Chamber newsletter distributed through the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram the first Tuesday of
each month to approximately 120,000 subscribers
as well as the entire membership.
June 2003
President's Corner
Last month, the citizens of Fort Worth witnessed the installation of
a new mayor. Former Tarrant County judge and state senator Mike Moncrief took
over the reins from departing Mayor Kenneth Barr. We at the Fort Worth Chamber
look forward to forging as strong a relationship with Mayor Moncrief as we have
had with Mayor Barr.
As he steps down to return to his family business, many projects Mayor Barr
began will be a living legacy to Fort Worth residents for years to come.
To begin with, to say that Mayor Barr was instrumental in the retention efforts
of both RadioShack and Pier 1 would be an understatement. He worked tirelessly
at the heart of both efforts and soon the Fort Worth skyline will include these
two new additions.
For a while, it looked as though a longtime part of that skyline would be lost.
The tornado-ravaged Bank One building still stands in silent testament to the
monster storm that clobbered downtown in March 2000. But Mayor Barr spearheaded
the effort to restore downtown Fort Worth and worked with developers to find
a way to save the landmark building now slated to become office space and downtown
residential property. In fact, during the mayor's tenure, downtown residential
exploded with the Firestone complex in operation to the west plus the upcoming
Tandy Towers remodeling and the Trinity Bluffs project to the north in the not-too-distant
future.
Other projects that flourished or came to fruition thanks to Mayor Barr's leadership
include the Fort Worth Convention Center expansion, the Lancaster corridor revitalization
and the completion of the massive I-30/I-35W interchange. South of I-30, the
Medical District is expanding at a record pace. And still more downtown ventures
are in the development stage. If only half the downtown and central city projects
currently being considered pan out, Fort Worth will reap substantial benefits.
The face of Fort Worth - especially downtown Fort Worth - will be forever changed
for the better due in large part to Mayor Barr's willingness to work with the
Council, neighborhoods, the business community, developers and all Fort Worth
constituencies. To recognize his efforts and to show our appreciation, a public
reception for Mayor Barr will be held June 26, from 5-7 p.m. at the Fort Worth
Convention Center. (See "Let's Raise the Barr" on page 3.) This is
an opportunity for residents to thank Mayor Barr personally for all he has done
during his ten years of public service for Fort Worth. Join the community as
we let Mayor Barr know just how much we all appreciate his efforts. After all,
we will be enjoying the fruits of his labor for many years to come.
XTO Energy - Spirit of Enterprise
'Diamond in the Rough' Philosophy Propels XTO Energy to Wall Street
Darling
XTO Energy, Inc.'s officers, Bob Simpson, chairman and CEO and Steve Palko,
vice chairman and president, share a simple philosophy. They look for diamonds
in the rough whether that means headquartering their company in a building on
the National Historic Register, purchasing antiques, hiring only the best people
or acquiring high quality, long-lived producing oil and gas reserves throughout
the continental United States as well as Alaska.
That philosophy has propelled the company that began as Cross Timbers Oil -
in only 17 years - to the fourth largest owner of natural gas reserves in the
country. Because of its unprecedented growth and its importance to Fort Worth,
the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce has named XTO Energy its Spirit of Enterprise
Award winner. That award will be presented at the Chamber's 121st Annual Meeting
on June 6.
Although the company began primarily as an oil producer, today XTO Energy's
success is a result of its transition from that position to a premier domestic
natural gas producer engaged in the acquisition, exploitation and development
of legacy assets, which display a proven producing history and a strong upside
potential. What that boils down to in simple stockholder terms is this: If you
had bought a $13 share of XTO when it first went public in 1993 and held on
to it, today it would be worth $135. XTO has maintained an average growth rate
of about 30 percent a year over the past decade.
But there is much more to the XTO story. It is a story of more than 900 employees
company-wide (more than 300 here in Fort Worth) who believe in the company and
subscribe to a corporate culture that values them and the work they do. Part
of that corporate culture is to work hard but have fun. It also means giving
back to the community that has helped the company gain the momentum to reach
the top.
