2006 Plan of Action
Priority issues for the Chamber in 2006 include advocating solutions on the school financing issue for the upcoming special session, improving municipal government via city management and approval of new city codes and ordinances, and advocating the timely completion of the Civic Center expansion project. The Chamber will also consider positions on the upcoming city and county elections.
The Chair’s Portfolio:
Chair of the Board: Bill Kotylo
Staff: Michael Meek
· Supervise the overall operation of the organization
· Serve as the presiding officer at the Executive Committee and
Board of Directors meetings
· Immediate Supervision of the President; provide motivation and
guidance to Chamber officers, directors, and committees
Chair of the Board Award:
· Current Chair of the Board, Immediate Past Chair and Chair-Elect select up to six recipients each year
· Given for outstanding voluntary service by an individual in a specific field of civic endeavor
Awards Committee
· Selects recipients of the Besserung and Hall of Honor Awards
· Selection Committee serves staggered terms for six years
· Member with longest tenure serves as Chair
· Chair of the Board appoints a new member each year
Economic Development Council
Vice Chair of the Board: Brad Wuest
Executive Summary Goals
· Solidify role of Chamber with the EDF and NBIDC as well as clarifying
missions/roles of all three entities
· Ensure expansion of Civic Center
· Support Wasserstrasse Project
· Assist new commercial and retail development to minimize “leakage”
· Increase growth in sales and room tax via comprehensive visitor promotion strategy
Chair: Mary Jane Nalley
Vice Chair: Rick Sorkness
Staff: Judy Young
The Convention & Visitors Bureau Strategy & Steering Committee functions as the focus and direction for the Convention & Visitors Bureau. The committee has representation from every facet of the Visitor Industry. Strategy & Steering representation includes Parks & Recreation, accommodations, attractions/festivals, arts & cultural, restaurants, business leaders, historical, river outfitter, WORD, visitor counselor, and downtown. The Strategy & Steering committee evaluates progress and receives input from the visitor industry. This committee is also very involved in focusing all entities involved in the visitor industry toward the common goal of increasing overnight stays.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau General Committee will have the opportunity to participate in industry specific workshops that will promote or enable industry professionals to expand the market. The committee will receive reports, updates, and make suggestions to improve the overall CVB program.
· Maintain growth in room nights and sales tax in 2006 through visitation and group business
· Foster and encourage future use of a multi use new or expanded civic center to facilitate year round tourism. Step up presence in State Association markets to establish perception of coming facility and booking opportunities with a new group coordinator
· Focus on building the intrastate family market through traditional media, electronic media, public relations, and direct mail
· Build on the package program and electronic media vehicles available for ease of booking for the visitor
· Utilize new fulfillment pieces; including the New Braunfels Brochure with interpretive map, accommodations, restaurant, and calendar pieces
· Utilize new, comprehensive, professional production travel planner
· Enhance direct mail programs to include electronic databases
· Operate new Highway Visitor Center and expand referral opportunities
· Share use of “brand and tag line” throughout New Braunfels Visitor Industry and Community
· Build media buying power by initiation of a consortium media buy placed cooperatively through the CVB. Grow cost savings by bringing the production and media buy “in house” through the CVB staff
Chair: Nathan Manlove
Vice Chair: Sherrie Reilly
Staff: Judy Young
· Electronic/Direct/Repeat Visitor databases and fulfillment pieces
· PDF library of all brochures
· New New Braunfels brochure
· New Travel Planner
· Electronic conversion of new planner
· New Direct Mail piece
Chair: John Guenzel
Vice Chair: Stuart Blythin
Staff: Judy Young
· Participate in the Southwest Showcase Trade Show
· Participate in the Texas Travel Counselors Conference
· Continue partnership with Texas Approach representing New Braunfels at more than 20 trade
shows
· Continue partnership with Destination Texas representing New Braunfels at Group/Tour trade
shows
· Participate in the NTA Team Texas Booth
Chair: Brandon Dietert
Vice Chair: Travis Wuest
Staff: Judy Young
· Coordinate and Host Familiarization Tours for Press, Travel Agents, Travel Writers, Visitor Hospitality and Public Relations training for Visitor Industry, Visitor Counselors, City and County employees. Include a river behavior & litter control emphasis for all local participants
· Enhance and support the public relations campaign
· Develop three educational opportunities for the visitor industry
Chair Corey Hall
Vice Chair: Robin Jeffers
Staff: Judy Young
· Continue overall marketing campaign for Festtage calendar of events
· Coordinate and administer the Downtown Lighting Project
