The audit committee chaired by Bill Darling met on Monday to review a draft of the financial reports for the period ending September 30, 2011. The audit by Lawrence, Blackburn, Meek, Maxey & Co, PC will be presented at the board meeting next week.

The Government & Public Affairs Division chaired by Joe Domino met on Tuesday. George Taylor with FB Taylor Insurance & Real Estate and Jim Wade with PODS were special guests. The focus of the discussion was the crisis of windstorm insurance and the effects of on economic development for Southeast Texas. George represented the chamber on January 20 at a Windstorm Coalition Conference in Corpus Christi organized by the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. We expect a second gathering to be held in Galveston, and will host a conference in our area in the future. A coalition is being formed to seek legislation to encourage the private market to insure coastal communities.

Albert Cheng, Deputy Regional Director for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson visited on Wednesday. We are planning an event to host Senator Hutchinson as she ends her elected office as U.S. Senator later this year. She has been a great supporter of Southeast Texas

Jim Rich was the guest speaker for the advisory committee for the Beaumont Convention & Visitors' Bureau meeting on Thursday.

The regional economic development professionals met at the chamber office on Thursday for their monthly meeting. We discussed economic development prospects and future marketing opportunities.  

Nominations are being accepted for the Leadership Beaumont 2013 class.  Email nominations to sbartos@bmtcoc.org.  Submit the nominee's name, business, position, mailing address, phone, fax and email.  Application deadline is March 15.  Orientation for nominees will be Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the chamber board room.  Application forms will be given to the nominees at the orientation on March 29.  The 2013 LB program will begin August 23, 2012.

Patrizi is the Chairman of this year's Total Resource Campaign Drive. "I love the fact that in one short period we are able to secure all the sponsorships for an entire year," said Patrizi. "Members can select from a wide range of unique opportunities to support the chamber while benefiting from a targeted approach to getting your business in front of the local business community."

The Total Resource Campaign will kick off on Feb. 23 and run through April 13. Anyone wishing to secure a sponsorship for an event is invited to call the chamber office or speak to one of several volunteers.

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2012 Small Business Awards  

The 2012 Small Business Awards will be presented on April 25, 2012, during Business Development Week at the Small Business Awards Luncheon.  

The Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation, in partnership with local Chambers of Commerce, is now accepting nominations for the following awards:

• Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Dr. Robert A. Swerdlow Small Business Person of the Year  (Open to all Southeast Texas businesses)
• Entrepreneur of the Year 
• Exporter of the Year 
• Family-Owned Business of the Year