That corporate culture permeates the offices. "At XTO, you can feel the
energy - challenging you to excel, think out side the box and get the job done,"
says Palko. "It defines who we are. At XTO, we look at things a little
differently. We take an experienced, yet fresh, look at the job. We engage a
management style that is open to a free exchange of new ideas. We rely on our
people to do their jobs, working as if the company was their own." This
must explain why XTO's turnover rate is so low.
In a time when many companies are having to cut back on employee benefits,
XTO is expanding. "We have a 'risk-free' culture here," Simpson explains.
"Decision making and risk taking are not punished here as long as everyone
has done his or her homework."
Employees are also rewarded with collectible bronze statues by local artist
Jack Bryant at five, 10 and 15 years and at retirement. This custom began after
Simpson and Palko purchased one of Bryant's bronzes at a charity fundraiser.
The statue, entitled "I'll Be Back" depicting a retreating cowboy
shaking a defiant fist, seemed to sum up their corporate philosophy. Today,
that bronze is the symbol of the company.
But XTO's charitable interests don't stop there. Locally the company and its
employees support Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, The Women's
Center, Boys and Girls Clubs and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's
Tarrant County Race for the Cure. On the national level, they support the Ronald
McDonald House, the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association and the American
Cancer Society. Recently, an in-house talent show featuring XTO management raised
$50,000 for the Ronald McDonald house and allowed employees to see their bosses
costumed and on the stage performing as Liberace and the Blues Brothers. "Fun,"
says Palko, "is an important part of our culture."
From its early days with only eight employees to the industry giant it is today,
XTO Energy is a successful, innovative and growing company that is proud to
call Fort Worth home. "We set out to build a strong company which was good
to its investors and good to its people," says Simpson. "We're proud
it has worked out so well
Cutline:
Bob R. Simpson (left), chairman of the board and CEO and Steve Palko, vice chairman
and president with the Jack Bryant sculpture, "I'll Be Back," the
symbol of XTO Energy, Inc.
Art Buchwald: "I'm Happy to be Alive Today"
Whatever you do, don't try to get Art Buchwald into a political discussion.
Despite the fact his columns clearly have a political bent to them, he declares
himself to be neither a Republican nor a Democrat. "Whoever is President
of the United States, I was the same way about Clinton as I am about Bush,"
he said in a telephone interview. "The guy in the White House is the guy
I have fun with. I'm against whoever is in power."
Buchwald considers himself neither a columnist nor a pundit. "I'm a humorist,
a satirist," he said adding that he laments the lack of humor in the media
today - something he blames partly on the times and partly on those who decide
what gets printed or makes air.
"Editors today don't have a sense of humor," Buchwald says. "They
don't want to devote space to it."
Buchwald's career in journalism began 53 years ago during his days in Paris.
He was there on the G.I. Bill reading the Paris Herald Tribune because it was
published in English and he spoke precious little French. After noting the Herald
Tribune had no one to review nightclubs, films or restaurants, Buchwald decided
he could do that. With more than a little chutzpah, he walked into the newsroom
and asked the editor for a job, "And," recalls Buchwald, "he
threw me out of the office."
Undeterred, Buchwald returned three weeks later to try again. The editor who
tossed him out was away and Buchwald was hired by someone else. By the time
the editor returned, Buchwald was ensconced thus beginning his 53 years in print.
During that time, he has authored thousands of columns, 30 books and won two
Pulitzer Prizes. He has also been inducted into the Academy of Arts and Letters.
Today, Buchwald says he can't imagine ever having done anything else for a
living. Especially, he says, since he doesn't play golf -- something to which
he points with pride. "If you don't play golf, you add about 10 to 20 years
to your life."
Despite the tenor of many of his columns, Paris, not politics will dominate
his talk, says Buchwald. "Those days were fantastic." He will relate
a story that begins with opera, Charles DeGaulle and Nikita Khrushchev and ends
with Buchwald being cheered by 20,000 communists. Explaining the crux of that
story is best left to him.
