Chamber kicks off rock ‘n’ roll-themed Resource Campaign
The Tulsa Metro Chamber and its rock star volunteers spent last Tuesday evening celebrating the start of this year’s Resource Campaign with a rock ‘n’ roll-themed kickoff. Volunteers enjoyed food and fun with an unusual flair this year with concert-style music, Elvis impersonators and a red carpet.
Dr. Gerry Clancy, president of OU-Tulsa and current chair of the Chamber, serenaded the crowd with a short re-enactment of the previous night’s Lady Gaga concert, singing “rah, rah, rah-ah-ah” a capella for the pure enjoyment of attendees. For his grand finale, Clancy plans to perform a full-out karaoke concert at the end of the 10-week campaign, after the $2.6 million goal is met.
Resource Campaign Chair Becky Frank, chair and CEO of Schnake Turnbo Frank PR, led the night with her usual poised manner, but kept it rock ‘n’ roll with a pink wig and Lady Gaga-style face mask. Co-chair Mike Thornbrugh, manager of government and public affairs, for QuikTrip Corporation, channeled Slash of Guns ‘n Roses, completing his black wig, top hat and guitar costume with an unlit cigarette dangling from his lip.
This year’s “bands” were introduced by theme song as their “band leader” led their group to the red carpet for a quick dance-off style display of skills. Recognition was given to last year’s campaign rock stars as well, many of whom are returning for another year of resource campaign fun. The Chamber is excited about everyone’s involvement this year and looks forward to another successful campaign to ensure continued growth and development in the Tulsa metro region.
If your company is interested in sponsorships or would like more information on the campaign please contact Karen Humphrey at KarenHumphrey@tulsachamber.com or 918.560.0250. The first rewards session is scheduled for April 14 at noon at the Expo Square-Fair Meadows Sports Bar.
Street CReD: Polishing the Pearl
Tulsa's Young Professionals will host its inaugural Street CReD event April 15-16 in the Pearl District in an effort to visually articulate the potential the area has to become the next Brookside, Cherry Street or Blue Dome district. The area, more specifically identified as Sixth Street between Peoria and Quincy, is a natural artery from The University of Tulsa to downtown and has the capacity to become a booming, lively district for shopping, entertainment and activity. TYPros hopes to kick-start the revitalization and development of the area by taking The Pearl District Association’s plans, which have been on paper for quite some time, and showcasing them in a tangible, fun way.
The “weekend makeover” will start Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m. with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Vendors like the Dog House, Dwelling Spaces, Marshall Brewery and Back Alley Blues and Barbecue will be setting up temporary shops and will be joined by street performers and community partners like PLANiTULSA and INCOG. Another community partner, Up With Trees, donated 64 trees to be used in the makeover, which includes turning the four-lane street into a more pedestrian and bike-friendly area with a tree-lined median and wider sidewalks. TYPros volunteers are currently cleaning, painting and organizing the neglected area to prepare it for a weekend of kid-friendly excitement and fun. The event will continue until 9 p.m. Friday night and resume Saturday morning at 10 a.m. There will be a special presentation at 11 a.m. Saturday and vendors, performers and community partners will be there until 3 p.m.
This approach to development benefits shop owners and local merchants whose products and services can more easily be observed. TYPros presents the initiative to offer citizens a clear vision of what Tulsa could become through community redevelopment and urban revitalization. Each year, TYPros will choose a different part of the city to highlight. When no area of Tulsa is neglected, the entire city benefits.
There is no cost to attend. For more details contact Brian Paschal, executive director of TYPros, at 918.560.0286 or brianpaschal@typros.org
Construction to start on I-244 multi-modal bridge this month
The construction of a multi-modal bridge spanning the Arkansas River on westbound I-244 will begin as scheduled this month. The new structure will incorporate highway lanes on the top side with two dedicated future rail lines and an area for bicycle and pedestrian traffic underneath. The project, funded by a combination of federal funds and a $50 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant, will give Tulsa one more aspect of the modernized transportation system it needs.
“The replacement of this bridge is critical due to its deteriorating conditions,” Oklahoma Department of Transportation Director Gary Ridley said. “This double-decker bridge is the first of its kind in the state, and opens the door to endless possibilities for expanding transportation in this region.”
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Tulsa Metro Chamber will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, April 15 at 10 a.m. honoring the start of the new construction. Speakers will include representatives from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metro Chamber.
