GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER Member Benefits
Members play a vital role in the success of the Chamber. Opportunities for involvement and networking range from serving as an Ambassador to learning about issues facing the city to networking with fellow Chamber members and the public at special events. Maximize your membership with resources including The POINT! and The ePOINT!, a monthly newsletter and e-newsletter to keep members informed, and an array of events that focus on legislative issues, networking and economic development. Learn more about Chamber events at www.okcchamber.com/events or e-mail register@okcchamber.com.
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123 Park Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73102 405-297-8900 www.okcchamber.com
Oklahoma’s Largest Coalition of Businesses
Online Resources The Chamber’s website, www.okcchamber.com, is your online guide to business in Oklahoma City. The site includes: • About: contains an overview of the Chamber’s efforts, an online staff directory and information on Chamber leadership. • Oklahoma City: gives an overview of the city and region, including weather, industries, transportation, visitor information, relocation resources and more. • Membership: includes information about member benefits, Chamber Choice health insurance, the online membership directory and marketing opportunities for Chamber members. • Events: features event videos, online registration and a calendar of upcoming Chamber events. • Economic Development: contains information on the Greater Oklahoma City Partnership, an online property locator and information on the Chamber’s Forward Oklahoma City economic development plan. • Advocacy & Policy: includes information on current legislative progress and special issues, as well as access to the annual Legislative Guide and information on the Greater OKC Chamber Political Action Committee. • Education & Workforce: highlights the Chamber’s efforts to strengthen our region’s education system and the Greater Grads program. • Newsroom: includes city and Chamber news, Chamber publications and Oklahoma City images and videos, as well as Oklahoma City accolades and more.
As the city’s only organization dedicated to economic development, the Chamber focuses on growing our economy: • Locating companies in the region and helping existing businesses grow. • Ensuring a well-educated workforce is in place for the future. • Leading advocacy for key legislative issues that affect the business community. • Promoting Oklahoma City as a destination for leisure, convention and group travelers. • Marketing the region’s industries and opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. • Providing valuable networking opportunities and services for more than 5,000 members.
The Chamber works closely with business and community leaders to accomplish the work that is driving Oklahoma City forward.
Oklahoma City – A Visitor Destination
Developing Oklahoma City’s Economy
A division of the Chamber, the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) promotes the economic well-being of Oklahoma City by marketing our city as a premier destination for conventions, meetings, and visitor travel. CVB staff help:
The Chamber serves as the economic developer for Oklahoma City. Efforts in economic development include recruiting new businesses, helping existing businesses expand and encouraging entrepreneurship. Through these efforts in 2011, we announced:
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• 130 projects/expansions. • More than 5,600 new jobs. • $409.7 million in new payroll. • $426.6 million in capital investment. • More than $13 million in local tax revenue.
Enhancing Our Pro-Business Climate
The Chamber constantly monitors key legislative issues and lobbies on behalf of members when issues impact the business community. Members play a large role in the success of our efforts by contacting legislators when important issues arise. The Legislative Action Center, www.LegislativeActionCenter.net, offers up-to-date information on key business issues and contact information for elected officials. Here, members can sign up for Legislative Updates to stay informed of the latest progress at the Capitol.
Launched in late 2011, the new VisitOKC.com offers a variety of planning tools for meeting planners, families, group tours and individuals. The site includes interactive videos, as well as advanced hotel, restaurant and attraction listings. The trip builder allows users to search for hotels, restaurants, attractions and upcoming events, making it easy for visitors to plan everything about their stay in Oklahoma City.
The Greater OKC Chamber Political Action Committee, supports the election of candidates for state office who favor a strong business climate conducive to job creation and growth, a strong school system and a progressive future for Greater Oklahoma City.
The Chamber’s Greater Grads program builds a talent base by connecting Oklahoma graduates with employers in the Oklahoma City region. • Greater Grads Career Fair – the only career fair open strictly to Oklahoma companies. • InternOKC Internship Program – helps interns discover the benefits of living and working in Greater Oklahoma City. • www.GreaterGrads.com – a web resource connecting Oklahoma students and employers.
A large portion of the city’s tourism business results from equine events, with the total economic impact from these events exceeding $182 million annually. Working closely with its partners at State Fair Park, the Chamber’s efforts ensure Oklahoma City continues its reign as the “Horse Show Capital of the World.”
Leading Campaigns
The Chamber fully engages its members in these campaigns, keeping them informed on important initiatives and providing them with resources to encourage employees, friends and family members to vote. The support of Chamber members during these campaigns is paramount to achieving success.
Oklahoma City currently sees an impact of approximately $1.2 billion in direct spending from more than 6.6 million tourists who visit each year.
Developing Oklahoma City’s Workforce
Horse Show Capital of the World
The Chamber is the go-to organization for passing community issue campaigns. Since the original Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) vote in 1993, the Chamber has led numerous successful campaigns – all working to make Oklahoma City a better place to live, work, play and visit by improving the quality of life for Oklahoma City citizens and transforming the future of our city. In the last five years alone, the Chamber has led the following campaigns: • MAPS 3 • Tinker Bond Issue • Big League City • Oklahoma City Public Schools Bond Issue • Oklahoma City Bond Issue
Meeting Planners with meeting details, including site visits, bid presentations and promotional materials. Group Tour Operators with travel itineraries and other planning services. Travelers with information about this dynamic destination.
Elevating Our City’s Image
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Improving perceptions of Oklahoma City across the nation is a crucial component to bringing this city to the next level. The Chamber works to cultivate a positive image of Oklahoma City to facilitate the recruitment of out-of state workers, new companies and visitors. This is accomplished by: • More than 80 national articles written about Oklahoma City in 2011. • Attracting high-profile events and conventions that bring opinion leaders to Oklahoma City. •
Regional and national advertising campaigns to enhance Greater Oklahoma City’s image among critical decision makers.
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