Other topics will surely rear their heads. Among them will be his concern about
the economy, unemployment, and the high cost of healthcare and prescription
drugs. "I'm sure people in Fort Worth are concerned about the same things
everyone else is - jobs, making a living and paying bills," he said.
Another topic that concerns Buchwald is the contraction of the media due to
conglomerates being able to own more and more media outlets. "They can
own television stations, radio stations, newspapers," he noted. "The
circle is getting smaller and smaller. You only get one viewpoint. This is a
bad thing and it's only going to get worse."
Buchwald also expressed his dismay over the on-going Jayson Blair situation
at the New York Times. Blair is the young reporter who recently resigned when
it became clear that he had fabricated many of his stories and even plagiarized
stories from other publications. "I like the New York Times," he said,
"I read it everyday." But the Blair situation, he noted - no pun intended
- is a sign of the times in the media.
Now in fewer than 100 newspapers, at his height, Buchwald's column ran in over
500. According to Buchwald, he and columnist Dave Barry are the only two purely
humorists in print today. Clearly, he'd like to see his column in more papers,
but he's content with his career.
"I'm happy to be doing what I'm doing," says Buchwald. "I get
up each morning and say, 'Hey, I'm alive today' and that's enough for me."
Fort Worth Bowl
Fort Worth Joins College Football's Bowl Landscape
There will be a new college football bowl game in the December days preceding
Christmas. The inaugural Fort Worth Bowl will be played at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday,
Dec. 23 at TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium. ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary
of ESPN, Inc., will own and operate the newly created bowl game, which was certified
by the NCAA Football Bowl Certification Committee May 1.
The annual Fort Worth Bowl will be televised by ESPN and will match a team
from Conference USA against a team from the Big 12 Conference.
"We are very pleased to bring a bowl game to this great football market,
providing additional exposure to two partner conferences, the state of Texas,
TCU and bowl sponsors," said Chuck Gerber, executive vice president, ESPN
Regional Television. "ESPN's many media platforms - including television,
radio, Internet and print - allow us to reach fans on many levels, maximizing
the promotional and coverage opportunities for Fort Worth and this event."
Local officials agree the Fort Worth Bowl will be an excellent opportunity to
showcase Fort Worth.
"This is one more national platform for us to showcase Fort Worth,"
said Fort Worth Chamber President and CEO Bill Thornton. "This allows us
the opportunity to show off Fort Worth's many assets to their best advantage.
We can show the rest of the country what a great place this is to live and work."
Coming on the heels of golfer Annika Sorenstam's historic appearance at the
Bank of America Colonial Golf Tournament, Fort Worth has been getting a lot
of sports media attention of late.
ERT will be responsible for the Fort Worth Bowl's organization, operation,
sponsorship, marketing efforts and more. TCU will provide marketing, management
and game day operations support for the game. ERT will shortly assign an executive
director to be based in Fort Worth.
"We very much look forward to having a quality Big 12 Conference team
participate in the Fort Worth Bowl against a team from Conference USA,"
said Big 12 Commission Kevin Weiberg. "This is a great opportunity for
our teams and fans to participate in a bowl game in our geographic region Fort
Worth is a dynamic, growing community that will be a great addition to our list
of bowl destinations."
Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said, "Conference USA is
delighted to have an opportunity to partner with ESPN in another outstanding
bowl game like the Fort Worth Bowl. It is also exciting to see the overwhelming
enthusiasm and support from the Fort Worth community."
Dateline: Fort Worth...
Fort Worth Museum Frames Art in Wide Open Spaces
"'As soon as they get in the door, the first thing they do is stop, like
they're in shock,' said Alejandra Rangel, a security guard who works in the
lobby of the new museum building there. 'Then their eyes open up wide. A lot
times their mouths fall open.'
Drawn by rave reviews in the press and by word of mouth, devotees of art and
architecture are streaming here to visit the new home of the Modern Art Museum
of Fort Worth. More people turned up in one two-day period after Christmas than
came in any entire month of 2001, when the museum was still in its 1954 building
nearby.
Since opening day, Dec. 14, buses have been vying for space in the parking
lot. In the lobby, travel agents grill receptionists about opening hours and
elevator capacity. Taxis from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport bring passengers
who have arranged layovers so they can spend an hour at the museum.