Join us at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza at the top of the pedestrian bridge at the corner of Southwest Blvd. and Riverside Drive. Please RSVP to LToya Knighten at ltoyaknighten@tulsachamber.com or 918.560.0278 by Monday, April 11. Immediate parking is limited, please carpool as necessary. Overflow parking will be on the side street or on Riverside Drive, below the Cyrus Avery Rt. 66 bridge.
World League Men’s Volleyball tickets now on sale
Tickets for the 2011 FIVB Bama World League matches featuring the No. 5 U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team and No. 1 ranked Brazil on June 24-25 at the Reynolds Center at The University of Tulsa now on sale.
Click here to purchase tickets or visit TU’s box office inside the Reynolds Center, 3208 East 8th St., between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Groups of 20 or more can purchase tickets by calling (918) 631-4688. Both nights’ matches will start at 7 p.m.
Prices for individual matches are:
Upper Bowl (General Admission) - $8
Ends of Lower Bowl - $12 ($8 for group of 20+)
Reserved Lower Bowl - $15
Reserved Lower Bowl Padded Seats - $20
The U.S. Men are ranked fifth in the world and are the defending Olympic champions. The United States won its first World League title in 2008 and finished third in 1992 and 2007. Brazil is ranked No. 1 in the world and has won the last two World League titles and nine World League titles overall. It also won the 2010 World Championship.
The Tulsa Sports Commission, a program of the Tulsa Metro Chamber, worked with USA Volleyball organizers to bring the event to Tulsa in support of the Commission’s mission of creating a positive economic impact through attracting, developing and facilitating amateur sports events, sports-related conventions and other sports ventures.
Regional Day at the Capitol huge success for Chamber, region
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More than 175 participants traveled to Oklahoma City Wednesday to represent our region at the state Capitol for the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s Regional Day at the Capitol. A morning of remarks from legislators was followed by an afternoon of lobbying and a keynote address from Gov. Mary Fallin.
The large crowd gathered to maintain the momentum for the rest of the session and continue involved encouragement of pro-business legislation. The session has proven productive for the region’s priorities thus far with the passage of aerospace tax credit and lawsuit reform bills and continued support of a Quick Action Deal Closing Fund.
Speakers included Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Speaker of the House Kris Steele, State Finance Director Preston Doerflinger, Senate Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Gov. Mary Fallin, as well as other legislators, who offered explanation and updates of their bills. Many legislators expressed their appreciation for the attendees’ continued involvement with legislation and their eagerness to continue the mutually-beneficial cooperation between the public and private sector.
“We appreciate the partnership,” said Steele. “I’m honored and proud to be a part of your team.”
Fallin voiced her support of a strong pro-business climate in Oklahoma, asking business leaders to help her “pinpoint” opportunities in various industries and bring any leads to her attention.
“We want to do all we can to help you with your business,” said Fallin. “My goal is to create the very best business climate possible.”
Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Chamber, called this year’s Regional Day at the Capitol a huge success.
"This day has been productive, beneficial, educational and encouraging for everyone,” said Neal. “I appreciate the attendees and the legislators that continue to make events like these a complete success. We’re looking forward to the rest of the session and hope to see this level of involvement continue, which will surely lead to a mutually-beneficial business climate for Oklahoma and our region.”
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas addresses Chamber audience
Business leaders and Chamber partners from around the Tulsa metro gathered at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center today to listen to U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas speak on the current issues facing our federal delegation as they pertain to our region.
Lucas, whose family has farmed in Oklahoma for more than 100 years, is chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and continually works to better the future of farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma. Lucas was elected to Congress in 1994 and represents Oklahoma’s Third Congressional District, one of the largest agricultural regions in the nation. Lucas also serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
Lucas focused on his current work on the agriculture committee, including the Farm Bill for 2012, and how Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers will be affected by the budgetary issues at hand. Lucas stated that decisions must be made “methodically, fairly and in a wise fashion” to ensure the successful future of not just Oklahoma, but our nation.
During the question and answer portion of the luncheon, issues such as renewable energy, health care, transportation and social security were discussed. Lucas also addressed immigration and supported the Chamber’s stance, saying it “absolutely is a federal issue” and encouraging that his peers “step up to the plate.”
The Chamber regularly hosts Congressional Forums to allow the Tulsa regional business community to hear from Washington lawmakers on timely issues affecting the state and nation. For more information please go to TulsaChamber.com or call 918.585.1201.
