Serving You 12-19

Community Betterment | Convention & Visitors Bureau | Economic Development

Economic Indicators | Membership Services & Outreach | Public Policy

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SHOP NB FIRST . . . . MADE BY A NEW BRAUNFELSER

This holiday season take advantage of the many gift opportunities that are made in New Braunfels, by New Braunfelsers. Click here for a list. If you have an item or know of a product that is made right here in New Braunfels please email that information to Brittney@nbcham.org. Shop New Braunfels First!

BUSINESS LEADING THE WAY

With the Christmas holiday season fast approaching, don’t forget to get your table and or tickets ordered. Every Chamber member should have received an invitation earlier this month to the 93rd annual event, set for January 27 in the Civic Convention Center. The theme for the banquet is “Business Leading The Way” and the event is usually a sellout, so hurry. The evening begins with a social and networking hour beginning at 6:00 pm and dinner served at 7:00 with the program beginning promptly at 7:30 pm. An “after party” will take place immediately following the banquet with entertainment and no charge for entry. For ticket information go to www.nbcham.org/banquet .

CHAMBER EDUCATION COMMITTEE COUNTS SUCCESSES

The Chamber’s Business-Education Partnership Committee met last Thursday and heard reports on the Truancy Initiative, Kits for Kids Program, Adopt-A-School, teacher in-service programs, the Higher Education Task Force, and then discussed strategies for 2012. The 2011 Chair of the committee is Aja Edwards Patino of D. Lee Edwards Realty and the incoming Chair for 2012 is Judge Charles Stephens. Patino will continue to chair the Adopt-A-School Program next year. The Truancy Initiative, an idea of Stephens two years ago, will be expanded to NBMS next spring.

TELL ME SOMETHIN’ GOOD!

New Braunfels has much to be thankful for as our economy is stable and growing while many other parts of the country are still experiencing a recession and tough times. Our community continues to add needed services for citizens and people for around the country are moving here to enjoy what we already know is special about this place and its people. While it is easy to focus on the challenges and those that don’t agree with us, let’s make a New Year’s resolution for 2012 as a community to seek the things we can agree on and work in good faith and trust on those that have opposing views. This will be the last issue of Serving You in 2011 and from the Chamber staff and Board of Directors we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

LNB 20TH ANNIVERSARY, MILITARY AFFAIRS, SB PERSON OF THE YEAR?

No, that’s not a old Johnny Carson “Carnak the Magnificent” line but rather three key programs that will continue in 2012 that Chamber volunteers and staff are already working on. The Leadership New Braunfels Program next May will graduate its 20th class and count 475 alumni. An LNB Alumni Committee has been meeting for months to plan a 20th anniversary celebration at Gruene Hall March 29. The new year will mark the 44th year that the Chamber has been honoring the accomplishments of an airman from Randolph Air Force Base. Our Chamber’s recognition program is the longest continuous award’s program at the base. The next reception will be on January 17 to honor the 3rd quarter 2011 winner. Help us thank the military! The Chamber has been honoring a small business person of the year since 1990 and nomination forms will be available early in the new year as we plan to recognize Small Business Week May 13 - 19 as well as the 2012 Small Business Person of the Year.

HIGHER ED TASK FORCE BUSY IN 2012

The 2011 Mayor’s Higher Education Task Force held their final meeting of the year last Wednesday with Chair Terry Robinson presiding. New members were added to the task force in 2012 and former Chamber Chair of the Board and former NBISD Superintendent Dr. Ron Reaves will assume the Chair’s position of the task force next year. The group is setting goals and preparing to follow through on recommendations made to and approved by the City Council. The group will be working closely with the CTTC and Alamo Colleges to expand the current facility and assist with its marketing and rebranding campaign. The group will also assist in the development of a local university center in another part of the community.

CTTC PREPARES FOR 2012

The Central Texas Technology Center Advisory Board met last Tuesday with Paula DiFonzo presiding as chair. The Advisory Board is working with San Antonio College administration staff to proceed through the process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to achieve associate degree status. Current enrollment at the center, class offerings for 2012, and the coming marketing and rebranding campaign was also discussed. DiFonzo has been very involved with post secondary education since her chairmanship of the Chamber in 2001 when the idea for the center first began. Kudos to Paula for all her efforts over the last ten years on behalf of all citizens of the area with workforce training and higher education needs.

KEEP YOUR BUSINESS SAFE ONLINE

The December issue of Free Enterprise, a publication from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has an article from their Vice President of National Security and Emergency Preparedness about keeping your business safe online. Ann Beauchesne says that with 97% of small businesses using email and 74% having a company website, small businesses handle an array of sensitive information that warrants protection from bad actors. Many small firms lack cyber security policies and thus have become the “low hanging fruit” for cyber criminals. She suggests that small businesses take necessary steps to improve their defenses and therefore the U.S. Chamber has partnered with the FCC for a free online tool to help small businesses protect themselves from cyber security threats and make life more difficult for their digital adversaries. The Small Biz Cyber Planner, the Chamber’s cyber security guide and additional resources are available at www.uschamber.com/cybersecurity .

“INSIDE THE CHAMBER” HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Tune in this Wednesday for the “Inside the Chamber” Show which features recently announced inductees to the Chamber’s Hall of Honor on that program airing at the same time of day. Tune in to hear honorees Rusty Brockman, Bonnie Tetrault and Barry Williams review their volunteer and civic activities. KGNB News Director David Ferguson hosts the program and the program airs from 12:30 to 1:00 pm on KGNB 1420. The following week, December 28, a year in review as well as the 2012 plan of action featuring 2011 Chamber Chair of the Board Corey Hall and incoming 2012 Chair of the Board Tobin Hoffmann. Podcasts of the program will be available following the original broadcast on the Chamber and radio station’s websites.