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March 2007

Students Go from Reel Life to Real Life

Students always enjoy a day out of the classroom whether it’s a snow day or a field trip. Last month, 600 Dunbar Middle School students got the chance to take in a movie during school hours. Not just any movie, however; these students attended special screenings of Freedom Writers, starring Hilary Swank.


Based on a true story, Freedom Writers tells the story of teacher Erin Gruwell, a young woman hoping to make a difference in the lives of her indifferent, underprivileged students from various ethnic backgrounds. These were young people who came from broken homes, were gang members, had been in trouble with the law, or were homeless -- lives not so very different than some of the Dunbar students who attended the screenings. At least that’s what Sefakor Amaa, a Dunbar reading teacher, thought after meeting Gruwell.

Dunbar is academically at risk. Last year, it was rated academically unacceptable by both state and federal standards. Amaa wants to help turn those scores around and she hopes using Gruwell’s teaching techniques will achieve that goal.


Amaa met Gruwell, who now runs the Freedom Writers Foundation, last summer when she spoke to Fort Worth teachers. Gruwell invited Amaa to Long Beach, California to attend teacher training sessions hosted by the foundation. She and Dunbar Principal Patricia Williams took advantage of the opportunity.


According to Amaa, the world depicted in the movie is much like that of her students. Their lives often involve drugs, gangs, violence and more.


Before the movie, the students were preoccupied with getting drinks and popcorn and visiting with their friends. But, in the dark, during the film, you could hear the students’ reactions. It was clear they were identifying with the students on the screen and getting the message.


Afterwards, one student said she was motivated to help improve her school.
“I want to get my grades up and make myself a better person,” said seventh grader Meghan Lawton. Asked how she could help improve her school, she replied, “We can stop disrespecting our teachers.”


And, taking her cue from the movie, Jasmine Black said, “We have to learn to forgive our enemies.”
In the film, students play the “line game.” Gruwell ran red tape down the middle of the classroom and proceeded to ask questions. If the question pertained to a student, they would step up to the line. Questions ranged from “Do you know someone who’s homeless?” “Do you know someone in a gang?” “Have you ever seen anyone shot?” And virtually all stepped up to the line.


Amaa has recreated this exercise in her Fort Worth classroom with unfortunately similar results. She hopes utilizing the Freedom Writers program will also elicit similar results, galvanizing her students to read, write and work to improve their lives. Students read books such as Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes along with the regular seventh grade curriculum. And they are expected to keep daily journals.


After the screening, the Dunbar students were asked some of the same questions the movie posed and they had the same answers. Yes, they knew kids in gangs. Yes, they knew kids who did drugs. Yes, they had witnessed violence. With no prompting, these students offered suggestions not only on how they could improve themselves, but how they felt they could help other students improve their lives.


The goal, according to Principal Williams, is to help them overcome obstacles, she told the Star-Telegram. “It’s all about dreaming and reaching that potential.”


The goal, according to Principal Williams, is to help them overcome obstacles, she told the Star-Telegram. “It’s all about dreaming and reaching that potential.”
There is a certain symmetry to the story about how the Dunbar students ended up at the movie on a school day. Jason Oliver, an assistant principal at Dunbar is a good friend of Randy McGuffee, a member of the Fort Worth Chamber’s South Area Council board.

Oliver believed that if Dunbar students saw the movie, they would be inspired and motivated to improve. He and McGuffee approached with idea and McGuffee approached the Fort Worth Chamber’s Pennie Blossom. She requested that the Chamber Foundation underwrite the $3,000 for the students to attend which they did. And clearly some of the students were getting the film’s message.


“One of our young men who is…” and Oliver paused searching for the right word, “challenging told me how great the movie was. I really think he was listening to it.”
Amaa just hopes for a ripple effect. If she can make a difference in the lives of her students, then they can make a difference in the lives of others.
“These are my neighbors,” Amaa told the Star-Telegram. “These are people who going to change the world in my neighborhood.”


For more information on the Chamber’s Area Councils and their education initiatives, contact Pennie Blossom at pblossom@fortworthchamber.com or 817/3369-2491, ext. 267.

