May/June 2010 Vol. 4 Issue 3
Don’t Miss…
Leadership Longview Class Builds Jennings Park, p. 14
Chamber of Commerce J Convention and Visitors Bureau J Downtown Development
Also in this issue…
Texas Parks and Wildlife Comes to AlleyFest
THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA: FROM THE PRESIDENT
3
MAIN STREET CITY GAINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
4
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS GOES COUNTY-WIDE
5
KEEP LONGVIEW BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS
6
DOWNTOWN MARKET ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL SEASON
7
D.C. FLY-IN ON THE HORIZON
8
FORBES & BUTLER TAKES HOME ADDYS
13
Departments RIBBON CUTTINGS
10
ANNIVERSARIES
11
NEW MEMBERS
12
LEADERSHIP LONGVIEW
14
CALENDAR
15
Longview Progress Report is published by:
410 N. Center Street / Longview, TX 75601 903-237-4000 / www.longviewtx.com
O
rganizers with Texas Parks and Wildlife are taking the show on the road by partnering with AlleyFest to present the new Life’s Better Outside Experience in 2010. Since 1992, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and its partners have produced the annual Expo as a public service. During the event’s 17-year run, more than half a million visitors of all ages got to try activities like fishing, shooting, birding, photography, camping, climbing, mountain biking and more with gear and guidance provided. The new Life’s Better Outside Experience will continue that tradition. “The mission of the Life’s Better Outside Experience is to provide hands-on outdoor
activities for families, youth, and children who do not recreate in the outdoors, and to introduce them to these activities which can lead to conservation of our natural and cultural resources,” said Ernie Gammage, TPWD urban outdoors program leader and former Expo director. Each event will focus on outdoor opportunities in our East Texas region, with information on nearby state parks, good spots to go fishing, paddling, camping and much more. This will also help to connect families to outdoor groups in their area. One of the core beliefs is that recreation leads to conservation. By introducing Texans, especially urban Texans, to outdoor recreation, the outdoors becomes more relevant to them. Come enjoy Life’s Better Outside Experience. The exhibits will be open Saturday and Sunday during AlleyFest.
www.LongviewVotes.com Gets National Recognition
T
he Partnership’s Business Advocacy website, www.longviewvotes.com, recently got a face-lift adding a few new features like email newsletters and quick surveys. Those changes have resulted in extra traffic to our longviewvotes.com website. In fact, The U.S. Chamber says our Longview site received nearly 2,000 hits in just one month alone, putting us at the top of the list of all participating chambers
with similar websites and initiatives. From the latest political news to the voting records of your representatives, longviewvotes.com tells you what’s going on in Austin and D.C. You’ll also find the tools you need to write a letter to those representatives with just a click of a button. Check out the longviewvotes.com website so you can Know More and Take Action.
2 May/June
www.longviewtx.com
From the President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Power of Social Media
Richard Andrews
R
ecently, I've made up my mind to overcome my fear of working within the frame work of social media. After several workshops, some of which we've hosted at the Longview Partnership, I've begun taking risks with social media platforms and have found myself to be Kelly Hall LP Presid ent extremely pleased with the results! Step 1: The Partnership hired Kimberley Bozeman to help us create our Social Networking Communications plan. Step 2: The Longview Partnership has linked all of our networks such as Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, longviewchamber.com, longviewvotes.com, visitlongviewtexas.com, etc., to our blog. Step 3: Utilize our blog, The Business View (www.longviewpartnership.wordpress.com) to message about key advocacy issues, IRS updates, etc. Step 4: Set up Fan Pages on Facebook for specific events in order to take advantage of the advertising feature within Facebook. Step 5: Utilize YouTube (Longview Partnership Channel) to promote Longview, provide member testimonials, showcase events, etc. Step 6: Utilize LinkedIn (Longview Partnership Group) to provide weekly updates on relevant media releases that can help businesses grow and prosper! The results: FANTASTIC!!!! Examples: a. We hosted our first Women's Leadership Series for 2010 and overbooked the luncheon within less than 2 days.
b. We hosted “Customer’s Who Want the World” webinar and once again SOLD OUT within one week. c. Our Downtown Market Fan Page had well over 1100 fans within the first month. In April, the Downtown Market was launched. Through Facebook we attracted exhibitors, fans and attendees. d. We advertised Business EXPO on Facebook for 1 month and had 1,498,851 impressions. The committee has received an overwhelming response from the ad and had to add additional exhibitor booths to meet the demand. Where can you find the Longview Partnership and our divisions?
