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.
Latest Edition - September 2003
President's
column
From the President:
Each year at this time, as students return to
the classroom, school administrators, the business
community and concerned citizens refocus on the
importance of helping those students on the road
to graduation. We are all too aware of the financial
and societal toll that "drop-outs" exact
on our community. A meeting held in late July
at the Non-Profit Service Center brought together
dozens of Fort Worth-area service providers who
provide programming for at-risk kids to brainstorm
ways to keep students in school and devise strategies
to partner for success.
As individuals, however, we recognize the problem,
but often feel powerless to help. Nothing could
be further from the truth. There is much that
we can do - individually and in groups - to help
ensure that every student in Tarrant County graduates
from high school. That is not to say this is a
small problem, it's not. But there are opportunities
to mentor a child within everyone's grasp. Whether
you spend time with one child one-on-one, volunteer
to help in classrooms or invite students into
your place of business, there is a program to
meet almost everyone's time constraints and comfort
level.
Each of the Area Councils of the Fort Worth
Chamber has included the Stay-In-School Initiative
as a priority action item and to that end they
are launching their efforts with an Oct. 2 Stay-In-School
Pep Rally and Luncheon sponsored by Bank One.
There, at-risk students will be interviewed by
NBC5's Deborah Ferguson to help us learn first
hand about the issues facing our students today.
At that event, many community-based mentoring
programs will be discussed, especially those "best
practice" programs we highlighted in last
month's Chamberletter - TEAM Fort Worth, Vital
Link, Adopt-a-School, Texas Scholars and Junior
Achievement. Some programs promote individual
time from mentors in school or outside of school
while others work in group settings. All seek
to put adult role models in the lives of these
children -- adults who can listen, teach, counsel
or just be there.
Another program that aims to put young students
together with successful adults is the Chamber's
new Women in Business luncheon series sponsored
by Pier 1 Imports and Wells Fargo. The first was
held just last week and recognized Hope Garcia
Lancarte - matriarch of Joe T. Garcia's. At this
luncheon, young women were sponsored by and paired
with successful businesswomen in the hope that
the students would see what can be accomplished
if they stay in school and graduate. On Oct. 28,
at the second luncheon featuring Jacqualyn Fouse,
senior vice president of finance and CFO for Alcon,
Inc., the Chamber will host these same young teens
to again be paired with women business role models.
Who knows what sparks of ambition can be ignited
in such encounters? These are the kind of opportunities
to help that are available to us all if we just
make the commitment to connect with our city's
youth that are available to us all if we just
make the commitment to help a student in need
of some guidance.
I encourage those who can attend the Oct. 2 Stay-In-School
pep rally and luncheon to do so and learn more
about the mentoring programs out there. This is
not a "one size fits all" proposition;
but with the wide range of programs and organizations
available, there is virtually something for everyone.
Our students are our future. We can all have a
hand in helping them succeed.
Constitutional
amendments
September Election Has Propositions Dangling
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 13 when
voters will be asked to go to polls to cast their
votes on 22 amendments to the Texas Constitution.
These propositions run the gamut on issues - transportation
funding to home equity lending, limits on medical
liability awards to funding of improvements on
military installations. Early voting begins Thursday
Aug. 28 and ends Tuesday Sept. 9, 2003.
All of the propositions on the ballot are important
but there are five of paramount importance to
the business community according to Fort Worth
Chamber Vice President of Governmental and Urban
Affairs Tim Keleher. "Propositions 6, 12,
14, 16 and 20, will, if passed, have a direct
positive economic impact on the state in general
and our region in particular," said Keleher.
Proposition 12
Proposition 12 would immediately authorize the
legislature to limit non-economic damages assessed
in a lawsuit against a provider of medical or
health care and, after Jan. 1, 2005, to limit
awards in all other type of cases.
According to Rice Tilley, Jr. of Law, Snakard
& Gambill, Prop 12 does not propose limiting
economic damages in lawsuits. "In terms of
recovery for medical injuries, a person who has
suffered should be entitled to economic damages,"
said Tilley. "There's no change there. But
some jury awards are getting out of hand in such
subjective areas as pain and suffering."
