|
TulsaBizPac announces endorsements, contributions for City Council primary
The political action committee provides support for 12 candidates
TulsaBizPac announced today its endorsements and campaign contributions for 12 candidates on the City of Tulsa City Council Sept. 13 primary ballot.
TulsaBizPac is a bi-partisan political action committee formed in 2010 by current and previous leaders of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. It allows individuals to collectively participate in the political process by identifying and supporting candidates concerned with reforming issues which impact the quality of life and economic vitality of the City of Tulsa.
“TulsaBizPac selected and supported candidates based on his and her stance on issues, but also those with a proven track record of diplomacy and leadership,” said David Page, TulsaBizPac chair and market president for JP Morgan Chase. “We believe candidates TulsaBizPac endorsed or to whom financial support was provided are among the strongest candidates in his or her respective races.”
All candidates were invited to participate in the process and TulsaBizPac formally interviewed a total of 25 candidates. Each interview was 30-45 minutes in length, included consistent questions posed to all candidates, and a brief open discussion portion. Discussions with candidates will continue post-primary about his or her top issues which may result in additional support or endorsements from TulsaBizPac for the general election.
The primary elections are Tuesday, Sept. 13 and the following resources may be helpful as you prepare to vote:
To read more or for details on TulsaBizPac supported or endorsed candidates, click here.
Over 700 attendees gather for Restaurant After Hours
Over 700 attendees gathered at the Oklahoma Aquarium Thursday night to network and connect with local businessmen and women at Restaurant After Hours, presented by Bill Knight Ford and Cox Business.
Forty of Tulsa’s best restaurants offered bite-sized samples of their most loved dishes, while special guest Grady Nichols entertained the crowd with live music. Among the restaurants represented were Redrock Canyon Grill, Go West Restaurant & Saloon, The Melting Pot, The Upper Crust, All Things Cakes, McGill’s and many more.
Attendees also enjoyed the atmosphere of the aquarium exhibits, including the 5,000 gallon shark tank with a walk-through tunnel that holds the largest bull sharks in captivity. The exhibits also included stingrays, river otters, beavers, and thousands of salt and fresh water fish and animals.
Restaurant After Hours allows participants a wonderful experience of networking and building business connections in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. To attend the Chamber’s next networking event or find out more, click here.
Chamber’s small business department offers new program to business owners
The Tulsa Metro Chamber’s small business department is partnering with TEDC Creative Capital to sponsor a 10-session program, called FastTrac GrowthVenture, designed for business owners looking for proven strategies and processes for healthy growth.
“FastTrac pulled together all the things I knew I should be doing and forced me to reexamine and validate each aspect of my business,” said Cari Marshall, L&M Office Furniture and previous attendee. “Not only did this process produce a cohesive result, it emphasized the strategic rationale behind good planning and careful implementation. FastTrac is a great review of solid business practices.”
Targeted specifically to entrepreneurs who have experience running their businesses, FastTrac GrowthVenture focuses on issues you need to:
- Make critical decisions about your business vision and strategy;
- Investigate next-stage growth and opportunity;
- Plan for strategic growth;
- Build and maintain a competitive advantage;
- Lead with clarity; and
- Maximize cash flow for future profitability.
The sessions, facilitated by Jeffrey S. Horvath, will be held weekly from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday’s at TEDC, located on 907 S Detroit Ave, Ste 1001. The cost of the program is $299, with partial scholarships available to Chamber members.
For more information or to sign up, contact Jessica Chaffee at 918-560-0294 or jessicachaffee@tulsachamber.com. Participants must be enrolled by Sept. 1.
Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic returns to Expo Square
The Global Reining Sport Group is pleased to announce the 2011 Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic, Aug. 31-Sept. 4, at the renowned Expo Square.
For seven years, the Oklahoma Reining Horse Association has crafted and grown the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic into a major showcase event for the sport. The new host, Global Reining Sport Group, has already made major plans to continue OKRHA’s hard work and upward growth pattern.
New to the schedule is the Developing Horse Futurity. Intended for horses and riders who may not want to compete at the highest level, the Developing Horse Futurity offers riders a chance to develop their young horses in a competitive setting.
Also new is the addition of an FEI-sanctioned Concours de Reining International (CRI) five-star class on Friday night. Following on the heels of the mega-successful Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup Five-Star competition, the GRSG is excited to add this international-level of sport to the Tulsa schedule.
