August Cover Story, the Greater Arlington Chamber

Cover Story

Together, We Succeed The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce is helping lead the community to unprecedented economic growth

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here is no denying this: Now is a good time to live, work and play in Arlington ... Scratch that ... Now is a great time to (fill in your blank) in The American Dream City, where unprecedented growth of the commercial kind has been spurred by overwhelming enthusiasm of the contagious kind. The nutshell conclusion drawn by practically every observer, whether he/she is a long-timer, part-timer or simply someone paying a visit, is the same: Arlington is thriving like never before.

All you have to do is stand in the downtown area or in the entertainment district or on the main drags and look around. You’ll almost surely see something big or something new – or something that’s a combination of the two – opening or growing or beckoning.

And now you know why Michael Jacobson is sporting a big smile on the cover of this issue. The President and CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce is charged, by the nature of his position, to oversee and inspire economic development in his fair burg. So, when the economy develops as it has in Arlington over

Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce leaders Kellie Fischer (Texas Rangers) – Chair, Finance Committee; Michael Jacobson – Chamber CEO; Larry Fowler (Pope, Hardwicke, Christie, Schell, Kelly & Taplett, L.L.P.) – Chamber Chair; and Carl Cravens (Affiliated Bank) – Chamber Chair Elect

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ARLINGTON TODAY • August 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

the past few years, Jacobson’s task is made not only easier, but considerably more fun.

Still, he will be the first person to note that this really isn’t his task.

While Jacobson has been the face of the Chamber since 2015, it’s the legs and arms and the other ever-moving complementary body parts comprising his organization that work collaboratively to move the city in the right economic direction.

And beyond his organization, strategic partners like the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation and others are all working in unison to support the city’s economic growth initiatives.

“The sign says it all,” he says, noting the other character on this month’s cover, the one marked by the words “Together, We Succeed.” The placard Jacobson holds in his hands carries a couple of significant, fresh messages he and the Chamber’s Board of Directors spent a good deal of time crafting.

One: Arlington is not just a city; rather, it’s a community that encompasses what’s within the borders and envisions what’s possible beyond them. Hence, the new reference to “The Greater Arlington Chamber.” And two: It has evolved into that community because of its principals’ commitment to turn the quest for success into a team sport.

“The members of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce are the lifeblood of the city,” Jacobson says. “The Chamber’s strength is our members. Our new slogan, ‘Together, We Succeed,’ is for a purpose. The commitment to our community’s success is so strong in Arlington.

That’s why we’re seeing what we’re seeing here.”

A stone’s throw in practically any direction from Jacobson’s downtown office reveals resounding evidence of the economic and subsequent social burgeoning taking place. There are new commercial endeavors, such as Legal Draft Beer Company and Urban Alchemy Coffee + Wine Bar, that have had customers visiting and returning just days after they first opened their doors.

Photos courtesy of The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce There are 101 Center and Arlington Commons, the premium-apartments complexes that welcome folks who enjoy visiting downtown to live there permanently. There’s the state-ofthe-art George W. Hawkes Downtown Library that just opened not far from the state-of-the-art Levitt Pavilion. There’s the University of Texas at Arlington, which just conferred a record number of

degrees and which now sports new facilities for academics, sports second Tuesday of the month, and creates interest-specific groups, and student housing, as well as a new emphasis on research that such as the Women’s Alliance and the Young Professionals, that has transformed UTA into one of the nation’s premier institutions of focus on finding solutions that directly address members’ specific higher learning. needs and business desires. The Chamber also supplies marketing In the meantime, the “old guard” business establishments such tools, such as ribbon-cutting ceremonies conducted by Chamber as Theatre Arlington and the plethora of surrounding shops and Ambassadors to help new companies get off to a solid start. restaurants such as J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill fill – and often spill out – “Getting data is also really important to us,” Jacobson says. That’s as crowds flock to the area like never before. why the Chamber staff will survey members and nonmembers Long known for its Entertainment District – actually, long known alike to learn about business concerns and challenges companies because of its Entertainment District – Arlington is undergoing a routinely face. Then they’ll craft solutions to help all businesses have transformation that will make that area virtually peerless. To wit, a better opportunity to succeed. the development of Texas Live! and Jacobson firmly believes that the Chamber Globe Life Field (the new ballpark for plays an integral role in the economic the Texas Rangers) to join the vanguards prosperity of Arlington, Dalworthington AT&T Stadium, Six Flags Over Texas, Gardens and Pantego – now the Greater Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and eateries Arlington Chamber area. And he’s made it a and retail stores galore. priority to spread that gospel, especially to Elsewhere, in every direction, people new members. are starting and enhancing businesses “One of my challenges is helping first-year in Arlington to take advantage of “The members recognize the value that exists for Boom.” them and finding ways to get them engaged,” Jacobson says most of what is he says. happening couldn’t have occurred To that end, he emphasizes the current without excellent leadership, from momentum and notes the intricate Mayor Jeff Williams, the City Council framework that comes together in Arlington and City Manager Trey Yelverton to the to underscore the truth in the message in administrators at big companies such as the new slogan. The teamwork includes D.R. Horton, which recently chose to call contributions that run the demographic the city its new home. He’s especially gamut: city officials, Arlington ISD and its proud of how Chamber members have new Dan Dipert Career Technology Center, taken the lead to grow the organization, UTA, Tarrant County College, owners of which now boasts some 1,250 members. businesses large and small – and a Chamber Two years ago, the number was 900. of Commerce that eagerly helps coordinate Jacobson has overseen two the integration process. membership drives in the past nine Jacobson says he is proud to stand beside months. “It’s fun to watch as they business leaders such as Jim Maibach, Kellie compete against each other to see who Fischer, Paul Fulks, Jim Ross and Aziz can recruit the most new members,” he Kobty – (each featured on previous covers says. “Those folks are competitive.” of Arlington Today) and each a Chamber Except when they’re not. member who believes the organization makes Jacobson says the drives actually Arlington a better place in which to work, The Chamber in action: (top) the Membership Drive Committee preparing for a Dream Big new member drive; (middle) the work to bring everyone together live and play.

Women’s Alliance Taste of the Highlands event; (bottom) the in a common appreciation of how “They are all people who love Greater Grand Opening of Duluth Trading Company on I-20 on July 12. important their work is – and their Arlington and who love our organization,” he workplaces are. “Our members know says. “They’re our All Stars. There are a lot of each other, mentor each other, celebrate each other’s successes and others like them who believe in the Chamber and what it stands for. buy from each other,” he says. “Our members are what make it I’m very fortunate, in that regard, because I couldn’t be associated happen on a day to day basis.” with a better group of people – and that includes our staff, as well.”

To help ensure member success, the Chamber proactively enacts Collectively, Jacobson, the leaders mentioned and not, and the a wide range of measures to grow businesses and foster economic staff stand today not so much at a crossroad as at a threshold. prosperity, and as the voice of local business the Chamber helps take Historically speaking, the city – and the Greater Arlington Chamber the lead in developing the community’s future. of Commerce – have never been in a better place.

The measures include education and workforce development Jacobson likes the view from there. “The future is so incredibly initiatives and business development programs. It offers networking bright in Arlington,” he says. “People call it The American Dream opportunities, such as the Business Over Breakfast meetings every City. I like to call it the city where dreams come true.” arlingtontoday.com • August 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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