4th Annual Summer Sizzle "Seltzer" Community Block Party
Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff
AUGUST 2024
BUSINESS LINK LUNCH
Thursday, August 8, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Sponsored by: Precious Memories Florist & Gift Shop Registration Required
SUMMER SIZZLE "SELTZER" COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY
Friday, August 16, 2024
6:00 - 9:30 pm
www.templechamber.com/summerseltzer
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Thursday, August 22, 2024
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Sponsored by: T3he Gym - Titan Total Training
TempleChamber.com
The Temple Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the fourth annual Polar Texas Bottling Summer Sizzle “Seltzer”. The event takes place on Friday, August 16, 2024, in the Santa Fe Plaza, 301 Santa Fe Way, in Temple.
This free, family-friendly community event is a fantastic way to end the summer and enjoy Downtown Temple. It is an evening of live music, food trucks, an outdoor market, and fun for the entire family from 6:00 - 9:30 pm.
Polar Texas Bottling is bringing the “Chill” to Summer Sizzle “Seltzer” sharing their New England roots with Central Texas.
Founded in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1882 by a savvy bartender, Denis Crowley recognized an opportunity in carbonation as Prohibition began to rumble in New England. He crafted what he considered the best-tasting bubble recipe and began selling sparkling beverages from a horse-drawn carriage.
Today, Polar Beverages remains owned and operated by the Crowley family’s fourth and fifth generations, under the leadership of President and CEO Ralph Crowley Jr. They are the largest independent beverage company
in the United States. They are purveyors of premium quality sparkling beverages, including Polar® Seltzer, heritage sodas, and Polar Orange Dry®.
Food trucks and vendors for the outdoor market will be set up along Santa Fe Way and in the Plaza beginning at 6:00 pm. Live music by Members Only 80’s cover band will begin at 7:30 pm in the Plaza Greens. Lawn chairs or blankets are welcome to use while enjoying the music.
Members Only is a 80's cover band located deep in the heart of Texas. Their high energy performances and love of 80's music make for an epic evening of singing and dancing. Their musicianship is exceptional, and their vocalists have been called the songbirds of their generation.
Summer Sizzle “Seltzer” is proudly supported by Polar Texas Bottling, McLane Company, Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors, Reynolds Consumer Products, and Ludwick, Montgomery & Stapp, PC.
Polar Beverages invites you to sip into their world on August 16, 2024, at this free, family-friendly event. Vendor spaces are available for food trucks and the outdoor market. Visit templechamber.com/ summerseltzer for more information.
Celebrating Entrepreneurship: Launch Temple Graduates Third Cohort
Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff
The Rotary Club of Temple, the Rotary Club of Temple-South, Temple College, and the Temple Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the completion of the third cohort of Launch Temple. Six aspiring entrepreneurs graduated from the 10-week program on July 16, 2024.
Launch Temple is part of the LaunchMyCity family of programs, modeled after LaunchDETROIT (Michigan) and LaunchRALEIGH (North Carolina).
LaunchMyCity is a program of Rotary International, the community service and global humanitarian organization located in over 200 countries. The program strives to develop successful entrepreneurs by expanding access to comprehensive business training and financial and business resources.
Launch Temple is a collaborative effort between the two Temple Rotary Clubs, Temple College and the Temple Chamber of Commerce, which provides training, mentorship, and networking to cultivate local entrepreneurs.
The program is offered at no cost to qualified applicants and held at Temple College. The curriculum is derived through LaunchMyCity, with Temple College staff providing instruction.
James Skinner, MBA, Director of Adult Education and Literacy at Temple College instructed the 10-week program. The program has training sessions with topics including Business Models, Market Research, Funding, Legal Strategy, Marketing and Branding. The participants walk away with a complete business plan to help them navigate the journey of an entrepreneur.
Some of the program participants did so to strengthen an existing business. Others participated to gain a great foundation to start their business on the right foot.
The Temple Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the graduates of the third cohort of Launch Temple!