The building causing this commotion stands 40 feet tall and dominates a windswept
11-acre site on the edge of town. Tadao Ando, the celebrated Japanese architect
who designed it, has grabbed attention for Fort Worth the way Frank Gehry did
for Bilbao, Spain, after his Guggenheim Museum opened six years ago. The two
buildings could not be more different. Gehry's is wild, shiny and curved. Andao's
is stately, serene and meditative. The outside is sleek glass and steel... As
soon as visitors step into the cavernous lobby, however, the Ando experience
begins.
Facing them is a high glass wall with an acre-and-a-half pond visible beyond.
Wind creates a different pattern on the pond surface each day. During construction,
Mr. Ando said he envisioned this building as 'a swan floating on the water.'"
The New York Times
March 2003
Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon Cutting Heralds Completion of I-30/I-35W Interchange
Among those fficially cutting the ribbon on the new I-30/I-35W interchange
were Bill Thornton, Dick Ruddell, former mayor Bob Bolen, Mayor Kenneth Barr,
Steve Simmons and Maribel Chavez.
Fort Worth District Engineer Maribel Chavez addressed the crowd gathered for
the ribbon cutting on the new I-30/I-35W interchange.
Chamber Ozone Contest
Chamber's Annual Cleaner Air Contest on Again
The air quality of late over Metroplex skies has been gray and hazy. Though
these problems were not directly attributable to auto related air pollution,
it reminds us just how fragile the air we breathe is. (In fact, the haze was
the result of agricultural fires in Mexico and Central America.)
Acceptable air quality is of paramount importance to our area both from a health
standpoint and an economic one as well. Businesses looking to relocate often
bypass areas with air quality compliance issues. Fort Worth is already seeing
that happen. It is, therefore, vital that everyone do his or her "fair
share for cleaner air." That includes reducing time behind the wheel by
combining trips, carpooling, using public transit and driving during off-peak
hours as well as steps such as vehicle tune-ups. The Fort Worth Chamber is an
active proponent of these measures and encourages its staff to practice them.
For the past four years, the Fort Worth Chamber has officially supported clean
air efforts by instituting official "ozone season" rules at the office.
Again this year, the Chamber holding an in-office contest designed to encourage
employees to do their part to reduce air pollution on "ozone action days"
and throughout the official ozone season, which began May 1 and runs through
Oct. 31.
The Chamber will use a staggered work schedule on ozone action days so that
employees can avoid rush hour traffic by coming in later and going home later.
Also staff members are encouraged to keep their vehicles tuned-up, carpool,
use public transportation and walk to lunch or bring their lunch as often as
possible. Early morning meetings are also discouraged.
During the first contest in 1999, the Chamber staff recorded 349 individual
ozone-reducing actions. That year, the Metroplex experienced 10 ozone exceedence
days. In 2000, the staff really got serious and recorded 582 ozone-reducing
actions and the Metroplex recorded only four ozone exceedence days. In 2001,
during "ozone season," Chamber staffers logged 540 ozone-reducing
actions. Last year, despite 797 Chamber actions, there were seven recorded exceedence
days. Work must continue to reverse this trend. Community efforts such as the
Chamber's will continue to pay off with cleaner air.
By participating in the North Texas Clean Air Coalition's "Do Your Share
for Clean Air" business outreach program, area companies and their employees
can become part of the solution to the air quality problem facing the Metroplex.
The North Texas Clean Air Coalition (NTCAC), made up of the Fort Worth Chamber
of Commerce, the Greater Dallas Chamber, the North Central Texas Council of
Governments and the North Texas Commission, is working with Fort Worth's The
T and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to reduce air pollution as well as the
traffic congestion around the area this ozone season. The coalition has created
the business outreach program to help large area companies find ways to reduce
their contribution to the ozone problem.
Representatives of the program will work with participating companies to implement
strategies such as those listed above to help reduce air pollution. In return,
companies will receive recognition for their efforts.
