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FROM THE CHAIR
In my book...this is one of the most fun times of the year. The town has been busting with citizens and visitors enjoying activities that make New Braunfels great. We recently saw the Swap Meet on the Fairgrounds, opening of Schlitterbahn, a "new and improved" Central Texas Golf Fest with over 800 participants, Willie Nelson at Whitewater and all that the Gruene Historic District has to offer. Last weekend we had the Rally On The River at Gruene Harley along with Wein & Saengerfest held Downtown. Something for everyone. Hope you were able to enjoy the fun. The new Farm to Market each Saturday downtown is a blast. Come early to get the best produce. Don't forget to vote. There are important issues and offices on the ballot. Make your voice count. Congratulations to Pastor Ray Still for being selected as Citizen of the Year. The Herald Zeitung recognized Pastor Ray and six citizens as "Unsung Heros". They were all worthy of the title and inspire our community with their deeds. Finally, we also congratulate Ernie Jergins and the staff at Ernesto's Jewelry for being named the Chamber's Small Business Person of the Year. And remember....do business with your neighbors!
Larry Hammonds,
Chair of the Board
NEXT “LEGENDS” SOUGHT
The 6th Living Legends of New Braunfels event is set for October 12 in the Civic/Convention Center sponsored by the Braunfels Foundation Trust. The Trust is asking your help in identifying “Living Legends”. If you would like to nominate someone to be considered, click here to find a copy of the nomination form. You can also go by the Chamber main offices at 390 S. Seguin Avenue and pick up one. Forms must be postmarked by Tuesday, June 1 for submission. Please limit your submittals to no more than three total (use separate nomination form for each nominee) and indicate why the New Braunfels area is a better place to live because of your nominee.
AREA CHAMBERS CONFAB TOMORROW
The Tri-City Chambers quarterly meeting is set for tomorrow at Schobels Restaurant in New Braunfels. The New Braunfels, Seguin, and San Marcos Chambers have been meeting for four decades on a quarterly basis on items of mutual interest including transportation, economic development, tourism, and legislative issues. The group recently sponsored the 39th Central Texas Men’s Invitational Golf Fest. Accompanying the three area Chamber executives at these quarterly sessions include each Chamber’s Chair of the Board and Chair-Elect.
PRAYER BREAKFAST KEYNOTER CHAMBER STAFFER
This Thursday’s Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at the Civic/Convention Center features Chamber Economic development Director Rusty Brockman as the keynoter. The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by the New Braunfels Christian Businessmen’s Council and a crowd of 600 is expected Thursday morning beginning at 6:30 am. Brockman has a busy week with his attendance at the bio conference in Chicago representing this area along with the Governor’s Office for Economic Development and Tourism. That conference/trade show concludes Wednesday and the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is Thursday morning. Hope Rusty’s flight is on time!
CHAMBER LEADERS “PICNICING” THURSDAY
The Chamber’s annual Leaders Picnic is set for this Thursday at Schlitterbahn at The Rapids. This annual event honors Chamber leaders and volunteers as well as elected officials in a fun setting. The highlight of the picnic will be the presentation of the Grandstander’s Award. Who will get “the boot” for their exploits in 2009? A buffet meal will be served at 5:30 pm followed by a brief program. Time for leaders to picnic!
ELECTION DAY THIS SATURDAY
Early voting continues this week at the Landa Plaza Shopping Center located at 373 Landa Street. Early voting ends tomorrow and Election Day is Saturday, May 8. Voters will decide whether or not the County can issue $36 million in certificates of obligation with financing the cost of the new County Justice Center as well as seats on the New Braunfels and Comal ISD school boards and City Council District 2. Political Action Committees have formed in favor of and against the proposed Justice Center. For information from those PACs you can go to http://www.comalcountyjusticecenter.org/ for the pro side and to http://www.comalcountyjusticecenterplanb.com/ for those against the proposal.
CVB BUSY ON MULTIPLE FRONTS
The Chamber’s C&VB provided assistance for the recently-completed and successful Wein and Sangerfest with advanced media coverage that aided attendance. The CVB is also very busy on development of a new arts and cultural comprehensive campaign and provided administrative staffing for the recently-completed 39th Central Texas Men’s Invitational Golf Fest. They will also be presenting 2010 creative to the City Council next Monday evening and have been hosting various travel writers with magazines and radio stations. Doing the things . . . .
LNB CLASS GRADUATES NEXT WEEK
The Leadership New Braunfels Class of 2010 will graduate May 11 at T Bar M Resort and Conference Center. Today is the final day to purchase tickets at the Chamber office or online at www.nbcham.org . Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade will be the keynoter at the luncheon. Andrade was appointed by Governor Rick Perry and sworn in July 23, 2008. Andrade has been a successful entrepreneur and leader in the San Antonio business community for more than three decades and now serves as Texas’ Chief Election Officer, Chief International Protocol Officer, and Border-Commerce Coordinator. The Class of 2010 will bring the total number of graduates in the program to 422. The program graduated its first class in 1993.
“COME FLY, COME FLY AWAY”
The old Frank Sinatra tune reminds Serving You of the San Antonio Airport Vision 2050 meeting being held today. San Antonio’s Mayor Castro appointed Chamber President Michael Meek to the 30 member Community Advisory Task Force late last year and today is the third meeting of four for the group. San Antonio International Airport is a critical gateway to the region and acts as a catalyst for economic growth. At today’s meeting the Masterplan Team will present its recommended plan for accommodating future demand including where future terminals should be located, where runways may be extended, what additional properties should be considered for acquisition, how parking and airport access should be improved, and how the growth of air cargo and other airport tenants should be accommodated.
THE POWER OF EMAIL MARKETING
The next NB Business University seminar is set for Tuesday, May 25 at the Civic/Convention Center. Julie Niehoff will present “The Power of Email Marketing”. Julie will explain what email marketing is (and isn’t), why it’s such a good idea, and how to make it work for your business. The session also includes specific instructions on how to get your email promotions and updates open, how to position the value of your message so recipients will act on it, how to measure the impact of a campaign and more. Seating is limited, so register now. You can register online at www.nbcham.org . Chamber member cost is $40 and non-Chamber members $55. Registration includes lunch.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It really doesn’t cost anything to be nice, and the rewards can be unimaginable.”
Bear Bryant, Bits and Pieces on Leadership, May 2010
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