Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Transcription
Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Chamber of Commerce Newsletter February, 2013 Volume 35, Issue 2 Chamber Premium Members Gold Members A+ Printing AT&T, Inc. Albright Abstract & Title Guaranty Company Albright Insurance Agency, Inc. Jack Bowker Ford Lincoln Cable ONE City of Ponca City Dancey-Meador Publications, Inc. Eastman National Bank Evans and Associates Enterprises, Inc. First National Bank of Oklahoma Kaw Enterprise Development Authority KIXR FM Sunny 104.7 Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Oklahoma Natural Gas Company Osage Casino Osage Nation Otoe-Missouria Gaming Enterprise Parker Pest Control, Inc. Personnel Staffing, Inc. Phillips 66 The Ponca City News Primerica Financial Services RCB Bank Rick Scott Construction, Inc. Sooner Construction Company Team Radio TPI Staffing Service Silver Members 89.7 The House/Praise 88.7 Food Pyramid Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, Inc. Ponca City Discount Foods Bronze Members Brandt’s Ace Hardware Cabbiness Engineering, LLC Century 21 Group One Realtors Cherokee Strip Credit Union Comfort Inn & Suites Davis Moore Auto Group Larry Murphy Insurance Agency, Inc . Pryse Monument Company Stolhand Heating & Air Conditioning WBBZ AM 1230 The 119th Annual Chamber Banquet award winners included Casey Pruitt, Ambassador of the Year; Mertz Manufacturing, Industry of the Year; Janet Martin, Outstanding Citizen; Kevin Murphy, Gary Martin Outstanding City Employee; City of Ponca City, Chamber Business/Partner of the Year; Betty and Bill Rutz, Volunteers of the Year; and Ann Bandy, Larry Hughes Leadership Award. Ponca Politics Election Forum sponsored by the Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee The Ponca City School Board Candidates Forum, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee, will be held Friday February 8th. The forum will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will be held in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall. The election forum will feature the three candidates running for this board position, Brent Colle, Sharon Stewart and Judy Throop. Dr. Robert Howard, Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee, will be the moderator. Each candidate will make comments on why they are running and then the floor will be open for questions. The general election will be Tuesday, February 12th and will include the bond election as well. PLEASE VOTE! VOTE ‘YES’ ON THE BOND ELECTION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12th! www.poncacitychamber.com Page 2 Volume 35, Issue 2 2013 Chamber Banquet Shown are photo highlights of the 2013 Chamber Banquet! What great leadership we have with Lee Evans and Natalie Fraser! We are so appreciative of all they do for the Chamber. We want to thank Diane Anderson as well for all her assistance with planning the banquet. She was outstanding. Kelly Johnson was a super MC and Nancy Kruckeberg provided beautiful music. Thank you Evans and Associates for providing the wine. It is always nice to have Lori Markes, Larry Hughes’ daughter, come to the banquet and help present the award named for her father! Thank you T.L Walker for making the dream catcher for our Chamber Chair, Natalie Fraser. Thank you again RCB for hosting the banquet reception. The food, music, awards, fellowship and attendees. made this banquet very special. Thank you everyone! Volume 35, Issue 2 www.poncacitychamber.com Page 3 PONCA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS February 12, 2013 BOND ELECTION FACTS “Preparing students to live and work in a global society” Election Date: Polling Places: Polls Open: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 Regular polling places in the Ponca City Public School District 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. The Need: To vote on a $500,000 Transportation Bond and a $16,255,000 Building Bond. These bonds will provide the funds to enhance safety and security for students and will continue the district’s commitment to excellence through ongoing capital improvement, implementation of a 21 st Century technology program, and excellence in our extra-curricular programs. Projects include: (1) Improving the safety and security of buildings by improving ADA accessibility and renovating and relocating entrances and main offices to front of building at Liberty, Trout, Union, and Woodlands (2) Woodlands: Replace portable building with new classroom space; add two additional classrooms; install an elevator, chairlift, sprinkler system, and new basement flooring; expand and relocate administrative offices to front of building; and renovate existing office to classroom space (3) Lincoln: Replace roof, HVAC, and construct rooms to relocate computer and reading labs (4) Union: Relocate administrative office to front of building; construct one replacement classroom; and renovate existing office to classroom space (5) Trout: Replace portable buildings with new classroom space; add one classroom; install an elevator, chairlift, and new sprinkler system; relocate administrative offices to front of building; and renovate existing office to classroom (6) Liberty: Expand existing main office area; install elevator and new sprinkler system (7) Purchasing computers and software, laptops for students in grades 8-12, iPads for classroom use at all elementary sites and West Middle School, and interactive whiteboards for every classroom district-wide (8) Purchasing textbooks, instructional supplies, and electronic textbooks for students in grades 8-12; software licensing including Microsoft licensing, Internet filter, Renaissance Place, Destiny Reading, SIF agents, server upgrades, etc. (9) Purchasing instruments for orchestra and band (10) Purchasing one handicapped bus and three 84-passenger buses to provide safe and dependable transportation for students (11) Constructing new restrooms at Sullins Stadium *For a complete list of all bond projects, go to the district’s website at www.pcps.us How important is your vote? Oklahoma school districts require a 60% super majority to pass. THIS IS NOT A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE! PLEASE VOTE