The upshot of these huge awards is that medical
malpractice claims are skyrocketing and driving
many doctors either out of the area or out of
business altogether. Records indicate that Tarrant
County has the second highest malpractice premiums
in Texas. That not only drives up the cost of
health care, but, in many cases, keeps new doctors
from moving into Tarrant County.
Proposition 14
Proposition 14 would authorize the Texas Department
of Transportation to issue notes or borrow money
to fund highway improvement projects.
This amendment would, according to Keleher,
allow the state to borrow money to proceed with
pressing road construction projects necessitated
by Texas' tremendous population growth. "New
roadway capacity and other transportation options
are needed now to keep pace with our rate of population
growth," Keleher said. "Prop 14 would
allow the state to borrow money using the state
highway fund as collateral to expedite the funding
and construction of planned mobility projects."
Proposition 20
Proposition 20 would authorize the issuance of
general obligation bonds not to exceed $250 million
that will be used to provide loans for economic
development and infrastructure projects that benefit
defense-related communities in Texas.
A second round of military base realignment and
closure (BRAC) is scheduled for 2005. As Fort
Worth learned in 1993, when Carswell Air Force
Base was closed, military bases are important
economic engines in their communities. Fort Worth's
west side economy rebounded when Carswell reopened
as the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. But
with bases facing another round of BRAC, military
communities need funds to help underwrite improvements
to areas surrounding these bases.
"Our local economy is dependant in part
on the significant economic impact of our Naval
Air Station," said Albon Head of Jackson
Walker, L.L.P. "Prop 20 would allow our community
and others to fund economic development projects
that might enhance a military installation's value
to its community."
Propositions 6 and 16
Propositions 6 and 16 would authorize greater
flexibility in home equity borrowing allowing
homeowners more options when accessing the equity
in their homesteads.
The amendments would allow financial institutions
to offer home equity lines of credit and, for
senior citizens, the option to convert home equity
loans to reverse mortgages. Home equity loans
in the form of lines of credit and reverse mortgages
are popular in other states and demand for such
loans is growing in Texas.
"It is important that all registered voters
make the effort to vote in this constitutional
election," says Keleher. "Members of
the business community, especially, have an opportunity
to make choices that could benefit Fort Worth
and Tarrant County."
For detailed information on all of the propositions
on the ballot, go to:
www.tlc.state.tx.us/research/pdf/analyses-sept13-condensed.pdf.
Recap
of Recent Economic Activities in Tarrant County
Expansions and Moves
Medical Billing of North Texas has leased 2,600
square feet of space at 3863 Southwest Loop 820.
It is relocating from 6263 McCart Avenue.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 27-July 3
Attorney Jim Morrison expanded his lease to 3,046
square feet at 2001 Beach Street.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 11-17
New in Town
Julia McEntire has opened a law office at 2708
West Seventh Street in the Cultural District.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 21
Fidelity National Title, based in Irvine, Calif.,
a leading real estate service company that provides
title insurance and other title-related services,
has leased 3,727 square feet in the Summit at
Bridgewood Shopping Center, 1100 Bridgewood Drive.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 14
United Commercial Development has sold the 92,603-square-foot
Sycamore Village Shopping Center at the southwest
corner of Sycamore School Road and McCart Avenue
to an unnamed California-based investment group.
The shopping center, developed by UCD, is anchored
by Albertsons. UCD says it still has 6.9 acres
at the site where it plans future development.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 14
Under Construction
Woodcrest Capital has started construction on
a 33,000 square-foot lifestyle shopping center
at McCart Avenue and Sycamore School Road.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 21
Two new Walgreens have broken ground in Fort
Worth A $1.3 million, 14,490 square-foot store
at 4500 North Tarrant Parkway is being built by
Harmon and Sons, and a second, $1 million store
of the same size is being developed at 9625 White
Settlement Road by Omni Group, Inc.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 25-31
On the Dotted Line
Fobare Commercial has signed four new tenants
and is expanding office space for a fifth in Western
Place. The new tenants include Construction News
Service, PNB Financial, EDO Corporation and Pate
Engineers Inc. Existing tenant BAE Systems is
expanding its offices by 12,000 square feet. Fobare
bought the office complex in March and has been
making improvements to the building systems, the
lobby and common areas and exterior landscaping.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 27-July 3
The Smith Music Group has leased 40 acres of
naturally sloping concert lawn seating from Stockyards
property owner, Holt Hickman. Called The North
Forty, it will host year-round concerts from national
touring shows.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 25-31
Classic Concepts Development has sold more than
50 percent of its 4.3 acre La Piazza at Mira Vista
office development. Of the 65,000 square feet
being developed, Classic Concepts is building
and/or is in design for 32,000 square feet.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 11-12
Robert Irvin has purchased a 4,200 square-foot
building in the La Piazza development at the entrance
to Mira Vista for his company Postural Orthopedics.