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Business Visitation Program Explores Trends, Issues

In mid-2004, the Fort Worth Chamber initiated an aggressive business visitation program within the Economic Development Division to aid in the retention and expansion of Fort Worth’s existing business base. Visits were made to both member businesses and non-member businesses to obtain a truer picture of the Fort Worth business climate.
In its first year, the business visitation program called on 200 businesses and completed a company profile on each. This program enables Chamber staff and leadership to better understand what the local business base is experiencing by establishing a connection with them and seeking opportunities to promote their successes.


The business visitation program has continued calling on another 100 businesses in the 2005-06. Using the first year as a benchmark, the program helps Chamber staff identify issues or “red flags” businesses may be concerned about, track local business trends and share information about community resources of which they may have been unaware.
“At Southwest Office Systems, we are involved in several chambers,” said Vince Puente, President of Sales and Marketing. “I hear lots of reports about what’s going on in the business community. I appreciate the Fort Worth Chamber’s retention visits because I know they are talking to real people and asking them about their businesses. And when I see the results of the Chamber’s survey, it has more meaning for me.”


Methodology
From November 2005 through November 2006, Chamber staff members from the Economic Development, Workforce and Education, Membership and Administrative departments visited the businesses targeting an industry cross-section including aerospace, life science, real estate, employment services, manufacturing, distribution and construction. Different facility types were visited as well, ranging from manufacturing and distribution to general office and corporate headquarters operations.

 

Trends
When asked about potential expansion in the next 12 months, 27 percent of respondents said they anticipated a facility expansion, down from the previous survey’s 36 percent. Most of this year’s respondents indicated that current site could accommodate their proposed expansion. This survey also indicated that 32 percent of the companies expected to hire additional workers and none anticipated a workforce reduction. In both years, the survey indicated little evidence of union activity. And an overwhelming majority (83 percent in 04-05 and 81 percent in 05-06) of the companies is able to find qualified workers. This past year, 19 percent indicated some difficulty in hiring employees with appropriate training or experience, up from 17 percent in 04-05. In both years, the Chamber’s workforce development division has been referred to those needing hiring/training assistance.


Issues
A majority of the companies visited – 77 percent – indicated that they encounter no significant problems doing business in Fort Worth. Some respondents pointed to traffic congestion on Interstate 35 and the city’s tedious permitting process as problems. Last year, the Chamber commissioned the Zucker study of the process and the suggested changes resulting from that study are already being implemented and streamlining the process. Other issues noted included some problems not restricted to Fort Worth such as rising health care costs and fuel prices.


As with the first survey, this year’s results point to a stable-to-growing business environment with increasing sales, expanding international markets and scant difficulty finding qualified workforce and a vibrant economy.


For more information on the Fort Worth Chamber’s business visitation program, contact Melonye Whitson, director of local business and development, at mwhitson@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 235.

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President’s column
Bill Thornton
Fort Worth Chamber
President

Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief delivered his fourth State of the City address to nearly 1,000 members of the Fort Worth Chamber recently, and it was wonderful to hear all the good news about this city we are proud to call home.


Indeed, as the Mayor said, the state of the city is strong. The city continues to grow and is now the 18th largest city in the country. On the day of the speech, the mezzanine of the Convention Center was loaded with scale models of several downtown projects now underway or soon to be. In recent years, our dynamic downtown has been transformed with such projects as the Pier 1 Imports and RadioShack headquarters, the Convention Center renovation and rebirth of the Bank One Tower into The Tower.


Now such projects as the Trinity River Vision, the renovation of the old RadioShack buildings by PNL Properties, The Carnegie Building and the Omni Convention Center Hotel are transforming downtown yet again.


In his address, Mayor Moncrief touched on many topics, all of which have a direct bearing on Fort Worth’s business community. One was “green construction.”


Green construction consists of buildings and facilities which take into account sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.


Improved air quality and water conversation are critical issues facing our region right now and they are among our priorities during this legislative session. We support full funding of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) which will offer incentives for businesses to reduce their emissions. We are also on board with the Region C Water Plan which focuses on developing new water sources for our area as well as conservation and re-use.
That is where “green construction” comes in.


As our population continues to grow, citizens and businesses alike will have to make adjustments and develop new strategies that will maintain our quality of life here in North Texas. One of those adjustments can be green buildings. They are cutting edge now, but will soon become a benchmark for the construction industry and Fort Worth must be a strong leader in this arena.


