Chamber to Recognize Excellence in Small Business and Leadership Longview Graduates GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH CHAMBER ED PROGRAMS 3 COUNT THE FAMES 4 ALLEYFEST CHANGES DATES 5 VISITING THE VISITORS CENTER 6 2012 DATES SET FOR HOSPITALITY TRAINING 7 GET CONNECTED AT BUSINESS EXPO 10 THE BUZZ ON RESTAURANTS 11 CVB ON THE MOVE 12 LL ALUMNI GEAR UP FOR MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 13 FEATURED AMBASSADORS 14 Departments RIBBON-CUTTINGS 8 ANNIVERSARIES 9 NEW MEMBERS 9 CALENDAR 15 Don’t Miss… Also in this issue… Count the Fames - Hometown Heroes, p. 4 Longview Progress Report is published by: 410 N. Center Street / Longview, TX 75601 903-237-4000 / www.longviewtx.com March/April 2012 Vol. 6 Issue 2 Chamber of Commerce ✪ Convention and Visitors Bureau ✪ Downtown Development T he Longview Chamber of Commerce will recognize outstanding chamber member businesses at the annual Small Business Luncheon as well as the 30th Leadership Longview graduation set for May 1 at Maude Cobb Activity Center. The luncheon will be the premier kick off event for the 2012 Business Expo. Beginning March 1, chamber members will have the opportunity to nominate businesses in the categories of Small Business of the Year, Minority Business of the Year, Family-Owned Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year. Nomination forms will be available online March 1 at www.longviewchamber.com. • Kyle Kinler - Eastman Chemical • Julie Krc - Longview Regional Medical Center • Carol Lee - Spring Hill State Bank • David Marler - Eastman Chemical • Kyla McCormack - Network IP • Terry Miller - City of Longview • Jerry Newman - MidSouth Fabrication and Coating • Dawnelle Priddy-Sigmon - Hugman Architecture & Construction • Janet Scott - Neiman Marcus • Deena Shelton - East Texas CASA • Kyle Stephens - Hayes Engineering, Inc. • Tracy Vincent - Network Communications • Christa Watson - Hiway 80 Rescue Mission • Dr. Bob Wharton - LeTourneau University Congratulations to the 2011-12 Leadership Longview class: The Ward Agency was recognized as the 2011 Family-Owned Business of the Year. Join us May 1 at Maude Cobb Activity Center to celebrate • Keri Bradley - East Texas Baptist University • Chelsea Cace - Johnny Cace’s Seafood & Steakhouse • Lori Danielson - Coffee News of East Texas/Junior League • Susan Denby - Longview Regional Medical Center • Rick Evans - City of Longview • Jonathan Foy - Community Healthcore • Blake Gore - City of Longview • Lora Hammond - Austin Bank • Michelle Heflin - Buckner Children & Family Services of Northeast Texas • Lauren Henson - STEMCO/Junior League • Cami Hinson - BancorpSouth
Transcript
Chamber to Recognize Excellence in Small Businessand Leadership Longview GraduatesGROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH
CHAMBER ED PROGRAMS 3
COUNT THE FAMES 4
ALLEYFEST CHANGES DATES 5
VISITING THE VISITORS CENTER 6
2012 DATES SET FOR
HOSPITALITY TRAINING 7
GET CONNECTED
AT BUSINESS EXPO 10
THE BUZZ ON RESTAURANTS 11
CVB ON THE MOVE 12
LL ALUMNI GEAR UP FOR
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 13
FEATURED AMBASSADORS 14
Departments
RIBBON-CUTTINGS 8
ANNIVERSARIES 9
NEW MEMBERS 9
CALENDAR 15
Don’t Miss…
Also in this issue…
Count the Fames - Hometown Heroes, p. 4
Longview Progress Report is published by:
410 N. Center Street / Longview, TX 75601903-237-4000 / www.longviewtx.com
March/April 2012 Vol. 6 Issue 2
Chamber of Commerce � Convention and Visitors Bureau � Downtown Development
The Longview Chamber of Commerce
will recognize outstanding chamber
member businesses at the annual Small
Business Luncheon as well as the 30th
Leadership Longview graduation set for
May 1 at Maude Cobb Activity Center. The
luncheon will be the premier kick off event
for the 2012 Business Expo.
Beginning March 1, chamber members
will have the opportunity to nominate
businesses in the categories of Small
Business of the Year, Minority Business of
the Year, Family-Owned Business of the
Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.
