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Resource Campaign enters final week
The 2011 Resource Campaign closed week nine with $2,507,575 and a 10 percent cash increase over the 2010 campaign week nine total.
Campaign volunteers met at Stokely Event Center last Thursday for the final reward session of this year’s campaign, where campaign volunteers were awarded for their efforts. Volunteers, sponsors and Chamber staff will gather one last time this Thursday, June 16 at 5 p.m. to announce the final campaign total and celebrate one of the most successful campaigns to date.
The Resource Campaign makes up approximately 23 percent of the Chamber’s annual budget. These funds support Chamber members through business-building events, forums, advocacy efforts, networking opportunities and more.
Campaign volunteers work diligently with businesses to identify branding and marketing needs, and develop a sponsorship package based directly on their specific desires. For more information on the Resource Campaign, sponsorship or membership opportunities or how to volunteer for next year’s campaign, contact Karen Humphrey, campaign director, at karenhumphrey@tulsachamber.com or call 918.560.0250.
Chamber launches website dedicated to downtown development
The Tulsa Metro Chamber launched a new website, TulsaDowntown.org, last week focused on economic development to leverage the progressive growth and public investment in the BOK Center, ONEOK Field, expanded Convention Center, new hotel and residential properties and more.
“Time and again, research tells us a community must have a vibrant, thriving core in order for the entire region to grow,” said Mike Neal, the Chamber’s president and CEO. “It is not enough just to keep up with the Joneses. Our peer cities and regions are also focusing on their downtowns, making it critical for Tulsa to successfully revitalize, develop and create one of the nation’s preeminent business improvement districts.”
The Chamber serves as a vocal advocate for downtown Tulsa. The staff works with property owners, government agencies and elected officials to ensure prospective development projects that include back office, entertainment (hotels, restaurants, retail), and housing are aggressively recruited to the area in or near the inner-dispersal loop and downtown’s connection to the Arkansas River.
The downtown development program collaborates with Tulsa’s Future, VisitTulsa, Tulsa Sports Commission, Tulsa’s Young Professionals, and the Chamber’s top-tier advocacy program.
The Chamber worked with Cubic Inc. creative marketing agency on the design and branding for the new website.
Visit us today at TulsaDowntown.org.
For an article about the new site in the Tulsa World, click here.
Follow downtown
 
Aerospace industry showing positive signs of growth
The aerospace and aviation industry provides more than 13,000 jobs and a $4.3 billion economic impact in the Tulsa region alone, and those numbers continue to increase. Because of its significance to Tulsa, aerospace continues to be one of the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s target sectors.
“Our efforts to recruit new jobs are equal to our efforts to recruit new talent to the region’s workforce,” said Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal. “Many of our aerospace companies are growing today, and we are here to assist them with expansion issues, workforce attraction and legislative advocacy.”
The recent reinstatement of the aerospace tax credit has bolstered Tulsa’s multiple well-established aerospace companies, and several are adding jobs. Add the soon-to-retire baby boomers, and talent attraction becomes a growing challenge.
Denise Reid, director of talent strategies and recruitment for the Chamber, works diligently to facilitate the relationship between potential employees and hiring companies. Reid sites a wide range of industry-specific training available at higher education and tech schools in the region as one of the assets that will ensure the talent pipeline Tulsa-area employers need.
The Tulsa Metro Chamber utilizes a variety of workforce attraction strategies, including search engine marketing specific to the aerospace industry in Tulsa in order to recruit out-of-area candidates.
To learn more about area workforce resources or for questions about talent attraction, contact Reid at 918.560.0255 or denisereid@tulsachamber.com.
World League Volleyball brings world’s best athletes to Tulsa
In less than two weeks, two of the world’s top volleyball teams comprised of Olympic athletes will be competing live in Tulsa in matches that will be broadcast to an international audience.
The 2011 FIVB Bama World League matches featuring the No. 5 U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team and No. 1 ranked Brazil will take place June 24-25 at the Reynolds Center at The University of Tulsa.
The community’s support through the purchase of tickets and attendance at the games as well as sharing the spirit of hospitality Tulsans are famous for to the national and international guests is requested by the Tulsa Sports Commission, Tulsa Metro Chamber and members of the local organizing committee. The Commission’s ability to attract national and international sporting events is determined by the success of events such as this.
Click here to purchase tickets or visit TU's box office inside the Reynolds Center, 3208 East Eighth 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.
Chamber VP receives Certified Chamber Executive designation
Ruth Littlefield, vice president of membership development and retention, recently attained her Certified Chamber Executive certification. Littlefield is the only female in the state with the certification, and one of less than 500 across the nation holding a CCE designation.
The rigorous certification process began with a lengthy application packet. Upon successful application approval, Littlefield was required to submit a two-part essay piece. Then an in-person oral presentation and interview was conducted before a three-person panel. Finally, Littlefield was required to pass a five-hour examination.
Littlefield has worked for the Tulsa Metro Chamber for three years, where she manages membership relations and works to bolster Chamber membership and retention efforts. Before joining the Tulsa Metro Chamber, Littlefield served as president of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce.
