending the VisitTulsa Advisory Council Meeting.
• Attending the Tulsa Sports Commission Advisory Council Meeting.
• Hosting Tulsa’s Future II CEO meetings.
• Attending the Churchill Dinner of the Other Club.
• Hosting the 2011 One Voice Agenda meeting with Tulsa delegation legislators.
Economic Development
• Facilitating meetings for the Tulsa Regional Transmodal Facility.
• Meeting with regional cities regarding Tulsa’s Future II funding.
• Creating a survey about direct flights to/from Tulsa.
• Developing training programs for staff on Brownfields and New Market Tax Credits.
• Working on the development of a local closing fund.
• Meeting with the Tulsa Area Partnership executive committee.
• Meeting to discuss renewable energy forum in Tulsa.
• Working on a strategy with Diversity Council volunteer to enhance Minority Business Champion program for participants.
• Working on internship program to benefit small business owners.
• Participating in Global Entrepreneurship Week events.
• Meeting with local manufacturer to hear about expansion opportunities.
• Hosting a mayors breakfast with small business owners.
• Attending IEDC Business Retention & Expansion training in Kansas City.
• Presentation on downtown activities to Will Rogers Rotary at ONEOK Field.
• Attending the 2011 OneVoice Agenda Meeting with Tulsa Delegation Legislators.
• Attend the Unmanned System Alliance of Oklahoma (USA-OK)/American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) meeting and networking event.
Education and Workforce
• Recruiting coaches for the College Access Career Readiness program.
• Completing updates to the 2011 Education Guide.
• Completing the Partners In Education fall/winter newsletter.
• Completing the Partners In Education Holiday Help newsletter.
• Meeting with TCC and INCOG to discuss sustainability manager training.
• Attending the TAHRA program meeting.
• Launching the Talent Dividend Survey.
• Planning the next Workforce Roundtable meeting.
• Meeting with Langston University President, academic administrators and local employers to talk about employer needs and hiring Langston graduates.
Tulsa’s Young Professionals
• Hosting D2: Perceptions of Tulsa.
• Working on grant applications for The Forge.
• Touring lease space for The Forge.
• Updating sponsorships for the Chamber’s 2011 resource campaign.
VisitTulsa
• Hosting the VisitTulsa Advisory meeting.
• Attending the Team Tulsa meeting.
• Attending the Tulsa Hospitality and Lodging Association’s board and monthly luncheon.
• Presenting at the EDC meeting.
• Revising and updating the Tulsa Attractions Map.
• Putting the final touches on the South Tulsa/Riverside and Cherry Street/Brookside Dining Guides.
• Attending American Indian Chamber of Commerce luncheon
• Updating events page on VisitTulsa.com
• Processing leads received from Rejuvenate Marketplace Conference.
The Tulsa Sports Commission:
• Wrap up from USA Volleyball site visit to Tulsa.
• Prepping for Olympic BMX racers arrival next week.
• BMX Pre-event operations.
• BMX Pre-event marketing.
• BMX collateral distribution into bike stores and community to create awareness for Friday night’s Pro-Spectacular event on Nov. 26.
Marketing and Communications
• Completing articles for the Chamber Report newsletter.
• Updating the Let’s Do Business brochure and pull-up banner.
• Updating the Entrepreneurs Guide publication.
• Submitting Tulsa-area economic development projects for recognition in national publication.
• Beginning preliminary market research for VisitTulsa website.
• Marketing annual D.C. Fly-in trip.
Government Affairs
• Attending Oklahoma Academy 2010 Town Hall Conference.
• Securing endorsements for the 2011 OneVoice agenda.
• Preparing for Political Directory update.
• Working with legislators to secure authors and educate them on 2011 OneVoice agenda.
• Working with Greater OKC Chamber to develop annual Tulsa/OKC joint legislative agenda.
• Monitoring legislative interim studies.
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.
Artworks Tulsa Photography
Rebecca Eubanks, Owner
624 S. Boston, Suite 735
Tulsa, OK 74119
Phone: 527.1519
www.artworkstulsaphotography.com
Goodwill Industries of Tulsa
David Oliver, President
1210 E. 41st
Tulsa, OK
Phone: 581.1200
www.goodwilltulsa.org
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