Nomination forms will be available online
March 1 at www.longviewchamber.com.
• Kyle Kinler - Eastman Chemical• Julie Krc - Longview Regional Medical Center
• Carol Lee - Spring Hill State Bank• David Marler - Eastman Chemical
• Kyla McCormack - Network IP• Terry Miller - City of Longview
• Jerry Newman - MidSouth Fabrication and Coating
• Dawnelle Priddy-Sigmon - Hugman Architecture & Construction
• Janet Scott - Neiman Marcus• Deena Shelton - East Texas CASA
• Kyle Stephens - Hayes Engineering, Inc.• Tracy Vincent - Network Communications• Christa Watson - Hiway 80 Rescue Mission• Dr. Bob Wharton - LeTourneau University
Congratulations to the 2011-12 Leadership Longview class:
The Ward Agency was recognized as the 2011Family-Owned Business of the Year.
Join us May 1 at Maude Cobb Activity Center to celebrate
• Keri Bradley - East Texas Baptist University
• Chelsea Cace - Johnny Cace’s Seafood & Steakhouse
• Lori Danielson - Coffee News of East Texas/Junior League
• Susan Denby - Longview Regional Medical Center
• Rick Evans - City of Longview• Jonathan Foy - Community Healthcore
• Blake Gore - City of Longview• Lora Hammond - Austin Bank
• Michelle Heflin - Buckner Children & Family Services of Northeast Texas
• Lauren Henson - STEMCO/Junior League• Cami Hinson - BancorpSouth
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 1
www.longviewtx.com2 March/April
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 2
BOARD OF DIRECTORSDr. Dale Lunsford
LeTourneau University
Anne HugmanHugman Architecture &
Constructions, Inc.
Richard AndrewsRichard Andrews Consulting
David McWhorterGans & Smith Insurance
Company
Dianne SwankSuzanne Cook & Company
Brad TidwellCitizens National Bank
Tim VaughnTVaughn Builders, LLC
Kelly HallLongview Chamber
of Commerce
Jill BerneyLongview Regional
Medical Center
Pat BrittonEastman Chemical Company
Cathy CaceJohnny Cace’s
Seafood & Steak House
Darwin WinfieldAtmos Energy
Jeremy DuMondU.S. Steel Tubular Products
John RayLively Cadillac GMC
Shelby SnellOleum Operating Company
Dave SpurrierWells Fargo Advisors, LLC
APPOINTED DIRECTORSSuzanne Cook
Suzanne Cook & Company
Keith HoneyVoting Member – LEDCO
Brett LindigSYSCO Food Services, LLC
Mayor Jay DeanCity of Longview
Judge Bill StoudtGregg County
www.longviewtx.com
From the President
The Longview Progress Report 3
Thursday, March 16, 2012Becoming a Customer Service Rockstar –
How to Stand Out and Move AheadDiscover 20 concrete ways for your
employees to make emotional connectionswith your customers. From the memorable“Be Gumby” technique to the “Man in theDesert” analogy to ideas from Disney,Starbucks, Zappos and Apple, youremployees will walk away with realisticideas for improving the customerexperience and the inspiration to trulycommit to WOWing your customers atevery point.
Thursday, April 12 2012Social Customer Service
Is your company monitoring complaintson Twitter, Facebook, and blogs? We knowall the social networking communities youneed to be listening to and participating inand we can show you exactly how to do it.
Unemployment Insurance and Drugs
Grow Your Business at Chamber’sEducation Programs
Register Today!
Congress is considering federallegislation to extend Unemployment
Insurance (UI) benefits and an agreementmust be made by the end of February whenthe newest extension expires. Thelegislation sits in a Senate ConferenceCommittee and includes provisions thatallow states to drug test UI recipients. Thissame language was included in a House billin December that failed.The use of illegal drugs, or even the misuse
of prescription drugs, directly affectsemployment. Drug testing programs in theprivate sector have been shown to improveabsenteeism rates, reduce accident rates,and improve employee productivity as wellas employee turnover.
States are not allowed the option to adoptlegislation that may require unemploymentinsurance recipients to take a drug test toqualify for benefits. The unemploymentinsurance system is meant to providebenefits to those who have lost their jobsthrough no fault of their own and who areavailable to work. If a recipient testspositive for drugs then he or she istechnically not available to work.Tell your legislator to keep this language
in the final bill. Employers should not footthe bill for those who intentionally useillegal drugs, and therefore are notavailable to work.