For more information on what you or your company can do to help reduce Metroplex
area ozone levels, call Tim Keleher at 817/336-2491, ext. 264. Or go to www.northtexasair.com.
Barr Reception
Let's Raise the Barr in Appreciation
A special farewell appreciation reception honoring outgoing Fort Worth Mayor
Kenneth Barr will be held in June. The event -- themed "Let's Raise the
Barr" - is open to the public.
- What: Let's Raise the Barr - a reception honoring Mayor Kenneth Barr
- When: Thursday, June 26, 5-7 p.m.
- Where: Fort Worth Convention Center Ballroom, 1111 Houston St.
- Cost: No charge.
During his tenure as mayor, Barr has led efforts to rebuild a tornado-torn
downtown, expand the Fort Worth Convention Center, revitalize the Lancaster
corridor, retain RadioShack and Pier 1 in downtown Fort Worth and advance many
other public/private initiatives that will benefit Fort Worth for years to come.
Now it's the community's turn to give back. Plan to attend this special reception
thanking Mayor Barr for his service to Fort Worth.
Register to attend online at www.fortworthchamber.com/mayorbarr.asp. For more
information, contact Lisa Dodson at 817/336-2491, ext. 237.
Cutline:
Mayor Kenneth Barr
East Area Council Cutline
East Area Council Luncheon
Councilwoman Becky Haskin addressed an East Area Council luncheon last month
at National Farm Life. In attendance were (from left) Joe Smith, SEDALCO; Greg
Reed, Gladys Soul Food and David Edmonds, Tarrant County College.
Fort Worth Feast
First Fort Worth Feast Features Restaurant Face-Off
In its first year as a combined restaurant taste-off, Fort Worth Feast was
a hit.
Formerly EastFeast and Best of the West, the two events have been joined into
one terrific frenzy of food tasting. The first Fort Worth Feast, held last Thursday
at the American Airlines Training & Conference Center, featured the following
participants:
- American Airlines Training & Conference Center
- Cacharel Restaurant
- Chipotle
- Colter's BBQ
- Gladys Soul Food
- Jerry's Beef Barn
- Monterrey's Mexican Restaurant
- Pie Works, Pizza by Design
- Rodak's Custom Roasted Coffee
- Sam's on Eastchase
- Starbuck's Coffee Company
- Steak-N-Ale
- Wilson's Bar Be-Que
- Papaya Garden Thai and Lao Cuisine
- VIP Catering
The Chamber thanks all the participants for helping to make the first Fort
Worth Feast a success.
Women's Golf
Women's Challenge 100 Tees Up for Women's Programming
The Colonial has passed and all of the Annika Sorenstam storm has blown over.
But the importance of women and golf remains. In fact, it is even more important
than ever. There is another important tournament coming up in Fort Worth this
month.
Plan to tee it up Monday, June 16 at Iron Horse Golf Course in North Richland
Hills for the second annual Women's Challenge 100 Golf Tournament hosted by
the Fort Worth Chamber and sponsored by TexasBank.
- What: Women's Challenge 100 Golf Tournament
- When: Monday, June 16, 7:30 a.m. registration and continental
breakfast; 8 a.m. tee-off and 12:30 p.m. lunch and awards program
- Where: Iron Horse Golf Course, 3200 Skylark Circle, North
Richland Hills
The tournament format will change somewhat this year becoming a half-day event
and asking individual participants to raise at least $100 each in pledges
or $400 for teams of four. Prizes will be awarded for the individual and team
that raise the most money in support of women's programming associated with
the Fort Worth Women's Business Assistance Center (FWWBAC) and the Fort Worth
Chamber. Players are requested to have their pledges collected to be turned
in at check in.
Other prizes will be awarded for best golf cart decoration, best outfitted
team, best team name, best or worst hair at the end of the day and most stupid
story from the day's event.
"You don't have to be a pro golfer to participate," said Suzi Hill,
honorary chair for the event. "You don't really have to play golf at all.
This event is all in fun and for a good cause - support of women's programming
associated with the FWWBAC and the Chamber. Last year's event was a lot of fun
and we expect this year's to be even better."
