July/August 2011 Vol. 5 Issue 4
Don’t Miss…
Leadership Longview taking applications for new class , p. 5
Chamber of Commerce J Convention and Visitors Bureau J Downtown Development
Also in this issue…
Chamber Awarded Five-Star Accreditation by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
WHO CAN HELP SUPPORT PROGRAM UNVEILED
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MS COMMITTEE IMPLEMENTS WAYFINDING PLAN
4
LEADERSHIP LONGVIEW APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
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BRINGING LEADERSHIP TRAINING HOME
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GEOCACHING: IMPACTING LOCAL TOURISM MEET OUR AMBASSADORS
9 10
Departments RIBBON-CUTTINGS
6
ANNIVERSARIES
7
NEW MEMBERS
7
CALENDAR
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Longview Progress Report is published by:
410 N. Center Street / Longview, TX 75601 903-237-4000 / www.longviewtx.com
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ood news! The Longview Chamber is pleased to announce that after a comprehensive self-review, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded us with 5-Star Accreditation. This prestigious honor puts us among the top 1% of chambers nationwide. “The Longview Chamber of Commerce has done an excellent job in many areas and has implemented a wide variety of valuable and successful programs for its membership. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proud to accredit the Longview Chamber of Commerce with our highest level of recognition, the 5-Star ranking. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement, stated Allison Steely with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce! “I am honored that we have been recognized as a 5-Star Chamber,” said Kelly Hall, Chamber president. “The Accrediting Board highlighted several areas that were considered excellent. These are a few that really made me proud … • The chamber does an excellent job of recognizing its volunteers; • The chamber recognizes the benefit
that its members value most, the Sensible Solutions program, and, the chamber is commended for making plans to ensure that this program remains valuable and relevant moving forward; • The chamber is commended for its excellent grasp of the impending factors that will seriously impact the chamber in the next three to five years, as well as for preparing ahead for these issues.“ YOUR Chamber will continue to strive for excellence and mold programming needs to meet the needs of our customers…OUR MEMBER INVESTORS!” This past year, the staff, board, and volunteers of Longview spent countless hours completing the Accreditation process. Our task: demonstrate competency in 9 core areas ranging from finance to facilities. The result of our hardwork is evidenced by this impressive rating. But in truth, we should all be extraordinarily proud of this milestone achievement. It was a true team effort. The only national program recognizing continued on p. 8
2 July/August
www.longviewtx.com
From the President
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Free Tool to Grow Your Business
and identifies a category, subcategory, he Longview Chamber of Commerce date needed and ZIP code. Businesses has partnered with learn instantaneously that someone is in WhoCanHelp.com® to give you a need of their powerful new tool to service via do business with one “To better connect local business in our SMS text or another in a fast and community, this new tool has the power to email and can efficient way! not only generate leads within our own immediately WhoCanHelp.com® member businesses but it will create new post an offer. is a free tool built to help people who opportunities to get business in our local The consumer then selects the value their time find community utilizing the latest service the right service technology.” provider of his providers for every Kelly Hall, Chamber President or her choice job. Also, it will create and has the new opportunities to opportunity to get business from write a review following the completion other members as well as your local of the work. WhoCanHelp.com combines community. Whether you use the best features of other Web-based WhoCanHelp.com® as a busy consumer or services — directory services, reviews, as a service provider who wants to bid on ratings and social networks — to create a posts from consumers, this service is FREE comprehensive patent-pending approach to all chamber members. to connect users and services providers. In the Longview trade area, the ZIP The website also works in business-tocode-based service will give businesses a business transactions, with requests for real-time connection with consumers who proposals and generation of business for are looking for their products or services. For consumers, WhoCanHelp.com helps answer these universal questions: • When can they do it? • What’s the cost? • Are they reputable?
Whether looking for a landscaper, wedding photographer, accountant or carpenter, posting to WhoCanHelp.com is free and easy. The user simply lists the title and description of the service needed
larger firms, general contractors and government agencies that require widespread bidding.