— Source: Texas Association of Business
Also Note:March 23: Facebook Friday Crash Course
April 18 – TwitterFor more information and registration go to www.longviewchamber.com.
Sponsored by: Longview Economic Development Corporation
Count the Fames“We decided to stop at 40,” said Kelly
Hall, president and CEO of the Longview
Chamber of Commerce. “Actually when
we did the research, we were amazed at
how many famous and accomplished
people were born or raised in Longview.”
Kelly Hall was talking about the
Chamber’s new Home Town Faces wall
that was installed mid February.
It is intended to be part of the new
Visitors Center (see accompanying article)
welcoming people into the redesigned area
for information on Longview, the East
Texas region and the State of Texas. The
attractive display just inside the entrance
informs anyone looking at it that some well
known celebrities call Longview home or at
least where they got their start in life.
Backed by an attractive mural, there are
four large shields featuring Forrest
Whittaker, Karen Silkwood, Neal McCoy
and Rodney Carrington. Four smaller panels
above the shields tell the accomplishments
of Dr. Bill Bussey, Chris Davis, Bobby Taylor,
Jose Francisco Torres, Ben Spies, R.G.
LeTourneau, Robert Newhouse and Matthew
McConaughey. Twenty eight others are
listed on two panels to the side of the mural.
You can view the Chamber’s new Home
Town Faces wall and Visitors Center
anytime during regular business hours.
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 4
Promoting the Community
www.longviewtx.com The Longview Progress Report 5
AlleyFest Gets Out of the Heat
Announcing… AlleyFest - A Real East TexasCelebration of the Arts taking place on the streets of
Downtown Longview’s historic Main Street districtbeginning May 11 through 13.Come celebrate with yourMom! Prepare yourself for aweekend of live music withMusic Fest Friday andSaturday evening and duringthe day on a second stageSaturday and Sunday. Artdemonstrations, kids’ activities, and of course exhibitsfilled with all types of art work from pottery, jewelry,paintings to metal work. Alley Art features the bestartisans and crafters that can be found.
Kids Fest on Saturday and Sunday is packed withactivities, performances, and exhibits, many educationaland a lot of fun.
Alley Run on Saturday presents a 1 mile, 5k and 10k
certified course. We had more than 600 runners last year!Moving the date from the first weekend of June was not
taken lightly by the Event staff. For the last four yearswe’ve experienced hotter thannormal weather and it greatlyimpacted our daytimeattendance. Combine thatwith the sluggish economysince 2008 and exhibitorsfound it very challenging tomove their products and
services. During your visit to AlleyFest, Food Fest offers a variety
of food and beverages. Admission is $10 Friday, Saturdayis free until 5 pm; admission after 5 pm is $10 and Sundayis free for everyone. Children 12 and under are admittedfree.
A detailed schedule of events is being updated weekly,www.alleyfest.org. Also, be sure and Like us on Facebook!
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 5
It’s only natural!It’s
Printworks!
East Texas’ Best Since 1959903-758-1773 • 800-530-4888 • www.hudsonprint.com
Visiting the Visitors Center
www.longviewtx.com
Promoting the Community
6 March/April
It took some creative thinking and a good deal ofinitiative to bring about an honest to goodness Visitors
Center in Longview. Housed in the Longview Chamber ofCommerce building at 410 N.Center Street, the Visitors Centeris the result of collaborationbetween several Chamber staffand area businesses.
Paul Anderson, Senior VicePresident of the LongviewChamber of Commerceremembers when this longsought need started to become a reality. “Margie Harris,our Tourism Services Manager came back from anprofessional training conference and with the idea ofmaking use of space we already have to create an area forvisitors. A TV Monitor continuously displays upcomingevents, news, videos on Longview and the time andweather. A computer station is included for visitors to look
up more information on the Internet or even check theirweb-based email if they need to. Three large racks displayinformation from the immediate Longview area, the
surrounding East Texas regionand Texas travel information.There is a pictorial history ofLongview in the south hall. Andlast but not least in any wayVisitors are welcomed into thecenter by the new Home TownFaces wall. (see accompanying
article).
According to Anderson,the next step will be finding a way to have the center openon Saturdays. The Department of Transportation requires avisitors center to be open on the weekend before they willinstall road signs directing travelers to the visitor Center.“That’s coming, it’s just a matter of working out thedetails,” Anderson said.