He will also lease space to Jacobs, Cosper and
Jacobs, an Allstate Insurance Agency.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 21
John Cockrell, president of Cockrell Printing,
has purchased the 12,000 square-foot Bledsoe Building
at 2930 Bledsoe Street. Cockrell plans to lease
the building.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 11-12
ZedaSoft, a software development and systems
integration company based in Fort Worth, recently
leased 6,000 square feet of industrial space in
Riverbend Properties at 2310 Gravel Drive.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 11-12
Focus 2000 Ltd. has purchased the 27,000 square-foot
office and warehouse property at 500 South Freeway.
ABC Animal Clinic has leased 8,000 square feet
of the property.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 11-12
Atlas Imaging and Diagnostic Center has leased
10,346 square feet at 2700 Airport Freeway.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 28
Optima Homes has purchased 119 residential lots
on 28 acres in Merwick Estates in north Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 28
Skye International Holdings, which designs manufactures
and markets air conditioning service equipment
for the automotive and commercial service industry,
has leased a 15,000 square-foot office and warehouse
at 2355 Pecan Court.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 7
Filemon Cabasang has acquired 2.2 acres on Beach
Street between Kearby and Creech streets. His
plans potentially call for the construction of
a medical office building.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 7
Applause
Summit Office Park has been named the Mid-Rise
Office Building of the Year by the Building Owners
and Manager Association. The judging criteria
included community impact, tenant/employee relations
programs, energy management systems, accessibility
for disabled people, emergency evacuation procedures
and building personnel training programs.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 21
Quality of Life
The Chicago Sun-Times reports "a suburban
cowboy is taking his show on the road." He
leaves today for Fort Worth, Texas, site of the
American Quarter Horse Youth Association's World
Championships. He'll be up against the best in
heading and heeling--roping a steer by the horns
and legs, respectively--from Texas, Oklahoma and
other more rodeo-friendly locales.
Chicago Sun-Times, July 3
The Times in Shreveport, Louisiana reports that
Texas Motor Speedway, the fastest track on the
circuit, provides the stage early in each spring
as more than 200,000 fans flock to the Lone Star
state's only Winston Cup weekend. In the evenings
during race week, the action heats up in downtown
Fort Worth. The Chevy Thunder festival features
driver appearances, live music, and of course,
food and drink.
The Times (Shreveport, LA), July 11
From The Miami Herald: "Other cities, like
Fort Worth, have created vibrant cultural communities
within the past 30 years. Fort Worth has built
its cultural life almost entirely from private
money."
The Miami Herald, July 6
TCU opened the state-of-the-art Oscar E. Monnig
Meteorite Gallery in February. It has the largest
collection of meteorites in North Texas and the
11th biggest public collection in the world.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, July 18
$500,000 of the $79 million spent to renovate
the Fort Worth Convention Center was set aside
for public art. This is part of the Public Art
Program city leaders approved in 2001 that sets
aside 2 percent of the funds spent on capital
projects to pay for public art.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, July 30
Other Media: Kudos for the Kimbell
In "The Quest for Immortality: Treasures
of Ancient Egypt," an exhibit at Fort Worth's
Kimbell Art Museum, the most spectacular array
of funerary artifacts to visit the U.S. since
Tutankhamen, the splendor of the Egyptians' passage
to the nether world is revealed.
WWD Magazine, July 31
In Fort Worth, the Kimbell Art Museum offers
one of the best deals of the summer in "The
Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt."
This is an exhibition filled with art and artifacts,
ranging in age from 2,000 to 3,500 years old,
reflecting the lifestyle of a prehistoric civilization.