Just log on to the chamber’s website at www.longviewchamber.com and click on the WhoCanHelp icon. For additional assistance on how to join WhoCanHelp.com, contact the Longview Chamber of Commerce at 903.237.4000.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Richard Andrews
LEDCO Past Chairman
Edward Banos Good Shepherd Health System
Shane Best
Texas Bank & Trust
Cathy Cace
Johnny Cace’s Seafood & Steak House
Jon Cox
STEMCO
Keith Honey
AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company
Anne Hugman
Hugman Architecture & Construction
Jim Kendrick
Longview Regional Medical Center
Dr. Dale Lunsford
LeTourneau University
David McWhorter
Gans & Smith Insurance Agency Inc.
Darrell Rachels
Eastman Chemical Company, Texas Operations
John Ray
Lively Cadillac-GMC Car Co.
Dave Spurrier
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Dianne Swank Wellness Pointe
Tim Vaughn
TVaughn Properties, LLC
APPOINTED DIRECTORS Jay Dean
City of Longview
Judge Bill Stoudt Gregg County
Shelby Snell
Oleum Operating Co., LLC www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 3
Strengthening a Strong Economy
STAFF Kelly Hall President 903-237-4004 president@longviewtx.com Paul Anderson Sr. Vice President 903-753-3281 lcvb@longviewtx.com
Elaine Reynolds VP Downtown Development 903-237-4040 downtown@longviewtx.com Leska Parker Chief Operating Officer 903-237-4010 bmanager@longviewtx.com Mary Whitton Program Coordinator 903-237-4003 programs@longviewtx.com
Mitzi Barnes Convention Sales & Services Coordinator Executive Director - East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo 903-237-4021 projects@longviewtx.com
Amy Tatum Membership and Public Affairs Director 903-237-4041 community@longviewtx.com
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MS Committee Implements Wayfinding Plan ongview Main Street Advisory Committee members have taken the important initial steps to implement Phase 1 in a city-wide project to improve the way people – and especially visitors and newcomers – find their way around Longview. Phase 1 will be to strategically place signs at major inbound thoroughfares that will help direct people to downtown Longview. Recognizing the importance of the downtown district in the Gregg County seat, the primary intent of this step is to help drivers and others find their way safely and smoothly into downtown Longview. Focus is being placed on directing the traffic not only to downtown
The Chairman’s Club
Platinum Silver
Lisa Null Membership Services Clerk 903-237-4013 membership@longviewtx.com Margie Harris Tourism Services Manager 903-753-3281 info@longviewtx.com
Carrie Fisher Director of First Impressions 903-237-4000 info1@longviewtx.com
4 July/August
but to the public parking lots that have recently been refurbished and beautified. Twenty two signs are planned for this project. Funds for this phase have been designated out of the Main Street and CVB budgets over the past two fiscal years. Depending on the location and the prevailing speed of the traffic at that location, the signs will have 4”, 6” or 8” lettering. In the downtown district, pedestrian directories will be placed near each of the public parking lots and on the corner of Center and Whaley Streets. Past efforts to find a sign manufacturer
www.longviewtx.com
continued on p. 8
Developing Community Leaders
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Leadership Longview: Leaders in Action Applications Now Available for 2011-2012
eadership Longview is celebrating 30 years of providing leadership development training to the Longview community. Beginning in 1981, the Leadership Longview program has graduated over 650 individuals since its inception. The mission and objective of this community based program is to strengthen and transform the community of Longview through a program of leadership development, community study, and involvement. Leadership Longview’s 2011-2012 leadership team consists of Richard Lazarus, Chairman; Chris Terry, Westlake Chemical, Vice-Chair, Curriculum, Donna Koerner, REMAX First Choice, Chairman, Alumni Affairs, and Linda Martin, Network Communications, Past Chairman. Through Leadership Longview, participants gain a better understanding of our community by attending program sessions that are facilitated by Leadership Longview
he participants of the Leadership Longview program come away with new relationships, a better understanding of their community and new ideas for personal growth. - Richard Lazarus, Leadership Longview Chairman
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alumni in the in the following areas: business and economic development, industry, health and social services, education, criminal justice and quality of life. Tuition for chamber members is $800 and $900 for nonmembers. Scholarships are available. Applications are available online at www.longviewchamber.com/ leadership_longview or by contacting Mary Whitton, Program Coordinator, at 903.237.4003 or programs@longviewtx.com. Applications are due Friday, July 22.
www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 5
Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings
AEROTEK, INC. Aerotek, Inc. is located at 2107 Courthouse Drive. Call 972-832-6616.