Dry Cleaning, Laundry, Alteration Specialist
The six Launch Temple Graduates are:
• Cassie Edwards Purple Learning Crowns
• Anorea Hill Let’s Eat: Losing Weight on a Budget Book Series
• Laci Landry Wealthwave
• Krystle Moore Wise Owl Adult Tutoring
• Lee Peterson Peterson VO
• Anna Pineda Vida Y Danza
For more information visit www.LaunchTemple.com.
July Renewing Chamber Members
2TP Services
A New Day Fellowship Church
Artco-Bell Corporation
Bahama Bucks - Mar-Men 5
Batteries Plus Bulbs
BCC General Contractor
Bedding Express
Bell County Museum
Bell New Line Management, LLC
Belton Christian Youth Center
Best Western Temple
Bickels Contracting & Painting
Body of Christ Community Clinic
Brautigan Realty
Bulldog Auto Detailing
Canyon Creek Baptist Church
Canyon Creek Behavioral Health
Centex Printing, Inc.
Central Prosthetics & Orthotics
Central Texas 4C, Inc. (Head Start)
Central Texas Christian School
Central Texas Council Of Governments
Central Texas Youth Services
Churches Touching Lives For Christ
Cornerstone Gardens Healthcare & Rehabilitation
Cory Herring Homes
Country Lane Seniors Community
Covey Landscape Architects
Covington Real Estate/
Dave Covington
Cox/Bond Dental Group, LLP
Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home
Darden Building Materials, Inc.
Days Inn Hotel by Wyndham - Temple
DB Fuller Homes
EBCO General Contractor, Ltd.
Eighth Street Baptist Church
Electric Grilling Technologies, LLC
Ellis Air Systems
Emporium Packaging & Spice Company
Encore Fence
Family Pet Clinic
Fikes Wholesale, Inc./
CEFCO Food Stores
First Baptist Church Temple
Fowler Legacy Group
Gage Construction Inc
Garlyn Shelton
Great Clips
Heart of Central Texas
Independent Living
Heart of Texas Goodwill
Industries, Inc.
Heart of Texas Landscape & Irrigation Co., Inc.
Helping Hands Ministry of Belton
Hewett-Arney Funeral Home
Holiday Inn Express
Temple Medical Center
Holiday Inn Temple-Belton
Horizon Bank
Industrial Electric Service
J.C. Wall Construction Inc.
Jaynes, Reitmeier, Boyd & Therrell, P.C.
Jimmy John's
Jon Burrows
Jupe Feeds, Inc.
Just in Time Plumbing
KEG 1 O'Neal, LLC
Kelly, Realtors
Kenneth A. & Pat Johnson
Killeen Regional Airport
Koetter Fire Protection of Central Texas
Lighthouse IT, Inc.
Love Group Travel, LLC
M&D Graphics and Printing
Michael Barker Photography
Moose & Goose Winery
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Open Door Properties
Operation Feeding Temple
PacTiv Evergreen
Pechal Cabinets
Pillar Architecture Studio
Popelka Paint Contracting, Inc.
Precious Memories Florist & Gift Shop
Precision Garage Door of Waco
Ralph Wilson Youth Club
Rexel Electrical & Datacom Supplies
Ronald Carroll Surveyors, Inc.
Rosa's Cafe & Tortilla Factory
RVOS Insurance Company
Scanio-Harper Funeral Home
Scott & White Employees
Credit Union
Secrest Law Firm
Silo & Oak
Smile at the World Orthodontics
Sodalis Senior Living
Sparta Crane & Construction, LLC
Spectrum Reach
Spradley Properties Management
Staas Plumbing Co. Inc.
State Farm Insurance/Tyler Jermstad
Stellar Homes
Stoney Brook of Belton
Super 8 Hotel - Temple
Surviving and Thriving Cancer Retreat
Sylvia Winkler Insurance Agency
Tejas Land & Title
Temple Bible Church
Temple Iron & Metal
Temple NAACP Branch
Temple Towing Inc.