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 LP
Dr. Julie Fowler Kilgore College - Longview
Keith Honey AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company
Anne Hugman Hugman Architecture & Construction
FACEBOOK: Longview Chamber, Downtown Market, Longview Business Expo, AlleyFest, Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau, ET Boat, RV & Camping Expo.
Wes Jones Spring Hill ISD
Jim Kendrick Longview Regional Medical Center
David McWhorter Gans & Smith Insurance Agency Inc.
LINKED IN: Longview Partnership Group.
Dr. Dale Lunsford LeTourneau University
Randy Oertel
YOU TUBE: Longview Partnership Channel.
LeTourneau Technologies, Inc.
Darrell Rachels
TWITTER: LongviewTexas, LongviewChamber, Longview KLB, VisitLongviewTX.
Eastman Chemical Company, Texas Operations
Dave Spurrier Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
WORDPRESS: www.LongviewPartnership.wordpress.com If you're afraid and/or resistant to the Power of Social Networking, I challenge you to embrace it! Learn how to make it work for you and your business.
ADVISORY DIRECTORS Maxey Cerliano Gregg County Sheriff
Charles Ireland Citizens National Bank
Judge Bill Stoudt Gregg County www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 3
Strengthening a Strong Economy
STAFF
Longview Receives National Recognition at Annual Convention
Kelly Hall Presid ent 903-237-4004 president@longviewtx.com Paul Anderson Sr. Vice Presid ent 903-753-3281 lcvb@longviewtx.com Elaine Reynolds VP Do w nto w n Develo p m ent 903-237-4040 downtown@longviewtx.com Leska Parker Business Manager 903-237-4010 bmanager@longviewtx.com Mary Whitton Pro gram Co o rd inato r 903-237-4003 programs@longviewtx.com Mitzi Barnes Sp ecial Pro jects Co o rd inato r 903-237-4021 projects@longviewtx.com Amy Tatum Community Development Coordinator 903-237-4029 community@longviewtx.com
L
ongview was once again recognized for its achievement as a National Main Street City during the recent annual convention for The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street. Representatives of Main Street Cities from across the nation met in Oklahoma City the first week of May. Cities chosen as National Main Street Cities must show above average performance in 10 categories. The selection criteria focus on planning, staff and volunteers, preservation ethic, training and program assessment. Longview’s Main Street Program was honored along with the other Texas cities and Main Street
and hard work of our volunteers on our committees, and the support received from the City of Longview.” said Paul Anderson, Main Street Manager and Sr. Vice President of the Longview Partnership.
The Chairman’s Club Platinum Silver
Elton Taylor, Jr. Mem bership Services Coord inator 903-237-4013 membership@longviewtx.com Elena Guilbeau Co nventio n Sales Manager 903-753-3281 meetings@longviewtx.com Margie Harris To urism Services Manager 903-753-3281 info@longviewtx.com Carrie Fisher Recep tio nist 903-237-4000 info1@longviewtx.com
4 May/June
Cities across the country. “The Longview Main Street Program has worked very hard this past year and this recognition is well earned by our many volunteers that put in the hours to help improve our downtown business district. Our Main Street Program is working to revitalize downtown Longview and to create a sense of place that belongs uniquely to Longview. This effort is possible only because of the commitment
www.longviewtx.com
Providing Networking Opportunities
Business After Hours Goes County-wide in June
T
Gregg County and its surrounding areas. A record he Longview Partnership is collaborating with the Business After Hours crowd is expected, so make plans Kilgore and Gladewater Chambers of Commerce for now to attend. Chamber members interested in promoting what is hoped to become an annual tradition -- a joint their companies to the large Business After Hours number of attendees should networking event with all consider contributing a door three of Gregg County's prize for the drawing. Chambers of Commerce. For more information on Hosted by the East Texas Business After Hours, contact Pump Jacks at Driller Park Member Services Coordinator on Tuesday, June 8 from 5Elton Taylor (903.237.4013 or 7pm, members of all three membership@longviewtx.com). chambers will be The Partnership is now posting networking and enjoying video clips from the after hours great entertainment, as the networking events on its Pump Jacks kick-off their Attendees networking at the April Business After Hours event hosted by YouTube channel 2010 season at home. Longview Rodeo. (www.youtube.com/longviewpartnership). Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to build See you after hours! positive business relationships with companies throughout
www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 5
Strengthening a Strong Economy
Keep Longview Beautiful Places 2nd in GCAA Awards Contest
K
eep Longview Beautiful’s (KLB) beautification efforts have paid off! KLB received 2nd place in the Governor’s Achievement Award Contest. The Governor’s award is administered by Keep Texas Beautiful. Longview competed against other Texas cities of similar population size. The Governor’s Achievement Award recognizes 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place award recipients in each population category. There are 10 population categories. Only the first place winner received a TxDOT approved project totally $270,000. The application consists of a 6 page written summary of all events, projects, and activities that relate to litter
abatement, youth education, and beautification for 2009. “Over the past 20-plus years, community leaders have worked toward developing an award winning education and beautification program for Longview,” said coordinator Amy Tatum. “Their tireless efforts have once again been recognized by Keep Texas Beautiful. Our sincere appreciation goes to the volunteers’ long term commitment.” KLB won first place in the GCAA awards in 1980. Lee Wain Pursley is the founding member of KLB, which began in 1979. If you would like to help fund the education, beautification or cleanup efforts of KLB, contact Amy Tatum at 903.237.4029 or community@longviewtx.com.
