News from The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce

www.weatherfordchamber.com

Weekly Update

For the week of July 28, 2008

In This Issue

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Greetings!

Don't forget to vote this Tuesday, July 29! To help your employees be informed before July 29th! Click on www.okprosperity.com/weatherford,

to find out who is running in their district, view their candidates' Voter's Guides - and then go to the polls informed.

Improvements continue to be made to your Chamber's website. Newest addition is the Chamber membership directory. Click here to go directly to the membership directory. Take a few minutes and review the information your Chamber has on file concerning your business. Let us know if there are any additions, deletions, or corrections. This is the information your Chamber use in making referrals for goods and services.

Oklahoma's No Tax Weekend is nearly here. See below for how your business is effected.

Finally, thank you to the many volunteers who serve on Chamber committees and the businesses who support the various activities of the Chamber! It couldn't be done without you!

Contact Us

P O Box 857
Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096
580-772-7744

director@weatherfordchamber.com

What's Happening!

All events are subject to change! For complete details go to www.weatherfordchamber.com

Tuesday, July 29
·         Kiwanis Club - 12:00 PM - The Mark Restaurant
.          Election Day

Wednesday, July 30
·         Weatherford Rotary Club Meeting - 12:00 PM - Mark Restaurant
·         Great Plains Country Meeting - 11:00 PM - Duncan

**Membership Investment
Chamber members have received their 2008 membership investment invoices. Thank you to all those who supported the Chamber in 2007 and we ask for your support again in 2008. Your statement offered you the opportunity to increase your investment in the Chamber. Please take the opportunity to review your invoice and consider increasing your investment.

If you have a question concerning your membership investment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Save the Date

and make plans to participate and/or attend

SWOSU's 48th Annual Picnic - August 18 - Memorial Circle, south lawn
Chamber Banquet - January 22, 2009

Additional information will be provided about these events.

Oklahoma's NO Tax Weekend

For many years, Oklahoma was not one of the states to offer an annual sales tax holiday. But Governor Henry finished the approval process for such a weekend just in time for the 2007 back-to-school shopping season. During the sales tax holiday, Oklahoma shoppers will pay no sales tax on certain retail items.

Here are the details on the 2008 Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday Weekend:

Takes place Friday, August 1st (beginning at 12:01am) through Sunday, August 3rd (ending at 12:00am)
Is in effect throughout the state of Oklahoma
Also lifts any county or city sales taxes (These are reimbursed to the localities by the state)
Applies to all shoes and clothing under $100 per item
Does not apply to "accessories, special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for athletic activity or protective use, or to the rental of clothing or footwear."

For additional information, click here.

Big Scissors

Chamber ribbon cutting ceremonies are now what they are advertise, thanks to the recent purchase of a 3 foot long pair of scissors. The scissors, sponsored by BancFirst, feature the Chamber's logo and actually cut!

"The Chamber Ambassadors were discussing ways to make ribbon cuttings more festive and decided that a pair of giant working scissors would be just the thing," stated Marie Hanza, Executive Director. "This way when the ribbon is cut, the business will be able to keep a part of it as a memento of this special occasion," she concluded.

If your business is celebrating a special occasion, new location, anniversary, remodeling, etc, call the Chamber, 772-7744, to schedule a ribbon cutting to celebrate the event.

Website Improvements

Thanks to an upgrade in software and a few technical changes, www.weatherfordchamber.com is becoming an important tool in the promotion of Chamber members and Weatherford. Changes have included the ability for the Chamber staff to make changes in the website as needed. This change allows the staff to keep the information current. Also, the changes can be made from any computer with web access. Members are also able to download registration forms for various Chamber events.

The most recent improvement to the Website is the new Chamber membership directory. The new directory can list a member in up to five (5) business categories, has a mapping feature to show the location of Chamber members, displays a member's Website address, and indicates which members are new to the Chamber. What does this mean to Chamber members? Now when some is searching the directory for goods and services, Chamber members can be found quickly and efficiently. Plus, changes to the membership directory can be made simply with the click of mouse.

Wellness Expo

Response is great for the Wellness Expo set for September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the SWOSU Wellness Center. Listed are the participants who have signed on as of Friday afternoon. If you do not see your business listed, please let us know. Deadline to register is August 1.