The Times (Shreveport, LA,) July 29
Summer Fun
Burger's Lake, the spring-fed pool in west Fort
Worth was ranked No. 4 on a new list of the "Top
Ten Swimming Holes" in the Southwest, as
chosen by an online travel and outdoors magazine.
It's a summertime Fort Worth tradition of family-friendly,
alcohol-free fun for generations of children and
teen-agers.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, July 3
Dateline:
Fort Worth...
Egypt's Crowning Glory
"New Kingdom customs rise triumphantly from
the dead in "The Quest for Immortality,"
a dazzling display of treasures from the tombs
of the pharaohs.
Ancient Egyptian art was both beautiful and,
in a magical sense, useful. These dual characteristics
are the hallmarks of a gorgeous five-year traveling
exhibition now on view through September 14 at
the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. "The
Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt,"
... showcases some 115 objects, most of which
are from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The exhibition focuses largely on the New Kingdom
(1550-1069 B.C.), Egypt's grand imperial age -
the height of ancient Egypt's wealth and power
- when the empire's army dominated a territory
stretching from Syria to Sudan. Tribute and spoils
of war flowed into the nation, enriching the pharaohs,
their courtiers and the temples and priests of
Amun, who became the kingdom's central deity.
The show features stunning examples of the funerary
art ancient Egyptians created to put the next
world in reach - imposing statues, intricately
painted coffins, elaborate jewelry and numerous
accoutrements. A highlight of the exhibition is
a life-size replica of the 50-by-29-by-10-foot
burial chamber of Thutmose III, complete with
an exactingly reproduced copy of the Amduat -
an illustrated hour-by-hour guide for the pharaoh's
posthumous journey through the underworld, which
he had painted on the walls. Every obstacle on
the route is meticulously labeled. In ancient
Egypt, to name a thing was to master it."
Smithsonian Magazine
July 2003
Leaders
in Government
Lt. Governor to Address Leaders in Government
Series
Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst will
address the Fort Worth Chamber's Leaders in Government
Series held in partnership with the Petroleum
Club. At press time, the Lt. Governor's office
is embroiled in the redistricting debate, a subject
sure to be addressed at this luncheon sponsored
by TXU and Wells Fargo.
- What: Leaders in Government
Series presents Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
- When: Noon-1:30 p.m., Monday,
Sept. 29; registration begins at 11:30 a.m.
- Where: The Petroleum Club,
777 Main, 39th floor
- Cost: $15 for Chamber members;
$30 for non-members
 |
Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst
|
Lt. Governor Dewhurst, a native Texan, was elected
to the office in 2002. The veteran is also a rancher
and successful businessman - a partner in the
Firm of Falcon Seaboard Diversified Energy and
Investments Company. Prior to his election as
Lieutenant Governor, he was Texas Land Commissioner
from 1999-2000. In that office, Dewhurst substantially
reduced the budget and work force of the General
Land Office, turned money back to Texas taxpayers
each year, certified almost $1 billion in below-market
interest rate loans to veterans and helped to
restore Texas' beaches and bays.
In the aftermath of 9/11, Dewhurst was appointed
by Governor Rick Perry to chair the Governor's
Task Force on Homeland Security. He has also served
on the Governor's Business Council, the President's
Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the
United States Intelligence Community and as Chairman
of the State Product Development Board.
Online registration deadline is Thursday, Sept.
25; just go to www.fortworthchamber.com
and click on Calendar of Events. And mark your
calendar now for the next Leaders in Government
Series luncheon featuring Speaker of the House
Tom Craddick, Monday, Nov. 17.
Cutline:
Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst
For more information contact:
Jeanean
Herod
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 275
Central
Area Council
Downtown Fort Worth Inc.'s Devero To
Speak
Kenneth Devero, president of Downtown Fort Worth
Inc. will be the featured speaker at the September
Area Council Luncheon hosted by the Central Area
Council of the Fort Worth Chamber. The luncheon
will be sponsored by Bank One.
- What: Area Council Luncheon
hosted by the Central Area Council, Kenneth
Devero, president, Downtown Fort Worth Inc.
- When: Thursday, Sept. 25,
noon-1:30 p.m.
