| Weekly Update
For the Week of February 16, 2009 |
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| Over & Above
Members |
Gold Investors
Edward Jones, Jim Horsburgh
Hart & Merchant, CPA's
Rick Kock Oil Company
Silver Investors
Ed Berrong Insurance & Real Estate Agency
Britton, Kuykendall, & Miller, CPA's
Caulkins Conoco
CellularOne
Bendue & Associates C.J.'s Southwest Tire & Accessory, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy
Cummins Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep Dr Pepper Bottling Company
Eastman Kodak Company
Farmers Cooperative Exchange
Hankins, Dr. Marvin & Connie
Legacy Bank
Midwest Music
Nabors Shoe Center
Weatherwood Assisted Living
Western Equipment |
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Contact Us
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P O Box 857
Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096
580-772-7744
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| Membership Update |
| Bendure and Associates has become the newest Bronze Member of the Weatherford Chamber
Newest Members of the Chamber are:
Advantage Marketing Imprinted Promotion - Gerri Hutchison, owner
Arney & Carruth - Andrew Carruth
Emmanuel Baptist Church - Dr. David Lawrence
Jasmine Digital Graphics & Design - Misti Miller
Tractor Supply Company - Mark Mitchell
Westok Auto Leasing - Allen McSparrin | |
Greetings!
Saturday's weather proved once again that if it is livestock show time, the weather is going to be cold, rainy, or both. Saturday's weather was just cold and did nothing to hamper the Chamber's Livestock Show. Great show with good crowds throughout the day!
This Thursday night, February 19 is the first of five community wide planning sessions. If you haven't completed the survey, take a few minutes now to do so. Then attend the planning session at the Pioneer Center. This is your opportunity to help plan the future of your hometown, Weatherford!
Chamber members recently received their 2009 Chamber Membership Investment Statements and the response has been excellent. Membership Investments are the lifeblood of any Chamber. Thank you for your past and future support! |
| What's Happening! |
Monday, February 16
US Rep. Frank Lucas Town Hall Meeting - 2:30 PM - City Hall - Blair Hall
Tuesday, February 17
Heartland Cruise Committee - 7:00 PM - Chamber Of Commerce
Wednesday, February 18
Weatherford Design Alliance - 9:00 AM - The Cup
Thursday, February 19
Education Committee - 12:00 PM - Chamber Of Commerce
Thursday, February 19
Tourism Committee - 2:30 PM - Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, February 19
Building on the 2020 Vision - 5:30 PM - Pioneer Center
Wednesday, February 25
Health Education Committee - 5:15 PM - Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, February 26
Ambassador Meeting - 4:00 PM - Chamber of Commerce
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| Contacting Customers |
Looking for a great way to electronically stay in touch with clients or customers? Then take a look at "Constant Contact", the online program used by the Weatherford Area Chamber to stay in touch with its members. Chamber members receive an increased pre-payment discount. A 6 month pre-payment is 20% and 12 month pre-payments receive a 25% discount. |
| Town Hall Meeting |
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 Please be advised that U.S. Rep. Frank D. Lucas (OK-03) will be conducting town hall meetings in your area soon-reference the schedule below. These are part of the series of fifty town hall meetings Congressman Lucas conducts throughout the thirty-two counties of the district each year.
As always Congressman Lucas values your input on the nation's business. Never hesitate to contact me if Congressman Lucas can assist you in your dealings with your federal government. We both hope to see you soon at a town meeting near you.
Monday, February 16, 2009
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WEATHERFORD TOWN HALL MEETING
City Hall, Blair Hall
522 West Rainey |
| Building on the Vision |
Mark your calendar and make plans to be a part of Weatherford's  community wide strategic planning process. All meetings will be held at the Pioneer Center and start at 5:30 p.m. with a meal, before the planning process begins at 6:00 p.m. Dates are
February 19th
March 5th
March 26th
April 9th
April 23rd
The meetings will build upon the information gained from a community wide survey. The survey is both online and in paper formation. To take the survey online, simply click on the logo or the words underlined in this sentence. Written copies of the survey are available at the Chamber of Commerce office. Residents may take the survey home and then return it to the Chamber. | |
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| Don't Be Left Out |
 Don't miss your opportunity to advertise on the only Weatherford map distritbuted by the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce! Your chamber is working with Brent Reed, owner of Weatherford Press, to develop and distribute the map. Reed is handling all the advertising sales for the map. Contact Reed at 772-5300 to secure you space. Advertising prices and sizes are listed below. Deadline for participating is February 28 or when all spaces are sold.
Business Card Size - $350 Full Panel - $1,000 |
| Publicity for Your Business or Event |
 The 2009 State Travel Guide and Events Guide have just been released, but work is already underway for the 2010 publications. If your business is tourism related or your part of an organization which sponsors a project or activity which the traveling public would like to attend, contact the Chamber about how your event can be included in these publication.
For immediate publicity concerning an event or activity, contact the Chamber to get your event included in "OklaTravel Wire." This electronic email is sent out by the Oklahoma Travel and Recreation Department to writer across the state and nation. Recent emails included SWOSU's Jazz Festival and the Jazz with Pizzazz Event. |
| Area Livestock Show Successful |
 Exhibitors from Clinton, Hinton, Hydro-Eakly, Lookeba-Sickles, Thomas-Fay-Custer, and Weatherford, competed throughout Saturday for over $1800 in prize money, buckles, and showmanship awards. The show started at 8:00 a.m. and concluded 12 hours later. Crowds were excellent throughout the show. Several times through out the day, the bleachers where full of relatives, area school personnel, and interested citizens.