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 6
www.longviewtx.com The Longview Progress Report 7
Promoting the Community
Mark your calendar now for the Real East TexasFriendly Hospitality Training Sessions for 2012
sponsored by The Longview Economic DevelopmentCorporation. The sessions set for March 9, May 24 andOctober 12 include a tour of our local attractions on aluxury motor coach.
Experience first-hand the art of winemaking at Enoch’sStomp Vineyard and Winery, or get a sneak peek behindthe scenes of the S. E. Belcher, Jr. Performance Center. ThisHospitality Training is sure to make you appreciate all theinteresting and exciting things there are to do in our citywhile learning some important tips to insure that ourvisitors have a wonderful time here and recommend ourcity to others.
Dates for the 2012 Hospitality Training Have Been Set
Downtown LIVE! Explodes Friday, March 23
Downtown LIVE! will launch Friday, March 23rd at
Heritage Plaza. It will feature East Texas’ finest
musicians, refreshments and Downtown Market.
The Darby Warren Project will kick off the inaugural
Downtown LIVE! event on March 23 at 5 pm. The Darby
Warren Project is an old-style group with a stand-up bass
that produces a unique sound, blending 50s rockabilly,
with a little 40s blues, and a twist of the 60s. Their music
is all original by Darby Warren and bandmates David
McElhany, Clark Langley, Mark Wynn and David Stopani.
Downtown LIVE! will continue for three weeks: March
30, April 13, and April 20. Please check our Facebook
page for the latest information.
Downtown LIVE! is an evolution of the existing Music
on the Plaza Concert Series that started in 2005 at noon
in Heritage Plaza.
Downtown LIVE! is the latest project produced by the
One Hundred Acres of Heritage Main Street designed at
improving the quality of life in downtown Longview.
The Real East Texas Friendly Hospitality Training isoffered to all participants for free. It begins at 8:30 a.m. atthe Maude Cobb Activity Center and concludes at 2:30p.m. with a graduation ceremony. You will be treated to afree lunch during the tour.
We’re equipping our customer service and hospitalityworkers with the most current information about our cityand regional attractions, and showing them how to serve itup with a smile. Please encourage your staff to attend thistraining. A well-trained staff and happy customers meanmore business and increased profits. For more informationor to sign up, please call the Longview Convention andVisitors Bureau at 903-753-3281 or email us [email protected].
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 7
www.longviewtx.com8 March/April
Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings
Jim King Photography is located at 100Tall Pines Ave., Ste. 4. Call 903.757.7427.
American Home Patient is located at 2920Tuttle Road. Call 903.663.3020.
Jim King Photography
American HomePatient
Cheddar’s Casual Café is located at 3074N. Eastman Road. Call 903.663.6660.
Cheddar’s Casual CaféService First Mortgage is located at 1300
Hollybrook Drive. Call 903.247.0803.
Service First MortgageTexas Classic Productions is located at
Sweet Treats & Gifts is located at 409 W.Loop 281, Ste. 102. Call 903.399.5397.
SWEET TREATS & GIFTS
Fish City Grill is located at 3084 N.Eastman Road. Call 903.212.3070.
FISH CITY GR I L L
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 8
www.longviewtx.com The Longview Progress Report 9
Promoting the Community
American Red Cross EastTexas Piney WoodsTammy Prater1604 E State Highway 31Longview, TX 75604(903) 753-2091
Bethany Home HealthServicesDelphine Andrews103 W. Loop 281 Ste. 440Longview, TX 75605(903) 553-0056
Julia Chapman146 North PelicanGilmer, TX 75645(903)
March ‘12 - 1 YEAR
Aerotek, Inc.
Longview Community Magazine
Longview Vault, LLC
Marco Inspection Services, LLC
Prudential Preferred Properties-
Dottie Miles
Prudential Preferred Properties –
Gregory Cuke
STS Electronic Recycling, Inc.
Terminix
March ‘12 - 5 YEARS
Cash Now #2
Greater Longview Area Apartment
Association
Longview City Council
Longview ISD School Board
Spring ISD School Board
Pine Tree ISD School Board
Surplus Warehouse
AnniversariesThacker/Davis Architects, Inc.
Westlake Chemical Corporation
Wingstop Restaurant
March ‘12 - 15 YEARS
Partners in Prevention
March ‘12 - 20 YEARS
Community Healthcore
March ‘12 - 25 YEARS
Clairmont Longview
R. Lacy Services, LTD
March ‘12 - 40 YEARS
R & K Distributors, Inc.