FEBRUARY 12, 2013 A small investment today for a safer, brighter future! Page 4 www.poncacit ychambe r.com Volume 35, Issue 2 The 2013 Chamber Executive Committee includes l-r Barry Bickle with Eastman National Bank, Natalie Fraser with Lindsay Manufacturing, Bill Coleman with Team Radio, Lee Evans with Evans and Associates and Mayor Homer Nicholson with Nicholson Auction. Not shown is Ryan Schwabe with Coates and Schwabe. PONCA CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 2013 CALENDAR The Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce “Business after Hours” is held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. February 26 Native Lights Casino March 26 RCB Bank April 23 Camp McFadden May 21 First National Bank of Oklahoma June 25 Eastman National Bank July 23 The Renaissance of Ponca City August 6 Team Radio September 24 Parker Pest Control—50th Anniversary October 22 Outpatient Surgical Center of Ponca City, LLC November 26 The Bag Lady Boutique December 17 Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors & the City of Ponca City www.poncacitychamber.com Volume 35, Issue 2 Page 5 Worldwide Advertising Through Your Chamber of Commerce www.poncacitychamber.com Did you know that for an annual fee of as little as $50 you can link your business directly to the Chamber’s web site? It’s a great way to spread the news about your business and it’s another valuable service provided for Chamber members. Give us a call and we’ll explain the details. Let the world know you’re here! Complimentary Listing ABC Company (555) 555-1234 1000 Street Address Fax (555) 555-1234 Anytown, US 12345 Mr. John Doe, Manager Business Yellow Page Listing (up to five categories) Enhanced Listing - $50/Year ABC Company (555) 555-1234 1000 Street Address Fax: (555) 555-1234 Anytown, US 12345 Email: [email protected] yourcompany.com MAP ICON Mr. John Doe, Manager, [email protected] Mrs. Jane Doe, Assistant Manager, [email protected] Business Yellow Page Listing (up to five categories) This is where you put your information about your company and the services you provide . Corporate Listing - $75/Year <LOGO GOES HERE> ABC Company (555) 555-1234 1000 Street Address Fax: (555) 555-1234 Anytown, US 12345 Email: [email protected] yourcompany.com MAP ICON Mr. John Doe, Manager, [email protected] Mr. Jane Doe, Assistant Manager, [email protected] Business Yellow Page Listing (up to five categories) This is where you can put information about your company and the services you provide. Page 6 Volume 35, Issue 2 www.poncacitychamber.com Meet the 2013 Leadership Class! Shanon Tharp Kathy Tippin Eastman National Bank Kaw Lake Association Executive Director Spouse: Jon Interests/Hobbies: Volleyball, Softball Children: Jennifer Interests/Hobbies: Volunteering, Reading, Attending OU sports, Exercise at the YMCA Education: Tonkawa High School, NOC, NWOSU Civic Organizations: Relay for Life, March of Dimes, Citizens Fire Academy Work Address Work Address Kaw Lake Association P.O. Box 1933 Ponca City, OK 74602 (580) 762-9494 [email protected] Eastman National Bank 222 E. Grand Ave. Ponca City, OK 74601 (580) 718-4173 [email protected] David VanBuskirk City of Ponca City Fire Department Fire Marshal Spouse: Heather Children: Colby, Cash Interests/Hobbies:, Working, Working some more, Hunting Education: Ponca City High School, NOC Civic Organizations:, Ponca City Fire & Life Safety Council , Opportunity Center Board, Chamber of Commerce Board Work Address City of Ponca City 516 E. Grand Ave. P.O. Box 1450 Ponca City, OK 74602 (580) 767-0153 [email protected] Education: Northwest Classen High School, OU Awards/Honors Received: Ponca City Fireman of the Year, 1994 Civic Organizations: Soroptimist International, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Camp McFadden Inc., Kaw Lake Education Foundation, Kappa Delta Sorority Alumnae Awards/Honors Received: Soroptimist of the Year, 2012 Member-to-Member Discount Cards! Please remember to use your Member-to-Member Discount Card for some great bargains with the Chamber members who participate in this program. A complete list is in this newsletter. Every member receives a Member-to-Member Discount Card. Shop with other Chamber members for excellent prices and service! www.poncacitychamber.com Volume 35, Issue 2 Page 7 Chamber Report — February 2013 By Natalie Fraser, 2013 Chamber Chair Our first month of 2013 started off with a bang! The annual Chamber Banquet was a huge success with a sellout crowd and other fun additions. I want to again congratulate all of the award recipients. Thanks to Lee Evans, your Chamber staff, Phillips 66, and everyone who worked hard to make this banquet the best one ever. I also want to thank RCB Bank for hosting the outstanding pre-banquet reception. Goodwill Days will be happening soon. We are excited to deliver your Chamber packet, which includes your emerald colored member window decal, the Community and Business Directory, the revamped Member-toMember Discount Card, and our 2013 Business Plan. The color of the member sticker may seem trivial, but there is significance to this year’s color choice. For those who missed my pitch at the banquet, emerald is a lively, radiant, and lush green. It is the hottest color of the year and was selected by Pantone to be the 2013 color of the year for the design and fashion world. This color is said to enhance our sense of well being by inspiring insight and promoting balance and harmony. You will soon see them in Chamber members’ windows. When you see them, I hope you will share some green of your own! Remember, green is the color of growth, renewal and prosperity. It conveys regeneration and unity. All of these are things we strive for within the Chamber and for its members. In the packet, you will also find the Chamber Member-toMember Discount Card. It has been completely redesigned to encourage more members to shop at your business. Please be sure to take a peek at the business plan included in the packet as well. This is more than just words on paper. This plan identifies all of the action items each committee will strive to accomplish. Speaking of which, I hope you will find a committee that interests you. You are welcome to attend many of our dif