Keep Longview Beautiful Thanks our Monthly Winners Co ngratulatio ns to the businesses and churches w ho have received a Keep Lo ngview Beautiful m o nthly beautificatio n aw ard in the p ast 6 m o nths!
6 May/June
First Christian Church
McGough & McGough Dental Excellence
Hampton Inn and Suites - North
The Princeton Club
Hanson Pipe & Precast, Inc.
Telco Plus Credit Union www.longviewtx.com
Promoting the Community
Downtown Market
T
he Promotions Committee launched the first Downtown Market in March. With much anticipation of how the vendor turn out would be and how well it would be attended, the first season proved to be successful. “From the response of the vendors to the visitors that came to shop, many compliments were received,� said Kim Droege, Promotions Committee Chairman. Holding the Market on the same Fridays as the Spring Brown Bag Concerts at Heritage Plaza helped both events draw more people into downtown Longview. The enthusiasm for these Main Street events remains high. The Downtown Market will return in the fall with a location and time to be announced.
AlleyFest Music 2010 Friday, June 4 6:30 p.m. - Richard Stuart & One Night Stand 8 p.m. - Curtis Grimes 10 p.m. - Little Texas
Saturday, June 5 6 p.m. - Teazur 8 p.m. - Not Exactly Dylan 10 p.m. - Blue Oyster Cult
www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 7
Strengthening the Local Economy
Longview Business Leaders Head to Washington D.C.
A
rmed with Public Policy statements, more than 15 business leaders will taking their message
The Longview Partnership Presents …
Shut Up & Sell: Ditch Discounts and Sell Value to Boost Your Bottom Line
straight to Capitol Hill for the bi-annual DC Fly
In. The Fly In takes place May 17-19. This year’s attendees will get to hear the latest news on the hot button issues like immigration, healthcare, energy, and transportation. Meetings have been scheduled with Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison as well as Congressman Louie Gohmert. The Business Advocacy Committee hosts the event every
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 11 Where: Longview Partnership, 410 N. Center St. Cost: $15 includes light lunch - Call or e-mail today! 903.237.4000 or president@longviewtx.com Who: Chamber Members Only — Classroom Cap 50 People
other year with trips to the State Capitol in between. Pictures and videos of the DC Fly In will be posted to the website during and after the trip on www.longviewchamber.com.
MOTIVATE YOUR SALES TEAM IN TODAY’S TOUGH ECONOMY • Ways to change your team from excuse-driven to action-driven • How to present your price confidently • Ways to sell value: Ditch discounts for quality
SELLING VALUE - NOT PRICE: WHAT YOUR SALES TEAM NEEDS FOR SUCCESS • Fear no more: How to overcome asking for a higher price • Raising your staff morale: Keys to success • Keys to identifying the real object: and solving it
KEYS TO SHOOT DOWN PRICE OBJECTIONS: TURN FAILURE INTO SUCCESS • Proven ways to lower the importance of price with customers • Low-cost ways to rewarding ourstanding sales reps • Secrets that make or break the deal: What you need to know.
SPEAKER: Colleen Stanley is president of SalesLeadership, Inc. She frequently speaks on selling value and overcoming price objections. She is a monthly columnist for national Business Journals, co-author of “Motivational Selling” and author of “Growing Great Sales Teams: Lessons from the Cornfield.”