Cowboy Chicken Cowboy Chicken is located at 3080 Eastman Road, Ste. 100. Call 903-6630777.
Mill Creek Terrace Mill Creek Terrace is located at 200 Bostic Drive. Call 903-758-1008.
6 July/August
ARC
OF
GREGG COUNTY
Arc of Gregg County is located at 601 Boyd St. Call 903-753-0723.
Big Papa’s Liquor Beer & Wine Big Papa’s Liquor Beer & Wine is located at 880 E. Loop 281. Call 903-757-7591.
Lonestar Liquidators Metabolic Research Center Lonestar Liquidators is located at 118 Johnston. Call 903-234-0600.
Pine Grove Apartments Pine Grove Apartments is located at 741 Ethel St. Call 903-232-1616.
www.longviewtx.com
Metabolic Research Center is located at 103 W. Loop 281, Ste 418. Call 903-6636776.
Suburban Extended Stay Suburban Extended Stay Hotel is located at 3211 Hotel Way. Call 903-663-1333.
Promoting the Community
Anniversaries July ‘11 - 1 YEAR
ArkLaTex DKI Datcom Eyeglass World Girling Health Care Hopscotch for Children Lively Cadillac GMC Suzanne Cook & Company – Lacey Stevenson The Ranch @1844
July ‘11 - 5 YEARS
March of Dimes Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority
July ‘11 - 10 YEARS
McDonald Lighting & Maintenance Supply Inc.
July ‘11 - 15 YEARS
Classic Homes by Sam Clark Curtis-McKinley Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc. Encore Multimedia Sphere 2 Environmental Inc.
July ‘11 - 20 YEARS
Internal Medicine Association Master Audio Visuals Inc.
July ‘11 - 25 YEARS
Jean Simpson Personnel Services
July ‘11 - 30 YEARS Flower Peddler
July ‘11 - 50 YEARS
Acme Brick Company Gorman-McCracken Mazda Volkswagen
August ‘11 - 1 YEAR
Ark Assurance Group CW Boutique Cowboy Chicken Croft’s Photographic Services Deutsche Bank ellie bee’s Intuition Fashion and Accessories
New Members
Kool Smiles Longview Dance Pilgrim Oil & Gas Technical Services Inc. Planet Beach Contempo Spa P’s Gallery Robert’s Coffee & Vending Service Scott’s Flower Shop
August ‘11 - 5 YEARS
East Texas Human Resource Association Hawkins Creek Assisted Living & Memory Care Hunters Crossing Apartments John Daniel Appraisal Agency KZQX Radio Murray Jewelry Company Pine Knoll Apartments State Farm Insurance – Charlene Ingram
August ‘11 - 10 YEARS
A/C Contractors Inc. Amchem Inc. Bob Adams Speciality Advertising East Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse London’s Wrecker Service Lube Express of Longview McGough and McGough PC Titanium Environmental Services West Mountain Operating Co. Inc. Wilson Air Conditioning Women’s Center of East Texas
August ‘11 - 25 YEARS LeTourneau University
August ‘11 - 30 YEARS Michael Guillory MD
August ‘11 - 40 YEARS TDI Air Conditioning
AGI Consulting Steve Turner 1804 Lakeshore Drive Longview, TX 75605 (281) 507-4157
Longview Blind & Shutter Brad Caraway 306 E. Loop 281 Longview, TX 75605 (903) 758-4291
Behaviorial Hospital of Longview Jacqueline Gardner P.O. Box 3822 Longview, TX 75605 (903) 291-3456
Pine Grove Apartments Kari Davis 741 Ethel Street Longview, TX 75602 (903) 232-1616
Arabella Manor Teresa Crisler P.O. Box 10202 Longview, TX 75608 (903) 746-5461
Mountain Supply & Service, LLC Josh Rodgers P.O. Box 3111 Longview, TX 75606 (903) 753-2400
Pirtle Builders/Richard Pirtle Builder, LLC Richard Pirtle 206 Spillway Drive Longview, TX 75604 (903) 452-6170
Bluejean Baby Sierra Ray 1017 N. 4th Street Longview, TX 75601 (903) 234-2229
