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Chair-elect Dr. Gerard Clancy inauguration tomorrow
The Tulsa Metro Chamber will inaugurate Gerard Clancy, M.D., president of the University of Oklahoma - Tulsa, as the 2011 chair of the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting tomorrow from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center.
More than 1,200 area business leaders, local officials and citizens will be in attendance at the Annual Meeting, presented by Oklahoma State University –Tulsa. Clancy succeeds Chair Don Walker, president and CEO of Arvest Bank.
Also planned for the annual meeting is a video presentation featuring a review of 2010 accomplishments, an awards presentation, and Clancy’s inauguration address unveiling the Chamber’s primary initiatives it will undertake during 2011. These initiatives include: maintaining the Chamber’s long-term strategic plan and focus on economic development, regional tourism, legislative success, and education; expanding regionalism; promoting a positive and confident attitude about the Tulsa region; and introducing diversity and inclusion as a critical role of economic development.
Annually, more than 3,000 businesses support the activities of the Tulsa Metro Chamber through membership investment. Chamber members include businesses and organizations from more than 70 communities throughout the 10-county metropolitan area and the state of Oklahoma and represent 175,000 area employees.
Cost to attend the Annual Meeting is $50 for members. Seats are still available, but must be reserved by 5 p.m. today. Call Jessica Lowe-Betts at 918-560-0206 to reserve a seat.
Tulsa-area entrepreneurs graduate from FastTrac
The Tulsa Metro Chamber collaborated with the TEDC Creative Capital to offer two entrepreneurial education programs, FastTrac® GrowthVenture and FastTrac® NewVenture. Both classes began in September, and more than 25 entrepreneurs graduated from the programs in December. A special ceremony will be held this month to recognize each graduate.
“This was an extremely valuable class for me as I start my business here in Tulsa,” said Josh Lamb, owner of Tulsa Land Surveying, LLC and a graduate of the NewVenture class. “Although I have been in this industry for many years, starting my own business brings its own set of challenges. This class gave me a foundation that I needed.”
Through the intense 10-week FastTrac course, participants learn how to construct solid business plans or effective strategic plans for the growth of their small businesses. After completing the program, FastTrac graduates receive coaching assistance from their class facilitator as well as one-on-one assistance from class coaches.
For more information about the program or to learn about FastTrac classes being offered this spring, contact Warren Unsicker at warrenunsicker@tulsachamber.com or 918.560.0235.
BOK Center in top 10 for ticket sales
Once again the BOK Center was ranked as one of the top performing arenas in the world by Pollstar Pro.
With 360,871 tickets sold, the venue ranked No. 10 nationally and No. 23 in the world for ticket sales.
“We are very grateful for the continued success after two and a half years," said John Bolton, BOK Center General Manager, in an email to the Tulsa World.
For the entire list of venue and Oklahoma artist ticket sales, see the Tulsa World article here.
Chamber seeking member and partner input
As part of the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s participation in the National Talent Dividend Network through CEOs for Cities, the Chamber is working to increase the college attainment rate by one percentage point for the Tulsa region. These 5,900 additional college graduates would create an additional $646 million dollars annually for the region’s economy.
How can Tulsa improve its education and workforce services? Share your thoughts with us. A targeted survey was created to identify existing resources and programs; gaps in the education pipeline, student services and employee training; successful programs or models that may be replicable; and potential partners with like-minded programs or efforts.
Take the survey
To participate, click on the link below that most accurately describes you or your industry.
Business and industry (executives, management, HR, recruiters, supervisors, hiring manager)
Community partner / agency
Educational institution
Chamber hosts Mayor’s Breakfast on downtown development
The Tulsa Metro Chamber, in partnership with the city of Tulsa, hosts monthly Mayor’s Breakfast meetings addressing a variety of economic development-related topics. Last week, the topic was downtown development; Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett spoke with 14 downtown developers and property owners about their concerns and questions regarding downtown or specific projects. Attendees also included Mike Neal, the Chamber’s president and CEO, and Mike Bunney, chief economic development officer for the city of Tulsa.
Issues discussed included the tax credit moratorium; two-way streets to spur development; parking; safety; landscaping; and how best to coordinate development efforts.
Senator addresses economic development group
Oklahoma Sen. Dan Newberry, chair of the State Senate’s Business and Commerce Committee, spoke at the Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Council’s (OPEDC) monthly meeting hosted last week by the Tulsa Metro Chamber. Newberry discussed possible legislation that could impact economic development in Oklahoma. He then responded to questions from the group.
OPEDC is made up of approximately 150 professional economic developers representing cities, chambers of commerce, educational institutions and organizations. Tulsa Metro Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal is a member.
Oklahoma teams make history
For the first time in history, Oklahoma’s three college football teams finished the 2010 season ranked in the Associated Press poll’s top 25.
The University of Oklahoma is No.6, Oklahoma State is No. 13 and Tulsa is No. 24. The rankings come following each team’s bowl victory over the holiday season.
The complete AP list and facts about each Oklahoma team can be found in this Tulsa World article.
What we’re working on Economic development
• Presenting at the Economic Development Commission meeting.
• Making a Tulsa’s Future II presentation to the Home Builders Association.
• Attending the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties meeting.
• Meeting with small business owner regarding Worker’s Comp legislation.
• Meeting with Small Business Council Executive Committee.
• Working on 2011 updates to collateral materials and website.
• Meeting to form a Downtown Communication Taskforce to coordinate and promote downtown events and businesses to both Tulsans and visitors.
• Attending Groundwork USA follow-up meeting regarding funding opportunities for development in the East Village.
• Hosting the first TIPS President’s Council meeting for 2011 to share best practices.
• Convening the Let’s Do Business Committee of the Small Business Council to discuss plan of action for 2011.
• Touring Tulsa Tech’s Broken Arrow Campus.
Tulsa Sports Commission
• NCAA marketing planning.
• NCAA downtown district décor planning.
• NCAA meetings with the city of Tulsa; prepping for the thousands of visitors arriving in March.
• Meeting with Tae Kwando Do event owners for future hosting opportunities in Tulsa.
• Fundraising planning and execution for first event in 2011.
VisitTulsa
• Meeting with Team Tulsa.
• Hosting a sales meeting with SMG and VisitTulsa.
• Attending the Economic Development Commission meeting.
• Attending the Tulsa Hotel and Lodging Association board meeting and monthly luncheon.
• Resource Campaign fulfillment.
• Continuing preparations to host the NCAA second and third round basketball tournament at the BOK Center.
• Updating VisitTulsa information in the industry standards MINT database.
Government Affairs
• Attending the 2011 Tulsa Metro Chamber annual meeting.
• Attending the Fast Forward INCOG Tulsa Regional Transit Plan Luncheon meeting with legislative leadership.
• Attending INCOG/CTAG 2011 Legislative reception.
• Attending Economic Development Commission regular meeting.
• Finalizing preparations for the 2011 D.C. Fly-In.
• Organizing upcoming legislative events.
Membership
• Developing new member prospect strategies.
• Trying to recruit and retain members.
Marketing and Communications
• Hosting media at the Annual Meeting.
• Assisting The University of Tulsa with the NCAA media buy and marketing plan.
• Developing publication calendars for 2011 publications.
• Updating content on Chamber family of websites.
• Writing Chamber Report newsletter copy.
• Preparing two economic development e-newsletters.
• Planning a photo shoot for a TYPros print piece.
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.
Welcome new members:
Eats 2 U
Onyx Sky Design
The Devin Agency
TNT Staff Pro
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