May June Longview Progress Report

East Texas Coalition Represents Region in AustinLETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 3

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

SERIES TRAINING 4

SALUTE TO HEALTHCARE 5

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL TRIBUTE

TRILOGY TO PLAY ALLEYFEST 6

KLB WINS GOVERNOR’S

COMMUNITY AWARD 7

CVB MAKES NEW AMBASSADORS

FOR OUR CITY 9

LL INTRODUCES NEW LOGO,

MARKETING CAMPAIGN 12

FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT

PROJECT HELPS DOWNTOWN 13

Departments

RIBBON-CUTTINGS 8

ANNIVERSARIES 10

NEW MEMBERS 11

CALENDAR 15

Don’t Miss…

Also in this issue…

Salute to Healthcare Awards, p. 5

Longview Progress Report is published by:

410 N. Center Street / Longview, TX 75601903-237-4000 / www.longviewtx.com

May/June 2011 Vol. 5 Issue 3

Chamber of Commerce J Convention and Visitors Bureau J Downtown Development

The Longview Chamber of Commercerecently loaded up a bus and traveled to

Austin for the bi-annual Legislative Daystrip. The trip was renamed to the East TexasCoalition and our usual 45 delegatesballooned to 150. That’s because the Kilgore,Longview, and Tyler chambers, along withrepresentatives from Gladewater, decidedthis year we would combine our efforts andhead to Austin as one large delegation. So,on February 28th our state Capitol got a bigtaste of East Texas. The delegates cametogether to find out first-hand the latestlegislative news affecting businesses here inEast Texas. Each delegate had theopportunity to talk one on one with ourRepresentatives and State Senators aboutkey issues as the state budget shortfall,education, and transportation.

The one of a kind advocacy event wassuch a success each chamber has committedto combining efforts again in the 2013legislative session. The 2013 East TexasCoalition trip to Austin will include morenetworking, more delegates, and moreopportunities to talk with our state elected

officials. In fact, the Austin trip had suchan impact on our communities andelected officials, that all three chambersare also considering expanding thecoalition to include a trip to Washington,D.C. in 2012. Watch for more informationin the coming months.

Just anotherway TheLongviewChamber ofCommerce isworking on yourbehalf.

mayjune11 4/13/11 3:28 PM Page 1

www.longviewtx.com2 May/June


Chamber Launches a New Online ToolKit to Help Businesses Succeed

BOARD OFDIRECTORS

Richard AndrewsLEDCO Past Chairman

Edward BanosGood Shepherd Health System

Shane BestTexas Bank & Trust

Cathy CaceJohnny Cace’s

Seafood & Steak House

Jon CoxSTEMCO

Keith HoneyAEP Southwestern Electric

Power Company

Anne HugmanHugman Architecture &

Construction

Jim KendrickLongview Regional

Medical Center

Dr. Dale LunsfordLeTourneau University

David McWhorterGans & Smith Insurance

Agency Inc.

Darrell RachelsEastman Chemical Company,

Texas Operations

John RayLively Cadillac-GMC Car Co.

Dave SpurrierWells Fargo Advisors, LLC

Dianne SwankWellness Pointe

Tim VaughnTVaughn Properties, LLC

APPOINTEDDIRECTORS

Jay DeanCity of Longview

Judge Bill StoudtGregg County

Shelby SnellOleum Operating Co., LLC

www.longviewtx.com

From the President

The Longview Progress Report 3

The Longview Chamber of Commerce isproud to

announce a newFREE resource,“TOOLS FORBUSINESSSUCCESS” website,which was designedto help existingbusinesses andindividuals thinkingabout forming theirown business.

What can you find in the Tools forBusiness section of The LongviewChamber’s website,www.longviewchamber.com?

• Business Formation Information &Assistance- Learn about various businesslegal structures, get information on whattype may be best for them, and then be ledstep by step through the formation processwith links to all the state and federal formsand reporting requirements.