March ‘12 - 45 YEARS
Baxter Sales
April ‘12 - 1 YEARBNI Dynamic Referrals
Chick-fil-ASouthern Home Builders – Lost Creek Office Leasing
Stone Bridge Heating & Air ConditioningVietnam Veterans of American Chapter #987
April ‘12 - 5 YEARSDivine Care Home Nursing
Hometown HardwareRichard Lazarus
April ‘12 - 10 YEARSEdward Jones – Randy Brint
April ‘12 - 25 YEARSKFXK FOX51/KETK NBC 56
April ‘12 - 35 YEARSABC Printing
April ‘12 - 45 YEARSA-1 Party Rentals
New MembersCheddar’s Casual CaféChelsee Dorgan2074 N Eastman RoadLongview, TX 75605(903) 663-6660
Dallas PlasticsWayne Mashe900 Jordan Valley RoadLongview, TX 75604(903) 291-0960
ESA Consulting, LLCKaren Ritch1201 W Loop 281 Ste. 600Longview, TX 75604(903) 234-0404
Eugene M. ForsytheP.O. Box 411Waskom, TX 75692(713) 515-3202
Fresh DentalDr. Sang Tran3052 N. Eastman Road Ste. 108Longview, TX 75605(903) 663-6900
Gene Gallien303 W. Loop 281 Ste. 110Longview, TX 75605(903) 452-8392
IN MagazineShannon Dorsey410 W. Erwin StreetTyler, TX 75702(903) 596-6369
Maximize Social MediaJean GibbsP.O. Box 3683Longview, TX 75606(703) 969-5413
Security FinanceAbraham Requena106-B E. South StreetLongview, TX 75601(903) 758-6413
Silverleaf ResortsGabriel Sauceda5201 W. Broadway Ste. 190Tyler, TX 75703(903) 220-0089
WPC Services, LLCRick Williams5810 W. Marshall Longview, TX 75604(903) 686-0597
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 9
10 March/April www.longviewtx.com
Strengthening Our Local Economy
A Positive Opportunity
Eleven buildings in downtown Longview have receivedfinancial assistance for renovation because of the
Longview Main Street’s Façade Improvement GrantProgram.
Matching funds provided by the City of Longviewthrough its Community Development Block Grant helpsbuilding owners find a way to cut costs of facaderestoration and increase the value of their property in theMain Street District.
Grant fund for 2012 are available now in amounts of$10,000 to $20,000. The CDBG funds are from theDepartment of Housing and Urban Development. Thegrants are administered through the Longview Main StreetProgram
“The grants help local building owners in DowntownLongview to close the gap in financing important andurgent projects. You can see the projects all overdowntown. It’s helping to make Downtown Longview agreat place to have a business, to eat, or shop for qualitygifts and home furnishings,” said Paul Anderson Sr. VicePresident of the Longview Chamber of Commerce.
Application can be made by the owner or by a buildingtenant on behalf of the owner and with the owner’s fullknowledge and permission. Longview Main Street invitesthose interested to contact Missy Saunders at 903-237-4023or Elaine Reynolds at 903-237-4040.
An initial meeting is required in order to receive anapplication packet.
Connect at Business EXPO
Does your company want to save money on productsor services? Would it be easier to work with a local
business to get the customer service your company needs?Do you need affordable hands-on training? If youanswered “YES” to any of these questions, mark yourcalendar for Tuesday, May 1, and plan to attend theLongview Chamber of Commerce Business Expo!
Business Expo is your chance to connect with over 60companies in one location to get the products and servicesyour company needs! This is Longview’s ONLYcomprehensive Business to Business event during the year.Vendors will be exhibiting everything from softwaresystems to insurance products that will help you cut costand better service your customers. There will be liveproduct demonstrations and qualified representativesonsite to help you work smarter, not harder!
Low-cost business development sessions will also bepresented during Business Expo. This is an opportunityfor you and your employees to receive quality educationwithout traveling out of town and incurring additionalcosts. Already scheduled are a Marketing Class with TreyFinley of ActionCoach and a Leadership Class with SteveTurner of AGI Consulting. Both sessions promise to beextremely beneficial, and more sessions are currently beingfinalized.