The event is open to any Chamber member. Corporate Sponsorship/Registration is $100. A sponsor at this level receives an 8' x 10' booth, their logo in print and electronic media advertising, and a sign to display in their business. Booth Fee Participation/Registration is $40. As a participant the business receives an 8' x 10' booth and a sign to display in their business. Higher fees are applied to non-chamber members.

Contact the Chamber at 772-7744 with any questions. Click here to download information and an application.

Corporate Sponsors

Advanced Home Care Services, Inc.

BancFirst

Great Plains Family YMCA

Hanson Anesthesia Services

Lockstone Funeral Home

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services

Oklahoma Health and Wellness Center

Southwestern Oklahoma State University - School of Nursing

Southwestern Oklahoma State University - School of Biology

Trinity Hospice

Weatherford Chiropractic

Weatherford Living Center

Weatherford Regional Hospital

Booth Participants

Agape Health Clinic

Alterra Healthcare Corporation

Custer County Health Clinic

Hoffman Pools & Spas

Integris Clinton Regional Hospital

The Medicine Shoppe

Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Pregnancy Care Center of Western Oklahoma

Western Oklahoma Tobacco Control Program

Businesses are on Board! Are You?

Time is running out to become a part of one of Weatherford's best retail promotions "Home for the Holiday with Family and Friends." Set to begin in mid November, the promotion is designed to increase retail shopping in Weatherford during the holidays and reward lucking shoppers for choosing Weatherford for their holiday purchases.

Each week throughout the promotion - one lucky winner will be drawn to receive $1,000 in Chamber Bucks. When the winner is called, the individual will be asked to name two friends or family members, each will receive $500 in Chamber Bucks.

Thanks to everyone who has responded to the 2008 Holiday Promotion letters. Response has been great. Listed below are the businesses who have signed on as of Friday afternoon. If you do not see your business listed, please give us a call. To download information and a sign up form, click here.

Santa Sponsors

BancFirst

Kelley Jewelry

MidFirst Bank

More Than Medicine

Wal-Mart

Reindeer Sponsors

All Star Video

Caulkins Conoco

Floor Trader

The Kloset

Midwest Music

Myers Laundry & Cleaners

Nabors Shoe Center

Southwest Beauty Supply

Southwest National Bank

The Woodshed Frame Shop

Wright Wradio

Elf Sponsors

Bill Grimes and Associates
Western Equipment, LLC

School Personnel Welcome

By now, Chamber members have received information concerning sponsoring the drawing at the "Welcome Reception for New Education Personnel." Already responding to the request to be part of the drawings is Tautfest, State Farm Insurance - Debbie Shepherd, The Kloset and Kelley Jewelry. As a drawing participant, the business has agreed to provide a $100 donation to the recipient. Eligible to be entered into the drawing are individuals new to Weatherford education community who are in attendance at the welcome reception.

The Welcome Reception is August 19, 12:30 p.m. and is presented and hosted by First National Bank. The Welcome Reception is for anyone new to the Weatherford ISD, Western Technology Center, Western Oklahoma Christian School or Southwestern Oklahoma system as well as any Chamber member. If your business would like to be included as drawing participant, click here to download the sponsorship form. Then fax the completed form to the Chamber office.

As a drawing sponsor, your business will be recognized during the reception and you will be allowed a few seconds to comment about your business. This is a great way to promote your business to more than 100 education personnel. If you have any questions, please contact the Chamber at 772-7744.

Bits 'n Pieces

Free Workshop - REI's Women's Business Center presents "How to Do Business With the Government" This FREE interactive workshop will allow participants to individual Internet access to be able to explore websites integral to doing business with the Government. Register online at www.ruralenterprises.com or call at 405/319-8190. For a flyer, click here.

Leadership Weatherford - Applications are now being accepted for Leadership Weatherford a nine month, one day a month program designed to energize our community and cultivate the next generation leadership The cost for the program is $300. Applications are being accepted until September 1

Design Alliance Facade Grant - Looking to do some improvement to your building. Don't forget to apply for a "Design Alliance Grant." Click here to download and application. Recent recipients are All Star Gymnastics, Cheer, & Dance and Carman Italian Bistro.

Chambers Count - Learn "The Real Value of Joining a Chamber of Commerce" by reading the study commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.