• Sources for Support and FreeCounseling

• Local, Regional, State and FederalBusiness Loan and Funding Programs allin one place

• Business Certifications to compete fornew government contracts

• Federal & State Contracts open for bid• How to Go Green• Disaster Planning and Recovery

Assistance• International Trade and Going Global• A Cash Flow Calculator and other

tools• Training programs for owners and

employees• A New Hire E-mail and Employer’s

Kit that can save hours of time• Marketing and Selling Resources• Buying Locally

Our Tools for Business Success site will becontinually updated with information tohelp businesses be successful. The siteprovides industry-specific resources for:Tourism/Hospitality, Retail, Wood

Industry, Agriculture, Manufacturers, Artin Business, Veterans, Fishing Industry,and Arts and MORE.

Why did the Chamber decide to investin such a site? We are continually askedthe following questions and our new“Tools for Business Success” is one of thebest solutions we’ve seen.

Q: Does the Chamber have BusinessResource information?A: YES. The Longview Chamber ofCommerce is committed to providingyour business with the BEST resourcesavailable to be successful. Our new Toolsfor Business Success is the perfectresource for existing and prospective newbusinesses.

To receive your toolkit go towww.longviewchamber.com and click onour succes$ bu$iness icon.

Q: Do you have information on How toStart a Business?A: YES. Current Business Formation andEmployer’s Kits are provided FREEthrough our website. Our site will has allthe forms and instructions on how tocreate a sole proprietorship, partnership,corporation, or LLC

Q: Does this service cost?A: NO. The Longview Chamber’s “Toolsfor Business Success” is FREE to all webbrowsers. Updates to the site are madeon a regular basis as laws andinformation change that may impactyour business.

Q: Is the information available inSpanish?A: YES. This is a unique bonus thatprovides an unprecedented level ofsupport to our Hispanic business ownersand potential entrepreneurs in Longview.

Visit www.longviewchamber.com todayand click on the success$ bu$iness icon.It will be able to answer your questionsabout operating a business!

Kelly HallChamber President


STAFF

Kelly HallPresident

[email protected]

Paul AndersonSr. Vice President

[email protected]

Elaine ReynoldsVP Downtown Development

[email protected]

Leska ParkerChief Operating Officer

[email protected]

Mary WhittonProgram Coordinator

[email protected]

Mitzi BarnesSpecial Projects Coordinator

[email protected]

Amy TatumMembership and Public Affairs

Director903-237-4029

[email protected]

Lisa NullMembership Services Clerk

[email protected]

Elena GuilbeauConvention Sales Manager

[email protected]

Margie HarrisTourism Services Manager

[email protected]

Carrie FisherDirector of First Impressions

[email protected]

www.longviewtx.com

Strengthening a Strong Economy

4 May/June

The Chairman’s ClubPlatinum

Silver

Social Media Is the New Customer ServiceFriday, May 6, 201111:40 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.Is your company monitoring complaints on Twitter, Facebook, and blogs? If not, why not? Attend the May Business Development workshop and learn how your company can position itself to surprise and delight consumers who post gripes about your brand online.

Inside the Zappos Contact CenterFriday, June 25, 201111:40 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.Learn 5 keys to Creating Magnificent Customer Experience

Cost for each workshop is $25 for members and $50 for non-members. Register today by calling 903.237.4000 or online at www.longviewchamber.com.

May/

June Business Development Series


Promoting the Community

www.longviewtx.com The Longview Progress Report 5

2011 Salute to Healthcare Honorees2011 Salute toHealthcareHonorees are:far left, bottom:- Dr. DavidSadler and Dr.Oscar Chastain- the Dr. SamMack LifetimeAchievementAward.

Top right: Dr.Lynn Fitzgerald- HealthcareProfessionalAward.

Bottom right:Glen Brown –Volunteer.Awards werepresented byChamber BoardPresident AnneHugman.

Hudsonad goeshere!


Print Grows Trees

Paper is sustainable & recyclable.Pass the word!

