News from The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update

For the week of August 25, 2008

In This Issue

Ribbon Cutting

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Greetings!

School is underway! One drive thru town and you can tell by the traffic. Allow yourself some more time when travelling around town.

Your Chamber will have a planning conference on October 9. Prior to the event, the Chamber membership will be asked to provide feed back about the Chamber, its projects and for Weatherford. Begin thinking now about Weatherford and what you would like to see it become in the future. Think about your Chamber of Commerce. What should it become involved in or disassociate itself from? We need your comments to build a strong Chamber and Weatherford.

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, August 26
·         Kiwanis Club - 12:00 PM - The Mark Restaurant
·         R/C - Tractor Supply - 3:00 PM - 1200 East Eagle Road
·         Weatherford Arts Council Meeting - 5:15 PM - 2nd floor of the SWOSU Adm. Bldg

Wednesday, August 27
·         Weatherford Rotary Club Meeting - 12:00 PM - Mark Restaurant
·         Health Education Committee - 5:15 PM - Chamber of Commerce Office

Thursday, August 28
·         Noon Lions Club - 12:00 PM - University Grill and Cafeteria
·         Ambassador Committee - 4:00 PM - Chamber Office

**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.

Ribbon Cutting

Ribbon Cutting Scissors Tractor Supply Company
1200 East Eagle Road

August 26, 2008

3:00 p.m.

Mark Mitchell, Manager

580-774-2834

School Personnel Welcome

Our thanks and appreciation go to the businesses and individuals listed below for being a drawing sponsor during the "Welcome Reception for New Education Personnel." The Welcome Reception, presented and hosted by First National Bank, was for anyone new to the Weatherford ISD, Western Technology Center, Western Oklahoma Christian School or Southwestern Oklahoma State University system as well as any Chamber member.

Drawing sponsors were:

Perry Adams
BancFirst
Bank of Western Oklahoma
Custer Country Democrats
First National Bank &Trust Company of Weatherford
Kelley Jewelers
The Kloset
Mazzio's Italian Eatery
State Farm Insurance - Debbie Shepherd
Tautfest, Inc.
University Bookstore
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. #392
Weatherford Area Economic Development Foundation
Wright Wradio

Wellness Expo

This is the last week to sign on as a participant for the 2008 Wellness Expo. Registration deadline is August 27. Response is great for the Wellness Expo!

September 20

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

SWOSU's Wellness Center

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

Please don't forget to send us your logo in an electronic format.

A complete listing of Corporate Sponsors and Booth participants can be seen by following this link. If you do not see your business listed, please let us know.

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. Follow this link to view 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
Please don't forget to email your logo to director@weatherfordchamber.com

Santa Sponsors receive logo in print and electronic media, logo on a pole banner, logo on banners.

Web Advertising

Chamber members are now able to purchase advertising on the Chamber's web site. Ad price is $50 per month. Contact the Chamber for complete details.

A click on this link takes you to the membership directory where you can type in your business' name to check your listing. Then search the categorical listings to see the other business categories where your business can be classified. Don't see your business category, just email us director@weatherfordchamber.com with the business category you would like to have included in your membership record.

Listed below are the website statistics since July 23, the date the membership directory went live on the website.

Members' Online Referrals	555
Members' Online Hits Summary	2134
Main Search Page	720
Alphabetical Listing	327
Categorical Listing	360
Search for Listing	59
New Member Listing	113
Referred Members Website Visits	380
Map Views	175

Free Seminar from REI

Free seminar from REI. Information and link provided by:

C. G. Herndon
Community Development Specialist
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
900 N. Stiles Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73104-3234

Phone: (405) 815-5201
E-mail: corey_herndon@okcommerce.gov

E-Fax: (405) 605-2991
Mobile: (405) 596-0663

www.okcommerce.gov

www.ibelieveinoklahoma.com

Bits 'n Pieces

Minimum Wage Poster - Need a copy of the new minimum wage poster? Follow this link.

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 of 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.