f e re nt c o mm itte e meetings, and it won’t require a significant time commitment on your part. After all, you also have to prepare for all that extra business that’s coming once you put up your Chamber member window decal! Don’t forget Chamber Bucks! They make a great gift item! Page 8 www.poncacitychamber.com Volume 35, Issue 2 Tourism Report February 2013 Crystal Bickford, Tourism Coordinator The New Year has brought lots of excitement and fun! It has been an amazing start to what will be yet another incredible year for Ponca City Tourism. We have recently been enjoying some amazing weather which is allowing many to enjoy their business and personal travels which has brought many visitors to our office. We have recently greeted visitors from states including Kansas, Texas, Utah, Tennessee, Virginia, Hawaii, Arkansas and Louisiana, as well as the country of Sweden. It is always fun to greet our visitors and hear what brings them to Ponca City. Ponca City Tourism recently attended the McAllen International Travel Show in McAllen, Texas. Sue Lunsford and Terry Huston volunteered their time to represent Ponca City Tourism at this very important show. The show was a great success and had over 6,500 snow birds in attendance from 38 different states around the United States and 8 different provinces from Canada and Mexico. Ponca City Tourism distributed over 2,000 visitor guides and promotional items to the show attendees hoping to capture them for a visit as they travel home later this spring. Ponca City Tourism recently attended the American Bus Association Marketplace 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. ABA Marketplace is the travel industry’s premier place to network, sell and learn all at the same time. Industry veterans state that the more time you spend at Marketplace, the more opportunities you will have to sell your product and destination. The most important feature of Marketplace for Ponca City Tourism was the ability as a seller to reach out to over 700 motor coach and tour operators during pre-scheduled 7-minute appointments. Ponca City Tourism received 12 pre-scheduled appointments and spent additional time during networking dinners and events selling Ponca City. It is stated that the best opportunity to develop a lasting partnership is by networking during the many events held during the week. Ponca City Tourism experienced this first hand as we have developed a great partnership with an Ohio based tour operator we met during a Visit Charlotte Tour. In addition to spending time on the appointment floor and networking dinners and events, Ponca City Tourism also attended several great educational seminars not limited to but ABA Marketplace 2013 – Oklahoma Delegation including The Findability Formula for Facebook: Social Media Made Profitable, Just the Way You “Like” It!, Optimizing Your Outlook: Time and E-mail Management Tips and Tricks for Busy Outlook Users, Using Pinterest for Tourism. ABA Marketplace 2013 had over 3,000 tourism industry professionals in attendance with 20 representing our great state of Oklahoma. February is quickly approaching and there are many great events on the calendar!!! You won’t want to miss any of the awesome events including “Princess for a Night: Father-Daughter Dance” at the Marland Mansion, the Regional High School Student Art Exhibit at the Ponca City Art Center, “An Affair at the Mansion” at the Marland Mansion, Glory Crampton at the Poncan Theatre or “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Kinzer Performing Arts Center. Expect the Unexpected in Ponca City!!! Don’t forget to check our website, www.poncacitytourism.com, for information on all of our upcoming events. If you have any questions please feel free to call me or stop in and see me at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce. ABA Marketplace 2013 – Appointment Floor www.poncacit ychambe r.com Volume 35, Issue 2 Page 9 …AND JUST ONE MORE THING, PLEASE David Myers Ponca City Development Authority On January 8th, Ponca City voters approved an extension to the current economic development sales tax. PCDA, you may recall, could not run a campaign since we are not allowed to get involved in political issues, even our own. Since we could not run a campaign, we had to rely upon the help of so many. They, and you, came through. So thank you. Success can never be guaranteed but we can assure you that we are very aware of the trust you placed in PCDA and we take that very, very seriously. It may be cliché to say that words alone do not express our gratitude but it needs to be said anyway. There are two major points, however, that I must also stress. While we are grateful for the tools to help facilitate economic development in Ponca City for an additional five years, it is important that we all understand that economic development itself cannot be delegated. It is a team sport that requires all of us to participate. Which brings me to my second point. It may sound ungrateful to say, “Thank you now please do us all a favor and put your sunblock back on and head to the polls again,” but it is what I must do. Economic development, you read above, does not exist in a vacuum. For that matter, nothing in the life of a vibrant, dynamic, 21st century can be completely delegated away. This is particularly and perhaps most especially true of education. On Tuesday, February 12th, voters in the Ponca City School District will be asked to approve a $16,255,000 building bond. What does this have to do with economic development you may ask? Everything. This particular bond issue raises $16,255,000 which will pay for numerous safety and security issues at local schools. It does not raise taxes since, like the sales tax question, it is a continuation. It includes t ext book s, transport at ion, infrastructure and more. It has a very important technological component which will allow our students to be at the top of the class in the knowledge economy. All of this is critical to attracting companies and people. Schools are the most fundamental front porch issue of anyone considering a new community. A high performing public school system is more than just a nice thing to have, it is a prerequisite for effective economic development. Good