Serving You Issue 5-23

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BREWERIES, DISTILLIERIES AND SALOONS
As research continues on the cultural heritage project, the CVB has discovered a meticulous, private collection with a treasure trove of information. Did you know that in the 19th century there were fifteen or more saloons in downtown New Braunfels? And upwards of thirty or more named establishments over a twenty year time frame? These were part of the social fabric of the lives of our founders. Did you know that the first female brewmaster in Texas, Mrs. Guenther, was right here in New Braunfels? A brochure draft of the Culture Heritage Project includes dozens of sectors and a steering committee will be finalizing the brochure before print bidding soon.

MPO KICKS OFF
A regional transportation plan for Comal and Guadalupe County including New Braunfels and Seguin is in the planning stages. The group plans on the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to be submitted to the Governor’s Office sometime next year. Kick off meetings were held in Seguin May 12 and at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center last Wednesday. An open house is scheduled for the Civic Center June 20 and a draft presentation at the Civic Center July 18. The final planned presentation will be at City Council Chambers on August 22. Share your vision for transportation in this area. Comments can be provided to newbraunfelsseguinrtp@designworkshop.com . Comment cards are also available at the Chamber offices.
COUNCIL CONVENES - REORGANIZES TODAY
The current City Council will convene at 5:45 pm today in a special meeting to canvass the returns of the regular election held May 14. Once completed, the new Council will convene in regular session beginning at 6:00 pm where outgoing members Bruce Boyer and Kathleen Krueger will be thanked for their service and incoming Mayor Gale Pospisil and District 5 Councilmember Bryan Miranda will be sworn into office along with District 6 Councilmember Steven Digges. Council will then elect a Mayor Pro Tem and consider an eleven item consent agenda that includes the approval of a budget adjustment in the fiscal year 2010 – 2011 adopted budget for the Chamber’s Convention and Tourist Fund, a ten item action agenda including six public hearings and then will retire to closed session on four items. The meeting can be viewed on Time Warner Cable Channel 21.

PROVIDE PREMIUM CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Chamber’s Business Advisory Committee is pleased to present Kevin Karschnik and iSpeak for two sessions on June 28. “Servicing4Success – The Essentials of Providing Premiere Customer Service” is the seminar topic. The first session is from 8:30 – 11:30 am and the second session is from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The morning session includes a continental breakfast beginning at 8:00 am. Both sessions will be held at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center. Registration is available online at www.nbcham.org/seminar. Receive the foundation to ensure that you are positively motivated to service your customers!

LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE A LEGEND
Nominations for the Braunfels Foundation Trust’s 7th Living Legends Award are being accepted through Wednesday, June 1. 2011 “Living Legends” will be honored at a dinner and program at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center on October 11. Nomination forms are available at the Chamber’s Calendar of Events at www.nbcham.org or at the Chamber office. Please include a narrative describing why your nominee is a “Living Legend”. Make history!

BOOTHS AVAILABLE FOR “ROCKIN” TRADE SHOW
The 23rd annual Business Trade Show is set for September 13 – 14 in the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center. The entire facility has been rented to include exhibits, entertainment, delicious food and beverages, seminars and an awesome silent auction. The theme for the show is “New Braunfels Business is Rockin’ Around the Clock”. The show will feature over 100 exhibitors. Available exhibitor space is now open to the general public. Call Rita at 830-608-2806 or Tyler a 608-2805 for information or log onto www.nbtradeshow.com for a current list of exhibitors and sponsors.

ALLIANCE MARKETS REGION
The 10/35 Economic Development Alliance met last Wednesday in New Braunfels to plan out the remainder of the current fiscal year for their marketing efforts. The Alliance is composed of the economic development corporations of Seguin, Schertz and New Braunfels. Upcoming trade missions and/or trade shows are slated for Anaheim, New York, Washington, DC, Chicago and Philadelphia. The group heard a presentation from AMMO Advertising for a video promotion and the group also discussed rebranding with a new value proposition. The Alliance considered group purchasing of aerial photos and posters. Leads generated by Alliance efforts are up 144% year to date in New Braunfels.

FIRST HOLIDAY WEEKEND APPROACHES
The first summer holiday weekend approaches with the Memorial Day beginning May 28 through May 30. While river flows are challenging this season, the entire southwest U. S. is facing the same conditions. We still have more water recreation than anywhere else in Texas! Please refer inquiries on river activities to river outfitters as they know what are the more accessible parts of area rivers to enjoy on any given day. Water recreation opportunities will be expanded when Schlitterbahn’s Tubenbach is completed later this summer. The Texas Ski Ranch has a “Little Bro” lake edition to help younger water recreationalists in their quest to learn to wakeboard without a boat. Landa Park’s aquatic complex is open and proving fun for generations of Texans. All area attractions are open, staffed up and ready to welcome the summer of 2011.

RAFB THANKS CHAMBER
Colonel Scott Peel from Randolph AFB attended last week’s Chamber Board of Directors meeting to bestow a special medallion plaque to the Chamber. Why? Our Chamber has honored Junior Airmen at the base longer than any other organization in Texas now totaling 43 years. The 2010 Randolph Support Award to our Chamber includes medallions from the Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Recruiting, the Air Force Personnel Center, the 902nd Mission Support Group, the 12th Flying Training Wing and the 359th Medical Group. Chamber Chair Corey Hall accepted the award on behalf of the Chamber and it is now proudly displayed in the Chamber display case at 390 South Seguin Avenue.

Community Betterment | Convention & Visitors Bureau | Economic Development

Economic Indicators | Membership Services & Outreach | Public Policy

Support Our Sponsors:

The Week Ahead:

Monday

6:00 pm – City Council

Tuesday:

5:30 pm – Small Business Person Reception

Wednesday:

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm - "Inside the Chamber" Radio Show

4:30 pm – Ribbon Cutting at Bright Star

Thursday:

12:00 pm – NewBraunfels.TV

Monday, May 30:

MEMORIAL DAY

CHAMBER OFFICES CLOSED

Helpful Links:

Welcome New Members

“Mixer” Schedule

Calendar of Events

Member To Member

Ribbon Cuttings

Officers/Directors/Staff

Quote of the Week:

“Never try to tell everything you know. It may take too short a time.”

Norman Ford, Bits and Pieces on Leadership, May 2011