Local forward thinking developers are already incorporating this technology into current developments including the Carnegie being developed by Sundance Square and Heritage Commons II being developed by Hillwood.


For years, the Chamber has advocated careful stewardship of our environment. As Fort Worth continues not only to transform its skyline but also to prepare for the future, we must all realize that our quality of life is only as good as the quality of our environment. The next few years will be challenging ones for our city, and we look forward to working with our community partners to ensure that Fort Worth meets those challenges.

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Nominating Committee Selections for Term 2007-2010

The Fort Worth Chamber Nominating Committee has nominated 14 community and business leaders as incoming directors to serve a three-year term beginning April 1, 2007. These nominees’ terms will expire on March 31, 2010.


The following individuals have been nominated to fill the expiring terms of one-third of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce board of directors. The nominees are:

Dan Berce
President and CEO
AmeriCredit Corp.

George P. Bush
Vice President
N3 Capital, L.L.C.

Douglas L. Cook
Director of Corporate Administration
Healthpoint L.T.D.

Kay Cox
Vice President Human Resources
Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

Elizabeth Fernandez
Vice President Marketing Operations
RadioShack Corp.

Tracy Gilmour
Director of Marketing
Sundance Square

Brian Happel
Fort Worth Market President
Compass Bank

Hal Hardister
Director of Development
Mercantile Partners

James R. “Jack” Jackson
Plant Manager
Miller Brewing Company

Jeffrey B. King
Managing Director
JPMorgan Private Client Services

Sandra McGlothlin
Secretary and Treasurer
Empire Roofing, LTD

David M. Porter
President
The PNL Companies

J. Russell Reid
President and CEO
Higginbotham & Associates

Charles Shewmake
Associate General Counsel
BNSF Railway Company

Tonya S. Veasey
President
Open Channels Group, LLC

If there are no signed petitions received from at least 25 Fort Worth Chamber members within 10 days of publication of the March Chamberletter, the aforementioned nominees, as presented by the Nominating Committee, will be elected to the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.



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Recap of Economic Updates in Tarrant County

In the Works

Cowboy cook Grady Spears is hungry to get back in the kitchen. Spears, known for his western restaurants like Reata, the Chisholm Club Restaurant, Granbury’s Nutt House restaurant, and suburban Houston’s The Burning Pear, will bring his Texas-inspired cuisine and trademark chicken-fried steaks back to Fort Worth this spring with the opening of 80 West, his latest venture, at 9904 Camp Bowie West. Fort Worth Business Press, Jan. 1, 2007

TAK Enterprises in Arlington has purchased a 1-acre tract at 7700 S. Bellaire Drive, near Bryant Irvin Road, where it plans a 6,875-square-foot medical-offices building.
Star Telegram, Jan. 2, 2007

Jean-Michel Sakouhi, who once owned and operated the Balcony restaurant on Camp Bowie Boulevard, plans a new fine-dining restaurant called the Vault Restaurant and Cellar to open downtown in March in The Tower. Sakouhi has leased 2,500 square feet at Fourth and Taylor streets, the northwest corner of downtown's only residential high-rise. He has also taken an additional 1,500 square feet for a cigar and martini bar he will call the V Lounge. The menu will feature a mix of Mediterranean, French and Italian cuisines. Star Telegram, Jan. 12, 2007

Spencer Taylor, who co-founded Billy Bob's Texas in the city's historic Stockyards District more than a quarter of a century ago, has returned to his Fort Worth roots and is again working on an entertainment-related project in the Stockyards area. This time partnering with Fort Worth architect Ken Schaumburg, Taylor has leased seven buildings on West Exchange Avenue, between Main Street and Ellis Avenue, where each will become a different music venue, but part of one entertainment complex simply called West Exchange. Star Telegram, Jan. 15, 2007

Developers of The Carnegie office tower in downtown Fort Worth celebrated the start of its construction with a "bottoming-out" ceremony. The Carnegie, named after Fort Worth's first public library, will be the first office tower since the construction of the Chase Bank building, about six years ago. Star Telegram, Jan. 23, 2007

