President's Perspective  

Chamber Signs on New Membership Executive      

 HILL  COUNTRY  MILE  DIRECTOR  NAMED

 

Paul Barwick Hill Country Mile Director

Back by Popular Demand:

Speed Networking Lunch

Last January we asked our members to try something new, a speed networking lunch. It was a huge hit resulting in a wealth of positive feedback. Some guests wanted to do it every week! It is easy to understand why this event was so popular.

 

One of the main reasons business owners join the Chamber is to have a built-in group of like-minded individuals to network with. The Chamber offers a myriad of opportunities each month for members to network together - to discuss shared interests, to share mutually-beneficial ideas and to resolve joint challenges.  Read more.

 

Bending Branch Winery is pleased to announce that CMS Certified Sommelier Jennifer Beckmann has joined its Staff as Director of Marketing.  Ms. Beckmann brings a wealth of wine knowledge, expertise, and experience in the Texas wine industry. Bending Branch Winery is a sustainable practices, organically focused vineyard and winery--producing Award-winning wines.  

 

Helping Today's Students Become Tomorrow's Employees   

Last year the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce conducted a pilot Workforce Readiness Initiative (WRI) program with students from Boerne, Champion and Comfort High Schools. The objective of the program was to identify students that aren't planning to go to college when they graduate from high school and to help them learn the "soft skills" that will help them secure employment as they move on from formal education. Twenty three students graduated from the program in its first year.  Read more.

   

The Shutter-Happy Photography staff has been busy In the Community!
    

Click on logo to visit website.

 

Amy Anderson (photographer) and Emily Christian (studio manager) participated in the Boerne Outdoor Family Fair.  They drew a large crowd with a free photo booth and drawings for free portrait sessions and purses.

 

Amy, Emily, and Beth Archilla (party coordinator) enjoyed an evening at the Boerne Education Foundation's gala.  To help with fundraising, the studio donated a gift certificate for a free portrait party and a gift certificate for a free session and any size art piece, raising hundreds of dollars for our local schools!

 

And the team has been working since January to photograph and submit dozens of local children's images to participate in the National Charity Model Search.  After the first round of voting, three Shutter-Happy kids won finalist spots.

 

 The staff invites everyone to stop by and see the new studio, call, or view the website to see what's new....

 

Chamber Scholarships Secure Education

Tiffany Boerner with the Laurie Bushong Lang Memorial Scholarship recipient Renee Lemoine.

Every year, the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce awards three $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in Kendall County. This year, not only did we extend eligibility to Comfort High School seniors, but we also invited the first graduating class at Geneva and home schoolers to apply.      

 

It is always difficult to make the decision about who will receive the scholarship money raised by our members through their participation in our Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament that will be held this year at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf and Country Club on October 3 and our annual Gala which was held at Ye Kendall Inn in January.  Click here to read the recipients thank you cards.  Read more.

       

Tootie Pie Company April Sales Up 17%    

Click on logo to visit website.

Tootie Pie Company, Inc. announced that its April 2011 sales were up 17% over April of 2010.  This marks the 18^th consecutive month of sales increases.  The Company was recently featured on the Food Networks "Kid in a Candy Store" program. "Pie sales kicked our Caf� daily sales averages up 30% for Easter; our first holiday of the year," said Don Merrill, President & CEO.  "'Pie on a Stick' sales are creating a buzz as a warm weather treat and provide a promising boost for the upcoming summertime season. With holidays like Fathers Day and the Fourth of July right around the corner; and so many new ways to reach our target audience, we are more excited about this summer than any other in the past."

 

Save the Date for the Chamber's First Annual Wild Game Dinner
    

November 5, 2011 marks the date of the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce's first ever Wild Game Dinner that will be held at the Kendall County Fairgrounds from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The early word is that many different kinds of game will be offered including: elk, White tail and axis deer, nilgai (antelope, for the hunting impaired), alligator and Rocky Mountain oysters. Tickets are $20. You can expect a vast array of auction items and some fun games and other surprises. So Save the Date for this fun event people will be talking about for months to follow.

 

 
We're Looking for Your Stories

Send Us 100 Words (and Maybe a Photo or Two)

 We want to share news about your business with the rest of our members. If you have something you want to share, please send your email to Bonnie Westley - try to limit yourself to 100 words.

Business After Hours Mixers

Belden's Automotive & Tire (March)
Frost Bank (March Taste of the Hill Country Preview Mixer)
Eagle Dancer Ranch (April)
Soda Pops Patio Grill & Bar (May)
Lifetime Dental (May)

Hill Country Extravaganza

Click here to view list of Sponsors

Lessons In Leadership Luncheon

Bellomy Consulting Group

New Member Orientation

Rukavina Photography

Leadership Boerne

Economic Development Session (March)

Power Partners

GVTC & Frost Bank

Participating Partners 

Jeannemarie Wilson, Attorney at Law

Cibolo Nature Center

Home Instead Senior Care 

 

Education Session (April)  

Power Partners

GVTC & Frost Bank

Participating Partners

Authentic Custom Homes
Boerne YMCA

Review Session (May)

Power Partners

GVTC & Frost Bank

Participating Partners

Farm Bureau Insurance
Huser Construction

Mixer

Frost Bank

For Hot Deals & Member to Member Discounts

 

Click on red button to view deals.

One of the best kept secrets in the Hill Country is the front page Hot Deals & Member to Member Discount Programs at www.boerne.org.   Anyone can take advantage of  the hot deals posted by Chamber members.