schools are fundamentally critical to a local economy. When a company comes to town, their number one question, year in and year out, is the quality of the workforce. Clearly schools play an extremely significant role not only in demonstrating our commitment to workforce quality but in actually preparing the workforce. In addition, when a person and/or family comes to town to look at a potential job here, their number one question is about the quality of the schools. You probably share my opinion that average should never be the goal. I certainly hope so because PCDA, once again, cannot campaign or even ask that you vote one way or the other on February 12th. Since you are a chamber member, you are, by definition, concerned with our community and interested in what you can do to move Ponca City forward. Look no further, and thanks in advance for voting again. www.poncacit ychambe r.com Page 10 Volume 35, Issue 2 State of the Chamber Speech given at the 2013 Chamber Banquet By Rich Cantillon First off I want to say, what we have accomplished this past year could not have happened without your support. It is incredible!! We are fortunate to live and work in Ponca City where people understand the big picture and want what is best for our community. We work as a team and support each other for the good of Ponca City. That is the number one reason we are successful! This was a record setting year with our Community Wide Holiday Giveaway retail promotion in both number of participants, 101, and number of tickets distributed, one million four hundred eighty thousand. Community Wide Holiday Giveaway represented almost fifteen million dollars in sales with our participants alone. There is not a larger retail promotion anywhere in Oklahoma or Kansas! The Shop Ponca First campaign was a major focus for the Chamber. We remind people that when we Shop Ponca First we are providing jobs for our family, friends and neighbors! When we Shop Ponca First we are providing needed sales tax dollars to operate our city and provide the services we all want and need. Chamber Bucks are another important part of Shop Ponca First. In 2012, we distributed $180,850.00 in Chamber Bucks! 2012 was one of the best years for Chamber Buck distribution since I have been here! Our Chamber’s Member-to-Member Discount Card has a new look this year and is another way the Chamber promotes Shop Ponca First! We had a record setting year with our membership campaign as well with 107 new Chamber members! Thank you for investing in our Chamber. We expect to give you a return on your investment and we pledge to work hard in serving all of our members. I told Lee, if we went over 100 new members in 2012 I would wear a Pistol Pete tie to the Chamber Banquet. Guess what? I was glad to do it!! We are excited to have a record number of Chamber businesses participating in our Partners in Education, or (PIE), program. What a tremendous benefit to the children of Ponca City! In addition to the PIE Program, we have our backpack program led by our Leadership Alumni. In 2012 we provided more backpacks full of school supplies than ever before. Thank you Leadership Alumni! We are in the middle of our 27th Leadership Ponca City Class. This is the 3rd oldest leadership program in the state of Oklahoma behind Tulsa and Oklahoma City! This past year our Leadership Class hosted Ponca’s Big Cleanup with 300 volunteers working to make Ponca City more beautiful! What a great day that was! In 2012, we hosted Kipson Gundani, an international Chamber Executive from Zimbabwe. Our Ponca City Chamber was selected by the United States Chamber to be a mentor Chamber for this executive. This was a huge honor for our community and Chamber to be able to host Kipson and show the Zimbabwe National Chamber how a Chamber should be operated! Plus, while visiting Ponca City, Kipson got to meet Governor Mary Fallin, T. Boone Pickens and Rev. Jesse Jackson! That was fun! Our volunteer involvement in Chamber activities continues to be at an all time high! With this involvement, we were able to host 6 educational business workshops as well as numerous PRIDE training sessions throughout the year. Our Chamber provided Ponca Politics Forums in order to educate our members on political issues and the candidates running for office. Volume 35, Issue 2 We continue to be the business voice for Ponca City at the State Capitol and in Washington DC. This is a very important part of our Chamber! We are one of the few chambers in the state that can truly say we have great networking opportunities for our members. This would include our Business after Hours, which w e have booked solid until 2015. One of the Chamber’s most important aspects is being the face and voice of Ponca City. We do our best to be professional and provide the most current and accurate information. We have to be able to show why someone would want to live in Ponca City and why someone would want to locate a business here. We enjoy being that face and voice because we believe Ponca City is an easy sale!! I have yet to take an individual around Ponca City that has not said, “Wow, this looks like a great place to live and work.” We have several with us tonight, who in 2012, were given that Ponca Tour and have since moved here! Thank YOU! Advertise Your Business in the Chamber Newsletter Would you like to better promote your business in 2013? www.poncacitychamber.com We are recognized by the State Chamber of Oklahoma as a progressive chamber with a strong leadership team. Many times this past year, our Chamber was recommended to ot her chambers arou nd Oklahoma as a model of how programs and services should be run within a chamber to provide value to their members. This is always an exciting opportunity for us. The Chamber considers it a privilege to operate Tourism for the City of Ponca City. Tourism is critical to the economic success of Ponca City. We have a lot to offer in the way of tourism and almost all of our attractions have items you can only see in Ponca City. Our tourism mission, as set by the City of Ponca City, is to increase attendance at our attractions and events. Many of our events have had record attendance this past year and our attractions continue to see an