8 May/June
www.longviewtx.com
www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 9
Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings
Carter BloodCare recently moved into its new facility in the bustling Longview Towne Center retail development. Carter BloodCare is located at 3080 N. Eastman Road, Ste 112. Call 903.757.2474.
Edward Jones Financial Advisor Stoney Thomas has moved from his old office on Hawkins Parkway to a new space on Judson Road. Edward Jones - Stoney Thomas is located at 2304 Judson Road, Ste C. Call 903.234.8087.
Get relieved of stress and tension at Going Green Massage Therapy, now located at Bill Owens Parkway & Loop 281.
A grand opening celebration was recently held for Gold Rush Mercantile & Trading Company.
Going Green Massage Therapy is located at 2631 Bill Owens Parkway. Call 903.212.2387.
Gold Rush Mercantile & Trading Company is located at 2309 Gilmer Road, #101. Call 903.291.0991.
No more driving to Dallas or Houston for designer clothing and accessories. Morgan Abbigail has it right here in Longview!
Page Pub & Pizzeria is more than just an after five spot. Grab lunch as well as dinner from their full restaurant menu.
Morgan Abbigail is located at 1505 A Judson Road. Call 903.240.8811.
Page Pub & Pizzeria is located at 2647 Bill Owens Parkway. Call 903.297.8122.
10 May/June
www.longviewtx.com
Promoting the Community
Anniversaries June 2010
May 2010 One Year
One Year
PetSmart #1862
Going Green Massage Therapy
Longview Radiator & Automotive
Longview Professional Staffing
Encompass Home Health
Stebbins Aviation Inc.
America's Best Value Inn & Suites
Metlife Securities
Texas Bank
Intelligent Software Solutions
Scooter Central
Anytime Fitness - South Longview
Panther Creek Ranch, LP
McAlister's Deli
Hispanic Community Yellow Pages
TRAN - Texas Rehab Action Network
Which Wich
The Mud Hut
Five Years Angelina College Procurement Assistance Center Brown’s Shoe Fit Company East Texas Symphonic Band Eastman Credit Union Little Animal Hospital Shore Freeman Mills PC Smotherman’s Scenery Inc. SOS Staffing Winston/Royal Guard Corporation
American Habilitation Services Five Years Cypress Interactive
Ten Years Pike Blakely Enterprises LLC
Highway 80 Rescue Mission
East Texas Child Advocates Inc. Ten Years
Fifteen Years
Eastman Estates
Longview Arboretum / East Texas Gardens, Arboretum, Conservation
Flint Hills Resources
FastSigns/Gregg Sign Company
Rodney D. Young Insurance
Sonitrol Security Systems
Twenty Years
Texas Best Smokehouse / TCI Royale Inc.
First Baptist Wee Learn Center
Thirty Years
East Texas Food Bank Texas Home Health
Dillard’s
Twenty-Five Years Longview Independent School District
Fifty-Years Ruff Realtors
Kennith Graves & Associates PC Fifty-Five Years Darby Equipment Company
Forty-Five Years Cooper Optical www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 11
Promoting the Community
The Longview Partnership Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome the following new members: 4 Minute Fitness Clay Copeland 913 NW Loop 281, Suite 281 Longview, TX 75604 (903) 387-0862
Inzer Advance Designs Pam Payne 124 W Tyler Street Longview, TX 75601 (903) 236-4012
Pro-Motions of East Texas Gaylon Butler 114 E Niblick Street Longview, TX 75604 (903) 759-1151
A-SAF-T-BOX Charles Carter 1742 Callahan Road Longview, TX 75602 (903) 757-8484
Jobs at Able LLC Rodney Lemons P O B ox 86 Judson, TX 75660 (903) 7589-4299
Simpson Capital LLC David Simpson 1 South Main Avinger, TX 75630 (903) 562-1234
Beacon Hospice at Margaret’s House Christy Black 5016 Gilmer Road Longview, TX 75604 (903) 553-0035
Metabolic Research Center Katrina Hutchins 103 W Loop 281 Ste 418 Longview, TX 75605 (903) 663-6776
TCIM Service Inc. Richard Jinks 2835 E Cotton Street Longview, TX 75602 (903) 757-1500
Brownrigg Insurance Agency, Inc. Stacey Adair 303 W. Austin Street Marshall, TX 75670 (903) 938-8888
MJs Music & Dance Brenda Judkins 1604 Ferndale Street Longview, TX 75604 (903) 806-8202
Texas Special Children’s Projects, Inc. Billy Hill 513 N Fredonia Longview, TX 75601 (903) 236-7300
Doctor’s Nutrition Janet Lewis 408 E Loop 281 Ste C Longview, TX 75605 (903) 663-1008
Norris Cylinder Company John Wulff 4818 W Loop 281 Longview, TX 75605 (903) 237-7634