903-758-1773 • 800-530-4888 • www.hudsonprint.com

Wade Bowen and Rock ‘n’ Roll Tribute Trilogy to Headline AlleyFest 2011

www.longviewtx.com


6 May/June

AlleyFest will take place on the streets of Longview’shistoric Main Street district in downtown for the 33rd

year June 3 – 5, 2011. Alley Art, the event that started AlleyFest, will be openFriday night offering a wide range of original work,quality hand made crafts, and new fine artists with someexceptional work. Artisans bring their pottery, paintings,drawings, sculpture and much more.

Kids Fest is open on Saturday and Sunday with FREEactivities for children of all ages including a PerformanceStage where talent is abundant with a variety of music andperforming selections. Kids Fest activities will center oncreative hands-on projects in keeping with the festivalsfocus on celebrating the arts in East Texas.

For the active ones, Alley Run will begin registration inHeritage Plaza Saturday, June 4 at 6:00 a.m. Alley Runoffers a 5K and a 10K course, and even a one mile run.The first 500 runners will get an Alley Run T shirt andAlley Run cap.

Music Fest brings greatentertainment to Longviewon Friday and Saturdayevening. Saturday the Regions Bankstage will feature localmusicians playing differentgenres of music during theday.

The Bud Light MainStage will get rocking:

• 8 p.m. Friday - Matthew Davidson Band opening forheadliner Wade Bowen.

• 6 p.m. Saturday - 7Bridges: The Ultimate EAGLESExperience.

• 8 p.m. Saturday - Back in Black: A Tribute to AC/DC• 10 p.m. Saturday - Guns4Roses - The Ultimate Guns N

Roses Tribute Experience

Far left: Wade Bowen; left:7Bridges; bottom middle:Back in Black; bottom right:Guns4Roses


www.longviewtx.com


The Longview Progress Report 7

Keep Longview Beautiful a ‘Top Community’ in the 2011 Governor’s Community Achievement Awards

For the second year in a row, Keep Longview Beautifulplaces at the top of the list amongst communities of

similar sizes in the Keep Texas Beautiful GCAA Awards. Texas communities are divided into 10

categories based on population. Communitiessubmit applications which consist of a writtensummary and a scrapbook detailing all of thebeautification, educational, and cleanupprojects accomplished by that communityover the past year.

This year, KLB placed 3rd after Pearland in1st and Allen in 2nd. Only the 1st placerecipients in each category receive a TXDOTapproved project. The project in Longview’scategory is equal to a $270,000 project. KLB placed 2nd in

2010. Often the point difference between 1st and 3rd placerecipients is only 2-3 points. The competition grows eachyear with approximately 15-20 communities participating

in Longview’s category alone. “We had a strong year,” says KLB

Executive Director Amy Tatum. “Our focus wason education. We had 7 campuses participatingin a year-long recycling project. All of thestudents, volunteers, board members, andsponsors of KLB should be once againcommended for their efforts over the past year.”

Keep Longview Beautiful will accept thethird place award at the annual Keep TexasBeautiful Conference in Austin in June.



Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings

Arabella Manor is located at 11361 Hwy. 300. Call 903-746-5641.

Just Store It is located at 1909 W. Loop 281, Ste. 100. Call 903-297-6400

Prudential Preferred Properties is located at 1125 Judson Road,Ste. 153. Call 903-753-0800.

SAF-T-BOX is located at 1742 Callahan Road. Call 903-757-8484.

Verizon Wireless is located at 415 E Loop 281. Call 903-241-7699.

Arabella Manor

Just Store It Prudential Preferred Properties

SAF - T - BOX Verizon Wireless




CVB Hospitality Training Focuses on Excellent Customer Service

Every person who lives or works in Longview can bean ambassador to our city. Sometimes it means

giving directions to a business or suggesting activities for afamily during their stay in Longview.Whatever the needs of our visitors, we must provideexceptional customer service and reliable information onour attractions.