Business Expo kicks off at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1,2012, at Maude Cobb Convention Center. This year’sevent is presented by the Longview EconomicDevelopment Corporation and sponsored in part byComputerland of East Texas, Good Shepherd MedicalCenter and UnitedHealthcare. Admission to the show isfree and open to the public until 5 p.m. However,Chamber members are given exclusive access duringBusiness After Hours, which begins at 4:45 pm and willconclude at 6:30 pm. For a full listing of events, times, andcosts, please visit www.longviewchamber.com.
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 10
The Longview Progress Report 11www.longviewtx.com
Strengthening our Local Economy
The BUZZ on Retail Development
The Texas restaurant industry isprojected to lead the country in sales
growth in 2012according to theNational RestaurantAssociation’s 2012Restaurant IndustryForecast. Texas isprojected to see salesof $38.4 billion andrestaurants in Texaswill employ 1,017,500Texans.
Locally we havealready seen changes. In 2011, ninerestaurants opened in Longview. Theyrange from locally inspired restaurants likeBrother’s Sandwiches to national chainslike Panda Express. Restaurant growth canalso be linked to the employment rate.The higher the employment rate is the
Balance Diet
“Business After Hours has given us agreat networking opportunity to mix andmingle with other business owners and afun way to generate sales leads!” - Lisa Noble, Owner
higher the demand for restaurants will be. Recently Longview has moved up in theranks of Best-Performing cities to 9th inthe 2011 Smallest Metros division, up from15th in 2010. The Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index ranks U.S.metropolitan areas by how well they arecreating and sustaining jobs and economicgrowth.
Be on the lookout for additionalrestaurants to pop up around Longview.Currently there are two restaurantsscheduled to open by Summer 2012.
EMPLOYMENT RATES DRIVE RESTAURANT GROWTH
WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING …
Are you interestedin starting your own
business?
Need newmarketing ideas?
Check out our ToolsFor Businesses linkon our home page.
Follow us on:Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
To feature a story inThe Buzz, contact:
Diana NorthcuttCommunity
DevelopmentCoordinator
Longview Chamber ofCommerce
410 N. Center St.Longview, TX 75601Tel: 903-237-4029
Knowledge Nook - The Toy Place“I’m glad the Chamber offers business
education programming to help me be abetter store manager.” - Nick Rogers, Store Manager.
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 11
www.longviewtx.com
Promoting the Community
12 March/April
their meetings. I think it will help bring more meetingsand conventions here, because they realize there are some
really great entertainmentopportunities with the wineries,”said Margie Harris.
Longview Chamber of CommerceConvention and Visitors Bureaujoined four other cities to promotetourism in the northeast part ofTexas at the Katy Home andGarden Show in Katy Texas. Theshow was held January 28 & 29.The effort was organized by theNorth East Texas Tourism Councilas a co-op project among itsmember cities.
Margie Harris, Tourism ServicesManager for the Longview
Chamber of Commerce CVB, represented Longview at theshow. “At these consumer and travel shows we visit withthose that come to the show and provide a packet ofinformation with brochures from participating cities aswell as the NETTC Visitor’s Map and the 2012 RegionalVisitor and Events Guide we just released,” said Harris.
The Longview CVB will be attending another similartype show in Fort Worth February 24 -26 promotingLongview tourism.
Margie Harris with the Longview Chamber ofCommerce CVB and Cindy
Smith with Maude CobbConvention and Activity Centerattended the Southwest ShowcaseJanuary 26 in Austin, Texas. Southwest Showcase is the premier
event for those involved inmeetings, education and exhibits.The event is designed for CEOs,meeting planners, educationdirectors, exhibition managers andother support staff fromassociations, government entitiesand corporations. It provides themwith the opportunity to receiveprofessional development and meetwith suppliers who can addresstheir meeting and event needs in one day, at one place.
Attendees have the opportunity to attend targetededucation sessions in the morning. In the afternoon, the175 booth trade show and market gives professional theopportunity to network and conduct business on meetingsof all kinds. Longview’s booth was a hit as theyhighlighted the surrounding East Texas wine industry.“This is the one show where we get to meet face to facewith the decision maker about where they plan to hold
The Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau is On the Move
Longview Wine Garden
Grand Prize Winners Experience Longview through Geocaching
The Grand Prize for the UniquelyLongview Geocache Hunt has been
claimed! Congratulations to Ennis andSue Dyess who posted this comment onwww.geocaching.com about theirexperience. “FTF (first to find) @ 9:20am onMonday, January 23. Really fun series. #5nearly snookered us. Took 3 trips with 11/2 hrs on the last trip. Left some swag atthis really neat site. Thanks for the series.”