Pre-sales started Jan. 20 at 904 Lexington St. for CityHomes at Westview, a 50-unit condominium development at Texas and Henderson streets. CityHomes, a subsidiary of Centex Homes, has built developments in Dallas for 10 years. The three-story units, which will range from approximately 800 square feet to 1,300 square feet and will have one or two bedrooms, start in the $180’s. Fort Worth Business Press, Jan. 15, 2007

The Village at Camp Bowie has leased space to three new tenants. They include Yoko Sushi restaurant, which will open a 3,000-square-foot space at 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd. in late spring, Sonny’s Diner, a Pho soup and teriyaki restaurant, set to open Feb. 1 at 6220 Camp Bowie Blvd, and Pickles & Ice Cream Maternity Apparel, a 1,800-square-foot shop, scheduled to open at 6323 Camp Bowie in late spring. Fort Worth Business Press, Jan. 15, 2007

Texas Christian University is replacing its bookstore, which burned down last spring, with a larger Barnes & Noble store with an indoor/outdoor wireless Internet cafe. Construction on a two-story, 34,000-square-foot store is scheduled to begin in mid-April and finish by the end of the year. In addition to textbooks, the store will sell TCU merchandise and retail books and magazines. Star Telegram, Jan. 30, 2007

Expansions and Moves

Minuteman Press is leasing 2,700 square feet at Riverbend Properties at Trinity Boulevard and Loop 820. The new space is three times the size of Minuteman Press' former spot on Airport Freeway, according to information from the real-estate company that represented the tenant. Star Telegram, Jan. 2, 2007

CKS Packaging, a plastic bottle manufacturer based in Atlanta, has expanded its warehousing space in Fort Worth with a lease for 99,500 square feet at 1400 Everman Parkway. CKS Packaging operates a manufacturing and warehouse facility at 109 Felix St. It is one of 13 manufacturing facilities operated by CKS. Star Telegram, Jan. 8, 2007

Berger Transfer & Storage, the largest Allied Van Lines agent in the country, has moved its Dallas office to 14850 Grand River Road, Fort Worth. Berger is the parent company for a diversified group of companies providing transportation, storage, logistics and relocation services to corporations, consumers and government agencies around the world. Star Telegram, Jan. 15, 2007

Growth at AllianceTexas has its owner, Hillwood Development, undertaking some expansion projects in the 11,600-acre industrial portion of the north Fort Worth development. Hillwood said that it had sold 81 acres near the BNSF Railway intermodal yard to Dallas-based Weir Bros., an excavating and construction company, for use as a shipping-container storage yard. The announcement comes just weeks after Hillwood embarked on what it says is the most aggressive speculative building program since Alliance opened in 1989. Star Telegram, Jan. 19, 2007

CT Rugs has expanded at its Curzon Avenue location. The shop, owned and operated by Tom Siasi, has added 900 square feet to the 1,810 it leases at 5928 Curzon Ave. It is neighbors with Maximize and Agape Cleaners. Star Telegram, Jan. 29, 2007

On the Dotted Line

Ambassador Senior Management has leased 1,155 square feet of office space in River Hills Office Suites, 7625 S. Bellaire Drive. Star Telegram, Jan. 2, 2007.

Less than a year after completing a $12 million renovation and reflagging the brand, Allegiance Hospitality Corp. has sold the Radisson Fort Worth North, 2540 Meacham Blvd., to a California investor. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company has also put the sister property, the Radisson Fort Worth South, at Interstate 35W and Alta Mesa Boulevard, up for sale. Allegiance bought the hotels, each with 247 rooms, in June 2005. At that time, the properties were Holiday Inns. Star Telegram, Jan. 15, 2007

The former dental office of Robert Shaeffer, 4936 Byers Ave., has been sold to Theresa Williams. The 3,800-square-foot building, which was built in 1986, will be used by chiropractor Jeff Johnson. Star Telegram, Jan. 15, 2007

JPMorgan Chase has sold its drive-through facility and the city block that it sits on at 10th and Texas streets to an investment group of Dallas-based real estate investment trust Behringer Harvard.
The property is across 10th Street from the 40-story Burnett Plaza, Fort Worth’s tallest office building, which Behringer Harvard bought nearly a year ago. The deed restricts the property from being used as a bank, so it is likely that the building will be torn down soon. Star Telegram, Jan. 24, 2007