Players should bring their own equipment if they have it, but can share if
not. "If you don't have golf shoes, sneakers will do," said Lydia
Hall-Benson, business services director for the Chamber. "A change of shirt
and sunscreen is also recommended."
A continental breakfast will be served before teeing off and play will be followed
by an awards luncheon. Bring your mothers, sisters, best friends and co-workers
and take a day off work to play golf - even if it's your first time.
For more information, contact Lydia Hall-Benson at 817/336-2491, ext. 272.
Youth Entrepreneur Awards
Texas Youth Entrepreneurs Honored at Capitol
In May, the M.J. Neeley School of Business and the Ryffel Center for Entrepreneurial
Studies honored six young Texans for their entrepreneurial prowess. The first
Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Program recognized high school students
from all over Texas for their innovative business efforts.
The Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Program recognizes high school
age entrepreneurs for their success in business. The award is open to any high
school student who has started and managed a business. In addition to the awards
ceremony and scholarship awards, the honorees were taken to Austin for a tour
of the Capitol and a meeting with Governor Rick Perry coordinated by the Fort
Worth Chamber. Each student also received a U.S. flag, which had flown over
the Capitol, thanks to Senator Kim Brimer.
The winner of the Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards $5,000 scholarship
was Shanetta Drake-Pruitt, a senior at Longview High School, Longview, Texas.
Drake-Pruitt started Nett's Nap Mats in 2001 when she was 16. The company now
does over $27,000 in annual sales and has three employees manufacturing a line
of bedding for infants, children and teens. They specialize in custom fitted
daycare mats and cot covers and sell these products over a website.
Winners of $1,000 scholarships include Charley Case Baugh, a senior at Wills
Point High School, Wills Point, Texas; Charles E. Johnson, a junior at Burges
High School, El Paso, Texas; Richard S. Kearns, a senior at Greenville High
School, Greenville, Texas; Michael McKenzie, a junior at Faith West Academy,
Katy, Texas; and Henry Talamantes, a junior at Silva Magnet High School, El
Paso, Texas.
The entrepreneurial program at TCU, founded in 2000, was recently recognized
by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 40 programs in the country.
Cutline:
Winners of the Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards were treated to a
day at the Capitol. From left, Charles Johnson, Shanetta Drake-Prewitt, Richard
Kearns, Charley Baugh, Henry Talamantes and Michael McKenzie.
Mural
Mega Mural Sweet Music to Neighborhood's Ears
Last month, a 356-foot mural painted on Rhythm Band Instruments building along
East Lancaster Avenue on the near east side of Fort Worth was dedicated. The
mural, entitled "A Community in Harmony," celebrates all the ways
in which people of all races, creeds and ethnic backgrounds make and enjoy music
together. Designed by artist Ken Sutherland and painted by him and members of
his Sutherland Creative Group, the 25-foot high mural is the largest work of
public art in North Texas.
According to Flora Brewer, owner of Rhythm Band Instruments, the idea behind
the mural is to foster the growth and improvement of the near east side neighborhood
in southeast Fort Worth. "A coalition comprised of Southeast Fort Worth,
Inc. and the Near East Side Neighborhood Association was seeking to create visually
attractive landmarks that promote pride in the area's heritage and stimulate
residents' interest in developing a more viable community."
The mural depicts people of diverse backgrounds singing and includes the musical
notes of an actual song composed by designer Sutherland. Entitled "Here
I Stand," the song's chorus proclaims the feelings of a community pulling
together.
"Here I stand with my neighbors and friends. Here I stand where my rainbow
ends. Here I stand with a dream or two. Here I stand side by side with you."
At the mural's unveiling last month, the song was performed by lead singer
Benita Arterberry-Burns and Calvin Arterberry, Calvin Yarbrough and Alysa Yarbrough.
Also on hand for the unveiling were Councilman Ross McCloud, District 8; Dee
Jennings, chairman of the Metropolitan Black Chamber; Vernell Sturns and Glenn
Forbes of Southeast Fort Worth, Inc.; Sutherland; and Brewer, also representing
the Paulos Foundation, which underwrote the mural project.