What we’re working on:Executive
• Making Tulsa’s Future II CEO calls.
• Hosting Southern Economic Development Council site visit.
• Attending Friends of the Fairgrounds board meeting.
• Attending press conference with Broken Arrow Chamber.
• Hosting TYPros leadership meeting.
• Speaking at Mayor’s Police and Community Coalition meeting.
• Hosting Mayor’s Business Retention Breakfast with transportation, distribution and logistics companies.
• Meeting with Governor Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation.
• Attending the Renewal Energy Forum Sponsors Reception.
• Hosting small group board breakfast.
• Hosting small group city councilors luncheon.
• Speaking at Executive Women’s International Spring Conference.
• Meeting with Tulsa Sports Commission nominating committee.
• Hosting press conference on I-244 Bridge groundbreaking.
Education and Workforce
• Attending Tulsa Area Employer Council.
• Meeting with Sustainable Tulsa executive director to discuss Tulsa’s green movement.
• Workforce Tulsa executive committee meeting.
• Meeting with OSU-IT Culinary training for Women In Recovery.
• Meeting with TYPros College & University crew.
• Meeting with Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance extension agent to discuss workforce programs/recruiting.
• Attending Higher Ed Forum.
• Talent Dividend Prize conference call.
• Attending TCC Spring Advisory committee meeting.
Tulsa’s Young Professionals
• Continuing “makeover” of Pearl District for Street CReD.
• Moving Forge tenants into One Technology Center.
Government Affairs
• Monitoring State and Federal legislation.
• Hosting Congressional Forum featuring Congressman Frank Lucas.
• Attending Resource Campaign Lunch and Learn.
• Attending Tulsa Metro Chamber/Broken Arrow Chamber press conference.
• Attending Tulsa City Council Budget Meeting.
• Attending/Hosting ODOT I-244 Bridge Groundbreaking ceremony.
• Attending EPA Public Hearing on Regional Haze Plan.
• Planning April-June legislative events.
VisitTulsa
• Hosting an SEDC site visit.
• Attending the RE-Newable Energy preconference meeting.
• Finalizing preparations for the Collie Club of America event in Tulsa.
• Promoting Tulsa at the Affordable Meetings conference in Chicago.
Tulsa Sports Commission
• Meeting with several sports governing bodies and rights holders at National Association of Sports Commissions Sports Event Symposium in Greensboro, N.C.
• Planning for the USA Volleyball match in Tulsa in July.
• Hosting the board nominations meeting.
Economic development
• Attending OEDC monthly meeting and educational program.
• Follow-up meeting to discuss available land tract.
• Sensor Alliance meeting.
• Attending AviationWeek’s MRO Conference and Expo.
• Attending Governors Economic Development Team meeting.
• Participating in the APA Webinar on municipal and development finance.
• Attending the monthly NAIOP meeting.
• Participating in the ULI Webinar on Public-Private Partnerships Today: Tools, Tactics and Opportunities
• Attending the Brady Business Association meeting.
• Convening a stakeholders meeting regarding downtown development improvements.
• Attending the Small Group City Councilors luncheon.
• Attending the I-244 groundbreaking and news conference.
• Wrapping up Tulsa’s Future calls.
• Meeting with Local Incentives Fund Task Force.
• Hosting officials from Southern Economic Development Council.
• Hosting Area Development publication’s Energy Forum.
• Participating in the 2011 Spirit Entrepreneurial Award kickoff celebration.
• Hosting Mayor’s Breakfast focused on transportation distribution and logistics.
• Attending the Governor’s Cup Awards Banquet.
Marketing and Communications
• Connecting travel writers with appropriate interviewees for Tulsa stories.
• Updating VisitTulsa and Tulsa Sports Commission websites.
• Finalizing VisitTulsa marketing plan.
• Preparing media reports.
• Finalizing Chamber Report content.
• Hosting press conference for I-244 groundbreaking.
• Hosting press conference to announce a regional collaboration.
• Assisting a new company with an announcement.
• Finalizing a direct mail piece to site consultants.
• Proofing TYPros relocation guide.
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:
Decision Tree Technology. LLC
Fastenal Company
Insurance Services
Krisha & VR, PC
Lettuce, LLC
Oklahoma Health Academy
Sanders Nursery and Distribution
The Cigar Box
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