- Where: The Petroleum Club,
777 Main St., 39th floor
- Cost: $25 - Chamber members;
$20 - Gold members; and $50 - non-members
 |
Kenneth Devero President,
Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. |
Devero, who has been in the forefront of the
drive to revive downtown Fort Worth, is retiring
and will reminisce about his service to downtown
as well as look to the future.
Prior to his present position, he served as Executive
Vice President for Development of Operation New
Birmingham in Birmingham, Ala. Devero also served
for six years as President of Central Cities Development
Corporation, Alexandria, La., where he was responsible
for organizing and directing programs to revitalize
downtown Alexandria. He also served as the City
Manager of Beaumont, Texas and as the manager
of a large downtown redevelopment program in Maryville,
Tenn. He received national attention for planning
concepts and success in the creation of a viable
central city.
For more information contact:
Pennie
Blossom
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 267
Cutline:
Kenneth Devero
President, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.
Business
Forum
Basketball Champ Spurs' Owner at Business
Forum
It's been a big year for Peter Holt, owner of
The Holt Companies and the world champion San
Antonio Spurs basketball team. First came the
championship and now the opportunity to be featured
at the Fort Worth Chamber's Business Forum sponsored
by Wells Fargo and Weaver and Tidwell.
- What: Business Forum featuring Peter Holt,
Holt Cat and the San Antonio Spurs
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 17, noon-1:30 p.m.
- Where: Fort Worth Club, 306 West Seventh St.,
Horizon Room
- Cost: $30 - Chamber members; $25 - Gold members;
and $50 for non-members
 |
Peter M. Holt
CEO, The Holt Companiese |
An Illinois native, Holt is the great-grandson
of Benjamin Holt, developer of the first practical
track-type tractor which became Caterpillar. As
CEO of The Holt Companies, headquartered in San
Antonio, Peter Holt currently owns one of the
largest Caterpillar dealerships in the world.
A community leader who believes in corporate
responsibility to support local projects, Holt
has been active in promoting business and cultural
relationships between Mexico and Texas. He serves
on the boards of Chase Bank, the San Antonio Economic
Development Foundation, Inc., Free Trade Alliance
San Antonio, the San Antonio Council on Alcohol
and Drug Abuse, the Development Board of the University
of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
and Trinity University. He is active in the San
Antonio United Way (2001-002 chairman of the board)
and his companies match employee dollar contributions
to the United Way.
Holt's military career included two years in
the Army as an infantryman with a one-year tour
of duty in Vietnam earning a Silver Star, three
Bronze Stars with Valor, and a Purple Heart.
Peter M. Holt
CEO, The Holt Companies
Golf
Tournament
Tee It Up 'Fore' 17th Chamber Golf Classic
It's not too late to sign up for the 17th Annual
Fort Worth Chamber Classic Golf. Get a few of
your golfing buddies together for a foursome and
plan to take next Monday to play golf.
- What: 17th Fort Worth Chamber Golf Classic
- Where: Ridglea Country Club, 3700 Bernie Anderson
Ave.
- When: Monday, Sept. 8 (Rain date: Sept. 22)
- Tee Times: Registration - 6:30 a.m.; Shotgun
start - 7:30 a.m. - North course; Registration
- Noon; Shotgun start - 1 p.m. - North and South
course. Florida Scramble format. Registration
deadline is Aug. 29.
- Cost: $600/team of four for morning tee times;
$150/individual; $720/team of four for afternoon
tee times; $180/individual
Entry fee includes breakfast, lunch and dinner
for morning players and lunch and dinner for afternoon
players. As always, goodie bags, course refreshments
and the chance to win terrific prizes are all
part of the fun.
Among the sponsors of this year's event (at press
time) are:
- OmniAmerican Credit Union - dinner sponsor
- Sedalco - golf ball sponsor
- TexasBank - beverage cart
- Weaver and Tidwell - beverage cart
- Neoris - beverage cart
- Plains Capital - platinum sponsor
- SBC - platinum sponsor
- Mother Parker - platinum sponsor
- Wells Fargo - gold sponsor
- Summit Bank - gold sponsor
- First Choice Power - silver sponsor
- Progressive Concepts - silver sponsor
- KBK - North course bronze sponsor
- ARI-HVAC Energy Management Services - bronze
sponsor
- Brumley Printing - printing sponsor
Course-Pitality sponsors at press time include
Reata, Pepsi and Red Bull.