A partnership of Andrew Blake and James R. Harris, called 2816 Shamrock Llc., has bought a 16,000-square-foot office/warehouse at 2816 Shamrock Ave. Star Telegram, Jan. 22, 2007

Arlington-based B&E Industries, a high school-event marketing and promotional-products company, has leased 9,515 square feet of space in the Frost Bank Professional Building, 3851 N.E. Loop 820, in Fossil Creek. The space will be used for employees in sales and marketing for its Sports Promotion Network and Gear4 divisions. In addition to Frost Bank, other tenants include Manpower, Stewart Title and Landmark Field Services. The building is 100 percent leased. Star Telegram, Jan. 22, 2007

A limited partnership of Dallas-based Vintage Interests, called Vintage Riverbend, has bought a 468,000-square-foot multi-tenant industrial building, a former distribution facility for Fleming Foods, at 7301 Trinity Blvd. in east Fort Worth. The warehouse and office was built in 1974 and has been expanded three times. MBM Food Service Co. is the major tenant, occupying 234,000 square feet. The building is 81 percent leased; other tenants include The Warehouse and Transpec Fasteners Co. Star Telegram, Jan. 22, 2007

A 12.85-acre tract on Texas 114 in far north Fort Worth, at the entry to the Rivers Edge community, has been sold to a limited partnership, Rivers Edge Partners. The land is zoned for office or retail use. Rivers Edge is a 600-lot residential development. Star Telegram, Jan. 29, 2007

West Seventh Street's face-lift is accelerating, with the completed sale of the Acme Brick Co. headquarters to a group that includes the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm. Cypress Equities of Dallas, an affiliate of The Staubach Cos., partnered with Carlyle to purchase the site. Company executives recently told the Fort Worth City Council that the project will include stores, residences, a theater and hotel. The development will be on the south side of West Seventh and include both sides of Crockett Street, one block south. It will also include parcels along Currie and Morton streets.
Star Telegram, Jan. 31, 2007

Openings

Chimy's Cerveceria, a popular restaurant in Lubbock, has opened a Fort Worth location in 2,140 square feet of space in the Foch Street business district, on an alley lot south of West Seventh Street. Chimy's serves burgers, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, beer and margaritas. Star Telegram, Jan. 8, 2007.

Liberty Tax Service, a Virginia-based tax-preparation company, has opened two offices in Fort Worth. The offices -- at 1304 N. Main St. and at 1311 N. Beach St. -- will be open 12 hours a day during tax season. After April 15, their schedule calls for operations on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Liberty Tax Service operates 2,000 offices in the U.S. and Canada. It provides free tax advice and free checking of self-prepared returns. Star Telegram, Jan. 22, 2007

Around Town

As the near south side undergoes continued development, some of the area’s vacant historic houses that lie in the path of Medical District construction are receiving special treatment. Instead of choosing to demolish such structures, there are a few Fort Worth companies that opt to take a different route – they literally lift the houses off their foundation and move them to new locations. On Jan. 3, two houses, both next-door neighbors on the corner of Fairmount and Magnolia avenues, rolled down the street to their new addresses at 1316 and 1320 Alston Avenue. The houses, which date back to the early 1900s, will still stand side by side. The houses are two of 12 in the near south side that have received relocation approval from the Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission within the past two years, according to numbers from the Fort Worth planning department. Fort Worth Business Press, Jan. 1, 2007

More than 1,000 lots in the Carter Riverside area of Fort Worth recently received approval for rezoning from City Council. The neighborhood, which encompasses 438 acres, features buildings such as Amon-Carter Riverside High School and Riverside Middle School, which, before the zoning changes, had stood on land zoned for residential use, and some homes were on land designated for commercial development. The changes involve some 14 zoning classifications that were changed and added, ranging from A-5 single family zoning to E-neighborhood commercial zones, according to Carter Riverside Neighborhood Association documents. Today, the bulk of the neighborhood has been rezoned to A-7.5 single-family residential, which allows single-family detached dwellings on a 7,500-square-foot lot. Fort Worth Business Press, Jan. 15, 2007

