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CHAMBER’S 91st YEAR KICKS OFF FRIDAY

The Chamber’s 91st annual meeting and banquet will be held this Friday evening at the Civic-Convention Center with a sellout crowd.  An after-party featuring Two Tons of Steel, courtesy of KGNB-KNBT, is set for the ballroom between 9:30 and 11:30 pm.  The banquet will feature a social hour, served-dinner, awards ceremony, keynote by Dr. Mark Dotzour, and presentation of the Besserung Award.  A commemorative gift memento will also be distributed to attendees.  2009 Chair of the Board Marian Benson will pass the gavel to incoming Chair Larry Hammonds during the banquet.  Hope you got your ticket for Destination NB 2020!

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION ON HORIZON

The Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) have been awarded a grant to implement targeted bus service in metro New Braunfels.  Community involvement is requested in the route planning process. Be on the look out for surveys which will be sent to Chamber Members soon.  For more information contact René Chadick – Economic Development Specialist – Transportation at AACOG (210) 362-5286 rchadick@aacog.com or Rusty Brockman at (830) 625-2385 or rusty@nbcham.org . 

GOOGLE SECRETS SEMINAR EXPANDS OFFERING

The January 27 seminar entitled “Google Secrets, A Workshop for Local Business” is a sellout.  However, the Chamber’s Business Advisory Committee is pleased that a second day has been scheduled for those not able to get in the first session.  On Thursday, January 28 in Honors Hall the session will be repeated.  The seminar is intended for established businesses that have an ongoing marketing effort.  Call Shana at 830-608-2805 or email her at shana@nbcham.org for additional information.

LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE LINEUP IMPRESSIVE

The 44th annual Texas Legislative Conference will kick off with the Texan of the Year Reception Thursday evening, March 18 in the Civic-Convention.  The reception will honor Texas Parks and Wildlife Chair and Spurs owner Peter Holt.  Spurs legend David Robinson has been invited to present the award to Holt.  On Friday, March 19 the half-day conference will feature an array of top Texas leaders speaking on hot topics including the economy, immigration reform, and the Texas Primary results.  The speaker/panelist lineup includes a Nobel Prize nominated economist, former Texas Secretary of State, Dean of the UT Austin Engineering School, two Congressmen, two State Representatives, and current and former Texas House Speakers. Go to www.txlegislativeconference.com for more information.  Associate Sponsorships are the best value for the event, offering a 20% discount.

QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT DELIVERED TO 4B BOARD

The regularly schedule meeting of the New Braunfels Industrial Development Corporation was held last Thursday evening at City Hall. The Chamber presented the Board a quarterly activities report that showed a 53% increase in leads produced over fiscal year 2008.  Web-based leads increased by a factor of eight over last year.  The Board also heard a presentation on possible future improvements to Goodwin Lane as well as possible drainage improvements to the area around FM 306 and IH-35.  The next meeting of the NBIDC (4B Board) will be held on February 18.

ALL CANDIDATES COMING LNB CANDIDATE FORUM

The February 4 Leadership New Braunfels Alumni candidate’s forum has received confirmation from all thirteen candidates on the ballot for the March Primary that they will participate.  Candidates for Comal County Judge, Commissioners Court, and Justice of the Peace will be on hand for the forum to be held at the Landa Haus.  Attendees are limited to Leadership New Braunfels alumni and the media.  On a related note, the Youth Leadership New Braunfels and Adult LNB classes continue with monthly sessions.

NBPD GIVES TIPS ON THEFT PROTECTION

In response to the recent increase in business burglaries, the NBPD is encouraging business owners and operators to raise their level of awareness in helping to prevent these crimes.  Make sure all outside entrances and inside security doors are locked; windows should have secure locks; remove all expensive items from window displays at night; light the inside and outside of your business; check the parking lot for good lighting and unobstructed views; keep your cash register in plain view from the outside of your business so it can be monitored by Police during the day or at night; leave the cash register open and empty after closing; make sure your safe is fireproof and securely anchored; and before investing in an alarm system check with several companies and decide what level of security fits you needs.  Chief Ron Everett explains that most break-ins involve smashing in the front door, entering and grabbing the cash register or other available items.  Do your part in stopping these crimes before they happen.

CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS CHARTER REVISIONS, DOWNTOWN PLAN

The New Braunfels City Council will meet in workshop session beginning at 5:00 pm today to discuss possible amendments to the City’s home-rule charter.  Council will then convene at 6:00 pm in regular session at 424 S Castell Avenue and following a nine-item consent agenda will receive a presentation on Police Department operations from Chief Ron Everett and then consider six individual items for consideration.  One of those items is a discussion and possible approval of the Downtown Implementation Plan.  The meeting can also be viewed on Time Warner Cable Channel 21.

WINTER VISITORS FETED AT GRUENE HALL

The annual Winter Visitors Reception will be moving to historic Gruene Hall on February 17.  The reception will begin at 4:30 pm.  New Braunfels is the home to thousands of winter visitors from mid-western states as well as Canada.  These individuals make a positive impact on the community, both economically and civically.  Help us honor them by donating a door prize item.  Please deliver your door prize to the Chamber by Friday, February 12.  Over 500 of our winter citizens are scheduled to be in attendance.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SETS INITIAL MEETING

The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee will convene on Thursday, February 4 at 7:30 am in Honors Hall.  An aggressive information and action schedule is planned under the leadership of Chair Mark Hampton and Vice Chair Bob Gray.  The group will review the Chamber’s 2010 Plan of Action as well as the new www.nbacts4business.com website.  A proposed committee calendar and issues will be presented.  Registration, early voting and election dates for both the March Primary and general election in November will be reviewed. 

THE SCOOTER AND NB SMOKEHOUSE HONORED

Fortune Magazine last week named The SCOOTER Store one of the top 100 places to work in America, siting the company as the 38th best place to work for in 2010.  Fortune sited the company’s employee friendly celebrations, including quarterly theme rallies as well as recognition of birthdays and anniversaries.  The company is the largest provider of wheelchairs and scooters in the nation and added hundreds of high-paying jobs to the community payroll in 2009.The New Braunfels Smokehouse was honored by the Legislature and Texas Historic Commission with the Texas Business Treasures Award as well last week.  Senator Jeff Wentworth was on hand along with members of the City Council, Commissioners Court, and Chamber.  Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Snider were on hand to accept the award.  Snider lauded his employees including Past Chamber Chair of the Board Mike Dietert. Congratulations all!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Cooperation is power; in proportion as people combine, they know their strength; civilization itself is but the effect of combining."

Edward George Bulwer-Lytton

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