TWFG Insurance Services Robyn Kay 2814 Bill Owens Parkway #200 Longview, TX 75605 (903) 759-5244
Family Healthcare/ Care Plus of East Texas Mary Ellen Morton 2010 Bill Owens Parkway Longview, TX 75604 (903) 247-3400
Papa John’s Pizza Danny Rivers 618 N High Street Ste 10 Longview, TX 75601 (903) 553-0283
Winterfield United Methodist Church Reverend Rita Sims 2616 Tryon Road Longview, TX 75605 (903) 753-4825
12 May/June
www.longviewtx.com
Promoting the Community
Longview Wins Again … magazine advertisements and other promotional materials. he Longview Partnership is pleased to announce that Forbes&Butler won 12 awards overall at the annual Forbes&Butler Visual Communications was awarded American Advertising Federation of Shreveport-Bossier with two bronze ADDY’s for the design of the new Addy Awards Banquet. This Longview Community posters competition is the first of a and Downtown brochure. The three-tiered national community posters, which are competition conducted displayed in the Amtrak station annually by the American and Partnership lobby, promote Advertising Federation. Longview’s culture, events and The AAF’s ADDY Awards lifestyles to our visiting guests. honor creative excellence in The downtown brochure is advertising and cultivate the made available to those highest creative standards in interested in traveling to or the industry. Forbes&Butler is already visiting Longview, as Holly Forbes, Jason Butler, Jim Tilley and Paul Anderson display the a full service advertising and well as included in visitors award-winning work of design firm Forbes and Butler of Longview. graphic design company bags given to conference and specializing in the creation and production of marketing special event attendees. The Longview Convention and materials, owned and operated in Longview by Holly Visitors Bureau is proud to be partnered with Forbes and Jason Butler since 2001. Forbes&Butler for creation of billboards, brochures,
T
www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 13
Community Leadership and Development
Leadership Longview Builds Park in Memory of Bill Jennings
T
his year’s Leadership Longview class choose to create a park in memory of District Judge Bill Jennings at the SeeSaw Children’s Place. Once the class decided on their class project, plans were underway. The group consulted with local expert Mike Spencer with Noah’s Ark and Playgrounds to create a five-phase park to benefit children who attend the SeeSaw Children’s Place. The class began fundraising efforts and to date raised over $26,000. This year’s class completed Phase I. The project was a perfect example of community partnering. Students from East Texas Christian School, where Jennings had been a community leader for many years, assisted Leadership Longview in making the park a reality. Members of the Greggton Rotary Club were also instrumental in purchasing and installing a piece of equipment for the park. The playground will be used on a daily basis and consists of different types of equipment. It includes an X-Wave, a Wiggle Walk, A Tri-Spring Fling, a Rocking Rider and a Triple Rock. The park will be a great investment in regards to economic development and increasing property values. A dedication of the park was held on Thursday, April 22 with local dignitaries as well as Jennings’ family present.
14 May/June
www.longviewtx.com
CALENDAR MAY 4
11:30 a.m.
Business Expo/ Leadership Longview Graduation at Maude Cobb Activity Center
6
Noon
Business Advocacy Meeting at LP
7
Noon
KLB Board Meeting
10
5:30 p.m.
GLG Task Force at Development Services Building
12
Noon
Leadership Longview Committee Meeting
14
11:30 a.m.
Member2Member Orientation Session - LP
17-19
Washington DC Fly In
24
3:30 p.m.
LP Executive Board Meeting
26
Noon
One Hundred Acres of Heritage Main Street Advisory Board Meeting
27
4:00 p.m.
LP Board Meeting
Noon
KLB Executive Board Meeting
JUNE 3 4-6
AlleyFest in Downtown Longview
9
Noon
Leadership Longview Committee Meeting
11
11:30 a.m.
Member2Member Orientation Session - LP
14
3:30 p.m.
LP Executive Board Meeting
17
4:00 p.m.
LP Board Meeting
www.longviewtx.com
The Longview Progress Report 15
410 N. Center Street Longview, TX 75601 903-237-4000 www.longviewtx.com
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 82 LONGVIEW, TX