Once again the LongviewConvention andVisitorsBureauofferedReal EastTexasFriendlyHospitalityTraining, exceptthis time it wasmuch moreinformative and alot more fun. OurHospitality Trainingnow includes a tourof our local attractionson a luxury motorcoach. It began at 8:30a.m. at Maude CobbActivity Center on Friday,April 8, and concluded at2:00 p.m. with a graduationceremony.

Our participantsexperienced, first-hand, the artof winemaking at Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard and Wineryand got a sneak peek behind the scenes of the S. E. Belcher,Jr. Performance Center. Other East Texas attractions visitedwere the Gregg County Historical Museum, LongviewMuseum of Fine Arts, the East Texas Oil Museum,

KidsView, Lear Park, Teague Park, Nugget Hill, BoormanTrail and the Amtrak Station. Participants were treated tolunch and live entertainment at Heritage Plaza duringBrown Bag Lunch and the Downtown Market.

This updated version of Hospitality Training will makeyou appreciate all the interesting and exciting things thereare to do in our city while learning some important tips to

ensure that our visitors have awonderful time here andrecommend our city toothers. The Real East TexasFriendly HospitalityTraining is offered to allparticipants FREE OFCHARGE.

We’re equippingour customer serviceand hospitalityworkers with themost currentinformation aboutour city andregionalattractions, andshowing themhow to serveit up with asmile.Pleaseencourage

your staff toattend the next training

session on Friday, October 21. A well-trained staff and happy customers mean more businessand increased profits. YOU can be an ambassador toLongview! For more information or to sign up, please callthe Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau at 903-753-3281 or email us at [email protected].


10 May/June www.longviewtx.com


One Year

SlushFunStragent Foundation

Five Years

Advanced Temporaries, Inc.Ashley Furniture Homestore

Gary Lawrence InsuranceLongview Cash Now LLP

Longview Community Center/LongviewFederated Clubs, Inc.

Lowe’s of Longview, Inc.Strathmore Products

The Wedded Bliss

AnniversariesMay 2011

June 2011

Are You Ready to Network?

May Business After HoursTuesday, May 3 • 4:45 - 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Newk’s Location: Maude Cobb Activity Center

June Business After HoursTuesday, June 28 • 4:45-6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Homewood SuitesLocation: 205 N. Spur 63

One Year

East Texas Lighthouse for the BlindEben Concepts, Inc.