To register to play or for sponsorship information,
contact Richelle Hicks at rhicks@fortworthchamber.com
or 817/336-2491, ext. 243.
Small
Business
Small Business Nominees Are 'Rising Stars'
The nominations are in for the Fort Worth Chamber's
fifth annual Small Business of the Year Awards
and soon application forms will be sent to those
nominees. Each nominee is a "rising star"
as is clearly demonstrated by the new Small Business
of the Year Award logo created by Mike Roundtree
of Roundtree Advertising and Marketing Inc.
This year, the awards will again be broken out
by number of employees rather than annual revenue.
Award categories are 1-10 employees, 11-50 employees,
51-100 employees and 101-250 employees. Also this
year, a new category - emerging business (in business
less than three years) - has been added.
In order to have the event coincide with Small
Business Week, the awards ceremony has been moved
to May 6, 2004.
Nominees will be recognized in future issues
of the Chamberletter as well as listed on the
Chamber's website. Nominees who proceed with the
application process will have an opportunity to
have a booth on a special Small Business of the
Year Aisle November's Tarrant Area Chambers Buy
Local Trade Show. Finalists receive four complimentary
reservations to the awards luncheon, recognition
in the program along with a company profile and
mention on the Chamber website as a finalist.
They will also be honored at a special Business
After Hours and provided with display space to
promote their businesses and invited to participate
in a panel discussion at a Small Business Council
luncheon in March 2004.
In addition to an award to display, winners
will receive a display banner, feature articles
in the Fort Worth Business Press and the Chamberletter.
They will also be listed as winners on the Chamber's
website and in the Chamber's Annual Meeting program
as a winner.
Any for-profit business headquartered in Tarrant
County falling within the stated employee parameters
is eligible. The applicant must be the owner,
partner or major shareholder of the business and
active in its day-to-day operations. The business
must be financially stable and operational for
a minimum of three years (with the exception of
the Emerging Business which is less than three
years). Companies who provide a current member
to the Fort Worth Chamber board of directors will
not be eligible for consideration. Companies must
be a member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
at the time an award is presented.
Nominees opting to go forward with the application
process must return the completed application
form to the Chamber by Oct. 17.
Judging elements will include business growth
and performance; sound business strategies and
practices; business challenges; unique and innovative
approaches and community involvement and contribution.
For more information contact:
Lydia
Hall
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 272
Small
Bz Past Winners
Past Small Business of the Year Winners
1998
SohoPros
Stuart Bacon
Sedalco
1999
Ware & Associates, Inc.
Pulliam Pools
Tensor Information Systems, Inc.
2000
TimeSavers Data
Steele & Freeman, Inc.
First American Payment Systems
NetWorth Enterprises, Inc.
The Buxton Company
Employer Resource Network, Inc.
Project Partners
2001
Tyson's Auto Detail,
TriQuest Technologies, Inc.
Preferred Machine Tools
Santé Rehabilitation Group
Reata Restaurant
2002
Teresa's Treasures
PML Permite Corp.
TriQuest Technologies, Inc.
Optima Homes
Stay
in School Pep Rally
Mentoring Groups Gather to Plan Strategy
September is here and the kids are back in school,
most of them at any rate. As the Fort Worth business
community is well aware, we face a serious challenge
in reducing the drop out rate. On Oct. 2, the
Fort Worth Chamber and the Fort Worth ISD will
hold a Stay-In-School Initiative Pep Rally and
invite business owners, public officials, school
personnel and other concerned citizens to attend
and learn more about what an individual can do
to make a difference. Five "best practice"
mentoring programs (Chamberletter, August 2003)
will be featured along with other local programs
designed to help students graduate.
- What: Stay-In-School Pep
Rally
- When: Thursday, Oct. 2, noon-1:30
p.m. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.
- Where: Location to be determined
- Cost: Chamber members - $30;
Gold members - $25; and non-members - $60
A highlight of the luncheon will be panel discussion
featuring at risk students being interviewed by
NBC 5's Deborah Ferguson. This interview will
help attendees learn first hand about the challenges
facing students and just what steps the students
believe could help them complete their education.
The luncheon will be emceed by FWISD Superintendent
Thomas Tocco who will address the state of the
school system, the results of the new TAKS test
and other issues relating to the dropout rate.