increase in their visitor count. Ponca City is known for oil, gas, technology, manufacturing, agriculture…. and Tourism! Page 11 for his incredible leadership this past year!! As you can tell it was an awesome year! Thank you Lee! I’m excited to work with Natalie Fraser and know we will continue to move forward and look for new ways to serve you, our Chamber members. I could not do what I do without my team Nancy, Crystal and Chelsea! They are dedicated, hardworking chamber professionals. In closing, there is no place better than Ponca City! We are blessed to live and work here and I am blessed to be your Chamber President. Thank you for your support this past year and I look forward to taking our Chamber to new heights in 2013! I promise you that I will be enthusiastic and work hard to earn your membership and continue to make Ponca City the place of choice for many people! I want to close with just a few words of thanks to Lee Evans How about using the Chamber Newsletter? newsletter. Cost is $150.00 and your ad will be in 3 issues. You have two options available for your business. One is to provide an insert to go in the Newsletter. The cost is only $75 and you supply 1,350 copies of your insert. The other is to place an ad in the For more information on either way to promote your business, just phone the Chamber office at 765-4400. We look forward to hearing from you! Page 12 www.poncacit ychambe r.com Volume 35, Issue 2 Welcome New Chamber Members! The Chamber encourages all members to conduct business with each other. Those listed below recently made an important investment in their businesses and their professional careers by joining the Chamber. Please consider them for your personal and professional needs . When you do, let them know you learned of their business through the Chamber! McDonald Electric, LLC Contact: J.R. and Joneela McDonald 339 S. Pine St. Ponca City, OK 74601 Phone: 762-6904 Fax: 762-8071 Email: [email protected] MACO Development Co., LLC / Waverly Estates Contact: Jason Maddox 111 N. Main St. Clarkton, MO 63837 Phone: (573) 448-3000 Email: [email protected] Waverly Estates is a senior housing development being McDonald Electric has been in business for 38 years and built in Ponca City with an anticipated completion date of serves north central Oklahoma. They have 24 hour December 31, 2013. The senior community will consist of 12 one-bedroom units as well as a community area with a emergency service and estimates available. fully equipped kitchen, commercial workout equipment, furnished living area, and a library. The apartments will be H&R Block professionally managed by the MACO Management Co. Contact: Richard Heinrichs and will have an on-site resident manager as well as a 2120 N. 14th St. maintenance staff. Ponca City, OK 74601 Phone: 765-4101 John and Nancy Niemann Fax: 765-4109 5956 Glasgow Rd. Email: [email protected] Ponca City, OK 74604 Website: www.hrblock.com H&R Block is one of the world's largest tax services Phone: 761-1041 providers, utilizing more than 100,000 highly trained tax Email: [email protected] professionals and having prepared more than 550 million tax returns worldwide since 1955. Goodwill Days! The Chamber of Commerce Goodwill Days will take place Monday, February 11th and Tuesday, the 12th. Goodwill Days are when the Chamber member packets are delivered to all our members. Included in these packets will be the 2013 Chamber Member Directory, 2013 Business Plan, Chamber member decal, Chamber member verification form and our new Chamber Member-to-Member Discount Card. If you are in need of additional Chamber Member-to-Member Discount Cards, 2013 Chamber Member Directories or our 2013 Business Plan, please phone our office and we will happily get them to you. We would like your employees to have one if you wish them to. We are also going to have a drawing for all Chamber members who return their verification form on time. The winner will receive a $25 Chamber Buck. Please return your verification form, you could win. If you have any questions please contact the Chamber Office at 765-4400. Volume 35, Issue 2 www.poncacit ychambe r.com Page 13 PRIDE Training Sue Lunsford, retired ConocoPhillips, Mayor Homer Nicholson with Nicholson Auction, Stephanie Austin with Rick Scott Construction and Rich Cantillon with the Chamber taught the Chamber's PRIDE Program Thursday, January 17th to employees from Evans and Associates, Head Country Restaurant, Quality Inn Hotel and the Ponca City Library. PRIDE is a training on how to offer quality customer service. The Chamber offers this incredible service free to our Chamber members. Phone the Chamber office at 765-4400 for more details. Part of the PRIDE Training is a discussion on who we serve at our businesses, both internally and externally. We ask the question, “What are their needs and expectations?” To offer quality customer service, you must not only meet their needs, but their expectations as well. This can only happen when we think about who we have as customers, and what these needs and expectations are. Here Evans and Associate and Head Country Restaurant employees discuss this. Page 14 www.poncacit ychambe r.com Volume 35, Issue 2 Chamber Business Partner for February Paladin Apartments Paladin Apartments was selected by the Ponca City Business Council as the Chamber's February Business/Partner of the Month. Accepting the award is Paladin Apartments owner, Bobby Gibson. Representing the committee is Ponca City Business Council Chair, Wendy Stobbe, and committee members, Sonja Long and Andy Wachtel. www.poncacit ychambe r.com Volume 35, Issue 2 Page 15 Chamber Ready to Help Increase Customers for Your Business! Wow, is your head still spinning from the holidays? Many times the spinning just won’t stop because now it is February and as a business owner, we have taxes to consider, inventory to get rid of, new promotions to consider, employee issues, building repairs and most importantly, how to keep customers coming through the door so we can pay the bills! The bottom line, as all business people know, to help with cash flow, taxes, inventory, employee retention, building upgrades and paying the bills, is to maintain customer relationships. So how do we keep our