Hibbs Hallmark & CompanyHouse of Disciples

Innova Patent Licensing, LLCLongview Public Library

Super One FoodsUnited Healthcare of North Texas

West Real Estate Inspection

Five Years

Churchill at Longview LPHospice of East Texas

Longview Computer CenterRexam Beverage Can

Ten Years

Bagley Tractor & EquipmentHunt Financial Group

Fifteen Years

Austin Bank Texas NA Loop Branch

Twenty-Five Years

Blue Bell Creameries LP

Thirty Years

East Texas Auto Air & GlassOak Forest Montessori School

Sherman Sherman & Briscoe Orthodontics


The Longview Progress Report 11www.longviewtx.com


AerotekBailey Beal

275 W Campbell #400Richardson, TX 75080

(972) 832-6616

C. Wright’s Machine Tool,Inc.

Carl F. Wright12298 FM 2879

Diana, TX 75640(903) 777-2344

Caroline GeerP.O. Box 248

Longview, TX 75605-0248(903) 758-4324

Cavender’s Boot CityJulio Arriola

1305 W Loop 281Longview, TX 75604

(903) 759-1207

Just Store ItJudy Tidwell

1909 W Loop 281 Suite 100Longview, TX 75604

(903) 297-6400

Longview CommunityMagazineLisa Doyle

3106 Gilmer RoadLongview, TX 75604

(903) 704-0755

Marco Inspection Services,LLC

Juan MarcottP.O. Box 1941

Kilgore, TX 75663(903) 984-8656

Maxima EnergyCorporationAlicia Cox

P.O. Box 531Kilgore, TX 75662

(903) 983-2641

Merchant PaymentSystems

Jon Whattoff3800 Paluxy Drive Ste. 400

Tyler, TX 75703(903) 939-1919

Mill Creek TerraceCandy Bobo

200 Bostic DriveLongview, TX 75602

(903) 758-1008

National Truck RepairJimmy Head

15481 FM 968WLongview, TX 75602

(903) 234-9051

Prudential PreferredProperties

James Hanlon1125 Judson Road Ste. 153

(903) 753-0800


Dottie Miles1125 Judson Road Ste. 153

Longview, TX 75601(903) 753-0800


Gregory Cuke1125 Judson Road Ste. 153

Longview, TX 75601(903) 753-0800

Select-A-Pro MarketingMindi Turner

P.O. Box 150768Longview, TX 75615

(903) 242-9990

New MembersSouthwest Restaurant &

Beverage SolutionsLeslie ThurstonP.O. Box 3396

Kilgore, TX 75663(903) 983-2000

STS Electronic Recycling,Inc.

Shad Mabry522 CR 1520

Jacksonville, TX 75766(903) 589-3705

TerminixRoger Corpier

4703 Judson RoadLongview, TX 75605

(903) 663-0045

TLC Office Systems/TLCTonerland LP

Rick Wynn400 W. Methvin StreetLongview, TX 75604

(903) 753-7216


www.longviewtx.com

Developing Community Leaders

12 May/June

Leadership Longview Rolls Out New Logo,Marketing Campaign

participants and alumni as well. Applications for the 2011-2012 class will be available

online June 1st at www.longviewchamber.com. To learn more about how you can become involved in

the Leadership Longview program and the AlumniNetwork, contact Program Coordinator Mary Whitton at903.237.4003 or [email protected].

As a prelude to its 30th anniversary, LeadershipLongview is rolling out a new marketing campaign.

Established in 1981 and graduating its first class in 1982,Leadership Longview has been the premier leadershipdevelopment program in our community and willcelebrate its 30th anniversary beginning in the fall of 2011.

Keeping with the community branding campaign, thenew updated and contemporary logo symbolizesLeadership Longview’s continuing mission of developingfuture leaders.

A new marketing video highlighting the currentprogram as well as the alumni program will be used forrecruitment and promotional purposes. Created by MediaQuest, the video is a testimony of the history of theprogram as well as exciting new opportunities for

Linda Martin - Chairman Network Communications

Richard Lazarus - Vice Chair, Curriculum

Donna Koerner - Alumni Chair REMAX First Choice

Chris Terry - Marketing Chair Westlake Chemical

2010 Leadership Longview Team

LEADERSHIPLONGVIEWLONGVIEW




Three downtown Longview projects have beenapproved to receive funding assistance from Longview

Main Street. The funding is part of the FaçadeImprovement Grant Program administered by theLongview Main Street program and funded byCommunity Development Block Grants through the Cityof Longview.

The building at 204-208 North Center Street was built in1928 by the Longview Knights of Pythias Lodge #26. Inthe 1950s the lodge façade was modified and covered withslip covers. The plans call for the removal of the coveringsand restoring the building back to what it was when it

was built. A grant of $10,000 in matching funds wasapproved by the Main Street Design Committee.

Around the corner on West Methvin Street is a buildingthat was built for the Dickerson & Harrison InsuranceAgency about 60 years ago. Tenants of the building at 102-106 W. Methvin include Forbes and Butler VisualCommunications. Longview Main Street DesignCommittee has approved a grant of $5,000 in matchingfunds. The plan calls for the replacement of all the glasswindows and doors and upgrade to energy efficient glass.