Now one of Tarrant County's poorest areas, the near east side was once the
religious and cultural hub of the African-American and musical communities in
the 1930s and 40s. "The mural is the first major work of public art to
brighten the East Lancaster Commercial Corridor," said Brewer. "Music
fosters a spirit of community and harmony. Our mural is a work of public art
dedicated to bringing joy and beauty as we work together to develop the community."
The Rhythm Band Instruments building is located 1316 E. Lancaster, southeast
of I-35W and I-30 near downtown. For more information, contact Flora Brewer
at 817/335-2561.
Cutline:
This block-long mural captures the spirit of community and diversity in song.
Reservation Policy
Fort Worth Chamber Event Reservation Policy
The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Reservation Policy is as follows:
All reservations must be accompanied by full payment. If no payment is received,
it will not be considered a reservation.
Reservations for most Chamber events or programs can be made:
- On-line at www.fortworthchamber.com by credit card three (3) days or more
prior to the event or program
- Returning the fax invitation with complete credit card information to 817/335-8280
two (2) days or more prior to the event or program
- Returning the fax invitation with check to: Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce,
777 Taylor Street, Suite 900, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 two (2) days or more
prior to the event or program. Due to catering guarantees payments are not
refundable.
Upcoming event and program information is available:
- On-line at www.fortworthchamber.com, three weeks prior to event or program
- By fax invitations, three weeks prior to event or program
- E-vents e-mail reminders, two weeks prior to event or program
- Chamberletter, one - two months prior to event or program
For more information, contact Lydia Hall-Benson at 817/336-2491, ext. 272.
Leads Groups
Four out of Five Chamber Members Agree: Leads Groups Terrific
Chamber members agree. The best way to get new business leads is to become
part of a Fort Worth Chamber Leads Group.
Leads Groups are comprised of no more than 30 individuals with each one representing
a different industry. They meet weekly with the purpose being to generate leads
and a lot of business. Participants must be members of the Fort Worth Chamber.
There is a $50 annual fee per company, but a company may be in two Leads Groups,
until/unless that slot is needed for another company. Gold members participate
for free with the same restriction. To visit a Leads Group, either contact the
Coordinator or call the Leader directly to make sure there is no conflict of
industry. Each group has its own rules and personality, although they all loosely
fall under Chamber guidelines. Consistent attendance provides the maximum benefit.
Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.
Clarion Hotel - 600 Commerce
Leader: Jay English, (817) 265 1660, sales@pyramidbi.com
Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Bonnell's - 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd.
Leader: George Fassett, (817) 923 2419, georgefassett@thumbtechs.com
Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Clarion Hotel - 600 Commerce
Leader: Michael Mayes, (817) 335 5391, mmayes@futurenetsolutions.net
Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.
Rail Market-upstairs - 1401 Jones
Leader: Tim Estes, (817) 444 8402, rtestes@aol.com
Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Clarion Hotel - 600 Commerce
Leader: Darlene Bullock, dbullock50@hotmail.com
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Green Oaks - 6901 West Freeway
Leader: Jimmy Bramlett (817) 910 2706, jimmybramlett@itexas.net
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Joe T. Garcia's - 2201 N. Commerce
Leader: Tina Hearne, (817) 907 9612, tkhearne@airmail.net
Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Café Aspen - 6103 Camp Bowie
Leader: Maureen Sullivan, (817) 239 7533, maureen@ourfortworth.com
Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Clarion Hotel - 600 Commerce
Leader: Mike Hildenbrand, (817) 360 7488, micolga@hotmail.com
For more information on Leads Groups, contact Diana Dugan at 817/336-2491,
ext. 258 or ddugan@fortworthchamber. Com.
Gold Member benefits
Gold Membership Puts You in Elite Company
The Gold Member Program allows your company to become a member of an elite
business group in the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. A Gold Membership signals
to your peers in the business community that you have made a special investment
in the future of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. Your company will benefit
from being associated with a special group of investors through the Gold Membership
Program by receiving invitations to exclusive events with added recognition
for your company.