Out of Town Reporting

Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, TX, is expected to install the only combined IMRIS Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) operating room/diagnostic room in the world. The iMRI enables surgeons to view high- resolution patient scans during brain surgery leading to improved patient outcomes. The system provides surgeons with digital images of the brain during surgery. The iMRI is scheduled to be operational in February 2007 and is part of a $9.7 million suite. Medical Industry Week, Jan. 30, 2007


BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) announced its planned $2.75 billion capital commitment program for 2007. BNSF anticipates investing over $750 million in track and facilities to expand capacity -- for customers in coal, agricultural products, industrial products and intermodal -- to meet unprecedented demand for consistent freight rail service. For 2007, BNSF's Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) was a record 11.4 percent, a significant improvement from 10.1 percent in 2005 and 7.9 percent in 2004. Market Wire, Jan. 23, 2007

Did You Know?

The Grubb & Ellis annual report on real estate development notes that the major retail news in Tarrant County is the transformation of Alliance into a major mixed-use destination with 4 million square feet of planned shopping space. The first phase includes the 600,000-square-foot Alliance Town Center, the report says. Hillwood is also mentioned in the report on land, where it says Alliance is active with land deals, mostly by retailers. Star Telegram, Jan. 8, 2007

Data provided by Strategic Insight Group --Intelligence Research Partner of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

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Texas Secretary of State Williams Promotes Economic Development


The Honorable Roger Williams, Texas’ 105th Secretary of State, will address the Fort Worth Chamber’s Leaders in Government luncheon, presented by Wells Fargo.

  • What: Leaders in Government Luncheon – Roger Williams, Texas Secretary of State
  • When: Tuesday, March 27, noon-1:30 p.m. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m.
  • Where: The Petroleum Club, Wildcatter Room, 777 Main St., 39th floor, 76102
  • Cost: Chamber members - $35; Gold and Preferred members - $30; non-members - $60; and a table of eight - $350


Secretary Williams works with Governor Perry to promote economic development, investment and job creation in Texas. Economic development is a priority for the Perry administration and Secretary Williams is working to bring new businesses to Texas as well as keep business in Texas. “As a businessman, I know that new businesses in Texas mean new opportunities for Texas,” says Secretary Williams.


As secretary of state, Williams serves as chief election officer for Texas. Currently he is overseeing the state’s efforts to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act and helping Texas lead the nation in addressing the most sweeping changes in federal election law in the past 40 years.


A Fort Worth native, Williams was a star baseball player at TCU and played professionally in the Atlanta Braves organization. He later coached baseball at TCU before joining his father in the family automobile business.


Gold sponsors for the event are BNSF Railway; Jackson Walker LLP; Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP; and TXU Electric Delivery.


Silver sponsors are Cantey Hanger, LLP; Compass Bank; and Haynes & Boone, LLP.
Bronze sponsors are Carter & Burgess, Inc.; Chesapeake Energy Corporation; Lockheed Martin; and OmniAmerican Bank.


Register online at www.fortworthchamber.com. For more information, contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

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Economic Update: What Does Fort Worth’s Future Hold?

People have always wanted to know what the future holds – especially when it comes to the economy. To learn which issues facing Fort Worth matter to our members most, the Fort Worth Chamber surveyed members online. Over 500 respondents helped determine which topics would be covered in the 2007 Economic Update Conference. Issues such as the Barnett Shale, the real estate market, urban revitalization and further improvements to downtown will be examined.
The Economic Update is presented by EnCana Oil & Gas.

  • What: Economic Update Conference
  • When: Thursday, March 8, 7:30-11:30 a.m. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m.
  • Where: Fort Worth Club, 306 West 7th St., 12th floor, Horizon and Trinity Rooms, 76102
  • Cost: Chamber members - $30; Gold and Preferred members - $25; non-members - $50; table for eight - $300


Topics will include a real estate update with George Duncan, The Staubach Company; urban revitalization with Fernando Costa, City of Fort Worth; downtown Fort Worth with Andy Taft, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.; and an economic overview including transportation, education, workforce, healthcare and technology with David Berzina, Fort Worth Chamber.


Mark your calendar now and plan to attend this informative conference. Register online or contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

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Rebuilding the Museum of Science and History

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is building a new facility on its current site and work is slated to begin in fall of this year with completion in 2009. Find out how the museum will continue to operate during that time at the next Membership Luncheon hosted by the Fort Worth Chamber’s West Area Council. The luncheon is presented by Wells Fargo.