Webco Industries breaks ground on new factory
Officials from Webco Industries Inc., broke ceremonial ground last week for a $55 million, 205,000-square-foot plant at the old 154-acre Hissom Memorial Center site on the south bank of the Arkansas River in Sand Springs.
Webco will use the new factory to expand its metal tubing manufacturing operations from its facilities in Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
According to a Tulsa World article, the city of Sand Springs helped pay for the acquisition of the land with an $8 million tax increment financing deal approved in April. Webco’s owners hope to finish construction by early next year.
To read an article in the Tulsa World, click here.
Tulsa hosts state events
Oklahoma Aerospace Summit and Expo
Oklahoma's multi-billion dollar aerospace industry converged in Tulsa last week for the 10th annual Oklahoma Aerospace Summit and Expo, an event for industry leaders, government officials, and non-aerospace companies to network and to attend sessions designed to help companies achieve in today's economy.
Speakers included Gov. Mary Fallin and Commerce Secretary Dave Lopez, and panels included an aviation roundtable, workforce and aerospace technology innovation and initiatives.
Oklahoma Business Roundtable
The Oklahoma Business Roundtable held its annual membership meeting in Tulsa last week. More than 100 businesses statewide support the Roundtable through assistance to the Governor, Okla. Department of Commerce and state leaders. These efforts leverage the knowledge of industry leaders for business development in Oklahoma.
Attendees reviewed what Governor Fallin reports as the “trifecta” of support to economic development the new administration offers. Together with Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and Secretary of Commerce Dave Lopez, Gov. Fallin reiterated her promise to do anything and everything they can to not only make Oklahoma a business friendly state, but to also actively travel and promote the state.
Accomplishments to date in include passing lawsuit reform, workers’ Compensation reform, and establishing the framework for the deal closing fund. The administration is participating in a review of tax credits and offering to support if it the tax credit shows a return to Oklahoma.
Don Walker, immediate past chairman of the Chamber, was also named chairman if the Oklahoma Business Roundtable for 2011-2012 at the annual meeting.
Chamber-hosted HR forum focuses on business-friendly atmosphere
Rep. Dan Sullivan, majority floor leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and Larry Mocha, CEO of APSCO, Inc., joined business leaders last Friday for the Chamber’s first human resources forum of the year.
The forum focused on the recent workers’ compensation reforms, which aim to make the workers’ compensation system more cost effective and friendly to businesses large and small.
When asked if he thought the reform would be sufficient to encourage economic development, Rep. Sullivan was confident that, when paired with recent lawsuit reform and other pro-business legislation, the economy in Oklahoma was headed in the right direction.
“We’re trying to make this a business-friendly state,” said Sullivan. “As long as the average working Oklahoman has the opportunity to have a good paying job that’s a safe work environment that pays benefits, that’s what we want.
We have a great standard of living here, the lower cost of housing. If we could just bring down the cost of doing business while not taking advantage of anybody, but having a fair system, I think that will be the best thing that we can do for economic development.”
The Chamber holds informative forums throughout the year on a wide range of topics. For more information on the Chamber’s next HR forum, please contact LToya Knighten at ltoyaknighten@tulsachamber.com or 918.560.0278.
Tulsa’s Young Professionals kicks off Intern In Tulsa summer series
TYPros hosted an intern social last Thursday as the first of a three-part series of events aimed to bring Tulsa interns together, give them an opportunity to interact with peers and professionals and grow their hire-ability and job search tool kits.
TYPros hosts the series annually and maintains the Intern In Tulsa program year-round as part of its mission to attract and retain quality young professionals in the Tulsa metro.
“We want to see these interns stay here for longer than a semester,” said Brian Paschal, executive director of TYPros. “These are the high-quality, well-developed individuals that will carry Tulsa to the next level in the coming years. We want these interns and job seekers to have these types of events where they can come mingle, see what Tulsa’s Young Professionals has to offer, further develop their job search tool kit and be completely prepared to return to our metro upon graduation confident in their career’s success and Tulsa’s ability to offer quality lifestyle opportunities.”
Local interns were joined by human resource and business professionals and members of the TYPros Colleges and University’s crew for the social, where interns were given information on the various TYPros work crews, interesting things to do in Tulsa and what working and living in Tulsa is like for a young professional.
To get involved or learn more about the series, please contact Shagah Zakerion at shagahzakerion@typros.org or 918.560.0260.
What we’re working onExecutive
• Making Resource Campaign CEO calls.
• Lunch meeting with OSU Medical Center CEO.
• Attending Oklahoma Business & Education Coalition Board of Directors meeting.
• Hosting quarterly meeting with Langston University President.
• Hosting quarterly regional college president’s meeting.
• Attending CEO dinner with Tulsa civic leaders.
• Attending Friends of the Fairgrounds Board meeting.
• Monthly meeting with County Commission Chairman Fred Perry.
• Meeting with State Senator Brian Crain.
• Attending Oklahoma State Chamber Annual meeting.
• Attending Gov. Mary Fallin’s Cabinet meeting.