BNI Dynamic Referrals Diane Davis P.O. Box 13032 Longview, TX 75607 (903) 757-2888
Café Cups & Cones Snehal Patel 3500 McCann Road - L10 Longview, TX 75605 (903) 232-2286
Premier Legacy Real Estate, LLC Johnny Archer P.O. Box 1950 Forney, TX 75125 (469) 556-4051
Card & Party Factory/Wally’s Party Factory Nancy Bauman P.O. Box 1419 Ennis, TX 75120 (903) 663-3090 Chick-fil-A Chuck King 1740 W. Loop 281 Longview, TX 75604 (903) 295-6633
Chick-fil-A Chuck King 507 E. Loop 281 Longview, TX 75605-5001 (903) 663-6631 Great American Coil Dion Faucheux P.O. Box 127 White Oak, TX 75693 (903) 297-4700 Job Corps Michael Tivet 1605B Judson Road Longview, TX 75601
www.longviewtx.com
Southern Home Builders Lost Creek Office Center Jennifer Teague 4001 Techology Center Longview, TX 75604 Sparq Creative Stephen Warnock P.O. Box 9793 Longview, TX 75608 (903) 235-2099
Stone Bridge Heating & Air Conditioning Becca Wood 4202 Republic Drive Tyler, TX 75701 (903) 565-5414
Turn-Tex Machine & Tool, Inc. Dale Grider P.O. Box 68 White Oak, TX 75693 (903) 759-0989 Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #987 Don Kinsey P O Box 627 Longview, TX 75606 (903) 984-0382
The Longview Progress Report 7
Developing Community Leaders
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Bringing Leadership Training Home
t is without argument in the world of Main Street Managers and Program Directors that successful programs are owned and driven by enthusiastic volunteers. Beyond the volunteers that steer the overall program on the Advisory Committee, the volunteers that make up each of the Four Point committees or teams are the essence of and essential to making a positive difference with Main Street. Training of the Advisory Committee and the Committee members is indispensable. Texas Main Street offers several opportunities for this board and committee training and it is always integrated with the manager and program director training. The winter training is held in February or very late January each year. Different main street programs around the state host the events. The same is true for the summer training. This year, winter training was hosted by
Paris, Texas and summer training was hosted by Denton, Texas. Regional training is also held across the state. These are generally organized by one city and surrounding cities are invited. The challenge is finding a time or training that a good number of the
an Urban Main Street program which means that the city’s population exceeds 50,000. Julie Glover, Denton Main Street Manager, has been at her position since 1996 overseeing their successful program. Longview Main Street has invited Glover to come to Longview to conduct training for the Advisory Committee and all committee members. The training will focus specifically on the challenges Urban Main Street programs face. This leadership training opportunity is scheduled for July 27.
Five-Star Accreditation; continued from p. 1
chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement, Accreditation allows us to renew, improve, and promote sound business practices, policies, and procedures. Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members and chamber executives from across the country. For details, please contact Kelly Hall, President/CEO at president@longviewtx.com or www.longviewtx.com and click on the logo.