Benefits
- A complimentary quarterly breakfast series for Gold Members only ($160
value)
- Complimentary Business After Hours tickets ($240 value)
- Complimentary Leads Explosion tickets (2 per Leads Explosion, $120 value)
- Access to decision makers
- Participation in one Leads Group free of charge, one person per company
($50 value
- Select event discounts
- Exclusive invitations to events
- Gold Member designation in the directory and on the Fort Worth Chamber
web site
- Depending on gold membership level, 2 to 4 categories on Fort Worth Chamber
web site and Fort Worth Chamber database ($300 to $600 value)
- Free Major Employers diskette ($35 value)
- A plaque and a Gold Member window decal
How can I qualify?
To qualify as a Gold Member, a business must invest:
- $700 for companies with 10 or fewer employees (company receives 2 categories
on Fort Worth Chamber web site and Fort Worth Chamber database.
or
- Pay $1,000 or more for companies with 10 or more employees (company receives
4 categories on Fort Worth Chamber web site and Fort Worth Chamber database.
For more information on Gold membership, contact Netty Matthews at 817/336-2491,
ext. 250 or nmatthews@fortworthchamber.com.
*Membership will be evaluated at the current investment schedule.
Combined Area Council
Battlefront Journalism Makes Strange "Embedded" Fellows
WBAP-ABC News Senior Reporter Jim Ryan has just returned from Iraq and a hard
place. Ryan was an embedded reporter during the recent conflict in Iraq and
will talk about his experiences at the Fort Worth Chamber's next Combined Area
Council Luncheon, June 11. Was the Pentagon's "great experiment" in
media access successful? Ryan will have some thoughts on that.
- What: Combined Area Council Luncheon featuring reporter
Jim Ryan
- When: Wednesday, June 11, noon-1:30 p.m.
- Where: Petroleum Club Wildcatter Room, 39th floor, Carter-Burgess
Plaza, 777 Main St.
- Cost: $30 for Chamber members; $25 for Gold members; and
$60 for non-members.
Ryan was one of about 500 journalists "embedded" with U.S. military
units taking part in Operation Enduring Freedom. He spend six weeks at sea aboard
the USS Constellation and was then assigned to cover the activities of Central
Command at Doha, Qatar. He returned to Texas in mid-April. The veteran reporter
will talk about the "embed" experience, from "media boot camp"
to the complications of filing radio reports via e-mail.
Ryan started with WBAP in 1982, then was hired full-time immediately upon graduation
from Southern Methodist University in 1985. Ryan has gone on to win numerous
awards from the Press Club of Dallas, the Associated Press, the Radio-Television
News Directors Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. Ryan
also has worked for KXAS-TV as a reporter and as an anchor with the Texas AP
Radio Network. As Southwest regional correspondent for ABC News Radio, Ryan
has traveled extensively for the network and for WBAP, covering stories from
California to Cuba, from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Lima, Peru.
For more information, contact Pennie Blossom. To register, go online at fortworthchamber.com
and click on the calendar of events.
WBAP Reporter Jim Ryan aboard USS Constellation
Ambassador of the Month
Action Ambassadors for February, March 2003 Recognized
The Fort Worth Chamber Action Ambassador for February 2003 was Harrison Reed
III, an Action Ambassador since July 2002. Reed is the owner of Reed Investments.
March's Action Ambassador was Melanie Hanna. An Action Ambassador since August
2000, Hanna is a senior event coordinator for the March of Dimes.
Action Ambassadors keep busy on behalf of the Chamber calling on new members
and working as greeters at various Chamber functions. Right now, the program
is recruiting new members. The Action Ambassador program is a great way to learn
more about the Fort Worth Chamber and plug in to all of the programs it offers.
It is also a great networking tool allowing ambassadors to call on Chamber members
on the Chamber's behalf. Contact Teresa Pearson at 817/336-2491, ext. 249 for
information on becoming an Action Ambassador.
Cutlines:
Harrison Reed III,
Action Ambassador, February 2003
Melanie Hanna
Action Ambassador, March 2003
For more information contact:
Arden
Dufilho
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 259 |