• Tulsa’s Future II CEO Calls.
• Hosting small group City Councilor’s luncheon.
• Attending 2011/2012 VisitTulsa budget presentation to Mayor Dewey Bartlett.
• Attending Resource Campaign victory celebration at Tulsa Country Club.
• Monthly breakfast meeting with City of Tulsa Economic Development Director.
• Hosting Dr. Keith Ballard and Tulsa Public School board members at Tulsa Driller’s game.
VisitTulsa
• Preparing a mailing from TravelOK.
• Meeting with Green Country Marketing Association.
• Attending a ribbon-cutting event for a new Tulsa business.
• Attending the Green Country Marketing Association’s Annual Meeting.
• Attending the Regional Tourism Task Force meetings.
• Touring Gilcrease Museum with the new director of volunteers.
• Staffing the OK Play Conference at the Tulsa Convention Center.
• Attending the Pinto World’s Celebrity Ride.
• Hosting a sales meeting with the SMG sales staff.
• Providing an information table at the Pinto Horse Associations World Championships at Expo Square.
• Providing an information table at the Mid-America Selby Meet at Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills.
• Preparing for the upcoming Appaloosa Horse Club’s Nationals at Expo Square.
Marketing and Communications
• Finalizing Chamber Report content.
• Promoting World League Volleyball matches June 24 and 25.
• Fulfilling media requests for VisitTulsa.
• Researching city media packets.
• Updating Chamber websites.
• Completing content for the quarterly Tulsa’s Future newsletter.
• Sending monthly site consultant e-newsletter.
• Drafting marketing plan for economic development accreditation.
Economic development
• Meetings with two separate local companies to discuss possible expansions.
• Reviewing 2012 marketing plan with communications team and marketing firm.
• Local Incentives Task Force conference call.
• Meeting with a local entrepreneur to discuss a project.
• Participating with the OneVoice Energy & Environment Task Force.
• Meeting with the City of Tulsa Economic Development Director.
• Meeting with VisitTulsa team to discuss hosting an IEDC event.
• Attending a meeting of the Oklahoma Innovation Institute.
• Wrapping up Tulsa’s Future II fundraising calls.
• Meeting with manufacturer regarding local expansion.
• Attending Business Retention and Expansion task force meeting.
• Meeting with chair of Small Business Council.
• Attending EDC Entrepreneurship meeting for Global Entrepreneurship Week.
• Small Business Council Executive Committee meeting.
• Meeting with COT to discuss planned street improvements per Downtown Master Plan.
• Meeting with OU-Tulsa Design Studio director regarding downtown development.
• Attending Small Group City Council lunch.
• Submitting two manufacturing request for proposals.
• Attending OneVoice health care taskforce meeting.
• Continuing Lead Development follow-up calls.
• Attending Tulsa Global Alliance meeting.
Education and Workforce
• Participating in education and health care advocacy task forces.
• Discussing Talent Dividend matching funds with potential donors.
• Training Teachers as Advisors for Tulsa Public Schools.
• Attending regional K-12 superintendents’ meeting.
• Hosting education OneVoice taskforce meeting.
• Hosting health care OneVoice taskforce meeting.
• Attending Oklahoma Innovation Institute special meeting.
• Presenting to Higher Education college presidents.
• Planning Partners In Education forums.
• Working on July e-newsletter for Partners In Education.
• Recruiting Career Access College Readiness coaches.
• Working on Partners In Education 2011-2012 handbook.
• Assisting University of Phoenix and Drillers with book drive to benefit Partners In Education.
Government Affairs
• Hosting labor and human resource OneVoice taskforce meeting.
• Hosting energy and environment OneVoice taskforce meeting.
• Hosting business retention & expansion OneVoice taskforce meeting.
• Hosting regional tourism OneVoice taskforce meeting.
• Attending education OneVoice taskforce meeting.
• Attending health care OneVoice taskforce meeting.
• Attending State Chamber Annual Meeting.
• Attending City Council District 1 and 3 Town Hall meeting on City Form of Government.
• Attending reception welcoming Sand Springs City Manager.
• Attending Resource Campaign Victory Celebration.
• Hosting Small Group City Councilors Luncheon.
• Attending Tulsa City Council Meth Summit.
• Attending Owasso Chamber Legislative Affairs luncheon featuring Congressman John Sullivan.
Tulsa’s Young Professionals
• Planning Tulsa Big Wheel race.
• Hosting Development Series on public leadership.
• Hosting Art Around Town at Gilcrease Museum.
New Members
Added Care Services, LLC
Clean Line Energy Partners
DMI International, Inc.
Encentus Federal Credit Union
Indian Springs Country Club
Integrity Donations
Live-Guard, LLC
Signal Factory
The Pennyrich Co., LLC
Tulsa Freelance Reporters
Tulsa Symphony Orchestra
Each 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.
Appleone Employment
Ms. Lee Taylor, Branch Manager
5801 E. 41st Street, Suite 104
Tulsa, OK 74135
(918) 877-0506
www.appleone.com
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