Community Betterment | Convention & Visitors Bureau | Economic Development

Economic Indicators | Membership Services & Outreach | Public Policy

ISSUE: 26 JULY 6, 2010

WEBSITE, JOBS CAMPAIGN WIN STATE AWARDS

The annual Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives conference concluded in Nacogdoches last Tuesday with the presentation of statewide media awards in multiple categories. Your Chamber has competed in the TCCE media awards for the last fifteen years. This year, the Chamber's website placed in the Top 3 in the large chamber category for best in the state. In addition, BUILDNB's targeted marketing campaign to out of state firms also placed in the Top 3 in that category. With the website being such an important avenue for transmitting information to potential customers, having the Chamber's website once again place so high in this benchmark is gratifying. Kudos to the Chamber staff and all the BUILD.NB partners!

LOCAL HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY MAKES HUGE IMPACT

A recent New Braunfels hospitality industry economic impact report was funded courtesy of the Greater New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation. The report was prepared by Impact Data Source of Austin. The local hospitality industry economic output is composed of restaurants (65%) lodging (15%), entertainment (19%) and transportation and travel (1%). Did you know that businesses making up the hospitality industry support nearly 7,000 jobs here, representing 27% of total employment in New Braunfels? Now that's impact!

SECOND OF THREE MAJOR SUMMER WEEKENDS CONCLUDES

The July 4th holiday weekend is now history and thanks to Hurricane Alex moving southwest into Mexico last week, Texans once again could enjoy New Braunfels over the three-day holiday. Despite threats of rain, the Sophienburg Museum sponsored the July 4th Parade downtown Saturday and fireworks the next evening in Landa Park courtesy of HEB and the City. Happy Birthday, America!

BUSINESS TRADE SHOW BOOTHS - A FEW REMAIN

The Chamber’s annual Business Trade Show is set for September 14-15 in the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center. Eighty-six exhibit spaces will be filled with area businesses displaying their products or services. Six booths are still available. Call the Chamber at 625-2385 for more information. Show updates can be viewed at www.nbtradeshow.com.

CVB PUTTING NB ON COMEBACK TRAIL

The New Braunfels City Council unanimously approved the Chamber's C&VB using their reserve funds for an emergency post-flood marketing campaign last week. The plan is well underway with morning shows in major markets already completed in Houston and Austin last week and planned in Waco, Dallas, and Bryan-College Station next week. The "Jump In" event held June 24 was run in hundreds of media outlets around the state and Southwest U.S. Messages also ran in Times Square and Las Vegas on jumbotrons. Now that's coverage!

MANAGING THE EMOTIONAL ECONOMY

Last Wednesday, the latest seminar from the Chamber's NB University was held in the Civic/Convention Center. The Gallup organization presented information on managing the emotional economy. Gallup relayed to attendees that traditional economic models for analyzing consumer behavior are driven by rational or predictable forces. However, more powerful forces are the "irrational" ones based in the emotions of human experience. This is the real source of decision making, brand loyalty, employee engagement, and customer engagement. According to the President and COO of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, "When it comes to customers, feelings are facts."

GOLF FEST 2011 TAKING SHAPE

The 39th Central Texas Men's Invitational Golf Fest was completed last April and Seguin, New Braunfels and San Marcos Chambers of Commerce are already working on the 40th event in 2011. Participants from the tournament were polled and a meeting was held in Seguin last Thursday on the results. Course conditions are the number one priority for next year's event. Two new courses were brought into the tournament this year and more are planned for the future. An upgraded social is planned for 2011 with entertainment and improved entry gifts. The change in the play format was popular and will be repeated. Fore!

JOB INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACTIVE

Each month, Chamber President Michael Meek briefs the Mayor, City Manager, NBIDC President, EDF Chair, NBU CEO and County Auditor on current economic development opportunities. Last Friday's briefing included discussions on fifteen separate firms in multiple industries. The group also discussed the September 17 Austin-San Antonio Business Journal Growth Summit to be held at the Civic/Convention Center, economic statistics, and leads from past trade show and missions. Doing the things . . . .

BUILD NB MARKETING A TEAM APPROACH

New Braunfels puts forth a coordinated and unified image to site selectors and companies via Build New Braunfels, commonly known as BUILDNB. Multiple entities are involved in the partnership including the City's 4B Board, Economic Development Foundation, Chamber, co-op partners, and Comal County. Funds are pooled and the Chamber staff acts as the "one stop shop" for the recruiting and marketing effort. Four Chamber staffers spend all or a portion of their time in economic development activities, giving the program 3.2 full time equivalent staffers.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I believe that it is only possible to live a truly happy life if one supports good causes and if one gives of ones time to help others who are in need of help to build a better community."

Former Governor Dolph Briscoe

The Week Ahead:

Tuesday:

12:30 pm - Regional Chamber Executives - San Marcos

Wednesday:

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

4:00 pm – CTTC Task Force

Friday:

11:00 am – New Braunfels-Seguin Partnership

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