Mr. & Mrs. Dyess have won an all-expense paid Staycation in Longview which includesDeluxe overnight accommodations at the Homewood
Suites by Hilton for two nights, twoAlleyFest VIP Hospitality Passes good foradmission all weekend, two Great TexasBalloon Race VIP Sponsor Passes good foradmission all weekend, dinner for twoand a bottle of wine from Enoch’s StompVineyard and Winery.
However, the hunt is not over yet! Westill have special commemorative coins forgeocachers who locate all of the UniquelyLongview Geocaches. So keep looking and
let us know what you think about your experience.
Margie Harris (left), TourismServices Manager with the LongviewCVB, presents the grand prize in theUniquely Longview Geocache Huntto winners Ennis and Sue Dyess.
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 12
Katie ReynoldsSPECIAL EVENTS ASSISTANT
Katie Reynolds joins theLongview Chamber ofCommerce staff to providesupport to the Chamber ofCommerce and theConvention and VisitorsBureau.
Katie was born inFayetteville, Ark., and movedto Longview at 2 years old. She is a graduate of LongviewHigh School and is currently attending Kilgore College.
Katie enjoys playing the piano, volunteering at herchurch and spending time with family and friends. “Ireally enjoy meeting the many leaders in the businesscommunity and assisting them to discover ways that thechamber can be an effective business resource to theircompanies.”
www.longviewtx.com The Longview Progress Report 13
Developing Community Leaders
Leadership Longview Alumni Network Gears Up for Membership Drive
Are you a graduate of the Leadership Longviewprogram? Are you a member of the Alumni
Network? The annual Leadership Longview AlumniNetwork membership drive will run from March 1through April 30. Alumni opportunities include:
• A series of events to connect Leadership LongviewAlumni
• Leadership training and community education• Community Involvement
We invite you to be a part of a group that will buildupon your acquired leadership skills by providing youwith intensive training and community engagement, andreconnecting you with other aspiring leaders in yourcommunity.
Leadership Longview Alumni Group offers a $75 annualmembership to graduates of Leadership Longview who
want to further invest their time and talents, enrichingtheir own lives and their surrounding community.
To learn more about the LL Alumni Network log on towww.longviewchamber.com/leadershiplongview.
Upcoming Events:
May 1 – Small Business Luncheon and
Leadership Longview Graduation
May 4 – Leadercast at Mobberly Baptist Church
LEADERSHIP LONGVIEW ALUMNI ADVANCING COMMUNITIES
2012 Leadership Longview Alumni Sponsor
Missy SaundersMAIN STREET MANAGER
PROMOTIONS AND EVENT
MANAGER
Before joining the Chamberstaff, Missy Tucker Saundersmanaged Victoria's Secretwhere she was rated amongthe top 2 percent of managersnationally.
"I am excited about joining ateam of such passionate, dedicated people who truly havethe best interest in the One Hundred Acres of HeritageMain Street. I look forward to being a part of improvingthe quality of life in Downtown Longview," Saunders said.
She is a graduate from Pine Tree High School andreceived a Bachelor of Business Administration degreefrom LeTourneau University.
Meet Our New Staff Members
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 13
www.longviewtx.com14 March/April
Developing Community Leaders
Chamber Names Ambassadors of the MonthName: Anne RushEmployer: East Texas Review
Position: CommunityRelationsHow long have you been
an Ambassador? 3 yearsWhat do you enjoy most
about being an
Ambassador? Meetingpeople, giving to mycommunity and helpingothers.How has being an
Ambassador helped your
business? Meeting businessowners who need toadvertise and makingintroductions to others whohave stories to share.
Name: Cynthia BellEmployer: RK Productions,AdvertisingPosition: Marketing andAdvertisingHow long have you been
an Ambassador? over 6yearsWhat do you enjoy most
about being an
Ambassador? I enjoymeeting business ownersand learning about theproducts and services theybring to the community. Ienjoy networking withother businessprofessionals.
How has being an
Ambassador helped your
business? It is a wonderfulopportunity to reach out tothe community and helpnew and establishedbusinesses grow andprosper.
Cynthia Bell Anne Rush
� �
marapr12 2/15/12 11:11 AM Page 14
March8 4:00 p.m. One Hundred Acres of Heritage — Main Street Team Meeting
9 8:30 a.m. Real East Texas Friendly Hospitality Training