Temple Veterinary Hospital
Temple VFW Post 1820
Temple Welding & Industrial Supply, Inc.
Temple Winnelson Co.
Temple-Belton Ladies Lions Club
Terri Matthew
The Carlson Law Firm
Topsarge Business Solutions
Turner Brothers Real Estate
U.S. Dermatology Partners
VIRON International Corp
Vista Real Estate
Ward's Towing, Ltd
Whataburger
Whataburger
Whataburger
Winton Engineering, Inc.
Wisener's Auto Clinic LLC
Woods Flowers
Worldclass Management, Inc.
RIBBON CUTTING
Ariza Scott Blvd. Grand Opening
Live Better at ARIZA
Live carefree every day. At Ariza Scott BLVD, coming home feels like a vacation. With impressive finishes and resort-quality amenities, these apartments allow residents to live beyond their expectations. Situated in the perfect location with plenty to do, a vibrant new lifestyle awaits. Embrace it.
Rachel Milot 2102 Scott Blvd.
Temple, TX 76504
(254) 944-2187
www.arizascottblvd.com
Extraco Banks | Temple Downtown Grand Opening
Extraco Banks and its affiliate companies are dedicated to building people, businesses and communities. Since the Great Recession, Extraco has extended over $2 billion in loans to 25,000 customers, while financially supporting over 1,275 community organizations working to create economic vibrancy, job growth and overall quality of life to our communities across central Texas. Founded as a cotton warehousing company, Extraco, with more than $2 billion in assets, is the most comprehensive locally owned bank between Dallas and Austin, serving our customers' banking, mortgage, insurance and wealth & trust needs with creative and innovative excellence. Learn more at: https://www.extracobanks.com/.
102 S. First Street Temple, TX 76501
(254) 774-5500
www.extracobanks.com
RIBBON CUTTING
Mathnasium of Temple Grand Re-Opening
Following the May 2024 Tornado, Mathnasium of Temple recently celebrated their grand re-opening. At Mathnasium, their instructional approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring. The Mathnasium Method™ transforms the way kids understand and appreciate math, which in turn builds their confidence and love of learning. They teach children math, so they understand it, master it, and love it. By fostering a deep understanding of math, they believe they can change their lives and, ultimately, the world. Mathnasium meets your child where they are, providing the customized program they need for any level of mathematics.
Colby Street 7424 W. Adams, Ste. 130 Temple, TX 76502 (254) 231-0464
www.mathnasium.com
Meal Proz Grand Opening
Meal Proz creates healthy, pre-packaged meals perfect for the "on-the-go" person wanting to eat healthy but lacking the time or knowledge for meal prep. Offering a variety of options to support a clean eating lifestyle—whether for a day, a week, or just a few meals—Meal Proz also provides delivery services. For those aiming to lose weight or gain muscle mass, Meal Proz offers nutrition consultations and a 30 Day Challenge. Visit for a free assessment to get started, and Meal Proz will create a meal plan tailored for results.
Nicholas Noel
3614 SW HK Dodgen Loop, Ste. C Temple, TX 76504
(254) 218-5994
www.themealproz.com
Chamber Ambassador Spotlight: Kenny Kelly
Bobbie Jo Young, Temple Chamber of Commerce
Since 2012, Kenny has served as an Ambassador for the Temple Chamber of Commerce, where his presence is marked by an unwavering positive spirit and a genuine warmth that endears him to everyone he meets. Despite being softspoken, Kenny has a knack for making people laugh, and is rarely seen without a big smile on his face.
Clad in his signature blue coat, Kenny is a familiar sight at ribbon cuttings and other Chamber Signature Initiative events. His dedication and enthusiasm make him a true Champion for the Chamber of Commerce, and he wholeheartedly believes in the value of fostering connections and supporting local businesses.
A proud graduate of Temple High School's Class of 1987, Kenny has been a fixture in the hospitality industry for many years. His journey with Marriott began in 2006 at the Fairfield Inn Marriott in Temple, where he worked until 2010.