  • What: Membership Luncheon hosted by the West Area Council – Van Romans: Plans for the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
  • When: Thursday, March 29, noon-1:30 p.m. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m.
  • Where: National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, 1720 Gendy St., 76107
  • Cost: Chamber members - $25; Gold and Preferred members - $20; non-members - $40; and a table of eight - $250


President of the museum Van Romans will discuss the plans for the new facility as well as explain how it will function during the construction. The museum will remain open and will host exhibits at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. The Omni Theater will remain open as will the Museum School and offices will be housed in portable buildings.
“Our new facility will allow us to offer an even greater variety of learning opportunities in science and history to school groups, families and adults,” said Romans.


Register online. For more information, contact Brianna Dishman bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

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Calendar of Events

March Events

8 Economic Update, presented by EnCana Oil & Gas, 7:30-11:30 a.m., Fort Worth Club, 306 W. 7th St., Horizon and Terrace Rooms, 76102. Cost: Chamber members - $30; Gold and Preferred members - $25; non-members - $50; and a table of eight - $300.Register online. For more information, contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.


20 Business After Hours, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Texas de Brazil, 101 N. Houston St. Cost: Chamber members - $10; Gold and Preferred members, no charge, but reservations are required. Register online. For more information, contact Doris Becker at dbecker@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 288.


21 Lunch & Learn, “Networking Tips,”11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Blue Mesa Grill, 1600 S. University, 76107. Cost of lunch $12, paid on site. Register online. For more information, contact Doris Becker at dbecker@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 288.


22 2007 Small Business of the Year Awards, presented by Citizens National Bank, noon-1:30 p.m. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m. Guest speaker – Larry North. Fort Worth Hilton, Crystal Ballroom, 815 Main St., 76102. Cost: Chamber members - $40; Gold and Preferred members - $35; non-members - $70; a table of eight - $350. Register online. For more information, contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.


27 Leaders in Government featuring Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams presented by Wells Fargo, noon-1:30 p.m. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m., The Petroleum Club, Wildcatters Room, 777 Main St., 76102. Cost: Chamber members - $35; Gold & Preferred members - $30; non-members - $60; and a table of eight - $350. Register online or contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.


29 Membership Luncheon hosted by West Area Council presented by Wells Fargo, “New Plans for the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History” with Van Romans, noon-1:30 p.m. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m. (Arrive early and tour the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.) Cost: Chamber members - $25; Gold and Preferred members - $20; non-members - $40; and a table of eight - $250. Register online. For more information, contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.


30 17th Annual Labor & Employment Law Update presented by Haynes and Boone, LLP, Ralph M. Smith Leadership Development Complex, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 1701 W. Boyce, 76115. Cost: Chamber members - $125; Gold and Preferred members - $95. Register online. For more information, contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

April Events

3 Tarrant County Business Breakfast, 7-8:30 a.m. Networking for small, minority and women owned businesses. No reservations necessary. Radisson South, formerly Holiday Inn South, 100 Alta Mesa Blvd. 76134. Full breakfast - $10; continental breakfast - $7. For more information, contact Teresa Pearson at tpearson@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 249.


12 Chamber Day at the Speedway, The Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lonestar Parkway, 76247. Chamber members - $35; Gold & Preferred members - $30; non-members - $60; and table of 10 - $400. Register online. For more information, contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.


20 International Seminar – “Protecting Intellectual Property,” 9-11 a.m., Fort Worth International Center, 808 Throckmorton, 76102. Cost is $20.
Register online. For more information, contact Beth Gates at bgates@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 232.


26 Leads Explosion sponsored by Thumbtechs, The Pour House, 209 W. 5th, 76102, 5-8:30 p.m., Chamber members only, $30. Limited to 90 companies; no more than five from each industry. Gold and Preferred members are free, but must register with a credit card, which will only be charged a $30 non-refundable charge for a no-show. Payment must be received by noon, Friday, Apr. 19. Register with Doris Becker at dbecker@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 288. For more information, call Diana Dugan at ext. 258.