customers coming through the door? Could it be as simple as quality customer service? I think it could be! When you think about the businesses you like to use, does it come down service? I bet it does! to When you think about your business, do you believe one reason people keep coming back is because of the quality customer service you offer? I sure hope so! But, if you think you and your employees could use some assistance in the area of Quality Customer Service, please consider the Chamber’s PRIDE Program! PRIDE stands for Producing Resourceful Informed Dedicated Employees! This two hour, interactive training session is offered by the Chamber staff and volunteers, and it will take your employee customer service to a new level. It is a proven program! PRIDE training will also help educate your employees on what Ponca City has to offer and how to better promote our city! We want to keep local dollars being spent with your business as well as here in Ponca City! Cost for the training is free for Chamber members So, stop your head from spinning and increase your cash flow with quality customer service! Let the Chamber of Commerce show you how it is done! Contact [email protected] or phone the Chamber office at 765-4400 for more information. We can train at your facility and at a time convenient for your employees. Training may also take place at the Chamber office if needed. Bettering the economy in Ponca City with quality customer service will keep the customer coming back again and again. How is that for some spin? Call us right away!! February Business after Hours — Native Lights Casino Native Lights Casino will host Business after Hours Tuesday, February 26th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Please join us for some great food, beverages, and door prizes! Business after Hours is a super way to meet other Chamber Members and help p romo te your business. Don’t miss this fun time with the staff at Native Lights Casino located just north of Newkirk on Highway 77. See you there! www.poncacit ychambe r.com Page 16 Volume 35, Issue 2 Congratulations Pioneer Technology Center on Celebrating 40 Years! Pioneer Technology Center will be celebrating 40 years in business on Thursday, February st 21 . They will be having a reception from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. and an open house from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend and help them celebrate 40 years of serving our area! Congratulations PTC! Education and Workforce Committee to Produce Summer Children’s Activity Guide Summer vacation for school age youth will be here in less than 4 months! It is not too early to formalize plans for activities or services you may be planning for youth in the Ponca City area. Members of the Chamber of Commerce, and local agencies United Way of Ponca City and Smart Start Kay County are preparing a publication containing activities and services of any kind that are being made available this summer for the youth in our community. Copies of this publication will be sent home with students near the end of this school year. Electronic copies of this publication will be made available to families in surrounding communities. There is no charge for organizations, businesses, agencies, etc. to submit i n formati on for th i s publication. If you are planning to provide summer activities, services or assistance of some type for families of children under 18 please email details to Lilly Freeman no later than March 15th. Her email address is uwsuccessby6 @cableone.net. If you do not have final plans, please send what you have and we can edit the information before publication. Please describe what you will be offering for children and youth in some detail. In addition to describing the service or activity, remember to include details such as the approximate age group you will be serving, fees that may apply, dates, times and contact information so parents may contact you if they have further questions. If you want to know more about this publication, you may contact Lilly at the email address listed above or by calling her at (580) 765-9015. Smart Start Kay County is an agency of United Way of Ponca City and supports families in their efforts to raise children who are safe, healthy, eager to learn and ready to succeed in school. Healthy, educational and fun summer activities for children are an important factor in meeting this goal. www.poncacit ychambe r.com Volume 35, Issue 2 Page 17 Ponca Politics Legislative Forum Friday, February 22nd City Commission Chambers at City Hall The Governmental Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce will have their first Ponca Politics this month. These will be held on the 4th Friday of each month and continue through June. Each session will start at 11:30 a.m. and be held in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall. Sen. Eddie Fields and Rep. Steven Vaughan will be in attendance. They will each speak for approximately 10 minutes on important issues taking place in the l e g is la t ur e . Then questions can be asked by the audience. You will be asked to put your question on an index card and then it will be asked by our moderator, Dr. Robert Howard, Chair of Did you know… For an annual fee of as little as $50.00, you can get an enhanced listing in the Membership Directory on the Chamber of Commerce website? With just a mouse click, we can link your website to the Chamber’s, and add a “map” icon for ease in locating you. For an annual fee of as little as $75.00, you can get a corporate listing in the Membership Directory on the Chamber of Commerce website? This will allow you to feature your company logo in your directory listing. A+ PRINTING “We’re at the head of the Class” Same Name, Same Owners Same Location for 14 Years 119 N. Third Phone 580.765.7752 ~ Fax 580.765.3351 E-mail: [email protected] Mike & Donna Culver, Owners the Governmental Affairs Committee. There will also be questions from the floor, time permitting. You are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. The forum will end at 1:00 p.m. For more information contact the Chamber o f f ice at 765-4400. Advertise Your Business How about using the Chamber newsletter to better promote your