Wayfinding, continued from p. 4
who was willing to accept the job has been the primary reason for delay. The committee is hopeful that a local signmaker who has recently purchased and installed new equipment will be able to handle the project and the project will not have to be outsourced. Because of the early stages of this phase, the final plan is expected to be completed by the first of August. 8 July/August
Advisory Committee and Committee volunteers can attend. Like Longview, Denton is
www.longviewtx.com
Promoting the Community
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Geocaching: Impacting Local Tourism
Through these volunteer efforts, we help preserve the t may not be treasure hunting, exactly; it’s called geocaching. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure natural beauty of our outdoor resources! Cache In Trash Out is an ongoing environmental initiative supported by hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants the worldwide geocaching community where navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates a geocaching adventure is included in a and then attempt to find the geocache city-wide clean up to encourage more people (container) hidden at that location. Geocaches (especially families) to participate. can be found almost anywhere, and there are There is also the entertainment aspect of over 1 million active geocaches around the geocaching such as offering a FREE seminar world. on geocaching as an event within a larger What does this mean for us? First and most event. It can be followed up with an actual importantly, it is an outdoor, family-friendly group geocaching hunt with prizes. activity and it’s free! That means when The Longview CVB will be hiding a people are visiting Longview, they can geocache in the very near future to help participate in an outdoor group adventure promote family and group tourism in which will result in many wonderful and Longview. If you have never tried geocaching, lasting memories of their experiences here. It we’re sure you will be hooked after you try it. means we can also drive people to our A family uncovers a If you would like more information on attractions and points of interest. geocache in Downtown geocaching, you can contact the Longview And since 2002, geocachers around the Longview using their Convention and Visitors Bureau at 903-753world have been dedicated to improving GPS-enabled device. 3281 and Happy Hunting! parks and other cache-friendly places.
www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 9
Developing Community Leaders
Chamber Names Ambassadors of the Month Name: Cindi-Marie Lewis How long have you been an Ambassador? Almost one year. What do you enjoy most about being an Ambassador? It has allowed me to meet so many new people and develop business relationships in our community. How has being an Ambassador helped your business? It is such a great social networking tool that provides many opportunities for myself
Cindi-Marie Lewis
and Wellness Pointe to get
our name out into the public and gain community awareness for the medical services and social programs that we have to offer.
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10 July/August
Name: Chapin Miller Employer: Community Healthcore Position: Marketing and Public Relations How long have you been an Ambassador? Since September 2010. What do you enjoy most about being an Ambassador? I enjoy learning about the different businesses in Longview and the products and services the businesses offer. How has being an Ambassador helped your
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www.longviewtx.com
Chapin Miller
business? Being an Ambassador has allowed me to network with many different local professionals and get more connected within the Longview community.
July 13 21 27 28
CALENDAR 7:30 a.m. Noon
Waiting for Superman Documentary at Chamber Office Leadership Longview Committee Meeting
11:30 a.m.
One Hundred Acres of Heritage Main Street Advisory Board Training
4:45 p.m.
11:30 a.m.
August 10 15 18 23 24 25
Business After Hours hosted by Patterson Nissan Member2Member at Chamber Office
9-10:30 a.m
TRC Training: Vice Chairman
3:30 p.m.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Meeting
4:45 p.m.
Business After Hours hosted by The Clairmont
Noon
4:00 p.m. 9-10:30 a.m Noon
4:00 p.m.
Leadership Longview Committee Meeting
Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting
TRC Training: Team Captains’ Meeting
One Hundred Acres of Heritage Main Street Advisory Board Meeting Waiting for Superman Documentary at Chamber Office
Earn a FREE trip! Are you looking for a fun way to get involved with the chamber at no cost? Do you want to win a free vacation?
Elected Officials Reception
We are recruiting volunteers to help in our first Total Resource Campaign. Join your colleagues and support the chamber by promoting our 2012 programs and services. Volunteers will spend eight weeks selling sponsorships, and every sponsorship you sell qualifies you for cash prizes. If you sell enough, you will qualify to go on a free trip! For more information, email Leska Parker at bmanager@longviewtx.com.
Mark your calendar for an evening of networking with your local elected officials.
Tuesday, September 27 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at The Summit Club For more info, call 903-237-4000 www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 11
410 N. Center Street Longview, TX 75601 903-237-4000 www.longviewtx.com
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 82 LONGVIEW, TX