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Want More Business Contacts? Take Action, Become an Ambassador

Action Ambassadors make up an important group of up to 65 dedicated Fort Worth Chamber members who devote their time and energy to assisting members, with a focus on membership retention. A critical arm of the Membership Department, Action Ambassadors attend ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies, assist with member-retention calls and act as greeters at various Chamber functions. Currently, the program is recruiting new members. Ambassadors must be members of the Fort Worth Chamber.


The program is also a great entrance into a leadership opportunity within the Chamber for those wanting to serve on committees, task forces or boards.


Contact Teresa Pearson at tpearson@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 249 for information on becoming an Action Ambassador.

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Workforce Committees Share Ideas, Goals

Recently, members of the Fort Worth Chamber’s Quality Workforce Committee and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County’s Workforce Improvement Committee held a joint meeting to discuss their missions, services and goals. It was the first time in years the two committees had met. The session brought together more than 40 leaders from business, education and government – including representatives of five area institutions of higher learning -- who share a commitment to education and workforce partnerships.

“By working together,“these committees can help get the word out to area businesses about all the workforce services available to them, most of which are free of charge.”

Sal Adamski
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Board

“It was a very informative session,” said Sal Adamski of the Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Board. “By sharing our goals and missions, we can help avoid duplication of services. Chairs of each committee described what it does and what resources can be shared as we move forward.”


Fran Eichorst, vice president of human resources and general manager of Fidelity Investments, co-chaired the meeting with Leslie Sisk, director of training and development for U.S. human resources for Mother Parker’s Tea and Coffee.


Sisk detailed some of the Workforce Improvement Committee’s goals including improving the quality of existing, potential and future workforce in Tarrant County through strategic partnerships. She stressed the value of the committee’s proactive manner of identifying necessary curricula and potential training partners.


Another of the committee’s goals is to develop and offer responsive business services to help Tarrant County businesses, especially smaller ones, meet their human resource needs while improving the quality of the available workforce.


“That’s why the meeting was so important,” said Adamski. “It is important for us to get a partnership going and look at how our committees can work together.”
Adamski presented Workforce Solutions’ Workforce Improvement Industry Alignment Model wherein Workforce Solutions staff work with the business community to find answers to specific job-related needs. This is done through client assessments and identifying specific skill gaps. Once that is done, then all concerned work together to train the necessary workers. Emphasis is now placed on helping businesses train workers rather than helping workers find jobs for which they are qualified.


“This joint meeting contributed to a heightened awareness of ways in which our two organizations can continue to collaborate to produce a more seamless education and workforce delivery system that develops people for the North Texas jobs of the future,” said Eichorst.


In future, the committees hope that they will be able to assist companies in recruiting and training of workforce. Both committees felt that surveying members of the Chamber would help gather new baseline data about area workforce needs. The Quality Workforce Development Committee will undertake that survey and will share the results with Workforce Solutions.


The QWDC and the Chamber’s Stay in School Initiative will also stay abreast of the progress of the dropout prevention awareness community activities coordinated by United Way and partially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.


“By working together,” said Adamski, “these committees can help get the word out to area businesses about all the workforce services available to them, most of which are free of charge.”


For more information on workforce issues, contact Cynthia Fisher Miller at cmiller@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 240.

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Recent Ribbon Cuttings

Austin Commercial Real Estate, 2401 Scott Ave. Contact Jim Austin at 817/923-9305.

Wine Styles Wine & Gifts, 2600 W. 7th St., #144. Contact Gigi Sullivan at 817/332-9463.

Edible Arrangements, 2600 W. 7th St., #142. Contact Teresa Lister at 817/882-8029.

Jason Needham State Farm Agency, 1708 8th Ave. Contact Jason Needham at 817/921-4111.

There’s No Place Like Home… Furnishings, 8309 Camp Bowie West. Contact Abby Slayton at 817/244-3371.

Iron Craft Studio, Inc., 2545 Berner St. Contact Marsha D’Avignon at 817/626-2500.

Visions Realty & Investments, Inc., 5601 Bridge St., Suite 504. Contact Mandy Mahoney at 817/379-3803.

Click Here to view pictures from these and other ribbon cuttings.

For more information contact:
Arden Dufilho
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 259

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777 Taylor Street, Suite 900   Fort Worth, TX 76102-4997   817.336.2491