Since 2011, he has been a vital part of the team at the Residence Inn Marriott in Temple, currently covering sales for both the Temple and Killeen locations. Kenny's professional commitment is matched only by his dedication to his community, making him a beloved figure in both spheres.
Outside of work, Kenny is all about family, friends, and fun. He cherishes the relationships he's built over the years, especially with fellow Chamber
of Commerce Ambassadors and staff who have now retired. This close-knit group meets monthly to share drinks and stories, maintaining the bonds formed during their time as Red Carpet Ambassadors.
Kenny's zest for life extends beyond his professional and social circles. He is an avid participant in Obstacle Course Racing, a passion ignited by his good friend Josh Champ, a former Red Carpet Ambassador.
Since 2017, Kenny and a group of friends have trained together, completing three Spartan Trifectas from 2017 to 2019. This adventurous spirit also leads Kenny on spontaneous weekend getaways to San Antonio or Dallas, accompanied by a few close friends who share his love for travel and exploration.
Kenny Kelly is more than just a dedicated Chamber Ambassador and a hospitality professional; he is a true embodiment of community spirit and positivity. His life is a testament to the power of kindness, laughter, and the importance of staying connected with those who matter most.
Whether he's cheering on a new business at a ribbon cutting or tackling a challenging obstacle course, Kenny's infectious enthusiasm and genuine nature make him a cherished member of the Temple community.
Digital Bootcamp Helps Temple Businesses Level Up Their Social Media Skills
Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff
The Temple business community recently gathered to elevate their social media skills with a Half-Day Digital Bootcamp, held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the Hilton Garden Inn – Temple. Organized under the Small Business Connect initiative by the Temple Chamber of Commerce, the event aimed to empower small business owners with social media strategies for Facebook and Instagram.
The seminar began promptly at 8:00 am with a warm breakfast, setting the stage for a day filled with insightful learning and networking. Attendees received printed materials to guide them through the half-day sessions, ensuring they had the necessary resources to make the most of the training.
Amanda Robinson, Founder & CEO of The Digital Gal Inc. and a Meta Certified Lead Trainer, flew in from British Columbia, Canada, to lead the boot camp with her extensive knowledge and engaging presentation style. The first session, titled Creative Optimization for Facebook and Instagram, provided a deep dive into crafting and optimizing engaging content for these platforms. Amanda shared best practices for content creation and demonstrated how to use the Meta Business Suite to test and iterate performance. Attendees left this session with an understanding of how to identify tools and creative formats that build a strong community on Facebook and Instagram, as well as strategies for increasing business awareness through posts, Stories, Reels, and Live videos.
After a brief intermission, the second session, Instagram Deep Dive: Designing and Optimizing Your Instagram, delved into the creative features of the platform. Amanda revealed innovative techniques for engaging audiences through impactful posts, Stories, and Reels. Participants learned how to create
visually appealing content that aligns with their brand identity and target audience, develop effective caption-writing techniques, and incorporate their brand tone of voice into their Instagram content.
The seminar was not only a learning experience but also an opportunity for local business owners to network and share best practices. The hands-on approach and real-world examples provided by Amanda Robinson made the sessions impactful, equipping attendees with actionable insights to enhance their social media strategies.
As part of the Small Business Connect initiative, launched in 2023 by the Temple Chamber of Commerce, this boot camp exemplified its mission to resource small business owners with expert training to accelerate and enhance their businesses. The positive feedback from participants underscored the event’s success and the value of the knowledge gained.
This half-day digital boot camp was graciously provided by Meta and supported by the 2024 Small Business Connect sponsors--Extraco Banks, Hilton Garden Inn-Temple, Ludwick, Montgomery & Stapp, P.C., and McLane Intelligent Solutions. The Chamber looks forward to continuing its support of local businesses through more events and training sessions under the Small Business Connect initiative.
For those who missed the event, stay tuned to the Temple Chamber Facebook page and website, www.templechamber.com, for future opportunities to participate in these transformative events designed to take your business to the next level.