· Seek ways to encourage overnight business during this project
· Focus increased Media for Festtage events
Chair Danny Scheel, County Judge
Staff: Judy Young
· The Task Force brings together stockholder groups that work on lake levels and releases and other river flow issues
Chair: Bill Kotylo
Vice Chair: Sherman Krause
Staff: Judy Young
· Administer 37th Tournament with Seguin and San Marcos Chambers for 1,344 golfers
on seven courses in three counties
· Host a Dinner and Entertainment at the Wursthalle
· Order & Distribute Entry Gifts
· Encourage hotel packages and merchant incentives
Community Betterment and Education
Vice Chair of the Board: Marian Benson
· Increase awareness of Chamber services to members and non-members
· Become actively involved in the maturation of the Central Texas Technology Center
· Coordinate efforts in the application for and receipt of additional grant funding for Phase 2 of the CTTC
· Provide forum for retirees via RAP Council
· Assist the Comal County Judge and Commissioners Court in the completion of flood control dams
· Support programs of Randolph Air Force Base
Continue to participate in awards program with Randolph Air Force Base by honoring outstanding Airmen with quarterly receptions and gifts from Chamber Businesses
· Promote the Leadership program, through the Leadership New Braunfels Alumni
Association, to ensure continued quality applicants
· Support parks and recreation improvements
Chair: Leigh Ann Dees
Vice Chair: Chris Douglas
Staff: Rusty Brockman
The Business Education Partnership Committee will be involved in linking businesses and schools through positive character development to encourage learning, and assist in successful career planning.
· Continue the PAC and TAC Programs for students and teachers and increase the
business participants
· Partner with business and school to enhance and promote curriculum by awareness of high academic standards
· Continue to increase business participation in the Shadow Program for 8th grade
students
· Monitor school calendar and actively address early start of school issue
· Stay actively involved in the promotion of the Central Texas Technology Center
· Provide a forum for dialog with local education and state officials on State
Chair: Ken Bercaw
Vice Chair: Gladys Bartling
This unique division of the Chamber (RAP – Retirees Are Progressive) consists of individuals who have retired, or are partially retired from their primary career, business or profession. This is an innovative program unique to this Chamber and provides an opportunity for retirees to continue contributing their expertise to economic and community development activities.
· Encourage RAP Council members to become knowledgeable of all community agencies and organizations that impact the quality of life and vigorously support activities, programs, projects and issues favoring sound economic development that improves the livability and prosperity of the community.
· Increase communication to the external market.
· Increase committee membership.
· Conduct monthly meetings with presentations on topics of interest to the members
Chair: Rosa Linda De La Cerda
Vice Chair: Debbie Fitsko
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
· Graduate 14th class, increasing alumni membership to 300 plus
· Continue to review monthly class sessions in order to present the most up to date information available
· Select 15th class
Chair: Barron Casteel
Vice Chair: Rodney Fischer
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
· Graduate 9th class
· Continue to offer monthly sessions that provide class members a better understanding of many segments of the community
· Select 10th class of 10th and 11th graders
Chair: Marty Lindley
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
· Promote the Leadership program through Alumni Association to ensure continued quality applicants
· Plan regularly scheduled Alumni Association meetings to bring current community information to members and to encourage members to assume leadership positions
· The Alumni Association will continue sponsorship of Youth Leadership New Braunfels
Chair: Ben Wehman
Vice Chair: Sonya Chapa-Weber
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
· Continue to participate in the awards program with Randolph Air Force Base by honoring outstanding Airmen with quarterly receptions and gifts from Chamber businesses
· Focus on increased participation among committee members to be involved in this long-standing committee that will celebrate its 38th year
· Acknowledge the economic impact on Comal County of over $40 million that the more than 1,600 military and civilian employees from RAFB provide
Member Services and Outreach
Past Chair of the Board: Ron Reaves
Executive Summary Goals
· Increase member to member services
· Ensure membership needs are met through Chamber communication vehicles
· Enhance communication and services to members via newsletter, web site, “Operation Thank You”, e-mail, direct mail, and “mixers”
· Continue to develop communication strategy for external market via a non-member email database
· Continue to communicate to the local community via newsletter, radio show and civic club presentations
· Increase Chamber membership to 2,100 via membership drive in Spring