When the bats crack, whistles blow, and crowdsroar, you might not hear it… but Sports Tourism

has a significant direct impact on citizens of Longview.Most people aren’t aware of the activities that happennearly every weekend of the year at Lear Park SportsComplex and other parks around Longview, but if youtalk to local business, you’ll quickly learn that sportstourism means big business revenue. Creating amassive new sports complex like Lear Park has changedthe landscape for area league sports, both on studentand adult levels. With soccer, softball and baseballfields, expansive parking lots and concession stands,

Façade Improvement Projects Continue to Boost Local Economy

Longview Wins with Sports Tourism

Building in1942

Building Today

A third project receiving approval from the LongviewMain Street Design Committee is the Longview Museumof Fine Arts on East Tyler Street. Last year, LMFA receivedFaçade Improvement Grant to repair the façade on theirmain building. This year, LMFA will be renovating the ArtWorks building next door and adding an awning on thebuilding to match the work that was completed in 2010. Agrant of $10,000 in matching funds has been awarded toLMFA.

Artist’s Rendering

the development cements the impression of Longview’spassion for sports and professionalism.

The ripple reaches out to local businesses, includingnew restaurants who serve hungry players and hotelswho typically book 10 to 12 rooms per team. Most largertournaments bring in thousands of players and fans,resulting in sales tax revenue into the hundreds ofthousands of dollars. Longview is quickly becoming asports destination. Developing this sports environment inReal East Texas brought more than $11 million into thecommunity in 2010, and the numbers are growing. Nowthat’s something we can all cheer about!




Longview Chamber LaunchesMy Town, My Job, My Voice Campaign

8 8

The Longview Chamber is proud to be part of the titledMy Town My Job My Voice campaign to defend the

oil and gas industry in east Texas and acrossthe U.S.

Last fall, when the Business Advocacyteam was developing the organization’spublic policy statements, they asked ourmembers their opinion about supporting thedevelopment of local energy resources suchas natural gas, oil and lignite. 100% of themembers who answered the surveysupported this statement. Therefore, when the MyTownMyJob MyVoice campaign came to our attention we fullyembraced it.

The website, www.mytownmyjobmyvoice.com, aims toeducate the public about the impact the oil and gas

industry has on American communities, jobs and qualityof life and provides an outlet for the public to speak out

about their concerns and make a difference. Several Chambers of Commerce along the

Gulf Coast are also involved in the effort.The campaign’s vision is that more chambersacross the State of Texas and throughout theU.S. will join as well.

The My Town My Job My Voice campaignis designed to unite businesses andorganizations affected by the current

regulatory and public pressures on the oil and gasindustry. The campaign speaks for groups beyondpetrochemical and refining companies. Every industryfrom medicine to air-conditioning to hospitality services isimpacted.


May3 11:30 a.m. Small Business Luncheon/Leadership Longview Graduation

at Maude Cobb Activity Center1 - 5:00 p.m. 2011 Business EXPO - MCAC5 - 7:00 p.m. Business After Hours, Hosted by Newk’s at MCAC

6 10:00 a.m. Downtown Market in Heritage Plaza11:30 a.m. Business Development Programming:

Social Media- The New Customer ServiceNoon Brown Bag Lunch Music on the Plaza

9 11:30 a.m. Business Development Programming: Excel 2010: Tips and Tricks to Spreadsheet Success

11 Noon Leadership Longview Committee MeetingTBD TELP Workshop- Longview Chamber of Commerce

16 3:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Meeting

25 11:30 a.m. Member2Member at Chamber OfficeNoon One Hundred Acres of Heritage Main Street Advisory Board Meeting

26 4:00 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting

June3-5 AlleyFest in Downtown Longview

8 Leadership Longview Committee Meeting

13 3:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Meeting

22 11:00 a.m. Main Street Board Training11:30 a.m. Member2Member at Chamber OfficeNoon One Hundred Acres of Heritage Main Street Advisory Board Meeting

24 11:30 a.m. Business Development Programming: Inside Zappos Contact Center

28 4:45 p.m. Business After Hours at Homewood Suites

CALENDAR



410 N. Center StreetLongview, TX 75601

903-237-4000www.longviewtx.com

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 82LONGVIEW, TX


Documents

May June Longview Progress Report