Thanks and appreciation are extended to the 211 Weatherford area businesses who supported the livestock show through financial or in-kind donations. Funds not used to support the area livestock show, are used to support Weatherford area exhibitors at the Custer County Premium Show (March 1, 2, and 3) and the Weatherford Area Horse Show in April. 
Special thanks go to Tim Lowry, Andy McPherson, and Radonna Sawatzky who serve as co-chairmen of the Chamber's Agri-Business Committee. Because of the their effort the show was very successful. Bill Seitter, Weatherford Superintendent of Schools, gets a special "thank you" for serving as the "ring man." |
| SWOSU Homecoming Parade |
| SWOSU needs your help. Click here to take a brief survey concerning the 2009 Homecoming Parade. |
| Good Seat |
 Even though the weather is cold, Spring is just around the corner and with it comes great weather, outdoor activities, and beautification efforts. As you make your plans for Spring, consider adding a park bench to your outdoor beautification efforts. The metal benches provide a great place for shoppers to sit and enjoy the weather! The bench also features a medallion recognizing the business sponsoring the bench.
To order your park bench contact Linda in the City's Parks and Recreation Department, 774-2450, wfordparks@cityofweatherford.com . Cost of a bench is $500. Place your order before April 1. |
| Show Your Support |
 Interested in providing SWOSU merchandise in your business? Then call the Chamber and let us know! The Retail Trades Committee is working with SWOSU on ways to provide the merchandise. Those businesses interested will meet with SWOSU officials to discuss how to implement this plan. Call the Chamber at 772-7744.
"Adding SWOSU merchandise to your business is a win-win for everyone involved. A business not only shows their support of SWOSU but is providing their customers with an opportunity to purchase SWOSU merchandise. SWOSU wins because of the increased exposure," stated Brian Adler, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for SWOSU.
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| Gearing Up! |
 Response has been great for sponsorships for the Heartland Curise and Car Show. The committee will be meeting again this week to continue planning. Lead by Tommy Nabors, the Committee will soon followup with personal contacts to secure additional sponsorships. The event is set for June 19 and 20.
In 2008, the event drew thousands to downtown Weatherford for the Friday night cruise. On Saturday the event moved to Rader Park, where 150 participants, representing 3 states and 22 communities showcased their cars and competed in a variety of events. "This will mark the 19th year for the Heartland Cruise and Car Show," stated Nabors. "The cruise and car show has been a success in drawing visitors to Weatherford and Weatherford businesses have supported the event each year. The Committee thanks them for their support and ask that they continue it in 2009," concluded Nabors. |
| Nothin' But Net! |
 Southwest Oklahoma basketball fans are in for great basketball November 20 and 21, that's when the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce and SWOSU Athletic Foundation join together for a basketball classic featuring high school and college teams. Each day will feature two high school games and four college games. Playing in Friday night's high school games will be the Okarche and Chattanooga teams. For the 2008-09 season, both Okarche teams are ranked #4 in Class A while the Chattanooga girls are ranked #2 in Class B and the boys are ranked #17. The Oklahoma Storm and Harding Charter Prep School will square off on Saturday night.
"By bringing this event to Weatherford, the goal is to bring great basketball teams together for competitive games which will bring basketball fans to Weatherford. Those fans will have the opportunity to shop Weatherford prior to the start of the holiday season," stated Marie Hanza, Executive Director. "We are excited to partner with SWOSU in this event. Not only will it be great exposure for Weatherford but it will be great exposure for SWOSU," she concluded. |
| Calendar of Events |
 Weatherford citizens and visitors can keep current of events in Weatherford by checking out the Chamber's calendar www.weatherfordchamber.com. The calendar shows chamber activities as well as community events.
To post a community event on the calendar, simply create a new account, if you do not have an existing account, select the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, and then complete the form. Once completed, select the process button. A notice will then be sent to the chamber office, where the event will be reviewed and approved or disapproved for posting. When completing the form, please assign the event to a category and use the default settings for size of type and font color.
To provide additional information about your event, upload an image and/or an attachment. You can also set a reminder to have an email sent to you to remind you about the event. |
| Web Stats |
Members' Online Referrals - 226
Members' Online Hits Summary - 980
Main Search Page - 309
Alphabetical Listing - 193
Categorical Listing - 135
Search for Listing - 24
New Member Listing - 93
Referred Members Website Visits - 158
Map Views - 68
What do these figures represent? They represent the number of times during January consumers visited the Chamber's web site seeking goods and services. |
| Bits 'n Pieces |
Minimum Wage Poster - Need a copy of the new minimum wage poster? Follow this link. Need Health Insurance? - The State Chamber's endorsed health insurance program, Oklahoma Chamber Blue, continues to grow beyond expectations. This health insurance plan features no medical underwriting; PPO and HMO options; prescription drug coverage; and qualifies for the state's InsureOklahoma! premium reimbursement program. To qualify for Oklahoma Chamber Blue, a company must have fewer than 100 employees; be a member of either The State Chamber OR their local chamber of commerce; and be headquartered in one of Oklahoma's 62 rural counties. As of June 30th, more than 1200 companies and 8,000 lives are covered! Ask your insurance agent about this fabulous program! For more information, click here. Contact Matt Robison.
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. Deadline to apply is April 30.
TV Commercial - Got friends or relatives in another part of the country who you want to "brag to" about Weatherford? Then send them the two links below. Weatherford video.
The first is the the The Chamber's Weatherford TV commercial now playing on OKC's Cox metro cable system. The second is to an article written by Melana Lott, owner of Inflamed Brain Creative, the company hired to produce the TV commercials and economic development video. Click here to read the article.
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Share this email with your co-workers!
Sincerely,
Marie Hanza
Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce |
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