Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Membership Brochure

GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER OKLAHOMA’S LARGEST COALITION OF BUSINESSES

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 annual Membership Directory; the POINT! and 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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Online Resources

The Chamber’s Web site, www.okcchamber.com, is your online guide to business in Oklahoma City.

The site includes: • Membership Central: includes information about member benefits, Chamber Choice insurance and the online membership directory.

• Legislative Action: includes information on current legislative progress and special issues.

• Economic Development: highlights business incentive and tax information and recent business expansions.

• Newsroom: includes city and Chamber news, as well as Oklahoma City accolades.

• Events: features online registration and a calendar of upcoming Chamber events.

• About the Chamber: contains a staff directory and Chamber leadership information.

• About Oklahoma City: lists area attractions and industry summaries.

• Moving to Oklahoma City: provides a cost of living calculator, video testimonials and relocation resources.

• Download Center: features valuable business and community information.

• Forward Oklahoma City: outlines a five-year economic development plan for Oklahoma City.

• TRDC: features marketing opportunities for Chamber members and a list of volunteers ready to help fit a Chamber marketing opportunity to a member’s marketing strategy.

123 Park Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73102 405-297-8900 www.okcchamber.com

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber 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 4,500 members.

The Chamber works closely with business and community leaders to accomplish the work that is driving Oklahoma City forward.

Developing Oklahoma City’s Economy

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 2009, we announced: • 3,322 new jobs • $129.9 million in payroll • $199.3 million in capital investment • $5.6 million in local tax revenue

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.

Horse Show Capital

A division of the Chamber, the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is integral to the Chamber’s efforts to develop the city’s economy.

The CVB markets Oklahoma City as a premier destination for conventions, meetings, and visitor travel. CVB staff help: •

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• 71 projects/expansions

Enhancing Oklahoma City’s Pro-Business Climate

Promoting Oklahoma City’s Visitor Product

The Greater OKC Chamber Political Action Committee, www.OKCChamber.com/PAC, supports the election of state level candidates who favor a strong business climate conducive to job creation and growth, a strong school system and a progressive future for Greater Oklahoma City.

A large portion of the city’s tourism business results from equine events. 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.” Total economic impact from all horse shows exceeds $182 million annually.

Meeting Planners with meeting details, including site visits, bid presentations and promotional materials Group Tour Operators with travel itineraries and other planning services Leisure Travelers with information about this dynamic destination

Visitors receive a stellar introduction to Oklahoma City at www.visitokc.com, where interactive videos, information on attractions and hotels and a complete list of visitor resources are available. And, hospitality partners can join the effort to promote tourism and their businesses by updating venue and event information and posting packages in the Oklahoma City Getaways section.

Developing Oklahoma City’s Workforce

The Chamber’s Greater Grads program builds a talent base by connecting Oklahoma graduates – a vital component of the City’s future workforce – with employers in the Oklahoma City region. The program consists of: • Greater Grads Career Fair • Summer Internship Program • www.GreaterGrads.com

Leading Campaigns

The Chamber is the go-to organization for passing community issue campaigns.

From 2007 to 2009, the Chamber ran five successful campaigns: •

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MAPS 3 to propel Oklahoma City into its bright future passed by 54% Tinker Bond Issue to transform the former GM facility into the Tinker Aerospace Complex passed with 72% approval Big League City vote for improvements to Ford Center passed by 62% Oklahoma City Public Schools Bond Issue passed with 78% approval Oklahoma City Bond Issue passed with 80% approval

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.

Elevating Oklahoma City’s Image

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: • The more than 80 articles written about Oklahoma City in 2009 • Attracting high-profile events and conventions that bring opinion leaders to Oklahoma City • Organizing familiarization tours with regional and national journalists from a variety of industries