Much of what reiners from around the world have come to love about the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic will be familiar. The event will still hold big-money aged event classes for futurity and derby horses, will still have multiple slates of ancillary classes and will once again be the host to the South Central Regional Affiliate Final, thanks to a firm partnership with OKRHA and plenty of hospitality and fun at this AA-rated reining event.
For ticket information and a complete show schedule, visit tulsareining.com.
Tulsa lawmakers earn high scores for pro-business voting records
The Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED), an Oklahoma City-based nonpartisan organization that promotes economic growth in the state, recently awarded Oklahoma legislators for their business-friendly voting record in the most recent legislative session.
A number of Tulsa-area legislators scored perfectly in the RIED index, including Sen. John Ford, Sen. Gary Stanislawski, Rep. Earl Sears and Rep. Dan Sullivan. Rep. Weldon Watson achieved a perfect cumulative score of 100 in the past four consecutive years.
Ninety-five legislators across the state scored 70 percent or higher on their cumulative votes for and against designated bills. The scores from this year’s report are among the highest since the RIED index has existed.
The Institute designated 363 bills as pro-business legislation, including lawsuit and workers compensation reform, measures to consolidate state agencies, funding technology startups and giving employers greater options in drug testing.
In an effort to keep members well-informed and versed on local and statewide elected officials' agendas and voting records, the Chamber is making available the most recent RIED report.
OTA seeks bond to strengthen Tulsa metro’s transportation infrastructure
Creek Turnpike expansion needed to support high traffic count
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority voted last week to seek a $178 million bond issue. A portion of the bond, $76 million, will be used to add lanes to the Creek Turnpike from U.S. 75 to Memorial Drive, which includes widening the bridge over the Arkansas River.
Tolls will not be increased to pay for the widening project, which helps to further modernize the Tulsa metro’s infrastructure and ensure that Tulsans’ transportation needs, present and future, are met.
Creek Turnpike traffic counts have been significantly higher than predicted during original construction. The turnpike, which loops south Tulsa from the Turner Turnpike to the Will Rogers Turnpike, provides southeast Tulsa easy access to the rest of the Tulsa metro.
The bond proposal, which is to be paid off in 20 years, now goes before the state Council of Bond Oversight Thursday, Aug. 25. Construction is expected to begin in late April or early May of next year.
This week's top prioritiesExecutive Office
• Hosting the Chamber board meeting and reception for the Board of Advisors.
• Meeting with Chief John Red Eagle and the Osage Nation in Pawhuska, Okla.
• Hosting the Regional Economic Development Compact signings.
Economic Development
• Attend the Tulsa Industrial Authority board meeting.
• Submit RFP for manufacturing project.
• Meeting with company on workforce expansion & state incentives.
Downtown Development
• Participating in the IEDC Education Course, Neighborhood Development Strategies, held in OKC.
Small Business
• Meeting with University of Tulsa Entrepreneurial studies leaders.
• Small Business Forum focused on HR issues.
• Meeting with regional partners regarding Governors Trade Mission.
Education and Workforce
• Hosting Talent Dividend planning meeting.
• Hosting Partners In Education Kickoff breakfast.
• Hosting aerospace job fair.
TYPros
• Hosting TYPros Advisory Council.
• Diversity Crew conducting a corporate lunch bunch discussion.
• Planning city council meet and greet.
Government Affairs
• Attending Broken Arrow Chamber luncheon featuring Sen. Jim Inhofe.
• Attending Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting with Senate Pro Temp. Brian Bingman.
• Attending Economic Development Compact signings and press conference.
Tulsa Sports Commission
• Researching new RFPs for 2013 & 2014.
• Creating and developing BID proposals for six new events.
• Planning promotions for NDL races in Louisville & sports conference in Chicago.
VisitTulsa
• Attending Connect Marketplace in Chicago to promote Tulsa to over 300 meeting planners.
• Hosting VisitTulsa Executive Committee Meeting.
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:
All Things Cake
Anderson Marketing Services Inc.
Avitrol Corporation
Blooming Twig Books LLC
Bruce Gibson Real Estate Inc.
Coble's Flowers & Gifts
Hair on the Square
Jolley Plumbing, L.L.C.
Karimian and Associates
Knockouts Haircuts For Men
R. A. Bodenhamer & Associates, Inc.
Ridgeway Baptist Church
Roper Hardwood Floor Company, Inc.
Specialty Pain Management Center
July Hospitality Club
Volunteer of the Month
Marvin Krueger, Melaleuca, Inc.
Quota Master
Betty Groth, RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program)
|
|
|