· Increase retention rate to 90 percent
· Conduct “Operation Thank You” retention event in Fall
· Increase awareness of Chambers’ web-site and advertising opportunities to members and external market
· Chamber Blue Coats will serve as official hosts for Chamber events while enhancing membership retention and recruitment
· Produce the 18th annual Business Trade show, following the 2005 Show’s format, and expand the event by attracting larger attendance for both days and additional sponsorship opportunities
· Cooperate with the UTSA School of Business on continued weekly free counseling services and ways the SBDC can be expanded to further assist small business
· Continue NB Business University seminars
· Organize the annual Small Business Week celebration and seek new ways to increase interest in the event. Work with local media on publicity
Chair: Sally Singley
Vice Chair: Joe Castilleja
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
· Observe Small Business Week
· Recognize and honor a local Small Business Person of the Year
· Review ways to increase the importance of small business in our community, especially during the designated week
Chair: Nathan Reneau
Vice Chair: Leah Gomez
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
· Continue the free, weekly service offered through UTSA School of Business Small Business Development Center to both existing business owners and those considering starting a business
· Continue offering NB Business University seminars
· Review other ways to keep small business updated and informed on current topics
Chair: Don Miller
Vice Chair: Heide Aleman
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
· Produce the 18th annual Business Trade Show
· Expand the Show by attracting larger attendance for both days
· Provide additional business sponsorship opportunities
Public Policy
Chair of the Board Elect: Susan Granzin
Executive Summary Goals
· Facilitate the 40th Texas Legislative Conference, set for March 23 – 24, 2006
· Advocate and communicate to the membership, community at large, and to appropriate government officials’ positions of the Chamber on key issues
· Promote improved roads and new roads in the immediate area
· Act as catalyst for protection of the Comal Springs; staff and lead the Guadalupe Basin Coalition
Texas Legislative Conference
Arrangements Committee Chair: Brenda Chapman
Advisory Committee Chair: Julian Read
Program Director: Michael Meek
· Conduct 40th Annual Conference and Texan of the Year
Reception March 23 - 24, 2006 in New Braunfels Civic Center
· Topics include Immigration and Security, School Finance Options and Emergency
Planning
· Co-sponsors are LCRA, CenterPoint Energy, PacifiCare of Texas, SBC, Time Warner,
and Exxon-Mobil
Government Affairs
Chair: Bruce Boyer
Vice Chair: David Welsch
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
· Focus on issues impacting the area with local, state, and national governmental bodies
· Review and make recommendations to the Chamber Board
Vice Chair: Rod Smith
Staff: Rusty Brockman
Maintain a leadership role as needs and priorities are presented to TXDOT at local meetings, district meetings, and commission hearings. The Chamber’s Transportation Committee will meet regularly and work with TXDOT and City and County officials in meeting the highway needs as presented to TXDOT.
· Completion of IH 35 widening project from FM 306 to the Guadalupe River
· Widening of FM 758 from SH46 to New Braunfels Airport
· Widening of Business 46 from Walnut Ave. to FM 2722 to include a grade separation at SH46 and FM 2722
· Completion of FM 1863 to US 281
· Land acquisition for outer loop to FM 2722 from SH 46 to IH 35 South
· Widening of Seguin St. and Landa St. railroad underpasses
· Completion of the Gruene River Bridge
· Land acquisition to be complete for extension of Rueckle Rd. to FM 725
· Continue to encourage staff to fax/e-mail job updates, status reports to members and
businesses affected
· Widen with shoulders FM 306 from IH 35 to US 281 to include grade separations at both Union Pacific tracks
· Completion of SH 46 widening from Clear Springs to IH 35
· Encourage grade separations on both FM 306 railroad crossings
· Study FM 306 extension from IH-35 to New Braunfels Airport
Chair: Curt Leonhardt
Vice Chair: David Davenport
Staff: Rita Kaufmann Powell
This committee has been a catalyst for projects that protect and enhance the valuable natural resources of New Braunfels and the Comal County area.
· Continue to be proactive in the protection of Comal Springs through local and state
policies and legislation
· Assist the Comal County Judge and Commissioners Court in the completion of flood control dams
· Work closely with GBRA and the Corps of Engineers as the Canyon Lake Reservoir, Dam and Guadalupe River are maintained and managed
· Assist in management of air quality in Comal County and surrounding areas by being active with AACOG and the Air Quality Improvement Committee
· Continue working with City and County Staff on the ongoing maintenance of the Dry Comal Creek and continuation of cleaning out into County
· Begin study of current landfill and future needs of City and County
· Active participant in the Guadalupe Basin Coalition