The Stay-In-School Pep Rally will allow concerned
citizens to become with familiar with the five
main mentoring programs available locally - Vital
Link, Texas Scholars, Adopt-A-School, TEAM Fort
Worth and Junior Achievement - and just how they
can participate.
For more information contact:
Cynthia
Miller
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 240
Web site
Updated Chamber Web Site a 'Site' to
Behold
Stop the presses. The Fort Worth Chamber of
Commerce invites you to explore its improved and
expanded website at www.fortworthchamber.com.
The first thing you will notice is the expanded
real estate onscreen that allows more content
per page. Fort Worth photos, a scrolling event
calendar, and current weather on the home page
give members and visitors a exciting first impression
of the city and Chamber activities. Drop-down
menus allow surfers to easily find member programs
and services, while the Economic Development,
Moving and Visitors sections provide information
for relocation consultants, prospective residents
and tourists. The site receives an average of
xxx visits per week.
New information also includes:
- Legislative positions and government relations
activities
- Benefits, programs and an opportunity to apply
for membership
- Boards and staff listings and e-mails
- Demographics and other economic indicators
- Tourist attractions
- Downloadable pdf files
Of course, the site still contains the entire
Membership Directory, searchable by business name
or category (type), with contact information,
links to member business websites and Mapquest(r)
links to members' business locations. And, you
can purchase publications and register for events
online, paying by credit card with a secured connection.
"We see an increasing member response from
e-mails, online registrations and purchases,"
said Andra Bennett, director of communications
for the Chamber. "This saves time for both
members and staff, and allows us to manage business
better. The next step is to provide even more
valuable online advertising and sponsorship opportunities,
as the web allows us to track exactly where the
site visitors are going."
One of the most innovative portions of the upgraded
site is the Economic Development section. The
Chamber has partnered with the University of North
Texas' computer science department to provide
up-to-date statistical data and technical assistance.
"We see more companies and site consultants
evaluating communities using the Internet before
they ever pick up the phone," said Bob Farley,
the Chamber's executive vice president of economic
development. "UNT's assistance helps our
website to be a more informative, interactive
tool for our business customers."
Did
You know?
Did You Know?
With room to expand and a stable economy, Fort
Worth is one of the fastest-growing big cities
in the nation. Mayor Mike Moncrief said, "It
is a city with the opportunity to grow north,
south and west, and there's no other city comparable
to us in the state that has those opportunities."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 10
An article in The Houston Chronicle reported:
"Among Texas cities, Fort Worth posted strong
growth. Fort Worth grew 2.6 percent this year
and 2.8 percent last year, exceeding its 2 percent
annual increase during the 1990s."
The Houston Chronicle, July 11
Fort Worth-based travel Web site Travelocity
introduced an application on its Web site that
allows consumers to book airfare and hotels together.
Fort Worth Business Press, July 11-12
Home Textiles Today magazine ranked Pier 1 Imports
as No.6 in percent of sales growth for the nations
top 10 home textiles retailers.
Home Textiles Today Magazine, July 28
From the Austin-American Statesman: "Fort
Worth's municipal water is among the sources of
Ozarka's purified water."
Austin American-Statesman, July 7
Ambassador
of the Month
Action Ambassadors for May, June Recognized
The Fort Worth Chamber Action Ambassador for
May 2003 was John Porhamer, an Action Ambassador
since January 2003. Porhamer is the owner of Cowtown
Insurance Service, Inc.
For June, the Action Ambassador of the Month
is Natalie Parish, an ambassador since March 2003.
Parish is Community Relations Officer for Unity
One Federal Credit Union.
Action Ambassadors keep busy on behalf of the
Chamber calling on new members and working as
greeters at various Chamber functions. Currently,
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 contact
Chamber members on the Chamber's behalf.
For more information contact:
Teresa
Pearson
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 249
Calendar
Unless otherwise noted, the phone number for
all Chamber contact is 817/336-2491 and the listed
extension. To register for an event online, go
to www.fortworthchamber.com/events.
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
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 272
August
2003 Edition
July 2003
Edition
June 2003
Edition
Chamberletter contact below:
For more information contact:
Arden
Dufilho
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 259 |