business in 2012? We have two options available for your business. One way is an insert to go in the newsletter. The cost is only $75, you provide 1,350 8-1/2 x 11” copies for the newsletter. The other is to place an ad in the newsletter. Cost is $150.00 and your ad will be in 3 issues. For more information on either way to promote your business, just phone the Chamber office at 7654400. Page 18 www.poncacit ychambe r.com Volume 35 Issue 2 Our Chamber of Commerce at Work in February! Thursday, February 7 — Education and Workforce Development Committee will meet at 4 p.m. at Trout Elementary School. Sue Lunsford, retired ConocoPhillips, is the Chair. Friday, February 8 — Governmental Affairs Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall. Dr. Robert Howard with Pioneer Technology Center is the Chair. Friday, February 8 — Ponca Politics Election Forum for School Board Position starting at 11:30 a.m. at City Hall in the Commission Chambers. Candidates Brent Colle, Sharon Stewart and Judy Throop will be in attendance. Monday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 12 – Goodwill Days! Tuesday, February 12 – Please VOTE YES on the School District bond issue! Tuesday, February 12 – Ponca City Business Council will meet at 8 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Wendy Stobbe with American Red Cross is the Chair. Wednesday, February 13 – Leadership Ponca City Day with the session on education in Ponca City. David Pennington is the Day Chair. Dr. Monday, February 18 — Office closed in recognition of Presidents’ Day. Tuesday, February 19 – Ambassador Committee will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Angela Rickman with Sykes Enterprises, Inc. is the Chair. Tuesday, February 19 – Finance Committee will meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Ryan Schwabe with Coates and Schwabe, CPA’s PLLC is the Chair. Tuesday, February 19 – Executive Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Natalie Fraser with Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. is the Chair. Thursday, February 21 – Community Development Committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Bill Wetzel with Loftis and Wetzel Corporation is the Chair. Friday, February 22 – Governmental Affairs Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall. Dr. Robert Howard with Pioneer Technology Center is the Chair. Friday, February 22 – Ponca Politics starting at 11:30 a.m. with Senator Eddie Fields and Representative Steve Vaughan in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall. The public is invited to attend. Tuesday, February 26 – Chamber Board of Directors will meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Natalie Fraser with Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. is the Chair. Tuesday, February 26 – Business after Hours hosted by Native Lights Casino, located north of Newkirk on Highway 77, is from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. You are invited to attend! Wednesday, February 27 – Oklahoma Scholar Program at East Middle School. Thursday, February 28 – Tourism Bureau will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Echo Blanton with Blanton Chiropractic Clinic is the Chair. Thursday, February 28 – First planning meeting for Party at the Palace Chamber Auction starting 4 p.m. at El Patio. Don’t miss out on all the fun events taking place in Ponca City! For a complete list of events please go to the tourism web site: www.poncacitytourism.com. For more information on any of these Chamber events or meetings, please contact our Chamber office at 765-4400. Volume 35, Issue 2 www.poncacit ychambe r.com Page 19 Following are the discounts being offered to Chamber members by other members. To receive the discount, simply show the participating business your Member-to-Member Discount Card. If your business needs additional cards, or would like to participate in this free program, call the Chamber at 580765-4400. A.L.C. Services, LLC: Specializing in lawn care and maintenance, landscaping and snow removal. 10% off service. Call Alan at 304-6397. AT&T Communications Connection, 2705 N. 14th St.: Free charger with a new 2 - year agreement. B’Loved Boutique, 322 E. Grand Ave.: 10% off entire purchase. The Bag Lady Boutique & Beauty Bar, 205 E. Grand Ave.: 10% off entire purchase. Bella Flora & Gifts, 900 E. Prospect Ave., Ste. 600: 10% off fresh arrangements. Bintz Pharmacy, 2701 N. 14th St.: Free Flavor Friday. 1 free prescription flavor on Fridays. Bodyworks Massage & Spa, 1912 Lake Rd.: $5 off 1/2 - hour massage or $10 off 1 hour massage. Call 762-5000. Jack Bowker Ford Lincoln, 2415 N. 14th St.: 10% discount up to $25 on service repairs, excluding body shop. Brown’s Shoe Fit Company, 2101 N. 14th St., Ste. 134: 10% off purchase of $65 and up. Cannon Honda, 3415 N. 14th St.: Free car care kit with a service repair bill over $150, or a car purchase. Void with coupons, discounts and special offers. Limit one per customer per month. Member meals only. repairs and sale items. Call Carter Buller at Head Country Bar-B-Q Restaurant, Inc., 1217 E. Prospect Ave.: 10% off regular price dinners. Call 767-8304. Sun 'n Fun Waterpark, 8900 E. Lake Rd.: $10 off season pass or $2 off day passes. Call 762-3331 or 763-7617. Her Majesty’s Gems, 211 E. Grand Ave.: 30% off any in-store item. TPI Staffing Service, 1722 N. 4th St., Ste. E: 10% off a forty hour work week. Only one per new customer. Contact Barbara Phillips at 762-0663. Kay Office Equipment Company, 1401 N. 7th St.: Your old copier is worth at least $500 as trade in on a new Toshiba or Samsung Digital Copier. Call Dan Stahl at 765-4436. Lakeview Boat Storage & Campground, 8818 Lake Rd.: First month storage free or $70 discount off annual storage rate to new customers. Subject to availability. Call 765-2219 or 761-1244. Mayer Eye Care, 1722 N. 4th St., Ste. C: 10% off eyewear. Call 762-0870 for your appointment today! Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, 720 E. Prospect Ave.: 20% discount on any regular-priced menu item. Marc & Kathy Leavell. McGee Jewelers, 219 E. Grand Ave.: 30% off store-wide excluding repairs, Pandora jewelry and class rings. Call Matt McGee at 765-2636. Oscar and Essie’s, 1900 N. Union St.: 10% off on wine or spirits. Cherry Berry, 2709 N. 14th St.: 10% off your yogurt purchase. Delicious, healthy, frozen yogurt! Parker Pest Control, Inc., 3616 Lake Rd.: Half-price on first treatment of five-step lawn program, for new customers only. Call Brad Parker at 762-6614. Chimney Doctor, 5911 E. 68th St., Stillwater: Certified Sweep Service offers $20 off regular cleaning & inspection price. Call 762-3838 or toll free at (888)477-SOOT (7668). Pauline’s Steakhouse, 1114 L.A. Cann Dr.: Buy any dinner and receive a 10% discount on the second dinner of same or lesser value. Complete Vision Care, 521 E. Hartford Ave.: Drs. Brian and Jessica Zwanziger offer 10% off complete eye exam and 10% off eyewear. 765-3379. Creations Hair & Nails, 101 W. Grand Ave.: 20% off all hair products, $1 off haircut, $5 off color or perm. Call 765-4484 for an appointment. Earcare Hearing Aid Center, 2010 N. 14th St.: 20% off a set of level 1 - 9 technology. Galaxie Business Equipment, Inc., 763-5400: Call today for a full-line catalog of our office supplies and furniture, or see our online catalog at www.gbeinc.com and take 15% off your first online order. Use code: pcch12. Get $100 off our best 2013 copier deal! Golden Villa Adult Day Care Services, Inc. 1722 N. 4th St., Ste. B: Visit our day program for one day at no charge. Must be a new appointment. Call Melissa at 762-0264. Grand Flowers & Gifts, 111 E. Grand Ave.: 10% off total purchase. Call 762-3388. Happy Days Café, 423 E. Grand Ave.: 10% off full breakfast, sandwiches, salads and dinners (beverages not included). Call Lee Vernon at 762-2310. 762-1604. Take Ten Tire & Lube, 3015 N. 14th St.: Your one-stop shop for all your automotive needs! $3 off full service oil change, free brake & tire inspection. Give us a call 762-5919. Tech Squad Computer Repair, 426 W. Grand Ave.: 20% off labor. 718-9111. The UPS Store, 522 N. 14th St.: 4 cent black and white copies; 25 cent color copies. Call Pam Childs at 762-6225. Village Green Apartments, 2700 N. 5th St.: $50 off first month’s rent with 6 month lease on 2BR apt. Call 762-0017. Ask for Paula. Vitacare At Home Medical of Ponca City, 1209 E. Prospect Ave.: 10% discount on anything in the store. Cash sales only. Call 765-8159. Zino's Italian Ristorante, 200 N. 2nd St.: Wednesdays 4 - 9 p.m. kids 10 & under eat free from the kids menu with purchase of an adult entree. Not valid with any other coupon or discount offer. Dine in only. Personnel Staffing, Inc., 715 E. Hartford Ave.: Four hours free on a forty hour work week. Only one per customer. New job orders only. Please contact Mikki or Tricia at 762-8376. No expiration date. Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Rd.: Buy 1 Get 1 Free, Open play only. Call 762-3333. The Prairie Rose, 407 E. Grand Ave.: 15% off regular price items excluding Calphalon and select bridal registry. Call Lori George at 767-8331. Primerica Financial Services, 601 N. 1st St.: Call 765-9533 for a complimentary financial needs analysis and begin preparing for a secure financial future. The Ranch Chiropractic Wellness Center, 516 E. Hartford Ave.: 15% off any service. Call 762-1500 for your appointment today. The Red Barn, 2309 E. Lake Rd.: Buy one dozen get one dozen free. Live bait only. 762-2286. South Avenue Liquor, 1301 E. South Ave.,: 10% off purchase. Spray's Jewelry & Gifts, 203 E. Grand Ave.: 20% discount on all merchandise excluding class rings, Is Your Business Here? If not, call the Chamber to promote your business. This is a benefit of being a member and there is no cost to you. Call Chelsea McConnell at 765-4400 to take advantage of this free advertising. Periodical Postage Paid at Ponca City, OK 74602 420 E. Grand P.O. Box 1109 Ponca City, OK 74602 (580) 765-4400 www.poncacitychamber.com Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Proudly announces our 2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stephanie Austin Rick Scott Construction, Inc. Barry Bickle Eastman National Bank Bill Coleman Team Radio Laura Corff United Community Action Program Jeff Cowan RCB Bank Court Davis Individual Member Bruce DeMuth Pioneer Technology Center Jayne Detten Ponca City Main Street Don Bohon Ponca City Chief of Police Dr. Cheryl Evans Northern Oklahoma College Lee Evans Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. Scott Flanery First National Bank of Oklahoma Natalie Fraser Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. Earl Holle Phillips 66 Molly Kyler Pioneer Technology Center Adam Leaming The University Center at Ponca City Terron Liles The Bag Lady Boutique & Beauty Bar Sue Lunsford Individual Member Ken Luttrell Kaw Enterprise Development Authority Larry Murphy Larry Murphy Insurance Agency, Inc. Homer Nicholson Mayor of Ponca City Dr. David Pennington Ponca City Public Schools Robyn Ryan The Ponca City News Ryan Schwabe Coates & Schwabe, CPA's PLLC Craig Stephenson City of Ponca City Wendy Stobbe American Red Cross Joe Theobald Larry Murphy Insurance Agency, Inc. Nancy Tyndall Phillip A. Tyndall, DDS, PC David VanBuskirk Fire Marshall Andy Wachtel Ponca City Medical Center Volume 35, Issue 2 Don’t know what to give that special person? How about a Chamber Buck? They come in $10 and $25 amounts and can be spent at a large number of Chamber businesses. Chamber Bucks are the perfect gift or bonus to give because it allows the individual to pick where they want to spend the money! Just come by the Chamber office at 5th and Grand and tell us how many you need. Your Chamber of Commerce putting dollars back into Ponca City businesses! Chamber Buck annual sales as of January 28, 2013: $51,790.00. Official Publication The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Newsletter (ISSN 1545-1259) is published monthly by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, Rich Cantillon, Publisher, 420 East Grand Avenue, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602. Subscription rate to members is one dollar, payable with membership. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: PONCA CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER P.O. Box 1109 Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602 (580) 765-4400
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